Entertainment in Phoenix
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Herberger Theater Center
The Herberger Theater Center has two stages shared by three resident companies: Arizona Theatre Company (602-256-6995; www.aztheatreco.org), the state’s leading ensemble; the Actors Theatre (602-252-8497; www.atphx.org) for more experimental, fringe productions; and the Center Dance Ensemble (602-252-8497; www.centerdance.com), which specializes in modern dance.
reviewed
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Kazimierz
With an entrance through the alley and a sign saying only ‘The Truth is Inside, ’ this wine cave feels like a swanky ’20s speakeasy, only the air here is rather genteel, grown-up and devoid of debauchery. The sofas are as soft as the music and the wine list as long as a Tolstoy novel: with 3000 global bottles to choose, you’ll want to (and happily can) rely on your server’s recommendation.
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Alice Cooper’stown
Yes, this ‘jock-and-rock’-themed beer hall really is the original shock rocker’s (and Phoenix resident’s) baby. On game days, it floods with giddy fans toasting their teams playing at the nearby US Airways Center and Chase Field. Come anytime for drinks specials and to tackle the ‘Big Unit’ (a 2ft hot dog), one of the most popular items on the tongue-in-cheek menu.
reviewed
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Myst
Once past the picky bouncers it’s all about dancing with friendly folks and sipping the signature apple ‘tartinis’ at this party palace and its adjoining sister club, Ballroom. Global DJs hit the decks in this stylized space teeming with wrinkle-free hotties and hangers-on. Guys – dress up or you’ll be riding the velvet rope for a long time.
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Axis/Radius
This megaplush posing and preening pen is another entry in Scottsdale’s growing cadre of state-of-the-art lounge-club combos. It’s full of shiny, happy and barely legal hotties who may be too busy seeing and being seen to actually have a good time. Gotta love the LED panels and chilly liquid nitrogen fog, though.
reviewed
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Four Peaks Brewing Company
Beer lovers rejoice: you’re in for a treat at this quintessential neighborhood brewpub in a cool Mission Revival–style building. The strong Scottish ale is a bestseller, but also try lesser-known brews such as Kölsch, which originates in Cologne, Germany, and seasonal styles like the spicy pumpkin porter.
reviewed
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Amsterdam
Say hello to the gargoyles at this fun, cool and friendly bar with its over-the-top medieval decor. It’s a big player with the gay scene, but everybody’s welcome to hang on the patio and sample the mind-boggling martini menu (300 last we checked). Check out ‘Martini & Manicure Monday.’
reviewed
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Homme
DJs whip the crowd into a frenzy with different sounds nightly, from goth and industrial Wednesdays to house Fridays and electro Saturdays. The hot ’n’ heavy vibe draws unpretentious party-hearty locals, including gays and queens. For drinkies, try the Dum Dum Tini embellished by a lollipop.
reviewed
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Red Bar
The Red Bar has the crushed blood-red velvet walls of a bordello and is a fun and out-of-control trendy part of Scottsdale's lively bar scene. Expect high-spirited company and an elbow-wielding crowd on weekends. If you enjoy things a little more dark and gothic try next-door's Sky Bar.
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Rusty Spur Saloon
Yee-haw it up with the grizzled Budweiser crowd gathered for good times, cheap drinks and twangy country bands that’ve been around the block once or twice. It’s in an old bank building that closed during the Depression; the old vault now holds liquor instead of greenbacks.
reviewed
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Orpheum Theatre
A splendid, restored movie house downtown used by highbrow touring shows and the symphony. It's chock-full of history; in the days when movie stars toured the cities their movies were playing in they'd often grab a soda in the now-defunct café (owned by this writer's grandparents).
reviewed
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Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Preschoolers will likely be enthralled by the adorable singing, talking and dancing puppets of the Great Arizona Puppet Theater. The repertory includes classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and original shows like The Monkey & the Pirate.
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Greasewood Flat
This outdoor drinking place is a cash-only affair and at night the stars really are big and bright. On cold nights the fire pits are blazed up and on weekends you can count on a country band and plenty of whooping it up on the dancefloor. Burgers and other greasy goodness available.
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Suede
The walls and furniture are covered in suede, of course, at this ultrachic art-deco-style lounge-cum-restaurant, which is a good spot to launch a night on the razzle. The best seats for swilling that martini (pinkie raised and all) are by the patio fireplace.
reviewed
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Swizzle Inn
Swizzle in…stagger out, or so proclaims a sign on the door. The best dive bar in the state, it's set in a strip mall and used to cater to sisters of Sappho. Now, all types - from hipster to oldster - call it theirs until closing time.
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Improv
Part of a national chain, this club delivers an assembly line of yucks from new talent and today’s hottest stand-up comics. The two-item minimum purchase (food or drink, in addition to the cover charge) is strictly enforced.
reviewed
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Char’s Has the Blues
Dark and intimate, this blues grotto packs ’em in with solid acts most nights of the week but somehow still manages to feel like a well-kept secret. Play pool or darts or share your sorry tales with another blues brother.
reviewed
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Tempe Center for the Arts
The Tempe Center for the Arts, set right on the lake, has a sculpture garden and infinity pool outside of the curved-steel building. Inside, there's a theater for the performing arts and a 3500-sq-ft gallery.
reviewed
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Arizona Cardinals
In 2006 this National Football League (NFL) team moved from Tempe to the brand-new and architecturally distinguished University of Phoenix Stadium in the western Valley city of Glendale. The season runs from fall to spring.
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Bikini Lounge
There are a few good places to drink in the artsy Roosevelt District but the Lounge is the king of divey-cool. Rusty pickups and BMWs share the small parking lot, and inside, bamboo and carved tiki totems rule the roost.
reviewed
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Clubhouse Music Venue
This bastion of indie sounds is known for bookers with a knack for catching upwardly hopeful bands before their big break. Kasabian, Blindside and the Young Dubliners have all played before 600-capacity crowds.
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Coffee Plantation
If in Tempe, train your java radar to this regional retort to Starbucks, whose high-octane espresso and lattes have kept ASU students fueled for well over a decade. Pastries and light meals are also served.
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Phoenix Coyotes
Right next to University of Phoenix Stadium is the Jobing.com Arena, where this National Hockey League (NHL) team (currently coached by one of its co-owners, Wayne Gretzky) plays from December to March.
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Four Peaks Grill & Tap
There's always room for a laid-back brewpub, even in high-energy Scottsdale. Hang out and sample some of its 10 draft specialties in the semi-industrial space that gets mobbed on football nights.
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Arizona Opera
The state ensemble produces five operas per season, usually favorites such as Mozart’s Magic Flute and Verdi’s La Traviata. Performances are at Symphony Hall.
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