Phoenix, AZ is best known for its rugged outdoors, natural beauty, and hot desert climate. Every year, millions of visitors come to the Valley of the Sun to experience the unique attractions and fascinating culture the city is famous for.
The nightlife in Phoenix, Arizona may not be as talked about as the city’s other features, but it is just as exciting and diverse. After all, after an active day out in the sun, there’s no better way to cool down than to have a nightcap – or two – in the hangout of your choice.
Whether it’s a happening bar, a laidback lounge, or a pulsating music venue, there’s a nightspot in Phoenix to match your mood for the night.
Here’s a look at some of the best places to go in the city after the sun goes down.
Table of Contents
Bars and clubs
- Valley Bar
130 N Central Avenue - Bar Smith
130 E. Washington Street - Cobra Arcade Bar
801 N. 2nd Street #100 - The Womack
5749 N. 7th Street - Lustre Rooftop Bar
2 East Jefferson Street - Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
1 West Jefferson Street - Bikini Lounge
1502 Grand Avenue - Angel’s Trumpet Ale House
810 North 2nd Street
Valley Bar’s convenient location just one block from the Adams Light Rail station makes it the top choice of many locals and visitors. It is especially popular among the young and hip crowd who come here for the wide selection of drinks, fantastic game equipment, and great live performances. For amazing cocktails, the Rose Room offers a wide selection of in-house concoctions named after local politicians. For entertainment, get a ticket to a live performance or film showing at the Music Hall. For a round of billiards or skee ball, the Game Room is the place to be.
This two-story club keeps the energy level high with famous DJs and hip hop artists playing through the night. Sweat it out on the dance floor on the open rooftop or in the Main Room, and don’t expect a quiet moment of cozy chats. Bar Smith is one of the most vibrant party places and nightlife destinations in Phoenix, Arizona.
If the combination of arcade games and craft cocktails is your idea of a nightcap, Cobra Arcade Bar is the place to go. Go back in time by playing classic vintage games like Donkey Kong, The Simpsons, and old-fashioned Pinball – all operated with tokens. The house cocktails are named after nostalgic 80s and 90s arcade favorites, so you can play your game and drink it too!
This “vintage bar” is named after Andy and Maureen Womack, owners of the original Chez Nous lounge that was highly popular in the 1960s. The Womack captures the vibe of Chez Nous with its retro design, classic cocktails, and soulful music performed by a live band. The food is just as classic, with staples like Shrimp Cocktail, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Deviled Eggs on the menu.
Looking for a quiet, romantic night spot under the stars? Lustre Bar fits the bill to a T. The rooftop bar is set up close to a pool and serves a wide selection of fancy house cocktails. Come for the food, too – the menu features creations by Executive Chef Brian Peterson, with dishes that make use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
With its location in the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters at the Luhrs Building, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour serves up a taste of irony and history with every sip. The bar’s cocktail program has received a number of awards and accolades, including Best Beverage Program from the Arizona Restaurant Association and Best Cocktail Bar from Phoenix Magazine. This stylish nightspot also offers inventive bar bites to go with their award winning beverages.
A dive and tiki bar at its finest, Bikini Lounge has been around since 1947 – no mean feat in a city like Phoenix, Arizona that has since seen an influx of diverse nightlife spots. Bikini Lounge is typically open till 2 AM, so it’s the perfect spot for late night drinks and revelry. The dimly-lit, windowless interior has not changed since its opening, and combined with the ever-present pool tables and a small dance floor, makes for the perfect retro vibe that attracts customers of all ages.
This highly popular craft beer house is also considered one of the best restaurants and best patios in Phoenix. If you’re looking for great food, inviting ambiance, and fantastic beer, Angel’s Trumpet is your one stop shop. They serve a rotating selection of beers on tap, with the commitment to never “put the same beer on the same tap twice”. Their extensive food menu includes pizzas, buns, tacos, and their signature house made pop tarts.
Breweries and taprooms
- Arizona Wilderness Brewing’s Beer Garden
2001 E. Roosevelt Street - Huss Brewing Co. Taproom
225 E. Monroe Street
and
100 E. Camelback Road, #160 - Wren House Brewing Co.
2125 N. 24th Street - State 48 Brewery
345 W. Van Buren Street
and
2530 Happy Valley Road suite 1269
The second location of the popular Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., this brewery and beer garden is famous not only for its signature handmade brews but also for its fun and casual patio seating. The long wooden tables are perfect for session drinking, particularly with the surrounding vibrant murals and swaying trees. Delicious food such as their famous Duck Fat Fries go perfectly with the brewery’s popular selection of craft beers on tap.
With two locations in Downtown Phoenix and one in Tempe, Huss Brewing Co. Taproom brings their fresh handcrafted beers to aficionados who love sampling a variety of brews with delectable small bites. Their bestselling Arizona Light, Cenpho Citrus IPA, Copper State IPA, and others are best taken with their selection of local sausages, burgers, and other menu favorites.
Housed in a 1930s bungalow, Wren House Brewing Co. boasts several award winning craft beers, such as their Spellbinder IPA and Jomax Oatmeal Stout. It’s no wonder their brews have fast gained popularity among beer aficionados in Phoenix and beyond. The beer crafters profess being innovative with their IPAs, stouts, and sours while staying with traditional techniques for lagers and other classic brews.
With six locations throughout Arizona, including two in Phoenix, State 48 Brewery has certainly made an impact in the state’s dynamic brewery scene. Thanks to an at least 10-barrel system found in every location, beer lovers can enjoy their popular offerings, such as the Sound of Freedom IPA, Lost Dutchman Golden Ale, and Vortex Amber, in freshly brewed perfection. The delicious food served at their taprooms enhance the gastronomic experience.
Live music venues
- The Van Buren
401 W. Van Buren Street - Crescent Ballroom
308 N. Second Avenue - Last Exit Live
717 S. Central Avenue - The Nash Jazz Club
110 E. Roosevelt Avenue - Chars Live
4631 N. 7th Avenue - The Rebel Lounge
2303 E. Indian School Road - Rustler’s Rooste
8383 S. 48th Street
One of the best Phoenix, Arizona nightlife activities is to watch a concert or live performance at The Van Buren. Opened in 2017, the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment today, including Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Sting. The 1800-capacity venue was built in 1939 as a showroom for the historic Phoenix Motor Company. Van Buren’s calendar always has a full lineup of concerts, musical performances, comedy shows, and more.
Crescent Ballroom is a popular music venue, lounge, and restaurant in Downtown Phoenix. Housed in a historic 1917 building, this long-standing entertainment destination features an eclectic mix of shows, performances, and events, including musical acts, live bands, trivia nights, comedy shows, and more. Cocina 10, Crescent Ballroom’s in-house lounge and restaurant, opens until 2 AM on weekends, perfect for a late nightcap and catch-up with friends.
Located in the Historic Warehouse District of Downtown Phoenix, this 21+ venue has hosted numerous live performances of local and national acts of various genres, including pop, rock, soul, bluegrass, and others. The place’s intimate vibe makes for a more relaxed experience compared to bigger venues. Upcoming shows can be found at their website.
If you’re into jazz music, The Nash offers the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day. Named after legendary jazz drummer and Phoenix native Lewis Nash, The Nash is bringing jazz music to a new generation of fans not only by hosting musicians and performers of the genre but also by holding educational programs and supporting up-and-coming jazz artists. Scheduled shows and events can be found at the club’s calendar.
Formerly known as Char’s Has the Blues, Chars Live is the place to go for live blues, soul, and R&B music. Encompassing 2,245 square feet, the venue has an inviting vibe, perfect for unwinding over drinks and live music from world-class musicians. For upcoming events and performances, check out the venue’s calendar.
If rock music is your thing, you will love what The Rebel Lounge brings to the Phoenix, Arizona nightlife scene. With numerous awards under its belt, including Best Punk Club and Best Rock Club, The Rebel Lounge serves as a launching pad for up-and-coming rock acts. The venue takes over from its predecessor, The Mason Jar, which hosted some of the top rock and metal bands in the country. Check here for information on upcoming events.
This popular steakhouse also features live country-western music every night and ample space for two-step dances. Opened in 1971, Rustler’s Rooste has a mountaintop location that makes it the perfect venue to enjoy honky-tonk music over great beer, wines, spirits, and fantastic Americana food. The views are equally amazing – one reason customers keep coming back for more.
Unique Phoenix, Arizona nightlife experiences
- The Churchill
901 N. 1st Street - First Draft Book Bar
300 West Camelback Road - Century Grand
3626 E. Indian Road
This one-of-a-kind community hub hosts a number of restaurants and bars, as well as retail shops and art shops, all housed in reclaimed shipping containers. The business owners are required to do a few hours of community service a week as part of their “rent” for the space. A 9,000 square foot courtyard serves as a shared space where people can eat, drink, and socialize in a communal setting. It is also a venue for community and private events, such as art pop-ups, live performances, and others.
A place made for bookworms who also love their beer or wine, First Draft Book Bar is certainly a unique watering place. Located inside the popular Changing Hands Bookstore, First Draft offers more than 40 craft beers on tap, more than 20 wines on tap or in bottles, coffee drinks, food, and local mead. It’s a bit like being in a library – but one where you can enjoy a good book over a pint of beer or glass of wine.
Century Grand is not your ordinary watering place – it is an immersive experience that takes bar hopping to a new level of adventure. This unique establishment offers three experiences that take you back to turn-of-the-20th century America when Prohibition was in effect. Platform 18 simulates a ride aboard a Presidential Pullman-inspired train car complete with passing views of the Rocky Mountains. Grey Hen Rx will take you to a vintage New Orleans apothecary. UnderTow takes you on a “voyage” aboard a 1900s spice trader’s Clipper ship. All these while you enjoy world class handcrafted cocktails and rare bourbon, whiskey, and other spirits.
Explore the lifestyle and homes for sale in Phoenix, AZ with the Carol Royse Team
The Phoenix, Arizona nightlife is just a slice of the amazing way of life that awaits you in this beautiful city. Learn more by calling the Carol Royse Team today!
The team is led by CEO Carol Royse, one of Keller-Williams’ top-producing luxury Realtors. With more than 30 years of real estate experience, Carol imparts her knowledge and expertise to her team of 25 top agents to ensure a smooth and successful transaction for every client. Collectively, the team has helped hundreds of clients achieve their real estate goals in Phoenix and the surrounding communities.
Get in touch with the Carol Royse Team today at 480.776.5231, or send them an email to this address.