uttered, even if it’s a mumbling SoundCloud rapper on the mic. And, unlike other local venues looking to maximize liquor sales, Aura will sometimes run all-ages shows. Younger fans can get a taste of the fun while teenage performers get the opportunity to shine, like when 17-year-old Phoenix rapper Xander (a.k.a. XaniMonsta) brought the place down in August. EEEEE Q & Brew 3400 South Mill Avenue, #348, Tempe 480-968-3722 theqandbrew.com Why does Q & Brew keep racking up awards from us as the Valley’s best billiards joint? Chalk it up to the place’s straightforward fo- cus on pool, drinking, and not much else (save for a few pinball machines by the front door). The rates are cheap ($5 per hour on the regulation-sized Brunswick Gold Crown tables, with free games from 3 to 6 p.m. on the 8-footers), the staff behind the tuck-and-roll leatherette bar aren’t stingy with pours, the cues and other equipment are well-maintained, and caricatures of bil- liards legends like Ralph Greenleaf and Wil- lie Mosconi adorn the walls. Speaking of history, Q & Brew has been in business since 1968, and given its popularity, will keep hus- tling for years to come. EEEEE Shady’s 2701 East Indian School Road 602-956-8998 facebook.com/shadys.az Picking the best jukebox in town is no easy feat. Options are pretty limited, as old- school, non-internet machines are a dying breed. Those still left around town are all great in their own right, but no matter which one you chose, someone’s going to disagree. Shady’s jukebox outshines its CD-slinging brethren and earns our nod because of its sound quality (crystal-clear jams come from the well-maintained ma- chine) and the depth of its curated and ro- tating selections. Flipping through the pages of the juke is like digging through the crates at a choice used record store as you encounter disc after disc of diverse op- tions, rarities, and obscure gems. Art punk and psychedelic space-surf. Japanese ska and Chicano rock. French New Wave and weirdo soul. And in between, there’s R&B from Etta and Aretha, hard-to-find albums 414 Pub & Pizza 414 South Mill Avenue, #118, Tempe 480-829-3536 414pizza.com The thing about karaoke is that just be- cause you like to sing, it doesn’t mean you actually can sing. None of that matters, though, 414 Pub & Pizza, where karaoke happens every night and the crowd cheers you on no matter what you sound like. There are hundreds, if not thousands of songs to choose from, and in the COVID-19 era, the staff members hand out cute little microphone covers to keep you safe while you sing. And if you’re just there to watch, you’re still going to have a good time due to 414’s full bar and well-executed menu of pizza, salads, and appetizers (we love the Pizza Styx, kind of a stuffed breadstick/ elongated calzone thing). You can catch us from local indie and soul artists, and “grab bag” compilations occasionally included by the staff. We’re sure hipsters, music fa- natics, and culture junkies will all agree with our pick. Anyone who doesn’t can find us feeding bills into the box down at Shady’s if they’d like to debate. EEEEE there on a Tuesday or Thursday for the $4 drink specials, getting a little liquid cour- age in us before we belt out a tune. EEEEE Cruisin’ 7th 3702 North Seventh Street 602-212-9888 cruisin7th.com Cruisin’ 7th Show Bar & Lounge owners Lynn and Mike McGarry took advantage of the pandemic to do some renovations and redesigns. We’re talking floors, walls, ceil- ings, and a majorly upgraded showroom with a raised stage and fresh neon through- out. But the vibe, and the regulars, are still the same. Cruisin’ 7th Show Bar & Lounge dates back to 1977, when it was located just north of Roosevelt Street and Central Ave- nue and called (appropriately enough) Cruisin’ Central. The bar changed its name upon its 2003 move to its current location, where its calling card is painted across the standalone building: “The Best Drag Shows in Town” (the bright sign sits atop a rain- bow-colored pole). More cool features? Cruisin’ opens at 6 a.m., offers daily drink specials ($3 bloody marys till noon, $5 cock- tails all day), and really does host killer drag 213 SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2021.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2021 B E S T G A Y B A R ni ghtlif e B E S T K A RA O KE B ES T JU K E BO X B ES T P OO L HAL L
