248 foot party haven is a hedonistic thrill zone focused solely on drinking and dancing. Cake is unrivaled for its uninhibited vibes — the bartenders and lingerie-clad waitstaff are all smokeshows — and unmatched drip — the decor is all neon, glitz and gold). Add in Scottsdale’s best audio-visual system, guest DJ sets by such GOAT-level talents as Dillon France and Zedd, unique entertainment such as aerialists and a reputation as a celeb- rity hangout, and it’s no surprise why Cake is considered the top club in town. Stop by for a slice of over-the-top nightlife fun, but be ready to wait in line. 22222 B EST O P E N M I C N I G H T Tempe Center for the Arts 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe 480-350-2822 tempecenterforthearts.com If you’re looking for a place to see local talent perform in a non-nightclub atmosphere — or if you want to pack your guitar and take the stage yourself — check out Walk-In Wednes- days at Tempe Center for the Arts. The mic is open every hump day from 5 to 10 p.m., and performers benefit from TCA’s professional stage and sound setup. Walk-In Wednesdays celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, making it possibly the longest-running open mic night in town. TCA has a full bar in case you need some liquid courage, and open mic attendees can also visit the art gallery for free. Pro tip: Save some time to take in the view of Tempe Town Lake from the rooftop patio. 22222 B EST B LU ES BA R Westside Blues, Jazz & More 17045 N. 59th Ave., Glendale 602-761-6816 westsideblues.com Losing a music venue is always a bummer, but it’s even sadder when it involves a beloved spot from Phoenix’s already tiny blues bar scene. Case in point: The closure of the iconic Chars Live earlier this year. West- side Blues, Jazz & More in Glendale was spared this fate, though, thanks to the inter- vention of general manager Channing Pickett. After co-founders Paul Vincent Perez and Cindi Jackson decided to step away from their nightclub and venue last year, Pickett bought the place and prevented things from ending on a sour note. Wisely, she also kept everything that makes West- side the best blues joint in town. The 3,500-square-foot establishment still offers Chicago-style speakeasy vibes, fantastic acoustics and plush seating. Pickett also upgraded the exterior patio to allow outdoor alcohol consumption — “Now you can sit outside and listen to music and drink,” she told Phoenix New Times in April — and added shows on Thursdays. The best local blues/R&B artists hit Westside’s stage regu- larly, including such talents as guitarist Johnny DeFrancesco and ensembles such as Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns and Big Daddy D and the Dynamites. Like many of Westside’s patrons, we hope to sing its praises for years to come. 22222 B E ST RO C K BA R Chopper John’s 2547 E. Indian School Road 602-955-0881 facebook.com/chopperjohns There are local rock bars, and then there’s Chopper John’s. Sloppy, rowdy and a whole lot of fun, the Indian School Road biker dive and live music haven embodies the rock ’n’ roll spirit more than other joints with its gritty authenticity, rip-roaring vibes, cheap drinks and even cheaper thrills (almost every show is free). Thunderous tunes reverberate from the low-slung rafters on Friday and Saturday nights, courtesy of one the most consistently diverse lineups of local rock bands around. One weekend, it’s take-no- prisoners punk or face-shredding metal; the next, it’s gleeful power pop or twangy rocka- billy. Chopper John’s grungy little heart also beats for the Phoenix music scene by adorning its red-and-black walls with framed shirts from local groups and occa- sionally hosting album release parties. From its ample smoking patio outside to its stripper pole and year-round Christmas lights inside, Chopper John’s is always conducive to a good time. 22222 B E ST P L AC E TO S E E A P U N K S H OW Yucca Tap Room 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe 480-967-4777 yuccatap.com When local Reddit users were asked to name the Valley’s grimiest bars earlier this year, several mentioned long-running Tempe joint Yucca Tap Room. “That is what I consider a true dive bar,” one Redditor commented. “A bar whose smell perfectly captures its vibe.” Sounds like the kind of scuzzy-but-lovable place punks would frequent — and they have, for decades now. Yucca Tap’s come-as-you- are-vibes, cheap drinks, sticker-laden rest- rooms and spacious main room have helped make it a preferred destination for genera- tions of local punks. Its bookers frequently bring in such legendary touring bands as Dwarves and Agent Orange or allow local promoters to put on memorable and wild shows and event like the burlesque-friendly Titties, Ass and Punk Rock nights. Best of all, many shows are free to attend, which is the most punk thing of all. 22222 B E ST P L AC E TO S E E A M E TA L S H OW The 44 Sports Grill & Nightlife 4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale 623-842-1053 the44sportsgrillandnightlife.com If you hark back to the days when Vince Fournier (a.k.a. Alice Cooper) attended Cactus High School in northwest Phoenix in the late 1960s, it can be said that the best fans of heavier rock ’n’ roll came from the north Valley. It’s only fitting, then, that the best place to catch a metal show in Phoenix right now is The 44 in Glendale. The venue is the home to a killer stage with some of the best sound gear in town and also has a pretty tasty menu of reasonably priced bar food and drinks to boot. Talk about an excellent place to catch a band like The Dead Boys, Green Jelly or locals Go Ahead and Die with 300 or so of your best new friends. If a little (or a lot of) headbanging is your cup of tea, get over to The 44 and find out what all the shouting is about, but don’t forget some ear protection. B E ST R EG G A E V E N U E Marquee Theatre 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe marqueetheatreaz.com The Marquee Theatre, originally the Red River Opry, debuted in 1993 and transitioned into the renowned concert venue in 2003. Located one mile north of Arizona State University in Tempe, the Marquee Theatre has hosted over 1,500 national touring artists since its 2003 rebranding. Part of the rebranding was to attract reggae acts to metro Phoenix, and recently, Marquee has hosted reggae sensations such as Steel Pulse, Alborosie, FYAH, JWADI, Hyer Tide and local favorite Dobra Sound, packing the house with reggae fans from as far away as Tucson. The auditorium-style venue, which can accommodate more than 1,000 fans, features a vast balcony, a full bar in the concert hall and an additional bar outside in the mezzanine. The venue has a booming sound system, perfect for the covers of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ one-drop rhythm covers. With ample parking available, it continues to offer unforgettable live music experiences, solidifying its status as a staple for reggae lovers in the Valley. 22222 B E ST C O U N T RY BA R The Dirty Drummer 2303 N. 44th St. 602-840-2726 thedirtydrummer.com Believe it or not, pardner, but the Valley’s best country bar can be found within spitting distance of the city slickers of Arcadia. Sure, there might be bigger, fancier or more rustic cowboy-friendly joints around the Valley, but The Dirty Drummer gallops ahead the herd by embracing its vintage roots and delivering country comforts done right. Just ask local Twitter personality, raconteur and barfly Clue Heywood, who loves the place because “they capture the late-’70s Phoenix vibe to a T.” Opened in 1980 by Frank “Drummer” Armstrong and “Dirty Dave” Werner, this “eatin’ and drinkin’ place” feels like the sort of old-school Phoenix bar where one-time Arizona resident Waylon Jennings would tip one back. Retro beer mirrors, wrought-iron fixtures and a kitschy Kenny Rogers painting adorn the wood-paneled walls, adding to the charm. The Dirty Drummer also boasts great grilled wings, Jack Daniel’s cocktails, canned brews such as Montucky and an unrivaled
