250 country and western jukebox loaded with twangy tunes by George Jones and other legends. Weekends feature the most varied lineup of local and touring country artists in town, including Americana, old-timey folk, bluegrass and roots musicians. In a herd of look-alike local honky-tonks, The Dirty Drummer is a real outlaw. 22222 B E ST E D M V E N U E Walter Where?House 702 N. 21st Ave. 602-586-5906 walterwherehouse.com These guys can do it weird, man. The spirit of Burning Man is alive and well at this not- quite-underground but certainly not main- stream venue hidden away in Phoenix’s industrial district, where a variety of big and emerging names in electronic music stop by for sets. The Where?House is not for people looking for a “normal” time. The space is unlike anything around — a playground of art where things get bumping and personal expression is highly encouraged. Walter Productions’ dazzling fleet of art cars, from an enormous Volkswagen bus to a repur- posed fire truck that shoots flames, dominate the expansive room. A high-powered lighting system and a gallery of paintings made by local artists make for a very stimu- lating environment. At any show, you’ll see a number of people showcasing their flow with hula hoops or other glittering objects. This is where the party’s at, making it the crown jewel of Phoenix EDM venues. 22222 B E ST A F T E R- H O U RS DA N C E S P OT Karamba Nightclub 1724 E. McDowell Road 602-254-0231 karambanightclub.com We’ve all run into the problem: It’s 2 a.m., the bars are closing, but you’re still looking to stay out and have fun. Enter Karamba Night- club on the stretch of McDowell Road in east Phoenix known as Miracle Mile. The DJs at Karamba are basically scientists, measuring the perfect BPM against a catchy melody perfect for getting you on your feet. They find a way to mix 2000s Shakira (the Spanish versions, of course, as it is a Latin club) with new music trending on TikTok. And it somehow sounds good. With a dance floor open till 4 a.m., the crowd is here to sweat, not awkwardly hold a drink while listening to a “Mr. Brightside” mix like in other Phoenix bars. B E ST J U K E B OX Gracie’s Tax Bar 711 N. Seventh Ave. 602-793-1110 graciestaxbar.com Gracie’s Tax Bar regulars probably couldn’t believe their bloodshot eyes. Earlier this year, the popular Seventh Avenue hangout announced on social media it had ditched its beloved Rock-Ola CD jukebox for a Touch- Tunes system. Turns out it was just an April Fools’ Day joke, one that earned plenty of responses from patrons. Some were bummed. Others didn’t buy it. Both reactions speak to the jukebox’s revered status as the best in the Valley and how integral it’s become to the vibe at the bar. After all, it wouldn’t be Gracie’s without a soundtrack of indie rock gems, ’90s hip-hop bangers or outlaw country classics hewn from a vast and varied rotating selection of CDs hand-picked by owner Grace Perry. There’s also French psych-punk, groovy soul standards, funky acid jazz, Southern rock anthems and synth- pop favorites to choose from, and they can be had on the cheap (three songs for a buck or 20 spins for $5). Whatever the mood or moment happening at Gracie’s, the perfect song is always waiting in its jukebox. 22222 B E ST L A RG E M U S I C V E N U E Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre 2121 N. 83rd Ave. 602-254-7200 talkingstickresortamphitheatre.com Maybe you know it as Desert Sky Pavilion, Cricket Pavilion or a handful of other names. Regardless, Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre is the crown jewel of local music. From Lollapalooza and Billy Joel (who played the debut show in November 1990) to the Mayhem Festival and Green Day and countless other artists, Talking Stick’s hosted the biggest names to ever grace the Valley. Now, some folks out there might think that an open-air amphitheater in Phoenix is a bad call. (Some 8,000 seats of the space’s 20,000 total are under a roof, FYI.) But there’s true a magic that tran- scends the weather — it’s such a magnifi- cent party in a surprisingly inviting setting that you hardly notice the 108-degree temps. But even if it got to be 1,000 degrees, Talking Stick has been an important pres- ence in Phoenix’s continued evolution as a big-time music spot, a venue that has helped birth and extend a robust scene around its confines. It’s no hyperbole to say the Valley wouldn’t be what it is without Talking Stick, and the place has captured all the joys and significance of our home with every new show. Call it whatever you want, just never insignificant.
