258 NIGHTLIFE SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2025.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2025 peeps together to compete for a crown and prizes. A regular event called The Queer Arcana showcases local and national queer performance art in a relaxed atmosphere. And you’ll find a craft cocktail menu that also tilts spicy and sweet with standout drinks like The Mango Situation and the Prince Prickly Pear Margarita. e e e B E S T L E S B I A N B A R BOYCOTT BAR 4301 N. SEVENTH AVE. 602-825-6240 BOYCOTTBARPHX.COM In the heart of Phoenix’s gayborhood, Boycott blends dive bar charm, feminine energy and great dancing. Whether you’re here to cut up at a queer-artist-themed dance night, to meet someone new at an aptly named U-Haul party, enjoy a drag show, or play some pool or bingo in the back room, the bar will keep you entertained — and feeling right at home — until the wee hours. Photos of lesbian icons fill the walls of the intimate space as Phoenix lesbians and members of the LGBTQ+ community fill the dance floor. As Phoenix’s only lesbian bar, it doesn’t have a lot of competition for this title. But that doesn’t dim the bar’s impact during 21 years of business. Owner Audrey Corley, a strong leader and advocate for Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community, has curated a safe space for queer Phoenicians, one that we remain proud to recognize. e e e B E S T N I G H T C L U B DARKSTAR THEATER 526 S. MILL AVE., #201, TEMPE 480-408-5010 DARKSTARTEMPE.COM This two-story Mill Avenue dance club and venue offers a cosmic collision of sound, light and energy that’s light years ahead of other Valley venues. Built for bass lovers and beat-seekers, Darkstar is equipped with an elite PK Sound sound system that hits like a comet, a towering projection screen behind the stage, and ample space to groove on its dance floor and mezzanine. Some of the finest local and touring DJs perform each weekend, from solid Valley talents like Alaskan Franks to nationally known EDM heavyweights like Sander Van Doorn, with occasional special events like K-pop nights. Darkstar recently added the Lobby Bar, an adjacent lounge for laidback vibes, jazz shows, open mics and 2-for-1 specials for anyone needing a breather from the bangers. e e e B E S T N E W N I G H T C L U B CLUB CONTACT 747 W. VAN BUREN ST. 602-600-5494 CLUB-CONTACT.COM Soon after the Thundercat Lounge shuttered earlier this year, Grace Perry, of Gracie’s Tax Bar notoriety, swooped in to claim the two- story space, which got a major overhaul. The ambiance went from neon-soaked retro- futuristic to something darker, shinier, slinkier. On a typical night at Club Contact, you’re likely to find a mix of DJs, backdropped by projection art, spinning for cool kids dancing beneath rows of half-sphere mirrors that lower the ceiling, shrinking the room to feel at once cozier and more glam. The outside patio teems with folks lounging and flirting and enjoying tacos from the pop-up taqueria. But point of fact, there’s no such thing as a typical night at Contact. Look for evenings dedicated to line dancing lessons, ballroom dance lessons, world music, trance, eurodance, Latin house, bachata, singles nights, queer singles nights, lube wrestling (seriously), Halloween in August, neighbor- hood association meetings. Invariably these events attract a delightful-ass crowd: diverse, upbeat and hip without being aloof. Contact is the rare club — honestly, the rare venue of any sort — where people have as much fun as they’d hoped. Parking is free and abundant; the cover is, at most, $5; and you can get a beer for as little as $3. You are welcome. e e e B E S T D A N C E F L O O R STARDUST PINBAR 401 W. VAN BUREN ST., SUITE C 602-354-2931 STARDUSTPINBAR.COM Walk past the counter at Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop, down a short hallway, and then yank
