252 Best of phoenix 2023 | WWW.bestofphoenix2023.c0m | septemBer 28, 2023 Best Small Music Venue LAST EXIT LIVE 717 S. Central Ave. 602-271-7000 lastexitlive.com What Last Exit Live may lack in size, it more than makes up for in reputation. Brannon Kleinlein’s South Phoenix venue is known around town for being a great place for musicians and fans. A peek at the calendar shows an eclectic lineup of local, regional and national acts most nights of the week. The audio engineers make sure the acts onstage always sound great and the friendly bartenders keep the drinks flowing. Last Exit Live’s impact doesn’t stop at the parking lot, either. It’s one of the organizers of this fall’s inaugural Luna Del Lago Festival, a three-day event happening at Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant. If it’s as good as everything else Last Exit does, it’ll be a must-see. Best Midsize Music Venue THE VAN BUREN 401 W. Van Buren St. 480-659-1641 thevanburenphx.com Why does The Van Buren deserve to be tops in this category yet again? Simple. The 1,800-capacity live music hub in downtown Phoenix is the gold standard for local midsize music venues with amenities geared toward the concertgoing experience and ambiance to spare. Excellent sightlines, great acoustics and an even better sound system mean you’ll see and hear everything perfectly. Classy and historic touches throughout the circa- 1930 building, like its glass chandeliers, desert murals and exposed rafters, add to the vibe. The adjacent Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop and Stardust Pinbar allow both preshow bites and post-show drinks. Even the venue’s status as part of Live Nation’s empire of owned and operated concert spots could be considered a plus, as it helps populate The Van Buren’s varied calendar with a parade of big-time artists and acts — including such book by its cover”? Boycott Bar is the personification of it. Situated between an auto shop and an antique store, the bar’s seemingly random location hides the truth — this bar is a ton of fun. From hosting the “Gay Olympics” featuring local sporting teams, to Jell-O shot parties, Boycott’s special event game is on point. But even normal Friday and Saturday nights at the bar are magical. As millennials, nothing gets us going like 2000s reggaeton and hip-hop records being spun while go-go dancers shake their groove thing on top of the bar. Of course, Boycott’s affordably priced pizza and strong drinks aren’t too shabby either. Best Drag Show 4SOME REVUE Kobalt 3110 N. Central Ave., #175 kobaltbarphoenix.com Right-wing lawmakers at the Arizona State Capitol spent much of their 2023 session attacking drag queens. Thankfully, Phoenix’s vibrant drag scene didn’t miss a beat, entertaining us despite the truckload of hate dumped on them. That perse- verance to perform is best seen on Fridays at 10 p.m. with 4Some Revue and its cast of queens Gia, Joey, Toothpick, Salem and Mynx. Kobalt, which opened in 2006, is popular for its karaoke. But the show lineup stretches across four nights and 4Some Revue is the highlight. Special guests often join the local performers to spice up the weekly show. The patio offers open seating, but snag a reservation online for seats inside near the stage. It’s the perfect way to start your weekend. Best Gay Bar DEcor NU-TOWNE SALOON 5002 E. Van Buren St. 602-267-9959 nutownesaloon.com The oldest gay bar in Phoenix (est. 1971) has the kind of decor that makes it look like a hybrid pop culture curio shop and an antique store. There are old gas pumps and vintage signs, a chandelier made of plastic penises and dripping with naked Ken dolls, stuffed animals, various lights and sirens, an old Coke machine and much more — way more than a few sweeps through this dark and lively bar could ever reveal. We recommend stopping by for a cocktail from the full bar or a game of pool, but make sure to look around when you do. You’re bound to stumble upon some- thing you haven’t seen before. ´
