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Scottsdale vs phoenix: You Make the Call
By Nate Burns | August 3, 2007
SCOTTSDALE NIGHTLIFE
By Nate Burns
While the five clubs reviewed here are very different, you really can’t go wrong with any one of them. None of the five places I reviewed is any more or less exclusive than any other. PCL, being the smallest venue but equally popular, is the most difficult to get into if you are with a group of guys and the easiest if you have an all-female group. Dress to impress at e4 and Myst or you
might not get in; at Kazimierz, I failed to see any men without collared shirts.
I give the bartenders at PCL points for their crowd management skills – I never waited as long as expected for a drink. The bartenders at Jackrabbit get points for pouring strong drinks. e4’s bartenders are average and the bartenders at Myst are good looking but hardly the most professional; Kazimierz has one of the best libation selections in the state, but its bartenders don’t seem to care.
Overall: PCL has the best dancing and singles scene; e4 is best for people with short attention spans; Kazimierz is best for chilling and drinking quality vino; Myst is best for trying to act like a baller; and Jackrabbit has the best entertainment.
PHOENIX NIGHTLIFE
By Georgann Yara
Long having to surrender its nighttime business to Tempe and Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix is finally starting to attract attention when the sun goes down. But unlike our neighbors to the east whose reputations have been built on the well-heeled wallets of college kids and VIP-seeking singles, downtown’s collection of establishments offer a diversified portfolio that draws an equally diverse clientele looking for easy access to spots that fit their mood of the moment.
To blow off steam after a long day at the office, Portland’s is the perfect spot to grab a beer or glass of wine and relax in the calm and cool shade of its sophisticated decor. But those seeking a no-frills joint to drink the day away can pull up a seat at the Bikini Lounge, where the cheap beers run cold and often in this classic dive bar.
For music, upscale drinks and a social scenery, Amsterdam, Carly’s Bistro and Fate have what you’re looking for, just on different scales. All of these places are approachable and evening parking is fairly easy, with the exception of event nights. There is something for everyone and everyone’s bank account.
Jackrabbit
4280 N Drinkwater Blvd ∑ Scottsdale
(480) 429-4494 ∑ jackrabbitaz.com
By Nate Burns
The misleadingly titled Jackrabbit Supper Club is a smaller nightclub that features a diversely dressed but good-looking clientele and an intimidatingly attractive staff. Valet parking is available next to the club, but the best free parking in town is less than a block away, just south of the Hyatt at the Lincoln Towne Center.
The VIP area lines the edges of the club and offers stadium seating on the east side. There are eight tables that can hold from 4-10 people each. If you need to take a smoke break then go outside: the view of Drinkwater Boulevard is nothing special, but a surprisingly comfortable couch lines the entire outer area and there are loveseats and chairs at the west end of the deck.
The drinks at Jackrabbit are among the priciest in Scottsdale. However, you are paying partially for convenience – the two bars provide more than enough surface area for obtaining a drink quickly, no matter how crowded the place is. In addition, the bartenders pour generously.
If people watching is your thing, do it at Jackrabbit – every hour, scantily clad servers jump onto the bar and put on a dance clinic. The eye candy extends beyond the staff: you can’t look around without seeing a set of $5000 breasts and a $2000 smile. Most of the patrons at Jackrabbit are in their mid and late twenties.
Amsterdam
718 N. Central Ave. ∑ Phoenix
(602) 258-6122 ∑ www.amsterdambar.com
By Georgann Yara
Over the last few years, Amsterdam has capitalized on the notion that not everything is as it appears. With just a large “A” serving as a beacon to customers, it’s the most famous best-kept nonsecret. This laudable gay bar is also a popular hangout for the straight crowd, both men and women, and everyone in between. Consistently regarded as the most straight-friendly of the genre, Amsterdam accomplishes this by attracting a diverse clientele who flock for the social atmosphere, incredible drinks and nonjudgmental air.
Everything is over-the-top, from the vast drink list to the drag show on Thursdays. Amsterdam’s decor is striking, flaunting a medieval-goth edge with gargoyles, marble floor, floor to ceiling pillars and cushy leather couches. Yet, the place is inviting to anyone who wants to belly up to the bar and chat up any one of the very friendly bartenders, who are more than willing to help navigate you through the beverage selection and happy to flaunt their skills by coming up with their own favorites if asked.
Weekends are packed, especially before midnight when the $5 cover charge goes into effect. There’s something for everyone in the beverage department, with most ranging from $7-$12. Shots, beer, wine and a plethora of rums, vodkas and cordials can be had for $4.50-$9. Good deals can be had on Mondays, when manicures and martinis are $5 each, and during happy hour, when appetizers
are $6.50.
e4
4282 N Drinkwater Blvd ∑ Scottsdale
(480) 970-3325 ∑ e4-az.com
By Nate Burns
e4 is known for having four different clubs in one building, each of which mimics one of the four elements: earth, fire, water, and air. I liked the four-clubs-in-one aspect of e4, because you can be amongst thousands of people at any given time while still feeling like you are in a
smaller setting.
The fire bar is the only one open on down nights, and is my favorite room. There is a bar in the middle with a dance floor off to one side and a lounge area with all-red upholstery on the three other sides. VIP tables line the lounge area. The Earth room is similar to the Fire room but with greenish and brownish (earthy tones) upholstery. The Water room has a wall of water on one side, high ceilings, and a large dance floor. The Air bar is the usually crowded outside patio. The VIP section is vast, as there are several VIP tables in each of the three indoor bars. While e4’s VIP section has no lack of quantity, the tables only seat 4-5 people.
The drinks at e4 are typical Scottsdale fare: you will not be impressed. e4’s clientele is also typical of the Scottsdale club scene: for guys, a vintage t-shirt or button up dress shirt with designer jeans is the uniform. e4 is also the only club I reviewed that will kick you out for not wearing dress shoes. You will notice that the women very widely as far as attractiveness, but at e4, they generally travel in large packs of similar looking women.
Bikini Lounge
1502 NW Grand Ave. ∑ Phoenix
(602) 252-0472 ∑ tikiroom.com
By Georgann Yara
Pick a night, any night, and you’ll likely find yourself sitting between an original hippie chick with lots of tales that start with, “I remember when…” and a 20-something with a cool ‘do who punches a time clock at a dull office job to support his artist-by-night gig.
When its doors opened 40 years ago in a time when most believed the heat would keep folks from settling in the Valley of the Sun, the tiki trend was also far from trendy. Today, most of the ambiance comes from the faux-thatched roof, bamboo touches and a cornucopia of everything reminiscent of blue-collar tropics.
Inside, couples, small gatherings and singles looking for a brief escape over a cold, cheap beer create one of the city’s most diverse melting pots. It’s a place where everyone knows everyone, or seems to. Regulars have their usual spots, and newbies - even those who have the gift of assessing an unfamiliar environment quickly - give themselves away with a slow glide meant to hide that new-kid-in-class feeling.
Whether the goal is to slam a couple of shots or linger and work up to a slow inebriation, the prices are as comfy as the arm rests. Beers like Pabst Blue Ribbon run $3 a pitcher or less, shooters for a buck and exotic cocktails for $5 or less, are easy on the wallet. Just remember to make an ATM stop along the way, cash is king here.
Pussycat Lounge
4426 N Saddlebag Trl ∑ Scottsdale
(480) 481-3100 ∑ pclaz.com
By Nate Burns
Pussycat Lounge is at the northeast corner of the Nightclub District of central Scottsdale. Valet parking service is located directly across the street, and if you arrive in Scottsdale after 11pm, this may be your only choice. Free parking in this section of town is scarce, and you are lucky to get a spot within a mile if you arrive after the bulk of the clubgoing crowd.
There are only eight VIP tables at PCL, and If you have your own large group and don’t want to associate with commoners, take a corner table.
The bartenders at PCL are both good looking and very professional: even when the place is crowded, they will usually get your drink in fewer than three minutes. Compared to the rest of Scottsdale, drinks are also reasonably priced, and if you get there before 10pm on weekends, you can enjoy two drinks for the price of one.
The people at PCL are almost entirely under 30 years old and, generally speaking, are very good looking. PCL’s male patrons seem confident without being snobby, and the women are beautiful but generally approachable. There always seems to be a bachelorette party or two there, which is fitting because the club’s decor, with its swing and stripper poles, promulgates the club’s image of morality free debauchery.
Carly’s Bistro
128 E. Roosevelt St. ∑ Phoenix
(602) 262-2759 ∑ www.carlysbistro.com
By Georgann Yara
So what happened to the 30-plus set that spent much of their 20’s at the now extinct Long Wong’s in Tempe? They should be at this eclectic spot in the heart of downtown.
Those who spent their post-college party years draped in flannel and dirty denim, clutching a beer while listening to The Pistoleros and Dead Hot Workshop rock the stage, should feel right at home.
The beers that ruled on Mill Avenue like Rolling Rock and Bud Light, are available here for $3.50 a pop, but now have competition from an impressive list that includes several Dogfish ales that go from $7-$11, and even Pabst Blue Ribbon for $2. Instead of wings, Carly’s menu includes a good selection of paninis, salads and appetizers.
Music, ranging from the staff’s diverse CD collection to live musicians, plays in the background and once in a while, the cook and wait staff will break into song along with whatever is playing.
The rustic cafe ambiance almost screams gastropub, with it’s hole-in-the-wall exterior coupled with amazing yet simple elegant menu fare. Carly’s attracts a regular crowd of locals, but it also has become a favorite hangout for downtown ASU students. Seating is fairly easy most nights, but space is a premium for First Fridays. The beer list is a bit pricey, mostly hovering in the $5.50 - $7.50 range, but it boasts splurgy brews like Guinness and Lindemans lambics. Wines by the glass are friendly at $5-$7, as is the $17 pitcher of sangria.
Myst
4280 N Drinkwater Blvd ∑ Scottsdale
(480) 429-4494 ∑ jackrabbitaz.com
By Nate Burns
Myst was the least creative of the five clubs I reviewed; when I picture a cookie-cutter Scottsdale nightclub, I picture Myst. Don’t get me wrong, the place is nice, but I found it lacked originality. I think Myst is unoriginal on purpose; this allows the VIP area to truly emphasize the separation between the very important and the unimportant people. Surely, the only way to experience Myst is from the VIP section. The VIP is guarded by its own bouncer and looks upon the commoners.
Myst is right next door to PCL and shares many of the same parking features. There is valet parking nearby, but if you don’t want to pay for someone else to drive your car, prepare to spend at least five minutes driving around and looking for a spot.
Inside, Myst consists of four bars: the VIP lounge upstairs, the pool room adjacent to the outdoor patio on the west side of the club, the downstairs lounge, and the main room with a large dance floor. The pool room features two pool tables with Jack Daniels felt, and is usually the easiest place to get a drink. The downstairs lounge is the quietest room, and is lined with VIP tables with couches and a bar.
Myst may have the most attractive staff of all the clubs, but besides the older crowd at Kazimierz, Myst has the least attractive clientele among the clubs I reviewed.
Fate
905 N. Fourth St ∑ Phoenix.
(602) 254-6424 ∑ www.go2fate.com
By Georgann Yara
This easy to miss eatery fits perfectly in the downtown arts district that surrounds it. Fate originally made a splash with Chu’s Asian dishes, affordable at $8-$12 and available until the wee hours of the morning. Seating is a precious commodity on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The weekend dinner crowd starts before 6 p.m., so reservations are a must. And First Fridays? Well, just remember to wear comfortable shoes and get over any claustrophobic tendencies. The crowd doesn’t start thinning until the door is locked at 3 a.m., so don’t think you’ll miss the traffic by heading there late, either.
While all ages are comfortable for dinner, as the night goes on, the collection consists of more trendsetters and pretty people, both inside and spilling into the asphalt lot outside the patio steps. Attire is versatile, but it’s more the jeans and silk than lace and polyester. Understated cool is the theme, with nothing too flashy that screams attention.
The music is a lively mix of house and jazz fusion, and
a dance club vibe permeates every inch of space with patrons’ head bobbing and bodies swaying on a nonexistent dance floor.
The extensive beer list is impressive and stocked with exotic rarities like 33 Export from Vietnam, Macau from China and San Miguel from the Philippines. There’s also more recognizable labels like Guinness, Moretti and Heineken, but expect to pay $4 to $7 a pop.
Kazimierz
7137 E Stetson Dr Ste 6 ∑ Scottsdale
(480) 429-4494 ∑ www.kazbar.net
By Nate Burns
Kazimierz World Wine Bar is tucked into a small alleyway in Old Town, which makes it tough to find unless you go with someone who’s already been there. The only door you can get into is in the back, which management says is evident of the quality speakeasies of the days of yore. The rear entrance is also convenient if you like valet parking; there is a valet service right outside the door. The decor is quite impressive; the metallic globe at the wall opposite the bar sets a “worldly” mood, and the couches, tables, wine barrels, and dark lighting all give Kazimierz a loungey vibe.
Whether Kazimierz is crowded or empty, you will find it difficult to get a drink here, which is particularly annoying when you consider the vast selection that the bar staff decides to hold back from you. When the place is crowded, the bar stools are so close together that squeezing between people to get a menu, picking from the menu, and ordering your drink is basically impossible. The bartenders treat their jobs with a Homer Simpson-level of diligence.
The crowd is a healthy mixture of both young and old, and the people seem generally laid back (a common theme among the wino crowd). Bottles of wine are priced as low as $20, but have no fear, wine snobs: over half of the 1800 bottles on hand cost over $100.
Portland’s Rest.& Wine Bar
105 W. Portland St. ∑ Phoenix
(602) 795-7480 ∑ www.portlandsphoenix.com
By Georgann Yara
Tucked under hip condos on a particularly busy stretch of Central Avenue, Portland’s offers respite after a long workday with creature comforts amidst a white-collar backdrop. Happy hour is welcome and busy in the sophisticated lounge that boasts a circular bar as the main attraction. Rush hour here starts around quitting time and starts to thin around 7 p.m., when the business crowd heads home for dinner with the family.
After that, locals who reside nearby, most within walking distance, start to filter in for dinner and drinks over conversation or the game playing on the bar TV.
While sports rules the television, the music leans toward jazz fusion, and even a Billie Holiday CD gets tossed in every now and then. The artwork on the walls changes every two months and they actually get purchased, either by patrons or employees. Usually they are abstracts oils or acrylics on canvas that can find a home in almost any decor, and affordable, with some smaller pieces going for less than $100.
The prices, however, cater to the more upscale bank account. Appetizers are $9-$12, martinis and beers $3.75-$7 and wines by the glass, $7-$10. Happy hour helps, though, with $3 off well drinks and $2 off wine glasses.
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