If you're looking for nightlife in the Valley of the Sun, you won't have to look hard, but you may have to drive quite a ways. Although much of the nightlife scene is centered on Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe's Mill Avenue, and downtown Phoenix, you'll find things going on all over.
The weekly Phoenix New Times tends to have the most comprehensive listings for clubs and concert halls. "Calendar" in the Thursday edition of the Arizona Republic also lists upcoming events and performances. Get Out, published by the Tribune, is another tabloid-format arts-and-entertainment publication that is available free around Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe. Other publications to check for abbreviated listings are Valley Guide, Arizona Key, and Where Phoenix/Scottsdale, all of which are free and can usually be found at hotels and resorts.
Tickets to many concerts, theater performances, and sporting events are available through Ticketmaster (tel. 480/784-4444; www.ticketmaster.com), which has outlets at Macy's department stores and Fry's Marketplace grocery stores.
Cocktails With A View
The Valley of the Sun has more than its fair share of spectacular views. Unfortunately, most of them are from expensive restaurants. All these restaurants have lounges, though, where, for the price of a drink (and perhaps valet parking), you can sit back and ogle a crimson sunset and the purple mountains' majesty. Among the best choices are Different Pointe of View, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort; Rustler's Rooste, at the Pointe South Mountain Resort; and jade bar, at The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain.
