Club Directory

Fuel Motorsport Cafe: If the exhaust fumes from the dozens of Harley-Davidsons parked out front don't choke you, the patio provides a perfect place to kick back and watch local bands like The Wett and Thor & The Swinging Johnsons perform on Fuel's elevated loft stage. And there's plenty of room to move inside the club -- the only things taking up space are the bar and some pool tables. 2827 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, 602-788-0500.

Hard Rock Cafe: The memorabilia at Hard Rock's Phoenix franchise ranges from the hip (Roy Orbison motorcycle, Chet Atkins autographed guitar) to the outdated (Spin Doctors? Ugly Kid Joe?).

Thu: Latino ladies'; night. DJs play hip-hop, merengue and old-school.

Sat: Battle of the bands night. 3 S. 2nd St., Phoenix, 602-261-7625.

Harley's 155: The vibe at this central Phoenix gay dance club depends on which of two house DJs controls the console. Some nights, the selection is decidedly '80s (old-school Madonna, etc.). Other nights, newer fare like DJ Sammy blasts. No matter -- an eclectic, multiracial blend of dancers keeps the huge, Technicolor-lighted floor buzzing.

Sun: DJ at 9 p.m. 155 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-274-8505.

Hollywood Alley: A Mesa institution, Hollywood Alley is known for its noisy rock shows, finger foods, black vinyl booths, vintage movie posters on the walls and arcade games in the back. Look for very tall, very thin, very friendly bartender Fun Bobby, who books the Valley's most avant-garde out-of-town bands for the club.

Mon-Sat: Live music. 2610 W. Baseline Rd., Mesa, 480-820-7117.

Jack's Place: Nestled in the heart of old town Avondale, Jack's Place has been in the same place, with the same name, since 1935. A big club with a neighborhood bar feel, Jack's may be one of the only nightspots that actually has a suggestion box by the door. With its eclectic variety of music (spun by house DJ Ray, who owns more than 1,800 CDs), the club draws a racially and culturally diverse crowd of regulars. 613 E. Western Ave., Avondale, 623-932-0190.

Jazz in the Hills Coffee House: This intimate, smoke-free spot -- in the Appian Way Restaurant's banquet room -- features local and regional musicians playing Latin, classic and modern jazz every Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Concerts are free, but gratuities are collected for the performers. 17149 E. Amhurst Dr., Fountain Hills, 480-837-9771.

Jugheads: A small punk/heavy rock club with a tiny stage, Jugheads offers an angry jukebox (Korn, Sex Pistols), black light and plenty of attitude. Live music is on tap most nights -- mostly locals with some regional touring acts mixed in for good measure. 5110 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-225-0307.

The Loft: Laid-back and roomy, the Loft provides a cool wind-down retreat for those hot nights on Mill. The main floor houses the bar and a spacious room, painted blue and red, with dozens of matching couches and chairs. Japanese paper lanterns hang from the rafters, and upstairs, there´s a big loft overlooking the main room. The seating options may be wide open, but other limitations apply: The Loft only has beer on tap, and the music of choice is hip-hop. 420 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-967-4848.

Los Vaqueros Western Steakhouse & Saloon: An old-fashioned country-western bar with brands on the ceilings, tequila at the bar, and beef on the grill. There is free pool from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Sun-Thu: Clint Williams and Running Wild, 9 p.m.

Mon-Wed: Country Karaoke, 9 p.m. 285 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, 480-982-3407.

Mason Jar: This former hair-farmer haven still provides a steady stream of punk, metal, goth and industrial acts. The Jar even books country acts on occasion, so look for an eclectic crowd of underage hard-core enthusiasts and middle-age partyers through the black-lighting and basement ambiance. 2303 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-954-0455.

Misty's: At this unpretentious bar that caters mostly to women, the lush, boudoir-inspired decor (red walls, a mirrored wall covered in Victorian drapes) doesn't exactly fit the '80s retro and Top 40 music that dominates the dance floor, but it's usually too dark and crowded for anyone to notice. Misty's also hosts pole dancing and wet tee-shirt contests, giving Valley lesbians a nice assortment of eye candy. 4301 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, 602-265-3233.

Modified Arts: Mainstream-shunning hipsters flock to this tiny performance space located in downtown's up-and-coming Roosevelt gallery district. Modified hosts raw indie rock, emo and punk bands, as well as experimental film screenings, alternative theater and a variety of genre-defying performances. Smokers congregate on the front sidewalk between sets. 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-462-5516.

Nasty Habits: A small, divey mixed gay bar with a definite dingy vibe going for it -- in a good way. Nasty Habits' interior is stark, with beams that look like old telephone poles running across the ceiling and a yellow-brown wall. Patrons can enjoy a jukebox, a pool table and even a quick game of shuffleboard.

Wed-Fri: Karaoke, 8 p.m.-midnight.

Sat: DJ, midnight-1 a.m. 3108 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-267-8707.