Club Directory

 CLUBS

ACME Roadhouse: In its original Scottsdale location, ACME catered to Harley-Davidson weekend warriors. In its new Tempe incarnation, it entertains the college set with dancing and, on Sundays, local rock bands. Dance space is at a minimum, but there's plenty of room for other social rites.

Sun: Live music.

Mon: Industry night.

Wed: Ladies'; night.

Thu: College night. 855 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, 480-517-1818.

Anderson's Fifth Estate: Anderson's two decades of boozing and boogieing have set the tone for all other local upscale clubs. A roomy loft affords swell views of the city's favorite dance floor, framed by three bars piled with hip wait staff. Hipper still is the snug Elbo Room, a quiet bar that's anything but, with its own live DJ, bartender and cage dancers.

Tue: 75-cent drink night, two DJs, two dance floors.

Thu: Brit pop and industrial dance.

Fri: DJs.

Sat: Retro live. 6820 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale, 480-994-4168.

The Arizona Roadhouse: Open 24 hours, the Arizona Roadhouse offers an ambiance that's part rockabilly hot rod, part yuppie loafer. Patrons can enjoy the game on 21 TVs, including five big screens, while munching on delectables from the kitchen's full menu.

Thu-Sat: DJ Chuck spins Top 40 hits. 140 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-726-0505.

Axis/Radius: A catwalk separates these two posh clubs, both favorites among the eclectic and in-the-know party crowd. Radius provides the final word in dance-floor fun, complete with disco ball and up-to-the-second Eurobeat and house music. Axis offers retro dance tunes with giant video accompaniment.

Wed: Latin/salsa night.

Thu: Ladies'; night. 7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480-970-1112.

AZ 88: A magnet for hip types on dinner dates or simply club hopping, AZ 88 is nestled in the northwest corner of Scottsdale Mall, the kind of place where the sound of martinis being shaken is swallowed up in ambient techno and smooth jazz. An artfully lighted patio is especially popular on warm nights. 7353 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, 480-994-5576.

Balboa Cafe: Vintage movie posters and metal signs adorn the walls of this Tempe rock club, where local acts like T.A.T.E. and the Peaceful Warriors regularly rattle the stage. You can get your drink on and your rocks off inside the club, but you gotta go outside to the patio if you want to light that stogie. 404 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-967-5887.

Bar Nun: Holy trinity! This Catholic-themed bar and grill, with murals of nuns playing saxophone and piano, is part sports bar, with an abundance of televisions; part family restaurant, as the menu features dishes cutely named the Father Burger and Sister Shroom; and part live music scene -- local roadhouse faves like Sistah Blue and cover bands like the Scones have performed in recent months.

Thu-Sun: Live music with ladies'; night from 8-11 p.m.

Sat-Sun: Southwest breakfast, 9 a.m. 4142 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, 480-706-5564.

The Big Bang: Located below The Library, the Big Bang touts itself as an underground dueling piano bar. Patrons provide as much entertainment as the pianists, getting onstage to dance and sing along. A high level of audience participation, combined with the pianists' campy humor, creates the aura of a cheesy lounge high on nitrous oxide. 501 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-557-5595.

Big Fish Sports Pub: Crammed into an archaic strip mall, the small, tough Big Fish Pub is a loud (!!) haven for attitude, regularly hosting local punk bands and occasionally throwing unannounced gigs by big out-of-town acts. Folks here spend as much time smoking by the front door as they do drinking, playing pool and rocking out inside. Live music seven nights a week. 1954 E. University Dr., Tempe, 480-966-5010.

BS West: Blink, and you might miss this well-concealed Old Town Scottsdale gay bar from the street. Once you do find it tucked away on East Fifth Avenue, you'll discover a two-story sports bar/dance club hybrid -- black-painted walls, TV monitors with MTV-style music videos, a dance floor, live music and an upstairs game room featuring pool tables. 7125 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale, 480-945-9028.

Cabanas: Aptly named, Cabanas' walls are adorned with surfboards and sea-foam-green murals of palm trees. There's not much room for dancing, although there is a stage for exhibitionists. For some quiet time, check out the dock patio, which boasts a Sun Tracker speedboat with tables and chairs on board. 6810 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale, 480-421-9055.

Cactus Jack's Bar & Grill: This busy bar entertains thirtysomething Ahwatukee locals with live rock and blues on Fridays and Saturdays. Pool, darts and sports TVs round out the quintessential pub atmosphere.

Mon: Straight A double elimination pool tournament.

Sun,

Tue, Wed and Thu: Karaoke with Crazy Rick.

Fri-Sat: Live bands starting at 9:30 p.m., no cover. 4747 E. Elliot Rd., Ahwatukee, 480-893-6630.

Cash Inn Country: Cash Inn is a large gay country dance club in central Phoenix that features wood-paneled walls, live entertainment, line-dancing lessons on a large, checkered dance floor, video games, a pool table, and dartboards.

Tue-Sat: Dancing, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.

Tue-Wed: Dance lessons, 7:30-9 p.m.

Fri-Sat: DJ from 8 p.m.-1 a.m.