Favorite Phoenix/Scottsdale Hot Spots? (Glendale, Tempe: hotel, neighborhood, theater)

[MyScreenName]

Hi CD,

I'm coming for a visit to Phoenix/Scottsdale this month.

Where are your favorite restaurants for sushi and Vietnamese?
Favorite place/bar/lounge for a glass of wine?
Favorite dive bar/neighborhood bar for burger & beer?
Favorite comedy club?
Theater companies?
Must-see attractions?

What areas would you suggest a single, 30 something, no children, no pets ought to consider living for around $1000/month rent?

What areas are straight up meth'd-out ghetto's to avoid?

Thank you!

[Hivemind31]

Sushi - Squid Ink. The sushi itself is good (not the best, but perfectly fine), but it's a "hotspot" downtown, live DJ's, lots of dressed up singles, etc. For excellent tasting sushi, I haven't found one that really jumps out at me as being particularly awesome, but there are plenty that are perfectly fine.

Glass of wine/lounge - I like the District (mid-downtown); they usually have a DJ and it has a "hotel bar" atmosphere.

Comedy club - Stand Up Live downtown has the best acts, but tickets aren't very cheap and the 2 drink minimum just adds to it (plus, their drinks are crazy expensive). The club in Tempe is probably the best, though the name escapes me at the moment.

Theater companies - You're going to be looking at the Orpheum or the theater center on 3rd, both located downtown.

On your budget, the best option is downtown Phoenix. There's an argument for Scottsdale, but it's a little pricier out there. You can do it on 1000/month, but your place will be smaller.

You don't have to worry about "danger" too much with regard to areas, but east mesa isn't the greatest, nor is the barrio-type area in deep west phoenix (70-90's avenues). They're livable, you'll just be surrounded by shadier characters.

[Wally Sconce]

My favorite Scottsdale local. The North tip of Scottsdale road just as it enters Cave Creek or heads west on the 74. The exit.

[Java Jolt]

I'm not into the hotspots as far as the bars and nightlife, not my cup of tea.

But must-see attractions are the zoos and aquariums, Wildlife World Zoo in the far west valley might be a little out of the way but it's worth the drive for a good zoo-aquarium experience.

Phoenix Zoo is good too but it seems less fun than Wildlife World.

Sealife Aquarium in Tempe is worth seeing too.

For safe places to live on your price I would recommend almost anywhere but Scottsdale, $1,000.00 per month won't go very far there.

Scottsdale is overpriced, there's a premium price for the Scottsdale address but you can find equally good places to live elsewhere in the valley and get more bang for your buck.

Up next, DetroitN8V with a rebuttal.

[DetroitN8V]

You can absolutely get a place in Scottsdale, near all the dining, entertainment and shopping, for less than $1000/month. For many, there's more value in living in a good locale than a cheap, nondescript stucco box next to Applebee's and Walmart.

Avoid Avondale, Tolleson, Laveen, SW Phoenix and south Glendale and you'll greatly reduce your risk of running into tweakers.

[petroglyphin]

For comedy clubs, check out Standup Scottsdale in old town. Affordable, intimate, and hilarious.

[ajonesaz]

Best place for wine is Postino's, they have locations in Gilbert, Phoenix and Tempe!

[MyScreenName]

Grateful for all the responses! Thank you...making a list now...