16. Che’S Lounge
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-2088
Address: 350 N. 4th Ave.
Description: Not much to look at, this friendly neighborhood bar on 4th is not out to impress. No cover, dollar beers, excellent bartenders, and a terrific jukebox make this a great place to hang out. Live entertainment most weekends.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Address: 3010 W. Valencia Rd.
18. The Hut
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-3200
Address: 304 N. 4th Ave.
Description: You’ll find tropical drinks and live music 7 nights a week at the hopping Hut. Look for the giant tiki head (rescued from a local minigolf park) that marks the entrance to this drinker’s paradise, with its huge bar and outdoor patio. Belly up to the grass-skirted bar for a drink and listen to a wide variety of musicians, from local crooners to top area bands.
19. O’Malley’S
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-8600
Address: 247 N. 4th Ave.
Description: With a very large bar, late-night snacks, and a separate club for live bands, this is a popular weekend college hangout. Live music is featured Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat, but O’Malley’s sees business all week long. Patrons are drawn in by the airy high ceilings (the building was once home to a highly successful lumber company), outside patio, and several pool tables. On weekends don’t be surprised to see people waiting in line to get in. O’Malley’s charges a cover when there’s a band.
20. Plush
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 798-1298
Description: A great atmosphere with comfy couches, deep-red walls, and big windows that look out on the 4th Avenue scene, Plush offers live music ranging from jazz to alternative, Southwestern, country, rock, and blues.
21. The Red Room At The Grill
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-7621
Address: 100 E. Congress St.
Description: You’ll find live music weekends starting at 10 p.m. at the Grill’s eclectic Red Room. No cover, ever! This funky diner is the only thing in Tucson that’s open 24/7. Grab some grub (see the Restaurants chapter) and a drink from the full bar, and settle in for a night of unique entertainment.
22. The Shanty
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-2664
Address: 401 E. 9th St.
Description: This place has been packing them in for over 30 years, so much so that many of today’s patrons are children (and even some grandchildren) of earlier generations.There are several reasons for the continued popularity of the Shanty. One is its location—just blocks from the UA and right in the heart of the 4th Avenue/downtown scene. Another is the large selection of imported beers. The third is the casual atmosphere where students and professors can meet and mingle. Summer nights find the patio abuzz with activity.
23. Sky Bar
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 622-4300
Address: 536 N. 4th Ave.
Description: At the only solar-powered bar in Tucson (maybe even in the country?), head inside to the casual, open, airy bar or, better yet, head upstairs to the outdoor astronomy bar for a look at the stars. Nightly astronomy shows and deep-space images projected from the club’s own telescope make for an enchanted evening. Open-mic nights, live music, and game nights along with special events pack them in nightly here.
24. Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 622-7984
Address: 198 W. Cushing St.
Description: Step back in time at this wonderful downtown bar and cafe housed in a historic landmark. There’s a fabulous wooden bar complete with a brass foot rail, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and antiques. A limited menu of comfort foods (homemade soups, salads, meat, and potatoes) is just fine. Come for the ambience and the great bar, where the bartenders can make just about anything. (Don’t believe it? Ask for a German chocolate cake and see what you get.) There’s live jazz every Saturday night and concerts take place during the summer in the beautiful enclosed outdoor patio. Call for a schedule. Open Tues through Sat; there’s a cover charge for special musical events.
25. The Grill
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 529-3500
Address: 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Rd.
Description: Friday and Saturday you’ll find live Latin jazz music on the outdoor patio, where you can sip delicious drinks, indulge in tasty appetizers, or order a complete dinner while you enjoy the high-energy rhythms at one of Tucson’s premier historic hotels.
26. Ric’S Cafe
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 577-7272
Address: 5605 River Rd.
Description: Friday and Saturday nights at Ric’s you’ll find delightful contemporary jazz performed by a variety of professional musicians. You can sit under the softly lit palms at the bistro tables and enjoy both the music and dinner in the lovely outdoor courtyard.
27. Bar ¡Toma! At El Charro Cafe
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 622-1922
Address: 311 N. Court Ave.
Description: Mariachi music fills the courtyard weekends at this downtown bar and restaurant known for its Mexican cuisine. The restaurant opens at 10 a.m. Mon through Sun. Enjoy the funky cowboy-hatted fountain while you listen to the bouncy, upbeat tunes.
28. Casa Vicente
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 884-5253
Address: 375 S. Stone Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Do you like flamenco dancing? Reserve your Friday and Saturday nights for live flamenco performances at this casual, delightful Spanish restaurant. The dancers are gorgeous, intense, and hot, hot, hot! There’s a cover charge of $5 on top of your meal to view the dancers as they stomp on the center stage to live guitar music and castanets. You’ll want to sign up for lessons immediatamente (tango and milonga lessons are offered Wed night)—olé!
29. El Parador
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 881-2744
Address: 2744 E. Broadway Blvd.
Description: Every Friday and Saturday night the leafy large entry area is hopping with a live salsa band. Salsa lovers 21 and over can join in the fun for a mere $7 cover charge. Don’t miss the salsa lessons for $5.
30. La Fuente
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-8659
Address: 1749 N. Oracle Rd.
Description: You’ll find authentic mariachi music at La Fuente Thursday through Sunday year-round. The talented singers roam the restaurant and perform onstage right up until closing.