31. Boondocks Lounge
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 690-0991
Address: 3306 N. 1st Ave.
Description: You can’t miss this place—a giant wine bottle sits in front of the building. This funky club has 2 bars, a dance floor, and several pool tables. Live music runs every day but Wednesday, with a variety from rock to blues. It’s dark, and the crowd varies depending on who’s playing. This is a great little place to shoot some pool on an off night or hear some of Tucson’s best local bands. You’ll pay a cover to get in the door when there is a band.
32. The Chicago Bar
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 748-8169
Address: 5954 E. Speedway Blvd.
Description: With bands 7 nights a week, this has been one of Tucson’s most popular spots since its beginnings as a blues club in 1972. A widely mixed crowd packs the place almost every night. The dance floor is well used (as are the pool tables), and Tucson’s most popular bands play this venue, including rock, metal, reggae, blues, and R&B. There is a cover for most shows.
33. Frog & Firkin
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 623-7507
Address: 874 E. University Blvd.
Description: This is a real college hangout, and live music begins blasting out of the doors around 6 p.m. on select weeknights and weekends. The Frog is always packed—indoors and out—with kids downing beers and enjoying traditional pub fare and pizza.
34. Rialto Theatre
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 740-1000
Address: 318 E. Congress St.
Description: The historic Rialto Theatre hosts some of the biggest names in town, with live performances from punk to salsa to rockabilly. It’s quite a scene.
35. Ain’T Nobody’S Bizness
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 318-4838
Address: 2900 E. Broadway Blvd., Ste. 118
Description: This popular little pub is primarily a lesbian bar, but lots of straight people come here just for the great DJ music. There’s a bar and a dance floor (which is always packed). People in the know refer to this place as The Biz.
36. Ibt’S
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 882-3053
Address: 616 N. 4th Ave.
Description: If you’re looking for the young, hip, gay crowd, head to IBT’s (It’s ’bout Time). Located downtown on 4th Avenue, they’ve got it all here: dancing, drinks, drag shows, live DJs, jazz night, outside patio bar, friendly bartenders, an automatic teller machine, video games, human Jenga, bingo for fun, patio barbecues, and more. Open daily.
37. Woody’S Bar
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 292-6702
Address: 3710 N. Oracle Rd.
Description: This friendly spot on the west side of town has a nice vibe. There’s a bar, flat-screen TVs, DJs, and occasional live music. A spacious outdoor patio and grassy lawn is home to barbecues and casual conversation. Karaoke, Havana Night, a chilidog buffet, and more take place throughout the week, so come on down. Special events include an annual Jell-O wrestling fund-raiser. Open daily.
38. Laff’S Comedy Club
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 323-8669
Address: 2900 E. Broadway Blvd.
Description: In the tradition of New York comedy clubs, Tucson’s nightspot for a good chuckle is open Thurs through Sat. A full bar and menu is available. The club hosts both touring and local up-and-coming comics. There is a cover charge.
39. Ava Amphitheater At Casino Del Sol
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (800) 344-9435
Address: 5655 W. Valencia Rd.
Description: This huge 5,000-seat amphitheater with lawn and reserved seating plays host to a variety of concerts and events during the year. Past shows have featured Sheryl Crow, Van Halen, Luis Miguel, Tony Bennett, and Toby Keith.
40. Cactus Moon
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 748-0049
Address: 5470 E. Broadway Blvd.
Description: This hot Top 40 country music dance club does not offer live music, but it does offer nonstop country hits, line dancing, a Friday happy hour (starting at 5 p.m.), and a variety of drink specials. If you’re a little unsure of your dancing capabilities, line dance lessons are offered on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. All this can be yours for a low cover. The Moon doesn’t shine Mon or Sun.
41. The Maverick
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 298-0430
Address: 6622 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: The Maverick is one of the true country bars in town. Bands are pure country, and dancing is as much a part of the scene here as the drinking. It’s been said the Maverick is the kind of place a country gal can walk into alone and not feel intimidated. You can even take dance lessons on select nights.The dance floor is smooth and can get quite crowded on nights when the bar offers 2-for-1 drink specials. Service is great, as are the drinks and food (you’ll also be pleased with the reasonable prices). Live music 4 nights a week. Open Tues through Sat.
42. The River’S Edge Lounge
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 887-9027
Address: 4635 N. Flowing Wells Rd.
Description: The River’s Edge Lounge has karaoke 5 nights a week. Rowdy and raucous, with a dance floor and several bars, it’s usually packed and pulsing with energy. Beer’s the beverage of choice here. Open until 2 a.m.
43. Gentle Ben’S Brewing Co.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 624-4177
Address: 865 E. University Blvd.
Description: Located 1 block west of the UA main gate, Gentle Ben’s Brewing Company is Tucson’s favorite place for fresh microbrews, food, and fun. Ben’s is 2 stories of an award-winning brewery, a full-service restaurant, and 2 neighborhood bars. It’s a great place for lunch, dinner, special occasions, private parties, catering, and partying. This continues to be a favorite of the college crowd, basically because of its prime location. Lunch and dinner are served daily. (See the Restaurants chapter.)
44. Nimbus Brewery
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 745-9175
Address: 3850 E. 44th St.
Description: This converted warehouse may be a bit tricky to find. From Palo Verde Road, turn east on 44th Street and continue to its very end. There you’ll find a very casual, wide-open brewpub. Weekend evenings will find music and special events. If you get hungry, you can chow down on a selection of beer-battered appetizers, chicken fingers, burgers, or the (in)famous fried bologna sandwich. Pool tables are also available.
45. Barrio Brewing
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (520) 791-2739
Address: 800 E. 16th St.
Description: To find this place, look for the giant white grain silo on the southeast corner of Toole Avenue and 16th Street, or better yet, call for detailed directions—it isn’t easy to find even with your iPhone mapping app! Housed in a converted warehouse in a funky part of town, this great bar features 12 microbrews on tap. An extensive menu features the usual bar favorites including crispy loaded potato skins, fries, and wings, plus burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more. Go for the “beer sponges,” giant soft pretzels served warm from the oven.