Top 10:

Off the Beaten Path Nightlife in Scottsdale

  • The Best of NileGuide
  • Scottsdale nightlife may not equal Vegas or L.A., but the city more than holds its own when it comes to fashionable nightclubs pulsating with high-energy dance music and hordes of late-night partygoers. On any given weekend night in Old Town Scottsdale, dozens of nightclubs packed into a few downtown city blocks overflow with tourists, college students from nearby Arizona State University, and the city's beautiful people looking to dance (and drink) the night away in the desert.

    One New York Times travel writer memorably compared the Scottsdale scene to a desert version of Miami's South Beach, and we have to agree. Forget visions of golf courses and snowbird retirees in bolo ties: the new Scottsdale is about Armani-clad clubbers, local celebrities, and the occasional Hollywood tabloid star gliding past the velvet ropes to occupy the cities ample VIP seating.

    Even if you don't come to town for the nightlife, the roster of Scottsdale nightclubs is diverse enough to suit almost every taste, and even the most unenthused clubber in your group should be more than entertained by the excellent people-watching.

    Our number one pick is Martini Ranch, not because it's the most modern or exclusive nightclub in Scottsdale (it's not), but because it's a local landmark with a fabulous layout, lively yet down-to-earth atmosphere, and great drinks and bar staff. Live music is on the lower floor, while the Shaker Room upstairs features a roomy dance floor, full bar, and VIP seating.

    For those planning to hit the dance floor hard, Axis/Radius remains a top draw and an obvious choice for our Top 10 list, especially if you want a taste of classic Scottsdale club life on Camelback Road. This well-established Scottsdale nightclub is actually two clubs-in-one, which are divided and connected by a glass catwalk. The Axis DJs spin hip-hop, while the Radius side favors house and techno beats, but everyone seems to favor the go-go dancer who stands atop a giant platform outside the entrance, welcoming clubbers to this fortress of loud music and pricey drinks.

    Just down the street is the Pussycat Lounge, which makes our Top 10 list for embodying the exclusive mood of the modern Scottsdale club scene. The ultra-modern "PCL" sign on the non-descript gray building on Saddlebag Trail, just off Camelback, marks the spot. Inside you'll find a tiny dance floor surrounded by VIP-only seating, a swing and stripper poles, and bar so crowded it may require all your finesse and athleticism to retrieve your drink without incident.

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