Nightlife · Phoenix · United States
Phoenix nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Phoenix, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Scotwriter21, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Phoenix nightlife is concentrated in Old Town Scottsdale's bars and clubs, Tempe's student strip and downtown Phoenix's cocktail bars and breweries. In summer, life moves outdoors only after dark. The main areas are Old Town Scottsdale, Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row and Mill Avenue, Tempe.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Roosevelt Row
- Local drink
- Prickly pear
Where to go out
Old Town Scottsdale
The Valley's main club and bar district, busy on weekends and during big events.
Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row
Cocktail bars, breweries and music venues near the arenas and arts district.
Mill Avenue, Tempe
Student bars and live music near Arizona State University.
Nightlife tips
- Bars serve until 2am.
- Expect cover charges and dress codes at Scottsdale clubs on weekends.
- Use ride-hailing between districts; distances are long.
Evening sights
Park · South Phoenix
South Mountain Park and Preserve
Drive up to Dobbins Lookout around sunset, then stay to see the city lights spread out below.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- History
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale
Walk the gallery district on a Thursday evening, then have dinner nearby.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- Free
- After dark
Street · Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row arts district
Visit on the first Friday of the month for the art walk, or on a cooler morning for mural photos.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Photo spot
- After dark
What to drink
- Prickly pear — The magenta fruit of the prickly pear cactus is turned into syrup for margaritas and lemonade, as well as candy, jam and ice cream. Its sweet, slightly melon-like flavour is the taste of the desert.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 29°C (84°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:43 | 8°C (46°F) | 4 |
| April | About 18:59 | 16°C (61°F) | 2 |
| July | About 19:39 | 29°C (84°F) | 4 |
| October | About 17:55 | 19°C (66°F) | 3 |
Getting home late
- Tram — Buy day passes at station machines or in the Valley Metro ticketing app.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft cover the whole Valley, and in parts of the metro Waymo's driverless cars can be booked through its app.
- Bus — Valley Metro buses run on the main grid roads, but long distances and waits in the heat make them impractical for most visitors.
Late-night bites
- Sonoran hot dog — Hot dog stands and food trucks across south and west Phoenix, especially in the evening.
- Cheese crisp — Old-school Mexican restaurants across Phoenix and Tucson.
- Carne asada tacos — Taquerías and taco trucks in south and west Phoenix, and Mexican bakeries selling fresh tortillas.
Staying safe at night
Heat is the biggest risk: hikers are rescued every year, so start at dawn, carry plenty of water and turn back early. During monsoon season, avoid flooded washes and, if a dust storm hits while driving, pull off the road and turn off your lights. Leave nothing visible in parked cars.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for solo travellers, nightlife, food lovers and culture
Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row is Phoenix's arts district, a grid of bungalows and low buildings covered in murals, with galleries, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. On the first Friday of each month thousands of people walk between open galleries and street vendors.
- Good
- Street art and independent businesses; Walk to the Heard and Phoenix Art Museum; Lively First Fridays
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Some empty lots between blocks
- Nearby
- Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Downtown Phoenix
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Phoenix?
Old Town Scottsdale, Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row and Mill Avenue, Tempe. The Valley's main club and bar district, busy on weekends and during big events.
+Which area of Phoenix is best for nightlife?
Roosevelt Row: Murals, galleries and First Friday art walks north of downtown.