By local contributor
Biannca Dominguez
Who says you have to wait until the weekend to party? It’s not just about catching weekday deals either. Personally, I’ve found that there are a lot of reasons to go out during the week, and they can range from being on vacation to something as simple as everyday stress. And we all know how stressful Mondays can be…
AZ/88 is easily one of my favorite places in Scottsdale because it’s chic, open until 1:30 a.m. and serves food until 12:30 a.m. every day. I like places that don’t treat Friday like it’s more important than Monday. Hang with the cool kids, sip on a martini, check out the current art installation, order a burger (and waffle fries), and a strawberry shortcake if you’re feeling really crazy. It’s not the easiest place to find and is, as even they say themselves, a very, “in the know” spot, so going on a Monday feels even more right.
For a chic mid-week happy hour, head for ZuZu Lounge at Old Town's iconic Hotel Valley Ho. As you soak up the classy Mid-century Modern vibes, you can enjoy $5 wine and beer, $6 featured cocktails and $3 to $10 bites like spicy Brussels Sprouts with bacon and kimchee sauce, Short Rib Empanadas, Korean Chicken Wings and Oysters on the Half Shell. Happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and seats by the fire and the lively bar fill up fast, so I recommend getting there early!
Wednesday, a.k.a. Hump Day. It might be one of the longest days of the work week. But don’t worry because you have something to look forward to after quitting time. Head to Bevvy for one of the city’s best happy hours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy $3 well drinks, $4 pints of beer and $5 select wines. Once your cocktail is in hand, check out the free arcade games or have your fortune told by Zoltar. Then grab a table and test your knowledge at Wednesday Trivia Night, which begins at 8 p.m. The questions will be tough, but you’ve got this.
I love music, a sexy lounge vibe and a craft cocktail, so Thursday nights at The Beverly always sound like a good time. Plus, it's ladies night with classic martinis for $8. The night begins around 8 p.m. with a resident DJ spinning house music until bar close. Usually, I follow the same natural progression — start off calm with a glass of wine, loosen up and then slowly find myself on the dance floor, cocktail in hand.
So, even though Friday is part of the weekend, it’s also technically a weekday so we’ll still talk about our favorite Friday spot, Wok N Roll. This karaoke night offers all the top-charting hits from your favorite decades in a fun and festive atmosphere. This hot spot also offers an Asian-inspired menu so you and your group can stay fueled up to sing all night long.
With a great nightlife scene and so many amazing restaurants and bars in Scottsdale offering crazy-fun weekend scenes, I suggest checking out different pockets of Scottsdale like the Entertainment District (in Old Town Scottsdale), Arcadia, DC Ranch, McCormick Ranch and Troon North. These are great spots where you can walk, golf cart or five-minute Uber to the next place to get a few stops in.
Thankfully, since we all love to party on the weekends, there’s plenty of fun to be had Monday through Thursday as well!