Nightlife (Grown Folks)

[Rob J.]

Are there any places to go in Tucson (Weekend Nightlife) that's catered to an older crowd? Bluntly: Where do Grown Folks go on the weekend?

I'm aware of DAV, the Breau, VFW, etc. But I was thinking of something a bit more upscale.

I am not referring to anything like Chicago Bar, DV8, Pearl, or Level. In essence, what are good places to have a drink, maybe listen to live music, and relax amongst a more mature, laid-back crowd?

Thanks!

[Larry Watkins]

Well, I like bragging about being a native Tucsonian, but the truth is if there is no where to go for a up scal club of color in Tucson.Any up scale places in the old pueblo if there were any upscale places, gangs would have already found away to sale crack in them. "I wish the speak easy was still open or We Went Wong had a for welcome sign out side there doors maybe the best place to have a up scale drink is where you lay your hat and coat.

[Dolores Fair]

Great question! I plan to check back to see if you get any other replies. I like to dance to the "oldies," as they are now called. You know, funk, R&B, soul. So, on Fridays, some friends and I sometimes go to the Desert Diamond Casino and listen to the Mega Oldies--mostly that's because the women get in free. But, it would be nice to have some relaxing music like jazz or blues, too. I've heard there are places in Phoenix, but I don't know where those are either. Maybe someone with longer time in the area could share some ideas with us.

Thanks for bringing this up.

[Annkatri Littleton]

I wonder how hard it would be to ask some of the existing clubs or bars located inside of a hotel such as Hilton on Broadway East to offer a jazz/Blues Night once a week? Their are a few other Hotels that have on-site dining that may consider our request to have a place to go where country, techno and Rap are not allowed.

[Ronnie]

I can't believe i'm about to tell you this, but........i can't remember if it's the Westin La Paloma Resort or Westward Look resort, but they have a nice lounge and i used to go and listen to my friend Deven play when he played up there with Kevin Hamilton. I remember the crowd being kinda mixed, but you want a drink and good music, there ya go. Take care of you buddy.

[Annkatri Littleton]

Thank you Ronnie, I'll check into it soon.
Ann


Ronnie said:

I can't believe i'm about to tell you this, but........i can't remember if it's the Westin La Paloma Resort or Westward Look resort, but they have a nice lounge and i used to go and listen to my friend Deven play when he played up there with Kevin Hamilton. I remember the crowd being kinda mixed, but you want a drink and good music, there ya go. Take care of you buddy.

[Sweet Willie D]

Hey, man. I'm looking for that place myself! I play real blues, and have a tough time finding anyplace that even knows what blues is. Mostly what I hear here is southern rock sorta blues.

If you wanta through a party, let me know, and I'll play the blues for you.

[Celeste (Planned Parenthood)]

There is a pretty cool band that plays at Sakamura which is this weird combo of a sushi bar and a sports bar on Tanque Verde across from the Golf n Stuff. They have a nice outdoor patio and good happy hour. The dance floor is small but the couple of times I went I enjoyed it. I would really like to know if anyone finds a good place to listen to the blues. They still have the same band at the Chicago Bar that they had when I used to sneak in there under-aged 20 years ago.

[Rob J.]

Hi, Dolores!

Which Desert Diamond are you speaking of? I stay close to the one on Pima and I-19. I might have to check that out one Friday. I'm assuming you are not talking about Monsoon.

Yeahhh, I'm sure there are a lot to go to in Phoenix. I hate we don't have too many options in Tucson. I think that people have tried before, but have failed due to dying interest or crowd-change...if that makes any sense.

Thanks for the reply!

Dolores Fair said:

Great question! I plan to check back to see if you get any other replies. I like to dance to the "oldies," as they are now called. You know, funk, R&B, soul. So, on Fridays, some friends and I sometimes go to the Desert Diamond Casino and listen to the Mega Oldies--mostly that's because the women get in free. But, it would be nice to have some relaxing music like jazz or blues, too. I've heard there are places in Phoenix, but I don't know where those are either. Maybe someone with longer time in the area could share some ideas with us.

Thanks for bringing this up.

[Rob J.]

Hey, Willie!

Brother, I hear ya! I actually went to a Blues event here several years ago up in the Foothills of Tucson (I think). Being from southern Arkansas I was expecting something COMPLETELY different than what they had! And let's just say that the crowd there looked as though they weren't expecting someone like me to be attending that event. ;-)

I would love to attend a REAL blues venue! I guess I've been here so long that I'm pessimistic that it will continuously work -- given the trends on how people support events here. People seem to support good venues the first couple of times...then they tend to taper off. That's just my observation...I haven't been able to figure out why this is.

But, PLEASE let me know if you hear of any events that's worth going to in the vicinity of Tucson (200 mile radius).

Actually, as I type I have an idea...I will ping you via email.

Sweet Willie D said:

Hey, man. I'm looking for that place myself! I play real blues, and have a tough time finding anyplace that even knows what blues is. Mostly what I hear here is southern rock sorta blues.

If you wanta through a party, let me know, and I'll play the blues for you.

[Rob J.]

Hey, Miss Celeste!

Are you talking about Sakura? Yes, that's a good venue! I went there just last night and had a pretty good time. The band was very nice!

Celeste (Planned Parenthood) said:

There is a pretty cool band that plays at Sakamura which is this weird combo of a sushi bar and a sports bar on Tanque Verde across from the Golf n Stuff. They have a nice outdoor patio and good happy hour. The dance floor is small but the couple of times I went I enjoyed it. I would really like to know if anyone finds a good place to listen to the blues. They still have the same band at the Chicago Bar that they had when I used to sneak in there under-aged 20 years ago.

[Celeste (Planned Parenthood)]

LOL...musta had a drink before I wrote that.. Yeah I meant Sakura. The father's day smooth jazz weekend concert by AZ events was REALLY good last night. Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Jay Soto, and special drop-in guest Brian Bromberg who can play a bass like no one I've ever seen. Was a mixed crowd but a good number of Black folks.

Rob J. said:

Hey, Miss Celeste!

Are you talking about Sakura? Yes, that's a good venue! I went there just last night and had a pretty good time. The band was very nice!

Celeste (Planned Parenthood) said:

There is a pretty cool band that plays at Sakamura which is this weird combo of a sushi bar and a sports bar on Tanque Verde across from the Golf n Stuff. They have a nice outdoor patio and good happy hour. The dance floor is small but the couple of times I went I enjoyed it. I would really like to know if anyone finds a good place to listen to the blues. They still have the same band at the Chicago Bar that they had when I used to sneak in there under-aged 20 years ago.

[Celeste (Planned Parenthood)]

I have been to the Monsoon, would like to know of another...

Rob J. said:

Hi, Dolores!

Which Desert Diamond are you speaking of? I stay close to the one on Pima and I-19. I might have to check that out one Friday. I'm assuming you are not talking about Monsoon.

Yeahhh, I'm sure there are a lot to go to in Phoenix. I hate we don't have too many options in Tucson. I think that people have tried before, but have failed due to dying interest or crowd-change...if that makes any sense.

Thanks for the reply!

Dolores Fair said:

Great question! I plan to check back to see if you get any other replies. I like to dance to the "oldies," as they are now called. You know, funk, R&B, soul. So, on Fridays, some friends and I sometimes go to the Desert Diamond Casino and listen to the Mega Oldies--mostly that's because the women get in free. But, it would be nice to have some relaxing music like jazz or blues, too. I've heard there are places in Phoenix, but I don't know where those are either. Maybe someone with longer time in the area could share some ideas with us.

Thanks for bringing this up.