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!

[Celeste (Planned Parenthood)]

Good news folks. After going to an AMAZING jazz concert featuring Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, and Jay Soto with special gues Brian Bromberg (who plays bass in a way I didn't know could be done), I contacted the organizer Patricia Possert w/AZ Entertainment and Events and told her that the grown folks on this site were looking for a place to go and listen to good music and she said she was working on it. Let her know I am not the only one interested...shoot her an email [e-mail]

[Dolores Fair]

Hello again everyone,

I must confess that the last time my friends got together and went dancing, I was feeling too blue to go, so I missed out. But, the Mega Oldies Night is, in fact, at the Desert Diamond Casino Monsoon Club on Friday nights. It opens at 8 pm and women get in free. It's pretty decent, usually, its open, no smoking, doesn't feel like a pick-up dive! So, from 9 to 11 pm, they play the oldies and after 11, some other dj takes over and plays mostly for the younger set: current hip-hop, current "R&B", lots of Latin rhythms. I love to dance, so sometimes it's okay to stick around. Other times, the crowd is too young and all the Black men are standing along the back wall oogling, chatting it up, or whatever they do in that group besides dance.

Since many of us here don't know each other, we oughta plan a night to check it out and all meet up there. It's usually a good idea to get there at 8 or 8:15 pm, because the tables fill up first, but they do leave rows of chairs for latecomers. What do you think??? Let me know! And, I still plan to try one of the other suggestions too soon. The quiet ambiance and jazz music really sounds good to me! Oh, and Celeste, will do!

Dolores

[Dolores Fair]

Oh, sorry Rob, there's a lot going on in my life and I missed your question. It IS in fact at the Monsoon Club. I just like it because it doesn't have a "bar" sort of feeling to it. It is open and usually a fairly good mix of ages, so that it's not all children. The first two hours are oldies (some 70's through 90's stuff mostly), and after that, more current hip-hop and Latin. Hope you have fun and if anybody wants to go as a group, let me know.

Peace,
Dolores

Celeste (Planned Parenthood) said:

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.

[Rob J.]

Thanks, Dolores!

I will definitely have to check it out on Friday. The last time I went to Monsoon it seemed to have a younger crowd and played only Latin music.

I've actually been frequenting Sakura's lately. It's been fairly nice and relaxing. I also tripped over the Breau a few nights and found some nice crowds -- That's about the only place I know where you can two-step AND eat free soul food! :-)

A friend also mentioned Javalina Cantana on Fridays. I haven't been yet, but I may stop by one of these weekends.

I'm up to going to Monsoon with a group if that happens.

Take care!

-Rob J.

[Sweet Willie D]

Hi, Rob.

Sorry I haven't checked this site sooner. Do you know about the Blues Challenge coming up on Sept 13th? I'm competing this year. It's an annual event of The Blues Foundation, and is sponsored in Tucson by the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation.

Come on over-- Club Congress, Sunday Sept 13. The show starts at 1:00 p.m. I'm taking over the stage (and the show) at 4:00 p.m. I don't know about the others, but I'll be playing some real blues. I was raised in Steele, MO, and lived in Blytheville for many years. I played with Albert King at his club, the State Line, in Osceola when I was 10. I've been on since then. GIve me a call and maybe we can put together a "real" blues show. My wife's number is 307-1642 (she does bookings), and my direct number is 307-4600. I'd like to even play for a party at The Bro.

Rob J. said:

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.

[Sweet Willie D]

Come on over to Nimbus on Oct 2nd. And, be sure to come to the Blues Heritage Festival. I WON the Blues Challenge, and my band will perform at the festival. Then, we'll be Memphis-bound to play with the "big dawgs."

Nimbus is a casual place. They have a variety of their beers on tap, plus other beverages. The food is good - especially the chicken wings! Very good crowd. I'd appreciate my brothers and sisters coming out to support my music.

SWD

[Sweet Willie D]

Check out Nimbus. They have a new club on Tanque Verde. We play blues there and at the other location on 44th regularly. The atmosphere is good, beer is good, food is really good, and you can dance the night away. The new site, especially is very nice, and brothers and sisters show up for our shows. We even have a sister who sings "Sweet Little Angel" with us when she's there.

Larry Watkins said:

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.