Nightlife options on the upswing in Glendale

Nightlife options on the upswing in Glendale

"We were it."

That's how Terry Davies viewed the Northwest Valley's nightclub landscape two years ago when he opened Skye, a restaurant and live-music club in the Arrowhead area.

But change happens fast. New bars, restaurants and clubs open seemingly on a monthly basis. "The more, the merrier," Davies says.

Rather than competition, he sees the increased concentrations of clubs as a way to make the Glendale/Arrowhead area a destination—and it means residents aren't forced to rent a limo and travel to Phoenix or Scottsdale to imbibe in upscale drink and dance.

Davies says he knew it was only a matter of time; this side of the Valley has the disposable income to support high-end venues.
He purchased the land near 83rd Avenue in 2001. Not long afterward, Glendale landed Jobing.com Arena, Westgate City Center and University of Phoenix Stadium. "This side of town and this area was just ready to explode," Davies says. In the past month or two, Irish pubs, a nouveau honky-tonk with a mechanical bull and a classy club with bottle service have all opened.

Here's a look at some of the West Valley's hot spots. —Carrie Watters/azcentral.com