Known more for their great atmospheres than for their mood lighting, these bars are the perfect places for pickups. Mingling crowds, cheap drinks and often great music, these bars are some of our favorite destinations for hooking up with hotties.
Located in the heart of Old Town, the cantina-style bar is packed nightly with a young Scottsdale crowd that's ready to party. Sip on gringoritas - the Dos version of the margarita - and mingle on one of three patios. The T-shirt-and-jeans atmosphere coupled with cheap drinks is reminiscent of a Rocky Point beach shack. The two-story bar sprawls and is typically packed, day or night, so no matter when you go, you're guaranteed a good crowd.
One of the latest additions to Peoria's Park West outdoor mall, this Westside oasis lures singles with a sandy bar floor, wading pool and tasty Mexican grub. Beach lovers can get a break from the dry desert to soak up martinis and mojitos under large umbrellas and plasma TVs. It's a touch of Scottsdale for West Valley bar goers who don't want the long drive. So it's perfect if you're looking for T-shirts and jeans guys who just happen to be wearing $200 jeans.
A chic business crowd gathers at this esoteric hotspot. Located in the Camelback Esplanade, the dimly lit bar caters to a selective, well-dressed clientele likely sipping martinis and imported beer. There's no sign marking the outside, so you need to know where you're going in order to get there, kind of like dating. But once inside, the relaxed atmosphere is ripe for meeting new people. That, and the fact that everyone inside looks good and seems to be from out of town, even if they're not.
Hanging out at Casey Moore's is like hanging out at a friend's house. The no-frills bar is tucked away in a historic home close to Tempe's Mill scene. Its spacious patio is a popular gathering spot for dirty rocker types, skinny emo guys, granola girls and bearded bike riders, so it's perfect if you're into those crowds. Casey's is so cool, it even got a shout-out in Jimmy Eat World's 'If You Don't, Don't,' singing, "Ninth and Ash on a Tuesday night . . . " The laid-back crowd is always friendly and the eclectic satellite radio makes for good conversations fodder. That or the tattoos on the guy next to you.
If you don't want to pull out all the stops, head to the Yucca Tap Room, located in an old Tempe strip mall. The popular dive draws a mixed crowd and is frequented by local bands. Pool and shuffleboard will keep you busy as you sip on generously-poured cheap drinks. Get there early to nab a spot on one of the few booths. If you're taste in men skews to Pete Doherty, this is your dive. Conversely, if your dream date is Amy Winehouse, start here.
