Here's a short list of some of the most upscale spots in the Valley, where $30,000 millionaires are a little more scarce, and you might see a cougar or two on the prowl.
Beginning around 4 p.m., the large bar at this upscale Mediterranean restaurant fills with well-dressed men and women, often lined up three deep for cocktails and small plates. Part bar, deli, gelateria, market and restaurant, the large space has high ceilings, glass walls doubling as wine "cellars" and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, finished with dramatic deep-red curtains and pretty pendant lights. The generous waterfront patio is appointed with low couches and tables, as well as fountains and decorative trees. On Fridays and Saturdays, Mr. P-Body spins a mix of new wave, electro-pop and up-tempo lounge music.
Blue Martini is an upscale 450-capacity martini bar at City North that’s supercrowded Thursday through Saturday from about 5 p.m. to close. The drinks are big, the crowd is older than average, and that the place has nightly live music, DJs and a rowdy crowd after 10. The 34-drink signature martini menu (which is identical to those at the eight other locations around the country) is designed to attract women, almost exclusively. By “designed to attract women,” I mean the drinks are candy-tastic. They are brush-your-teeth-after sweet, with names like the Pink Passion. They are elaborately presented, with two kinds of chocolate swirled in the glass of the espresso martini, with a caramel-covered apple slice in the Caramel Apple martini and other frippery such as pink sugar, orchids and glow sticks. Yes, so help me, God, glow sticks. Which, of course, end up in the cleavage of the women who order them. The crowd ranges from about 35 to 65, with a handful of 20-somethings thrown in. Picture a Tommy Bahama fan-club meeting, mixed with a Real Housewives of New York City fan-club meeting, crossed with a Cathy comic strip fan-club meeting.
It’s hard to stand out in the Scottsdale nightlife scene when you’re not in Old Town, but Devil’s Martini North manages to draw consistent crowds in north Scottsdale, with its beautiful all-white theme. Lounge around on the couches inside or on the spacious patio, or rent your own private cabana. DJs play Top 40 music that sends attendees to the dance floor, where you can hop on a table to dance, if you dare. There are appetizers and salads available, but you have to try the Chocolate Misty martini, made with Kahlua, coconut rum and milk … it’s up to you how devilish you want to get.
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