Hottest Live Music Clubs in Arizona Series: Thumbs Down List Revealed

In this ongoing series that we are proud to bring you regarding the hottest nightclubs and live music venues in the state of Arizona, sadly we also must tell about clubs that fail to meet these standards. While these represent only a small few of the excellent clubs in the state where patrons can enjoy live music on a nightly basis, sometimes a bad apple can seemingly ruin the bunch. Keep in mind that we are only reporting truth here, after having been at several performances at each of these clubs in questions. Our thoughts are based upon fact and countless interviews with live bands that have performed at these clubs, as well as patrons which were present during the shows.

Major Thumbs Down on These Three So-Called Live Music Venues in AZ
1. Tilted Kilt: while this is a great bar and pub, they offer awesome drinks and amazing, original food, when it comes to live music they get a sordid thumbs down. No stage, no lighting, no PA (public address system) and countless bands have informed us that they fail to pay them after performing. Good for drinks and food, bad for live music.
2. Mardi Gras: a club that offers a Cajun flare and a decent live stage and sound. However, we have actually been present while bands are getting kicked out of this club in the middle of their sets, for doing nothing but playing a show under contract. Good drink prices and a good stage setup don’t account for unscrupulous business practices that drive patrons out of the club when they only want to hear live music.
3. Copperstate Tavern. A club that claims to be a live music venue. This place has a capacity of about 50, no live stage, no PA, no lights, and we even talked to bands that showed up for shows when they booked other bands instead. Bad all around.

What a Real Live Music Venue Offers (Video of Live Performance Below)
Musical superstar and national act, Mandy Moore, performs a live set at the hottest nightclub in the state of Arizona, Martini Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona (in the video below). This club is not only a popular nightclub and social hotbed in Scottsdale, they happen to also have one of the most amazing stages in the entire state. While they frequently will host larger local acts, they also will host well-known national acts like Mandy Moore and others. This club serves as the basis of what should be expected from any live music venue trying to host bands: a proper stage, good lighting, great sound guy, and large capacity. Furthermore, the club will promote shows from within, using posters, fliers and ads in local news mediums. Martini Ranch represents what all music clubs wish to be: the best of the best, hands down.