Tucson - American Southwest - page 396

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The Grill No other jazz venue in Tucson has more flavor of the Southwest than
this restaurant/lounge, perched high on a ridge top overlooking the city. There's live
music (mostly jazz) Thursday through Sunday nights. At Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch
Resort, 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Rd. & 520/529-3500. www.haciendadelsol.com.
Mariachi
Tucson is the mariachi capital of the United States, and no one should visit without
spending at least one evening listening to some of these strolling musicians. In addition
to the restaurants listed here, you can hear mariachi bands during Sunday lunch at down-
town's El Charro Café (p. 366) and occasionally on weekends at El Guero Canelo
(p. 367). At the St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. ( & 520/623-6351; www.
staugustinecathedral.com), there is a mariachi mass every Sunday at 8am.
Guadalajara Grill Located just west of N. Campbell Avenue, this large Mexican
restaurant is convenient to several of the foothills resorts, which makes it a great place to
catch an evening of lively mariachi music. The musicians perform nightly from 6 to 9pm.
1220 E. Prince Rd. & 520/323-1022. www.ggrill.com.
La Fuente La Fuente is one of the largest Mexican restaurants in Tucson and serves
up good food, but what really draws the crowds is the live mariachi music. If you just
want to listen and not have dinner, you can hang out in the lounge. The mariachis per-
form Thursday through Sunday. 1749 N. Oracle Rd. & 520/623-8659. www.lafuenterestaurant.
com.
Rock, Blues & Reggae
Chicago Bar Transplanted Chicagoans love to watch their home teams on the TVs at
this neighborhood bar, but there's also live music nightly. Sure, blues gets played a lot,
but so do reggae and rock and about everything in between. 5954 E. Speedway Blvd.
& 520/748-8169. www.chicagobartucson.com. Cover $5.
Club Congress Just off the lobby of the restored Hotel Congress (now a budget hotel
catering to younger travelers), Club Congress is Tucson's main alternative-music venue.
There are usually a couple of nights of live music each week, and, over the years, such
bands as Nirvana, Dick Dale, and the Goo Goo Dolls have played here. More recently,
the club has tended to book primarily local and regional acts. 311 E. Congress St. & 520/
622-8848. www.hotelcongress.com. Cover free to $15.
The Rialto Theatre This renovated 1919 vaudeville theater, although not a night-
club, is now Tucson's main venue for performances by bands that are too big to play
across the street at Club Congress (Indigo Girls, Taj Mahal, Blues Traveler). 318 E. Con-
gress St. & 520/740-1000. www.rialtotheatre.com. Tickets $13-$58.
THE BAR, LOUNGE & PUB SCENE
Armitage Wine Lounge If you're a wine lover and are staying at a foothills resort,
be sure to check out this stylish wine bar at the corner of Skyline and Campbell. In addi-
tion to having more than 30 wines available by the glass, they also have a long cocktail
menu. In La Encantada shopping center, 2905 E. Skyline Dr. & 520/682-9740. www.armitage
wine.com.
Audubon Bar If you're looking for a quiet, comfortable scene, the piano music in this
classic lounge at the Arizona Inn is sure to soothe your soul. The Audubon has a timeless
feel, and before or after drinks, you can stroll the resort's beautiful gardens. 2200 E. Elm
St. & 520/325-1541. www.arizonainn.com.

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