Best Musical Act
Drop D
facebook.com/dropdaz
Tucson’s hard and heavy cover band knows how to make a room shake. Led by Thomas Bach on lead guitar and vocals, Drop D delivers high-energy sets of rock and metal hits that have earned them a devoted following across the Old Pueblo.
Reader Recommended
Miss Olivia and the Interlopers
missoliviaandtheinterlopers.com
Paul Opocensky Project
facebook.com/POProjectOfficial
Best Cover Band
Paul Opocensky Project
facebook.com/POProjectOfficial
Self-described as “Acoustic Grunge Americana,” Paul Opocensky blends the soul of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell with the storytelling of Bob Dylan and The Avett Brothers. A Tucson fixture who logged more than 130 shows last year, P.O.P. turns every stage into something personal.
Reader Recommended
Znora
znoraband.com
CityLimitsBand
facebook.com/citylimitsbandtucson
Best Punk
Pork Torta
theporktorta.bandcamp.com
Pork Torta is a garage rock and alternative band whose sound is described as a “three-headed monster.” Their songs combine raw energy with lyrical directness. The band often plays at local events, festivals and parties.
Reader Recommended
Barefoot on Bumblebees
barefootonbumblebees.bandcamp.com
The Endless Pursuit
facebook.com/theendlesspursuitband
Best Jazz
Pete Swan Quartet
520-990-0439, peteswan.com
The Pete Swan Quartet delivers refined live jazz that appeals to both devoted fans and casual listeners. Led by drummer Pete Swan, the group features piano, saxophone and bass. Their sound evokes the spirit of the ’40s while drawing on influences from across all eras of jazz.
Reader Recommended
Connie Brannock’s Little House of Funk
520-339-3494
conniebrannockband.com
Arthur Vint & Associates
arthurvint.com
Best Rock
Drop D
facebook.com/dropdaz
Tucson’s hard and heavy cover band knows how to make a room shake. Led by Thomas Bach on lead guitar and vocals, Drop D delivers high-energy sets of rock and metal hits that have earned them a devoted following across the Old Pueblo.
Reader Recommended
Znora
znoraband.com
Paul Opocensky Project
facebook.com/POProjectOfficial
Best Folk
Whiskey Treats
whiskeytreats.com
Born in Phoenix, built in Tucson, the Whiskey Treats have been shaking dance floors since 2011 with a high-energy collision of bluegrass, punk, folk and rock. Frontman Brett Dooley’s fiddle- and banjo-fueled originals are rowdy, danceable and impossible to sit through.
Reader Recommended
Leila Lopez
leilalopezsongs.com
Ryanhood
P.O. Box 13586
919-967-8655, ryanhood.com
Best Hip-Hop Act
Cash Lansky
cashlansky.com
Cash Lansky delivers dynamic hip-hop with confident flow and sharp lyricism. His music is influenced by historical and cultural icons. “Turning pain into purpose and building hope through raw truth and lyrical grit,” he says on his Instagram page.
Reader Recommended
Marley B
marleybmusic.com
CITY BOYZ
602-551-7849
facebook.com/cityboyznationwest
Best Country Act
Whiskey Treats
whiskeytreats.bandcamp.com
Born in Phoenix, built in Tucson, the Whiskey Treats have been shaking dance floors since 2011 with a high-energy collision of bluegrass, punk, folk and rock. Frontman Brett Dooley’s fiddle-and-banjo-fueled originals are rowdy, danceable and impossible to sit through.
Reader Recommended
Billy Shaw Jr. Band
billyshawjr.com
Mamma Coal’s Band
mammacoal.com
Best Reggae
DJ Jahmar
facebook.com/JahmarInternational
Reader Recommended
Baja Caravan
facebook.com/BajaCaravanBand
A1 Reggae Band
bit.ly/4rLWTgN
Best R & B
Miss Olivia and the Interlopers
missoliviaandtheinterlopers.com
Anchored by the powerhouse vocals of Olivia Reardon and a band drawing from Erykah Badu, Jeff Buckley and Lake Street Dive, this Tucson four-piece weaves blues, soul and rock into something the Tucson Weekly calls “soulful, funky grooves.” Four-time Best of Tucson winners for good reason.
Reader Recommended
Connie Brannock and the
Little House of Funk
520-339-3494, conniebrannockband.com
Funky Bonz
520-991-4825, facebook.com/FunkyBonz
Best Gay Bar
IBT’s Bar + Food
616 N. Fourth Avenue
520-882-3053, ibtstucson.com
IBT’s Bar + Food has been a Tucson staple since 1985, featuring drag shows, trivia, DJs and dance nights several times a week. The venue combines a full-service bar, patio and live entertainment to welcome diverse crowds. “Just an absolutely incredible place with great staff, selection and prices,” one customer said.
Reader Recommended
Surly Wench Pub
424 N. Fourth Avenue
520-882-0009, surlywenchpub.com
Venture-N
1239 N. 6th Avenue, 520-882-8224
Best Nightclub
Club Congress at
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress Street
520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
Club Congress, located in a historic downtown Tucson building, regularly hosts live music, DJs and dance events. Its mix of genres and a club floor that opens onto the plaza attract diverse crowds. Frequently recognized on ‘10Best’ lists, the venue has long been an iconic spot, hosting artists such as Nirvana, No Doubt, Sia and many others over the years.
Reader Recommended
The Maverick
6622 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-298-0430, tucsonmaverick.com
The Jackrabbit Lounge
2000 N. Oracle Road
520-372-2032, thejackrabbitlounge.com
Best Casino
Casino Del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Road
520-838-6729, casinodelsol.com
Casino Del Sol is a resort-style casino offering over a thousand slot machines, table games, live poker, a high-limit room and bingo. It is also home to the AVA Amphitheater, a 2,000-seat performance venue that hosts big-name concerts and events. The casino is also just 15 minutes away from the Tucson International Airport.
Reader Recommended
Desert Diamond Casino
7350 S. Nogales Highway
866-332-9467, ddcaz.com
Best Venue for Live Music
La Rosa
800 N. Country Club Road
520-222-9833, larosatucson.com
Tucson’s newest cultural anchor, La Rosa occupies a beautifully restored historic Benedictine church in midtown and hosts everything from jazz and reggaeton nights to speaker series and community celebrations. A one-of-a-kind space.
Reader Recommended
Rialto Theatre
318 E. Congress Street
520-740-1000, rialtotheatre.com
Fox Theatre
17 W. Congress Street
520-547-3040, foxtucson.com
Best College Bar
Frog & Firkin
874 E. University Boulevard
frogandfirkin.com
Frog N Firkin is known for its craft beer list, wood-fired pizzas and lively game day crowds. It offers bar food, pool, darts and occasional live music. “Good service, nice atmosphere,” one customer said.
Reader Recommended
Gentle Ben’s
865 E. University Boulevard
520-624-4177, gentlebens.com
The Hut
305 N. 4th Avenue, 520-623-3200
facebook.com/TheHutTucson
Best Neighborhood Bar
Tap and Bottle
Multiple locations
thetapandbottle.com
Founded by Rebecca and Scott Safford, this beloved Tucson institution keeps it simple: craft brews on tap, keg wines, a well-stocked bottle shop and a dog-friendly patio. Multiple locations mean a neighborhood spot is never far away.
Reader Recommended
The Shelter
4155 E. Grant Road, 520-326-1345
facebook.com/TheShelterCocktailLounge
Tucson Hop Shop
3230 N. Dodge Boulevard
520-908-7765, tucsonhopshop.com
Best Comedian
Joseph Neibich
nybyk.com
Joseph Neibich is an actor, writer and director who has been recognized for his on-screen and offstage performances. He performs at clubs and colleges nationwide and has had a long career in entertainment. Neibich has appeared in more than 20 commercials, and in 2004, he won the Phoenix Comedy Competition.
Reader Recommended
Kenny Shade
instagram.com/kennyshadecomedy
Mo Urban
instagram.com/somemocomedy
Best Happy Hour
Sky Bar
536 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-4300, skybartucson.com
Sky bar is home of the galactic jungle juice and cosmic Jell-O shots. Their happy hour is every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and they offer the “best mixed drinks in the universe.” The bar also doubles as a solar-powered café during the day and a stargazing spot at night.
Reader Recommended
The Cork Tucson
6320 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-296-1631, corktucson.com
Trident
Multiple locations
tridentgrill.com
Best Place to Sing Karaoke
Surly Wench
424 N. Fourth Avenue
520-882-0009, surlywenchpub.com
This Fourth Avenue institution since 2004 blends goth, punk and industrial attitude with some of Tucson’s best karaoke nights every Wednesday. A rock-and-roll dive with a late-night kitchen and burlesque shows — fearless singers only.
Reader Recommended
Bumsted’s
1003 N. Stone Avenue
520-323-1010, bumstedsaz.com
Shooter’s Saloon
3115 E. Prince Road
520-322-0779, shooterstucson.com
Best Pool Hall
Red Garter
3143 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-325-0483, redgartertucson.com
A Speedway Boulevard staple since 1969, Red Garter keeps eight pool tables in the back room alongside darts, a jukebox and the legendary Dragon Punch. It’s the kind of no-frills billiards bar Tucson keeps coming back to.
Reader Recommended
Pockets
1062 S. Wilmot Road
520-571-9421, pocketstucson.com
Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge
2910 E. Fort Lowell Road, 520-795-3178
instagram.com/dannysbaboquivari
Best Comedy Night
Laff’s
2900 E. Broadway Boulevard
520-323-8669, laffstucson.com
Laff’s has been Tucson’s dedicated stand-up comedy club for decades. Since 1988, national touring acts have shared the stage with local comedians each week. Jerry Seinfeld, Damon Wayans, Ellen DeGeneres and George Lopez are among the comedians who have performed at Laff’s.
Reader Recommended
Unscrewed Theater
4500 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-289-8076, unscrewedtheater.org
Tucson Improv Movement
414 E. Ninth Street
520-314-7299, tucsonimprov.com
Best Sports Bar
Trident
Multiple locations
tridentgrill.com
Trident Grill combines a Navy-inspired theme with wall-to-wall TVs showing every major game. Burgers, wings and seafood pair with a long draft beer list. The bar’s owner, Nelson Miller, wanted to have a special place for veterans to grab a beer, eat and laugh together.
Reader Recommended
Red Garter
3143 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-325-0483, redgartertucson.com
Barrio Brewing
800 E. 16th Street
520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Best DJ
DJ Jahmar
facebook.com/JahmarInternational
AZMT DJ of the Year, Jahmar Anthony, plays to the crowd — open format, any genre, any room. He also founded Deejays Against Hunger, helping feed more than 3,000 people in need. Music and community, in one.
Reader Recommended
DJ Herm
djherm.com
DJ DU
djdumusic.com
Best Drag Queen
Tempest DuJour
instagram.com/tempestdujour
Tempest DuJour is one of Tucson’s most recognized drag performers. She is a professor at the University of Arizona and a former contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Her shows blend comedy, glamour and community engagement.
Reader Recommended
Diva
instagram.com/diva_az
Lucinda Holliday
instagram.com/lucindaholliday
Best Liquor Store
Plaza Liquors
2642 N. Campbell Avenue
520-327-0452, plazatucson.com
Plaza Liquors has been a Campbell Avenue landmark since 1978. The shop is known for its extensive wine, craft beer and spirits selection. Staff are hands-on with recommendations, helping customers track down specialty bottles.
Reader Recommended
Tap & Bottle
Multiple locations
thetapandbottle.com
Rum Runner
3131 E. First Street
520-326-0121, rumrunnertucson.com
Best Country Western Bar
Maverick
6622 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-298-0430, tucsonmaverick.com
The Maverick has hosted country acts and dance nights in Tucson for more than 50 years. Its large dance floor fills for line dancing, two-stepping and concerts. The bar also serves a full food menu and cocktails alongside its live music.
Reader Recommended
Whiskey Roads
2290 W. Ina Road
520-219-0134, whiskeyroadstucson.com
Cowpony
6510 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-721-2781, cowponybar.com
Best Signature Cocktail
Westbound Margarita
267 South Avenida del Convento
520-867-8308, thetapandbottle.com
Served from a converted shipping container at the MSA Annex, Westbound’s signature margarita is batch-made and poured on tap — proof that the best things come in unexpected packages. A Tucson original through and through.
Reader Recommended
Nightjar
347 S. Meyer Avenue
520-222-9889, coronettucson.com
Royal Room
450 N. 6th Avenue
520-347-7023, theroyalroomtucson.com
Best Burlesque
Surly Wench
424 N. Fourth Avenue
520-882-0009, surlywenchpub.com
Surly Wench is home to Tucson’s longest-running burlesque nights. The venue hosts both local troupes and national performers, blending live music, comedy and variety acts. Since 2006, the venue has put on unique burlesque shows aiming to entertain the audience.
Reader Recommended
Libertine League
instagram.com/tucsonlibertineleague
Don’t Blink Burlesque Troupe
dontblinkburlesque.com
Best Strip Club
Curves Cabaret
2130 N. Oracle Road
520-884-7210, curvescabaret.com
Curves Cabaret combines stage shows with a full bar and late-night hours. The club has a reputation for regular events and specials that keep crowds coming back. It offers hot and fresh finger food and drink specials every day.
Reader Recommended
Raider’s Reef
6475 E. Golf Links Road
520-745-8125, raidersreeftucson.com
Ten’s Showclub
5210 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-325-8367
tensshowclub.com
Best Beer Selection
Tap & Bottle
Multiple locations
thetapandbottle.com
Tap & Bottle offers rotating draft lists, packaged beer and curated wine. Its locations serve as gathering spots for craft beer fans, with frequent tap takeovers and events. The shop also carries local favorites alongside national and international brews.
Reader Recommended
Tucson Hop Shop
3230 N. Dodge Boulevard
520-908-7765, tucsonhopshop.com
Plaza Liquors
2642 N. Campbell Avenue
520-327-0452, plazatucson.com
Best Brewery
Barrio Brewing
800 E. 16th Street
520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Barrio Brewing is Arizona’s oldest craft brewery, founded in 1991. The taproom on 16th Street serves a lineup that includes Barrio Blonde, Rojo and seasonal specialties. Its beer is distributed statewide, making it one of Tucson’s most recognized brands.
Reader Recommended
Slow Body
831 E. 17th Street, slowbodybeer.com
Crooked Tooth
228 E. Sixth Street, 520-444-5305
facebook.com/crookedtoothbrewing
Best Dive Bar
The Shelter
4155 E. Grant Road, 520-326-1345
facebook.com/
TheShelterCocktailLounge
Open since 1961 and still rocking Cold War décor, JFK memorabilia and pinball machines, The Shelter is Tucson’s ultimate dive — a go-go boot wearing, martini-drinking lounge where happy hour runs from 3 to 8 p.m. daily.
Reader Recommended
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Ave
520-623-2088, cheslounge.com
The Buffet Bar
538 E. Ninth Street
520-623-6811, buffetbartucson.com
Best Locally Brewed Beer (the specific beer)
Barrio Blonde (Barrio Brewing)
800 E. 16th Street
520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Barrio Blonde is a light, crisp ale that has become Barrio Brewing’s flagship beer. It’s brewed for easy drinking, with a balance of malt sweetness and subtle hops. The beer is available statewide and is southern Arizona’s best selling craft beer.
Reader Recommended
Dragoon IPA (Dragoon)
1859 W. Grant Road
520-329-3606, dragoonbrewing.com
Barrio Rojo (Barrio Brewing)
800 E. 16th Street
520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Best Cocktail Menu
Sidecar
139 S. Eastbourne
520-795-1819, barsidecar.com
This Broadway Village craft cocktail bar keeps it inventive without being precious — think an Oaxacan Dry Sour with mezcal and absinthe, a Rye Hanky Panky with cardamom and fernet, and a full nonalcoholic menu worth ordering. Good music, low lighting, no fuss.
Reader Recommended
Sky Bar
536 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-4300, skybartucson.com
Westbound
267 South Avenida del Convento
520-867-8308, thetapandbottle.com
Best Bartender
Barb Trujillo
instagram.com/barbicide187
Barb Trujillo is a Tucson bartender known for her inventive drinks and welcoming presence behind the bar. She is a bartender at Hotel Congress and often features her craft on Instagram, sharing recipes and cocktail photography.
Reader Recommended
Myles Niemeyer (Tap & Bottle)
thetapandbottle.com
Olivia Reardon
facebook.com/reardonolivia
Best Place to Get a
Glass of Wine
Sunshine Wine
15 N. Santa Rita Avenue
520-771-6279, thetapandbottle.com
Sunshine Wine features curated selections from Arizona and around the world. Their wines on tap include Scribe Una Lou Rosé, Folk Machine Sauvignon Blanc, Poggio Anima Toscana Sangiovese, Scarpetta Pinot Grigio, Rosé Sangria and Left Pinot Noir.
Reader Recommended
Arizona Wine Collective
4280 N. Campbell Avenue
520-329-8595, azwinecollective.com
Revel
416 E. Ninth Street
520-329-2123, reveltucson.com
Best Bloody Mary
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress Street
520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
Hotel Congress offers a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar on weekends. Guests receive vodka and can choose from a selection of tomato mixes, spices and seasonings to create their drink. “Build it tall, sip it slow, question your life choices later,” Hotel Congress wrote on their Facebook page.
Reader Recommended
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Ave
520-623-2088, cheslounge.com
Baja Cafe
Multiple locations
bajacafetucson.com
Best Bar Menu
Kingfisher
2564 E. Grant Road
520-323-7739, kingfishertucson.com
Kingfisher Bar & Grill offers a bar menu that highlights seafood and classic pub favorites. Items include shrimp tacos, fish and chips and house-made appetizers. The drinks menu pairs well with the food and features craft cocktails, local beers, coffee, tea, soft drinks and wines.
Reader Recommended
Sky Bar
536 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-4300, skybartucson.com
Red Garter
3143 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-325-0483, redgartertucson.com
Best Venue for Live Jazz
Century Room
311 E. Congress Street
520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
Since 2022, the Century Room has hosted live jazz in an intimate setting at Hotel Congress. Its stage sees both local musicians and touring acts performing regularly. The venue features an acoustically engineered stage, elegant decor and an extensive mezcal and agave spirit list.
Reader Recommended
Fox Theatre
17 W. Congress Street
520-547-3040, foxtucson.com
Hacienda Del Sol
5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road
520-526-9345, haciendadelsol.com
Best Adult Store
Jellywink Boutique
416 E. Seventh Street
520-633-0280, jellywink.com
Woman-owned, queer-friendly and refreshingly stigma-free, Jellywink is Tucson’s go-to for sexual wellness — a curated boutique where knowledgeable staff help folks of all genders shop confidently. Owner Erin Voss is also a certified sex coach. Spanish-language assistance available Tuesday through Saturday.
Reader Recommended
Fascinations
3658 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-322-0757
4499 W. Ina Road, Tucson
520-447-2199
funlove.com
Adult Expectations
2505 N. Stone Avenue
520-623-8095
thepassionwarehouse.com
