After hours in the Southwest, when the sun sets, the weather chills and stars blanket the skies, is the perfect time of day for visiting groups to experience local attractions, enjoy an off-site gathering, toast the day with a local beverage and delight in the sights on high.
Planners can guarantee groups a second wind and some fun memories if they rely on the following varied nightlife options awaiting them throughout Arizona and New Mexico.
Arizona
The lineup of nighttime possibilities for groups convening in Phoenix includes two standout venues they can either drop in on or book for a special event.
The Duce, a 14,000-square-foot building located in downtown’s warehouse district, was transformed into a massive multipurpose space that according to Siera Whitten, media relations intern at Visit Phoenix, features a gym area with a vintage boxing ring, a 1965 trailer converted into a full-service kitchen and an old-fashioned soda fountain.
“Activities almost every night of the week, from boxing to swing dancing, and games like ping pong, shuffle board and foosball, make this a great place for groups to gather for teambuilding, corporate meetings and more,” she says.
The Crescent Ballroom, which is a concert venue, gourmet Mexican kitchen and bar rolled into one, is another engaging nightlife option in Phoenix.
Here, groups will find free nightly music in the lounge, a calendar of live music and an atmosphere that encourages mingling.
Scottsdale’s thriving nightlife is an added bonus for meeting planners, who according to Kelli Blubaum, vice president of convention and sales services at the Scottsdale CVB, book the destination for its sunshine, resorts, spas and golf courses.
Scottsdale ArtWalk and Topgolf Scottsdale at Riverwalk are two terrific options for meeting-goers seeking after-hours fun in the city.
“The ArtWalk, which takes place every Thursday night downtown, is a favorite for groups looking for a leisurely evening activity, and it’s one of the easiest ways for attendees to soak in the city’s ever-expanding art scene,” Blubaum says, adding Topgolf’s driving range is lit up with colorful targets that welcome groups late into the night. “With conveniently designed bays, a rooftop bar and great food, Topgolf Riverwalk is a memorable way to liven up a group after a long day of meetings.”
A Topgolf facility is also available for groups interested in some friendly competition after-hours in Mesa, and according to Amy McConnell, communications associate manager at Visit Mesa, Heritage Marketplace in nearby Gilbert is an ideal spot for a group dine-around.
“We recommend starting with a happy hour at Postino’s grassy patio, where groups can play bocce ball as they enjoy bruschetta boards,” she says. “To end the night on a sweet note, stop into Liberty Market for espresso and the perfect mix of sweet and salty with Salt River Bars for everyone.”
A fun fact about Tucson, according to Dan Gibson, director of communications for Visit Tucson, is that it’s a dark-sky city where nighttime lights are restricted to ensure it remains a great place for astronomy.
“On Mt. Lemmon, the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains on the north end of Tucson, the staff of the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter will show groups the universe through their 32-inch Schulman telescope,” Gibson says.
After gazing at the stars, groups might like to head out on a Best of the Barrio tour, which showcases the cuisine scene along Tucson’s 12th Avenue.
“Tucson’s Mexican food isn’t just incredible, but also a reflection of the influence from our neighbor to the south,” Gibson says. “The tour is a culinary odyssey, from a family-run bakery with the best tortillas you’ve ever tasted to a tamale factory where you’ll get a chance to make the corn masa-filled treat. Groups will eat, laugh and understand the borderlands of Tucson a bit better.”
Stargazing is also big in Sedona, which was designated an International Dark-Sky Community in 2014.
“Many of Sedona’s hotels and resorts provide a warm inviting setting to view the Milky Way,” says Cheryl Shipe, tourism sales manager for the Sedona COC and Tourism Bureau, adding more adventuresome groups can visit the red rocks and explore the universe with a professional astronomy guide. “Stargazing in Sedona is truly one of those ‘wow’ moments, especially for those who are not used to seeing an amazingly vibrant star-filled sky.”
Another intriguing evening outing in Sedona is facilitated by Painting Escapes.
“Groups spend an evening enjoying local wines with a follow the leader-style art guide so everyone can create their own masterpiece,” Shipe says. “It’s a great teambuilding event where anyone can discover the artist within.”
Like Sedona, Flagstaff is a designated International Dark-Sky Community, and Joanne Hudson, communications specialist for the Flagstaff CVB, recommends groups plan an after-hours tour at Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930.
“See the telescope used to make the discovery,” she says, adding the observatory offers stargazing through multiple telescopes and knowledgeable docents are available to answer any questions. “This is a unique activity that will get groups outside after dark in nature to learn about the night sky.”
Historic downtown Flagstaff also offers evening pub crawls featuring stops at six breweries, including Mother Road Brewing Company and Dark Sky Brewing Co., as well as wine tastings.
“Blendz wine bar teaches groups about blending to make your own custom wine,” Hudson says. “For groups, they offer a competition to create the best wine blend and will then bottle it for you with a custom label.”
Tempe further tempts groups with delicious dinnertime outings, including a tour and tasting at Four Peaks Brewing Company, a pub crawl via Valley Pedaler, which provides six- and 14-passenger bikes, and group gatherings at two of the city’s newest venues.
According to Toni Smith, director of communications at the Tempe Tourism Office, Pedal Haus features hand-crafted European-style beers and downtown Tempe's largest patio, and at Culinary Dropout at the Yard, groups will find gastropub food, craft cocktails and private event spaces.
New Mexico
In Santa Fe is Astronomy Adventures (AA), a local outfitter that groups call on for educational and entertaining night sky tours led by Peter Lipscomb, an award-winning astrophotographer and operator of AA.
According to John Feins, public relations manager for Tourism Santa Fe, Lipscomb is so engaging because he makes the wonders of the night sky accessible and easily understood by tour participants.
Before or after stargazing, groups can have a bite at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, which offers an array of Southwest cooking classes and accommodates customized private group events including wine pairings, hands-on preparation of salsa, and a meal served either inside or on the outdoor patio.
In Albuquerque is Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, which travels up to a 10,378-foot peak of the Sandia Mountains. At the top, groups can grab a drink or a bite to eat at High Finance Restaurant.
“The evening is a perfect time to venture to the top of the Sandia Mountains, as visitors are treated to Albuquerque's famous sunsets and vast starry skies,” says Brenna Moore, communications specialist for the Albuquerque CVB. “Because the tram offers group rates and is open year-round, this unique Albuquerque attraction is wonderful for groups.”
Several evening experiences are also offered at Albuquerque’s museums, including Explora, which has themed adult nights during which attendees might partake in hands-on experiments with unique materials, and New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, which has Lunar Mondays, during which groups can study the moon and other night sky objects.
