Tag: nightlife

Scottsdale nightlife concierge Gem Ray celebrates 15 years with weekend parties

Scottsdale nightlife concierge Gem Ray is probably going to sleep as I type this early morning blog post celebrating his 15 years helping his high-profile clientele score the best tables and service in the Scottsdale Entertainment District’s night clubs. Starting tonight at 5 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday night he will be celebrating his internationally known luxury concierge service, Scottsdale Nights.

“95% of my business is relationships,” said Ray. “I work seven days a week and go to bed around 3 a.m. and wake up by 11 a.m. so that I’m available and ready to go so I can service my clients and all their needs, whatever they may be.”

The Old Town Scottsdale resident saw his business take off in 2010 with the start of social media first helping athletes, actors and others score bottle service and the VIP treatment when they come to town or just want to leave the house for a good time. His business has grown beyond restaurants and nigh clubs and now helps clients broker an AirBnB, transportation & hotels needs and more. He’s even taken his business global with contacts to help his clients in over 18 cities around the world.

Scottsdale nightlife parties this weekend

Those looking to celebrate with Gem Ray can walk the red carpet tonight at Cake Nightclub starting at 9 p.m. to enjoy the festivities. The party continues Friday night at 6 p.m. at Riot House where guests can pose for paparazzi before catching the Jake Paul/ Mike Tyson fight on the big screen. Saturday night winds up the celebration as Gem Ray starts his next 15 years at nearby El Hefe at 6 p.m.

“Hitting the 15-year mark is a major milestone for Scottsdale Nights, and it’s also a testament to the relationships and trust we’ve built along the way, both in this community and beyond,” Ray said. “While we’re tipping our hats to the people, places and partners who helped us get here, we’re also looking forward, staying ahead of the curve and setting the stage for the next 15 years in Scottsdale’s nightlife scene.”

For more information about Gem’s 15-year anniversary celebration visit Scottsdale Night’s website.

Anoche Cantina coming to Mill Ave. in August

Bellevue, Washington based Ascend Hospitality Group is planing to open its first Arizona location in downtown Tempe later this month. Anoche Cantina will be the first of a new restaurant and nightlife concept from AHG’s Director of Marketing and Brand Design Shelby Elmore and will be the first concept she’s co-created. Located in the former El Hefe space Anoche will serve innovative Latin inspired food and cocktails including a build-your-own-margarita bar.

“We’ve had our eye on Tempe for a while and when the opportunity arose for us to take prime real estate on Mill Ave., we jumped at the chance,” said Elaina M. Morris, AHG CEO and president. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring, what we call, the ‘AHG Difference’ to the Valley and join such a thriving community.” 

Thomas Lawson, formerly of Riot Hospitality Group was brought on as AHG had wanted to partner with a local expert operator to help execute its vision.  “It’s nice to be a part of Mill Ave.’s resurgence, this is a great area with rich history,” Lawson said. “Anoche will provide a unique experience to help elevate the ever-expanding community. Through carefully crafted eats and one-of-a-kind nightlife, we look to not just breathe new life into the area but give the area what it’s been craving.”

The scene at Anoche Cantina

Anoche Cantina will have 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space including a shaded patio to enjoy our nice weather. Those there for the nightlife will experience a high quality sound and lighting system that will make Anoche the best party on Mill Ave. Just in time for football season, a sports bar concept from AHG, six40rty is planned for a September opening next door. Large screen TVs, lawn games, upscale bar snacks and witty cocktails will be available indoors and outdoors at the 8,000 square foot sports bar. Both concepts are looking to hire front and back of the house team members and those interested can apply in person or email Lawson at thomas@ascendhg.com.

Anoche Cantina is at 640 S. Mill Ave Tempe 85281.

The Stillery coming to new development in downtown Chandler

A new development in downtown Chandler just snagged the popular Nashville bar and restaurant The Stillery to move in. When it opens this fall at the New Square mixed use development downtown it will be its first location outside of Nashville. Other tenants include a Hilton Garden Inn, the first hotel built downtown since the San Marcos Resort over 100 years ago and the 10 year old DC Steakhouse moves south of its current location.

Chandler residents Steve and Alane Kovach founded The Stillery and once opened it will serve elevated comfort food and be the largest music venue in Chandler. Signature dishes include Nashville hot chicken, double stacked burgers, wood-fired pizzas and more. Grab a southern style cocktail, beer or moonshine at the horseshoe shaped bar before you hit the dance floor.

A stage, lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system will give downtown Chandler an indoor venue for live music. The historic neighborhood is popular with music & food festivals at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park and restaurants and bars .

New Square started construction in 2018 and is a partnership between local developer Spike Lawrence Ventures and HCW LLC. The development is slated to have tenants move in this spring with a grand opening celebration on March 25th.

“At New Square, we’ve brought together a selection of businesses that fill a need and bring great meaning to the community. The Stillery is such an exciting addition and will help to further elevate downtown Chandler’s dining and nightlife scene,” said Spike Lawrence, founder of Spike Lawrence Ventures. To stay up to date about The Stillery’s open date head to their website.

 

 

Former music venue to become Casa Amigos and Sky Lanes

The restaurant business is not the only local industry that is also in the constant state of flux, so is the live music venue industry as smaller venue continue to seek your entertainment dollar. Scottsdale’s Livewire became a recent victim and shut its doors a few months back. Evening Entertainment Group(EEG) are quickly transforming the two-story building into Casa Amigos and Sky Lanes with an anticipated opening before year’s end.

The $4 million dollar renovation started over the summer with the authentic Mexican restaurant Casa Amigos occupying the ground floor space with the lounge and state of the art bowling alley Sky Lanes upstairs.

Sky Lanes lounge. Photos courtesy of EEG & MMPR Marketing

EEG’s owners Diane and Les Corieri are  familiar with the building and the Scottsdale Entertainment District having run several nightlife venues in the area for almost 20 years. They are working with  decorator Alison Victoria who many may recognize from HGTV’s “Kitchen Crashers” and who the Corieri’s hired to design their central Phoenix restaurant Casa Anejo which opened last year.

“This location has always been special to Diane and me,” says Les Corieri, co-owner of Evening Entertainment Group. “From our original ultra-lounge and nightclub, Axis-Radius, to the former Livewire music hall, this space has always been a landmark in the Scottsdale nightlife scene. So when we looked to launch a new concept, we knew we had to go all out and create a one-of-a-kind experience that speaks to the way people like to nightlife today-casual yet stylish dining in an indoor-outdoor that setting takes advantage of Arizona’s wonderful weather. And then with Sky Lanes we know there a market for fun, cocktail-friendly entertainment with a high-energy vibe.”

Casa Amigos

The Santa Barbara inspired designed restaurant will serve traditional Mexican fare for the nightclub crowd that will include tacos such as octopus and picadillo beef, a build your own Guacamole menu, shared plates and entrees that include a bacon wrapped Sonoran dog and Veracruz grilled swordfish.

Handcrafted cocktails, cold beers along with an extensive list of premium sipping tequilas and mezcals will be available as will several varieties of Margaritas.

Sky Lanes

Upstairs the state-of-the- art bowling alley and lounge will impress even the Scottsdale crowd with its retro modern decor. The boutique bowling alley will offer bottle service in the lounge and classics jams of the 80s & 90s will keep the energy going while guests bowl the night away.

Casa Amigos and Sky Lanes will be at 7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale 85251.