#1035 - The Buffet, Tucson, AZ - 3/21/2010

Along with the Meet Rack, The Buffet Bar & Crock Pot places my two favorite dive bars in the country in Tucson.  But while I love the Meet Rack for it's gradually revealing layers of weirdness, it is the crowd and the immediate vibe that make The Buffet a great dive.

 It has the most elemental features of a dive: it is old (est. 1934), it has a ramshackle decor with years of uninvited contributions from patrons, it has cheap and strong booze (with Coors the only beer on tap), and it was full of lively characters on a Sunday night. For Seattlelites, think of the Blue Moon, with a bit wider demographic and even more graffiti.

The Buffet is the oldest bar in Tucson, established shortly after prohibition, although The Shanty up the road a piece has the oldest liquor license (1937), as the Buffet's was suspended a few times over the years. And just as The Shanty is not a shanty at all, there's no buffet at The Buffet -- although there is a crockpot, which holds hotdogs. But it's a grand old place.

538 E. Ninth St., Tucson, AZ 85705 - 520-623-6811
Est. 1933
yelp - metromix - mydivebar.com

#1034 - The Shelter, Tucson, AZ - 3/21/2010

The Shelter is full of mid-century retro goodness, with an emphasis on lava lamps and the Kennedys.  They also serve better than average cocktails -- and more creative.  This is a must-see if you're in Tucson.

4155 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ 85712 - (520) 326-1345
dotucson.com - tucson underground - yelp - igougo

#1033 - Kon Tiki, Tucson, AZ - 3/20/2010

I'd heard that Bamboo Ben helped to spiff up Kon Tiki recently, but I was still more impressed by the decor than I expected.  I'd put it up with the Tonga Room among my favorite tiki bars below the Mai Kai line.  I personally favor the lazy afternoons with old regulars to the younger, louder crowd on weekend evenings, but I was happy to see it doing a brisk business.

The appetizer plate, and in particular the ribs, were first rate, and the huge menu of drinks better than average.  Wish I could be there April 10 when a bunch of the tiki folks help out with the relighting of the Kon Tiki torches ceremony.

(More pics)

4625 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85711 - (520) 323-7193
kontikitucson.com - critiki - yelp

#1032 - Urban 7 Martini Kitchen, Scottsdale, AZ - 3/19/2010

Drinks were pretty good, not great.  Decor appeared to be by Abercrombie and Fitch.

4151 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 548-6327
azurban7.com - azcentral.com - yelp

#1031 - The Coach House, Scottsdale, AZ - 3/19/2010

The Coach House is Scottsdale's oldest tavern (est. 1959), and provides a pleasant, divey alternative to the other clubs in the area, with just the basics (I was advised not to try ordering any drink with more than two ingredients). It was unpleasantly packed on the Friday evening I dropped by during Spring Training and Spring Break, but I eventually managed to squeeze in to the bar for a drink and squeeze out for some air and enjoyable conversation.

The Coach House also has a reputation for over-the-top Christmas lights during the holiday season (see image on their Facebook page).

7011 E Indian School Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 990-3433
coachhousescottsdale.com - facebook - yelp

#1030 - Trader Vics, Scottsdale, AZ - 3/19/2010

I love Trader Vic's, of course, and this particular visit had the benefits of being on the patio on a warm March night in Scottsdale, where the ubiquitous scents of jasmine and fire pits make the evenings all the more pleasant.  Also, this one is associated with the swanky Hotel Valley Ho, which makes a fine additional stop.

6850 E Main St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 248-2000
tradervics.com - hotelvalleyho.com - yelp

#1029 - Howl at the Moon, Scottsdale, AZ - 3/18/2010

I happily missed the dueling piano session.

7419 E Indian Plaza Dr., Ste A, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 994-4695
howlatthemoon.com - facebook - yelp