"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? Raw, grunge, nothing to distract from the flow of canned beers and music. This low-slung underground hall packs 250 people, mostly standing room. The bands that take the minimal stage tend to be local standouts. Many of the people in the crowd know them well, for this is a pillar of Phoenix’s homegrown music scene. Come here for sweat and sound. Any standout features or must-sees? In addition to the music room, Valley Bar has others spreading below the downtown streets. Play billiards in one, eat taquitos or sip a cocktail named after an Arizona politician in another. Don’t miss the Rose Room—an intimate half-hidden library stocked with couches and vintage reading material. Was it easy to get around? On prime nights, the place is packed. Come ready to brush elbows. Know, too, that the entrance inside of an alley might be tricky for a first-timer to find. That sounds cool. All said and done, who/what is this best for? Catching a show, stumbling into a late-night bar, seizing the night like a local." - Chris Malloy
