Dinning in Tucson Arizona - Restaurants to enjoy during the Tucson Gem and Jewelry Trade Show

4th Avenue

Plush
In the mood for live music? Local, regional, and national touring acts grace Plush every night of the week. Music in the comfortable (and yes – plush) lounge is always free, with bigger acts taking the main stage most weekend nights at paltry cover charges. Drink specials, friendly and knowledgeable bartenders, two patios, and the nicest bathrooms you’ll ever see at a bar make Plush your ideal destination no matter what your mood. 340 E 6th St (SW corner of 4th Ave/6th St), 520.798.1298, www.plushtucson.com. Closes at 2 am.

Sky Bar
Café by day, bar by night, the astronomy-themed Sky Bar is 4th Avenue’s newest hangout. You’ll find free wifi, plenty of seating, pool tables, and plasma screen televisions projecting the cosmos. Check out the happy hour specials (5 pm-8 pm) and patio telescope while enjoying a slice from Brooklyn Pizza located next door. 536 N 4th Ave, 520.622.4300, www.skybartucson.com

The Hut
The Hut has a lot to offer: live music, tropical drinks of all colors and sizes, a good selection of beers on tap, and the feeling that Jimmy Buffett might hang out there if he were in Tucson. Hang out inside the giant Quonset hut to catch live bands, or relax on the enormous patio. Get funky with the Michael P. Big band on February 6th, or check out the Tryst and Molehill Orkestrah grooving on February 13th. Having trouble finding it? Just look for the giant tiki head towering over 4th Avenue at 8th Street. 305 N 4th Ave, www.myspace.com/thehuttucson. Closes at 2 am.

Surly Wench Pub
"Booze, bands and burlesque" is the tagline of this 4th Avenue institution. Not for the faint of heart, the Wench features nightly drink specials, DJs, bands, arcade games, air hockey, and pool as well as a full menu of bar food. Check out Black Cherry Burlesque’s four year anniversary show on February 13th. 424 N 4th Ave, 520.882.0009, www.myspace.com/surlywenchpub. M-F 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 2 pm-2 am.

Che's Lounge
Cheap drinks, a relaxed atmosphere and occasional live music (never a cover) are Che’s trademarks. A constantly changing jukebox and eccentric art on the walls make it a great place to hang out for happy hour and conversation. 346 N 4th Ave, 520.623.2088

Downtown

Club Congress
Located inside the historic Hotel Congress, Club Congress is “one of the ten best rock clubs in the United States.” Home to live music as well as multiple weekly dance nights, Congress draws a diverse crowd to its hallowed halls. Check out Optimist Club every Thursday night if you feel like dancing, or karaoke on Sundays for your chance to be the center of attention. Or, take a break at the Tap Room and the large outdoor plaza to recharge. 311 E Congress, 520.622.8848, www.hotelcongress.com/club. Closes at 2 am.

The Rialto Theatre
A unique marriage of historic and modern, the non-profit Rialto Theatre is the anchor of Tucson’s downtown nightlife. The Rialto hosts a wide variety of performers, from rock to pop to hip-hop to comedy to jazz to country – in short, just about any kind of act you’d ever want to see. Recent past shows include Sonic Youth, Brandi Carlile, Junior Brown, Tech N9ne and Margaret Cho, to name a few, all pumped through a new state-of-the-art sound system. Make sure to check out Tucson Gem & Jam February 5 and 6 featuring live music, DJs and performance painting. Intrigued? You should be. 318 E Congress, 520.740.1000, www.rialtotheatre.com, box office open M-F noon-6pm.

Red Room at Grill
Grill is a venerable Congress Street institution, a 24 hour diner known as much for its breakfast as its burgers and tater tots. The Red Room is the bar half of Grill, boasting an impressive selection of affordable bottled and draft beers as well as top shelf liquors. Catch live music ranging from DJs to experimental rock to folky singer-songwriters. Hungry? Try the Haystack…if you dare. 100 E Congress, redroomtucson.blogspot.com

Vaudeville
Located next door to Grill, Vaudeville claims itself as Tucson’s only punk rock bar. Check out their weekly DJ nights and drink specials. 110 E Congress, 520.622.3535, www.myspace.com/vaudevilledowntowntucson

Zen Rock
A newer addition to Tucson’s downtown scene, Zen Rock features two floors of dancing, VIP seating and concierge services, and an edgy atmosphere. Dress to impress – stylish clothes are a must of the dress code here. 121 E Congress, 520.306.8116, www.zenrocktucson.com

Centro Lounge
Centro is an upscale Las Vegas style nightclub in the heart of downtown Tucson. Featuring DJs, VIP Lounge Seating and Bottle Service, Centro is only open Thursday through Saturday nights. 1 E Congress, 520.445.2937, www.centrotucson.com

The District Tavern
A favorite watering hole of the downtown crowd, the District has pool tables, darts, and an eclectic jukebox. Extensive beer selection and friendly bartenders make it a good choice any night of the week. 260 E Congress, 520.791.0082, www.thedistricttaven.com

Other parts of town…

Chicago Bar
This east side bar features live music seven days a week, mostly in the classic rock/blues style, and a large dance floor. As you might guess from the name, Chicago Bar is also the Tucson home for many Chicago sports fans and carries games on TVs throughout the bar. 5954 E Speedway Blvd, 520.748.8169, www.chicagobartucson.com

Level Bar & Lounge
Located in the foothills, Level is 'a sophisticated and elegant entertainment destination." They offer up three distinct environments to choose from, including a 1,500 foot patio area and a dance floor featuring internationally known DJs. Make sure to check out their dress code before you go. 4280 N Campbell Ave (St Philip’s Plaza), 520.615.3835, www.myspace.com/levellounge. Weds-Sun 9 pm-2 am.

The Shelter
Dark, cozy, kitschy, and friendly, the Shelter is a cocktail lounge as it should be. Get your fill of retro décor with velvet paintings and Kennedy memorabilia while enjoying an expertly made drink by attentive bartenders. Don’t forget to try your hand at the vintage pinball machine. 4155 E Grant Rd, 520.326.1345, 3 pm – 2 am.

Sur Real
Sur Real is an upscale restaurant serving exquisite and tantalizing Latin American influenced cuisine for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and a late night menu until midnight Monday - Thursday, and until 2 am on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy live salsa and dancing on Saturday nights along with drink specials. Be sure to check out happy hour Monday –Friday from 3 pm-6 pm, and from 10 pm-close. 3001 E Skyline Dr (at Campbell), 520.529.2644, www.surreal.com. Mon-Thurs 11 am-midnight, Fri-Sun 11 am – 2 am.