If someone is looking for a full-service spa, where do you send them?
For the true Arizona spa experience, our Spa at Sanctuary (www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/spa-fitness/spa-treatments/) is a must. We use local minerals and plants to bring the beauty of the desert into the spa. The wild lime blossom massage is a personal favorite, whereas the Sanctuary salt stone treatment is what we’re known for. Warm blocks of salt that have been hand carved are used to refresh the skin, remove toxins, and reduce inflammation. Another wonderful spa is also at a resort: Joya Spa (4949 E Lincoln Dr. Tel: (480) 627-3020. www.omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdalemontelucia/spa) at the Omni Scottsdale. They’re known for their rituals treatments, like the Moroccan orange blossom ritual and the hammam experience, where you enter a warm hammam room and are rubbed with a black herbal soap and a green tea scrub.
Designer labels for less: do you have any suggestions for the smart shopper?
For the ladies, there’s My Sister’s Closet (www.mysisterscloset.com), which has a location in both Phoenix and Scottsdale. It’s a wonderful consignment shop where you can regularly find big names like Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Chanel, all at great prices. For the men, the owners of My Sister’s Closet also run a men’s consignment shop called Well Suited (www.shopwellsuited.com). Here, you’ll find the best names in menswear, like Hugo Boss, Burberry, and Armani.
What are the best gay/lesbian bars in the city?
BS West (7125 E 5th Ave Rear, Tel: 480-945- 9028. www.bswest.com), in Old Town Scottsdale, calls itself Arizona’s best gay bar. Every night, they have a rotating event, from DJs, to drag shows, to dance parties. It’s such a fun place to mingle until the sun comes up. For a more “relaxed” setting, check out Charlie’s Phoenix (727 W Camelback Rd. Tel: 602-265-0224. www.charliesphoenix.com). Charlie’s isn’t sleepy by any means, but it’s much more down-to-earth. When you want to go out, hear live music, and dance with friends, but you’re not in the mood to get dressed up, Charlie’s is the place to go. It’s a come-as-you-are atmosphere, which makes going there a no-hassle night out.
Hole-in-the-Rock Natural Geological Formation
Photo: Gregory E. Clifford
What are the most popular gay dance clubs?
The Rock (4129 N 7th Ave, Tel: 602-248- 8559. www.therockdmphoenix.com) in Phoenix is truly one a kind. The club has drag nights, bears nights, leather nights, and more. But what makes it so interesting is that, on most nights, you’ll find people from every crowd mixing and mingling, and dancing to the music. I think it’s one of those special places that you don’t find in every town, so we’re lucky to have The Rock here in Phoenix. If you are looking for a traditional club experience, that would be Stacy’s @ Melrose (4343 N 7th Ave. Tel: 602-264- 1700. www.stacysatmelrose.com). Here, you’ll find the disco balls, neon lights, and DJ booths that keep partygoers dancing until all hours. The best part of Stacy’s is their daily happy hour. Get there before the crowd and be rewarded with some cheap drinks!
Where can someone go at 3 A.M. for a good meal?
If you’re in the mood for New York style pizza in the desert, there’s Joe’s New York Pizza (7321 E, Shoeman Lane, Tel: 480-947-5637. www.joespizzascottsdale.com) in Scottsdale, which is open until 3:30 A.M. every day. Despite being late night fare, they actually offer authentic and delicious food using the freshest ingredients they can find. Aside from pizza, you can find salads, burgers, gyros, pasta, calzone rolls and even Stromboli. They also do a really good delivery and takeout business, so if you’re a bit too tipsy to head out, order it in!
What is the iconic tourist souvenir, and where will we find it?
Cosanti (6433 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Tel: 480-948-6145. www.cosanti.com), in Scottsdale, sells absolutely fabulous handmade windchimes, bells, planters, and even jewelry. They’re located at an Arizona Historic Site designed by world-renowned architect Paolo Soleri. At Cosanti, you can browse their massive selection, roam the grounds, and visit the on-site foundry to see the bells being poured. Another favorite, as I mentioned before, is the gift shop at the Heard museum. The tribes of the Southwest have such a unique design-style, it’s truly a gift worth cherishing forever.
Please finish this sentence: Don’t leave the city without…
Having a drink at Rusty Spur Saloon (7245 E Main St. Tel: 480-425-7787. www.rustyspursaloon.com) in Old Town Scottsdale; it’s a destination! Many celebrities have walked through its swinging doors in the 60 years since it first opened. It used to be Farmers Bank of Scottsdale, but now the vaults are full of liquor! Two-step to country music all day!
Getting a sugar rush at Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor (4005 N Scottsdale Rd, Tel: 480-946-0051. www.sugarbowlscottsdale.com) in Old Town Scottsdale; Bubblegum Pink has been their theme since 1958! Old-fashioned favorites like Butter Pecan and Rocky Road take you back to yesteryear, but don’t stop there! There’s also floats, sundaes, shakes, malts, and more.
Taking a day trip to Sedona (www.visitsedona.com), which is often voted in the Top 20 most beautiful destination in North America. The sight of the Red Rocks is breathtaking, and the entire area is said to buzz with a metaphysical ambience and is considered a sacred place because of the energy vortexes that run through the region.
