Enjoy a drink at Jade Bar (5700 E. McDonald Dr., 480/948-2100, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. daily) early in evening, when you can catch Mummy Mountain bathed in a desert sunset. This chic, modern bar at Paradise Valley’s Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is a stylish alternative to the gaudy lounges of Old Town. Try one of the signature cocktails, like the Celery Serano Margarita or the Grapefruit & Basil, a blend of lemongrass simple syrup, vodka, basil leaves, and fresh grapefruit juice.

If you’re looking for great wine and a more adult crowd, Kazimierz World Wine Bar (7137 E. Stetson Dr., 480/946-3004, 6 p.m.–2 a.m. daily) provides an unpretentious retreat for friends or a romantic date. Serious wine lovers will appreciate the listing of 3,000 wines from around the world, which has earned regular recognition from Wine Spectator magazine for its depth and value. Curl up on one of the plush sofas and pair an Arizona varietal with one of the delicious Egyptian flatbreads. Be forewarned, though; “Kazbar” isn’t easy to find: “Like all good speakeasys, the entrance is hidden in the rear.”

Get ready—Shade (7277 E. Camelback Rd., 480/970-2100, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. daily) is Scottsdale at its $15 martini-loving, Louis Vuitton handbag-carrying, trendy jean-wearing finest. The uber-glam lounge at the W Scottsdale Hotel has become a nightlife staple, and on any given evening, you could be crashing some Hollywood celebrity’s birthday party or the debut of a Valley resident on a reality TV show. If you can get past the velvet rope and unnecessarily rude bouncers, you’ll be treated to some prime Scottsdale people-watching. Step outside to experience its poolside sibling Sunset Beach, a rooftop “beach bar” with white daybeds, “lounging pods,” and spectacular views of the city.

Suede (7333 E. Indian Plaza, 480/970-6969, 7 p.m.–2 a.m. Wed.–Sat., 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Sun.) has been a nightlife fixture for years, thanks in part to the upscale atmosphere and namesake fabric that covers the furniture and walls. Don’t let the Art Deco-inspired decor, cherrywood floor, and chandeliers fool you—this isn’t a stuffy lounge for the older set. The dance floor is usually jammed with partiers, with music that ranges from house to lounge to top 40 and hip-hop, and its open patio is a heavenly retreat if you find someone to strike up a conversation with.