6 Best Bars in Flagstaff, North-Central Arizona

The hip crowd here tends to be postcollege and more affluent; the cocktails are creative, the food is great, and there's often live music on the wraparound patio.

DJs spin high-energy tunes as a mostly college-age crowd takes to the dance floor Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 10 pm until close.

This lounge in the historic Hotel Monte Vista packs 'em in three nights a week with live blues, jazz, classic rock, and punk.

This 36-tap watering hole on Route 66 hosts open mic and karaoke nights plus the occasional band on weekends.

Fondly known as the Zoo, this Flagstaff institution once housed an extensive taxidermy collection in the 1930s and is now a popular country-and-western club (a few owls still perch above the dance floor). A gigantic log cabin constructed around five trees, with a huge, wishbone-shape pine as the entryway, the venue offers a taste of Route 66 color along with live music and other events.

You'll find three bars here: Charly's Pub & Grill hosts late-night jazz and blues bands, while, in the basement, the Gopher Hole has a game room and brings a mix of styles to its stage. The third, the Zane Grey Ballroom upstairs, affords a great view of the city you can enjoy with your drink. Good food and historical charm enhance the experience.