4 Best Nightlife in Northwest Arizona, Arizona

Along a remote mining road in the Buckskin Mountains roughly midway between Lake Havasu City and Parker, the quirky Desert Bar, aka the Nellie E. Saloon, is one of the region's most fabled curiosities. It's only open on weekends and occasional holidays (noon–6), Labor Day through Memorial Day. This cash-only, solar-powered entertainment compound is a work in progress, comprising indoor and outdoor bars, a stage with live music throughout the day, a horseshoe pit, a covered footbridge, and a nondenominational church that's the occasional site of weddings.

With more than 20 wines by the glass (priced at a very reasonable markup) plus a noteworthy selection of imported and craft beers as well as craft cocktails, this wine bar provides a sophisticated but low-key after-dark option in historic downtown Kingman. There's live music many evenings, and you can accompany your wine-sipping with food delivered from nearby local restaurants.

A big nightlife draw around Lake Havasu is BlueWater Casino, 40 miles south in the town of Parker. The gaming area comprises more than 500 slot machines, plus blackjack, poker, and bingo, and it adjoins a full-service resort with a concert hall, bars, a movie theater, restaurants, a 164-slip marina, and a 200-room hotel.

Just across the Colorado River from Lake Havasu, this small but lively casino and bar, which has live music most weekends, has become extremely popular thanks to the ferry service that zooms passengers over from London Bridge between 6:45 am and midnight (until 2 am on Friday and Saturday). The ferry costs $2 round-trip, and the scenic ride takes 17 minutes. You can also tie up your own boat at Havasua Landing's marina. The casino has 245 slots, plus blackjack and three-card poker tables, and there's live music Friday and Saturday nights.