Old Town Tavern has been the working musician’s room in Scottsdale since 2006, first as the “biggest little stage in Old Town” and now next door in a bigger space with a proper stage on the Civic Center mall. There is live music seven nights a week, rock and acoustic sets with extra afternoon shows on weekends, and the players are Valley regulars rather than touring acts. Cover, when there is one, is the exception rather than the rule.
Drink accordingly. Domestic and Mexican beers run about $4, local brews about $5, shots $3 to $4, which is why the room skews toward people who live here. The patio looks straight onto the Civic Center lawn and is the best seat in the building when the weather cooperates.
When to go: a weekend afternoon set, when the patio is in shade and the crowd is locals rather than bachelor parties. Doors open at 10:00 AM daily as of this writing, with music running to close.