Best Scottsdale Bachelor Party Things To Do

What should you do in Scottsdale for a bachelor party? Scottsdale is one of the best places to have a bachelor party as there is so much stuff to do!

Why is Scottsdale one of the best places to have a bachelor party? Well there is the weather, the nightlife, the outdoorsy stuff and overall just a great vibe. It is also 1/5 the cost of Las Vegas with equal the amount of fun.

People do ask if you should golf and I say no, as you can probably golf back home at some point and when will you be back in Scottsdale for all the fun there is to offer? 

When will you be back to see any of these amazing Phoenix events again or when will you be able to go to amazing pool parties like the ones Scottsdale has.

Here is the Phoenix Bucket List: 17 things You must do

I will say this to death… Scottsdale/Phoenix is a better bachelor party location than Vegas. First of all Vegas is 5x more expensive, Vegas doesn’t have any stuff to do other than parties or shows and getting around is a nightmare.

Not to mention getting into places, lineups and more. I tell everyone that while the clubs aren’t anything near Vegas, the cost benefit analysis is 500% better to go to Scottsdale. Phoenix also has multiple sports teams, tournaments and events compared to Vegas.

At the bottom I also have suggestions on where to eat, where to stay, when to come, getting around etc. With that said, here is a list of must do things for a bachelor party in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

I will lay everything out below but if here are some quick links to click for best 17 things to do in Phoenix, top restaurants, top bars, top hikes near Phoenix, top waterfall hikes and ways to escape the Phoenix heat

Make The Bachelor Ride A Live Bull

Yes… you can ride a live bull and it is scarily incredible. Head to Buffalo Chip in Cave Creek and never look back. It is just a great time if you are into country music and want to watch bull-riding anyways.

The Chip can be a great dinner and pre-game spot as well, head up there from 7-10 and then head back down to Old Town. They have a BBQ buffet dinner up there, which solid and its indoor/outdoor making it a great space for AZ.

Friday night is when they have the amateur and pro bull riding. You need to call the Monday prior to reserve a spot.

Bike Crawl In Scottsdale

Scottsdale weather is always amazing and getting on bikes to go to restaurants and bars is so much fun.

Whether your hotel has bikes or you rent them or even rent the birds and get around old town. Head to brunch, go to a bar, go to dinner and everything all on the bike. If you are doing Spring Training then definitely bike to Scottsdale Stadium and R&R as part of your crawl.

Tube the salt river

A bit of a local secret… aside from the giant billboards on the highways… this place gets passed over by tourists but should be a mandatory stop.

In the heat of the summer nothing beats hopping in a tube with some cold drinks, friends and talking a 3 or 5 hour trip down a little river with mini rapids from time to time.

Lolo’s Chicken & Waffles

I have “eat” in this but Lolo’s gets its own section as you have to go here. This is hangover brunch at its finest, a great atmosphere, R&B playing, kool-aid on tap, sports on TV and the best food ever.

I never thought chicken and waffles would be good but both in one bite with some syrup and hot sauce is heaven. Get the traditional chicken and waffles as well a split some Stupid Fries.

There is one in the airport as well if you wanted one more taste before you left. See here for the top 16 restaurants in Scottsdale & Phoenix.

Get Divey

More than likely you came to Phoenix to go hard in Old Town but if you want a little break than I have some great areas and dive bars to checkout.

The Arcadia & Uptown Phoenix area is amazing and you could spend an entire night there hopping around to fun bars like Little Woody, The Yard, Dilly Dally or Coach House. 

You could even go downtown Phoenix to see Cobra Arcade Bar, Valley Bar or the Deuce. More descriptions of many of these are in this list as well for top 20 bars in Phoenix.

Hiking

I know you don’t really go on a bachelor party to exercise but at least hiking Camelback is a quintessential must do when visiting the area. It is Phoenix’s version of Runyon Canyon but it’s twice as hard.

You could probably use some nature, fresh air and to sweat out everything from the night before. See here for for best hikes within 2 hours of phoenix.

If you have never been here you may think of the Phoenix area as flat desert but it is surrounded in mountains, lakes and waterfalls with some of the most beautiful colors in the USA.

If you are looking for that perfect instagram picture to show how outdoorsy you are then this is your spot. For the most quintessential hike in Phoenix here is the Camelback Mountain guide.

Events & Festivals

Due to the year-round warm weather Phoenix is a staple for major events that you have to see once in your life!

There are some of the USA’s best sporting events, music festivals and food/drinking festivals and a plethora of venues offering any event you are looking for.

For a list of the best events click here.

Venues to checkout schedule include Footprint Center, Ak-Chin Pavillion, Chase Field, State Farm Arena, Comerica Theatre, Gila River Arena, Marquee Theatre, Celebrity Theatre, Crescent Ballroom and The Van Buren.

Old Town Scottsdale

I always tell people that Scottsdale is better than anywhere else aside from Austin due to the concentration of partying to one area. Old Town, also known as The Vortex, is this block of absolute chaos that will suck you in and you won’t leave.

In all other major cities there are tons of places to go where really Old Town Scottsdale is the true only place to go for this type of scene in Phoenix, which is the 12th biggest DMA in the US.

Depending what you want there is country, hip hop or a mix. For generic music good time Bottled Blonde, District, Riot House and Casa Amigos are best bets. Maya & District are good as well and sometimes does more hip-hop.

Hifi is more hip-hop while Maya and El Hefe are more EDM then you have Whiskey Row, which is country. There are a couple less “old town” bars in the area too such as the Rusty Spur Saloon and Boondocks Patio is also a great spot.

For a list of the top Phoenix bars click here or top restaurants click here.

While people may know all about Old Town and Mill Ave there are tons of other options littered throughout Phoenix like the growing uptown area.

Throughout Phoenix you can find upscale lounges, dive bars, pool parties, sports bars, nightclubs live music, speakeasies and any other party you are looking for.

Get Out On The Lake, Chase Waterfalls Or Find A Swimming Hole

Not enough people do lake things here and this needs to end. Phoenix is surrounded by a ton of large beautiful lakes just 30 minutes from town. On top of that there are tons of gorgeous waterfalls and rivers through the valley for relaxing days by the water.

Lake Pleasant is enormous and offers all water activities you need including renting a boat and it’s only 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Saguaro Lake has all water activities and some great hiking.

Canyon Lake is extremely picturesque, rents boats has hiking and camping. Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake are also a couple great options.

Or there are some great half-day trip to waterfalls and swimming holes to get you on in nature and experience more of what Arizona has to offer. For great waterfall & swimming hole hikes near Phoenix click here.

Pool Parties

Probably the main reason you are coming to Scottsdale are the pool parties. Depending what you are into there are a few consistent options for you.

The W is typically more upscape and is really consistent in the summer. It has a great rooftop vibe, plenty of sites to see and great music.

Maya is the quintessential more intense pool party and they often pay bigger named DJs to swing by. It is a mix of crowds but a great overall option.

Talking Stick Resort is not that good… sorry. Well, it can be good depending who you are but it’s a…. unique vibe and clientele. I’m not a huge fan.

Hotel Adeline is a newcomer to the area and it is legit as well. However, if you are just visiting then best to stick with the W Or Maya so you can stay right in Old Town if you decide to hop around or whatever.

Go to Mexico?

You probably don’t have time and there isn’t much point to driving a few more hours to Mexico but… if you are from the area and want to do something different than Scottsdale… this is the spot.

Not many people know that you are just a few hours away from the ocean, crystal clear water, cheap tacos and $1 beers. I would absolutely go here over San Diego given the choice and it is much closer to Phoenix as well. If you are from here make the few hour drive and it will be even cheaper than Scottsdale as well.

Rocky Point or Puerto Penasco is extremely underrated as long as you take it for what it’s worth. Being “well travelled” I was being told that this place wasn’t that great, was trashy etc etc… however I think it is awesome!

Sure it isn’t the Mayan Riviera but it has everything you need for a little Mexican get away and is extremely safe. For the top things to do in Rocky Point click here.

Eat… Especially Brunch

Dinner is kinda important too but normally with a group of guys you can grill out or go to a regular restaurant but brunch… brunch is where we get back on the horse and start drinking again.

Obviously Lolo’s is the spot but aside from there checkout: R&R for more of a party atmosphere with bottomless mimosas & bloody marys. Montauk is a great atmosphere with good food and normally a low key DJ playing some good music… plus great eye candy.

Sumo Maya is another perfect spot and a touch more upscale. Morning Squeeze is another favorite regular breakfast spot with no music but casual and relaxing, plus it is dog friendly.

I don’t like Breakfast Club Scottsdale as it isn’t dog friendly and the food is meh. Breakfast Club downtown is legit though. The Henry is another upscale nice lowkey place with amazing food.

For list of other top Phoenix restaurants click here.

Phoenix is home to multiple amazing food festivals and is becoming a culinary hotspot with multiple unique restaurants opening throughout the valley. It also goes without saying that with a 33% Hispanic population that there is some amazing Mexican Food to be had.

Sports

Phoenix is one of the best sports cities with every major professional sports team, major golf tournaments, NASCAR, Spring Training and habitually hosts March Madness and Super Bowls.

This is arguably the best city on earth for a sports weekend to take in multiple games, enjoy some sun and add top-class nightlife.

Talking Stick Resort & Top Golf

While it’s not Vegas, Talking Stick Resort is the best casino in Phoenix.

Talking stick is also nice as it comes with a nice pool that throws summer pool parties and it has Top Golf located around the corner of which they offer shuttles to. Furthermore, just up the road is the OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland and Salt River Fields home to Spring Training games.

Party On A Bike

 

If you are anywhere in town you probably have seen a bunch of crazy people riding around on a giant bike drinking… why not get involved? arizonapartybike.com

Where To Eat

Phoenix is a great spot for foodies whether you want festivals or eclectic restaurants.

Phoenix is home to multiple amazing food festivals and is becoming a culinary hotspot with lots of unique restaurants opening throughout the valley. It also goes without saying that with a 33% Hispanic population that there is some amazing Mexican Food to be had.

For list of top Phoenix restaurants click here.

Fine dining: The Mission, El Chorro or T. Cooks are a few of my favorites. However, a lot of people will also tell you Mastro’s City Hall, Steak 44 and lots of resorts have terrific restaurants as well like Prado.

Nice fun ambiance: Sumo Maya is maybe the perfect spot, Montauk, The Yard is great too and Sapporo is my favorite. Authentic food: Restaurante Giuseppe is the best Italian food in town and Barrio Queen is arguably the best Mexican food.

Where to stay

You really should stay within walking/falling distance of Old Town Scottsdale. It is where the action is and the last thing you want is to keep having to spend $20 on Ubers back and forth. There are plenty of Airbnbs in the area and that is your best bet, especially with a big group of people.

The best hotels for this are the W Scottsdale for a higher priced option, The Hotel Valley Ho for a middle range and then below that really anything like a Marriott, Courtyard etc are all good options in that area, just don’t go south of Indian School road.

Getting around

Renting a car isn’t necessary if you stay around Old Town. You can uber everywhere or there are the golf carts that will buzz you around within old town.

When To Come

You really can come to Phoenix year round as it is great. However, if you want pool parties then pool party season is typically from April to September. Basing your party around a festival or event isn’t a bad idea either and here is a list of the best events and festivals in Phoenix with their timing.

In terms of days of the week you have to make sure you fly out Monday. The best time would be in Thursday and out Monday or Friday to Monday. Why?

Well… I am pretty sure Sunday Funday originated in Scottsdale and it is the best time to party of all! Thus, do not fly out on Sunday whatever you do.