Shady's: A Beacon in the Night

We should have known that something was amiss when my cellular device buzzed and the illuminated screen said, “the sky is broken”. Upon exiting the comfy confines of collegetown comfort the momentum and magnetic pull should have been confirmed. But it wasn’t until we stood watching horizontal rain and a sky that flickered like a worn out patio light bulb pulsating on its deathbed that the thought finally came. Turning to my companion with what has become an apparent telltale sign of mischievous promises I cleared my throat and put for the quandary; “are you up for some more adventure?”

The streets of Phoenix looked as if they had been struck a mighty blow by the scientifically classified hurricanes that I had only just recently fled. But a hurricane in Arizona? The thought was laughable at best and even with power deficient streets and the scattered limbs of a thousand broken trees leading the way it wasn’t until we arrived that the realization dawned upon us. City blocks in every direction were dark, street lights were nothing more than dark tendrils of metal postings marking an intersection of streets where heavy traffic should be still flowing strong at even this late hour. The lone beacon in the night was a neon green sign beckoning us in from the storm; the calm and cool interior of Shady’s called.

Shady’s is one part hipster heaven and one part dive bar delight. A tiny low ceiling building welcomes all and first timers that are arriving on grape vine recommendations always sport the same look of “you mean this is it” facial contorting confusion. There is a lone bar that even at the busiest of Friday nights is only large enough for a maximum of two bartenders to man and even then it can sometimes be cramped quarters. There is a pool table, but if you are there during peek hours it is nearly impossible to play a proper game. The bar is the place to be, but if this isn’t your style a small line of booths horseshoe the pool table and a selection of comfy chairs are arranged in front of a fireplace that I have never seen hold more than a few candles, let alone an honest to goodness fire. Add to this mix some of the best bartenders in the valley who will sling you any number of custom designed concoctions, old favorites and a bevy of ice cold beers in a maddening variety and you have a very choice locale in which to pine away the hot summer months. What once was a seldom used back patio is now a hot bed of activity on any given day; you can ban smoking from bars but you will never remove the cold hard habit of a beer in one hand and a smoke in the other. Of course no bar I will list in my top 5 favorites would be complete without a colorful cast of patrons and Shady’s has never failed to deliver to me a witty conversation that I wouldn’t engage or some bizarre miscreant to gawk at.

The quaint interior, friendly regulars, numerous quality beers on tap and kick ass bartenders are all good but there is one key element that one and all seem needful of. When the bartenders are too busy for small talk and the conversations lull into silence and those off times when all you want is a beer and a little bit of solace we all need something else besides our own bar mirror reflections to be distracted by. And Shady’s delivers this with a knock out blow. Forget for a moment that the pint you are sipping could come in conjunction with a viewing of “Better off Dead” playing in subtitles on one of several TV screens over the bar. Is it ok to stop and smile as you watch the words form in your own head and found yourself saying out loud, “never, ever feed them after midnight” along with the cast of “Gremlins”. Though if the distraction of long forgotten or just straight up good movie watching isn’t your cup of tea then there is always the legendary jukebox to provide your needed distraction.

If you don’t like punk, you can always pick a couple of tunes from old blue eyes. If you don’t like punk and Sinatra isn’t your thing, stink the place up with some James Brown funk. I you don’t like punk, can’t do Sinatra, despise James Brown then you can always grab a Johnny Cash tune. If you don’t like any of these musical selections then go home you are in the wrong bar. If you are however a fan of good punk rock than Shady’s will offer up a selection of great bands and odd b-sides that will have you in Mohawk heaven.

Like most popular and hipper locations Shady’s is packed to the rafters on Friday and Saturday nights.
There is no kitchen, so eat before you go.
Never a cover and proper attire is never required.

Shadys‎ -
2701 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ - (602) 956-8998‎

Vio Con Dios, tip your bartender and put a helmet on that, soldier.
- The Midnight Rider.