A growing trend on TikTok is inspiring people to “stop living for the weekend” by finding ways to enjoy their evenings during the week. Users are sharing tips for midweek adventures, after-work outings, and activities that break up the monotony of 9-to-5 life.
Here is a list of local outings that are worth hopping off your couch for!
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Angry Crab Shack
Weekdays are the perfect opportunity to enjoy Angry Crab Shack’s bold Asian-Cajun seafood boils without the weekend crowds. Whether it’s a casual lunch with coworkers or a midweek dinner with friends, their interactive dining experience encourages conversation and fun, making it an ideal way to break up the routine and treat yourself during the week. Information: www.angrycrabshack.com
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse offers a weekday escape with its interactive hibachi tables and fresh, high-quality Japanese cuisine. Weeknight dining here turns an ordinary evening into an engaging experience, perfect for team outings, date nights, or simply enjoying a unique culinary performance that elevates the midweek dining scene. Information: www.kasaiteppan.com
Taroko Sports
Taroko Sports brings a first-of-its-kind dynamic blend of sports, gaming, and social entertainment to the Valley. At its core are state-of-the-art batting cages powered by top-of-the-line technology, offering real-time feedback and gamified scoring to make baseball accessible and exciting for all skill levels, from seasoned sluggers to first-time batters. Beyond baseball, Taroko Sports features mini bowling, electronic darts, 5D racing simulators, arcade classics and FPS video games, basketball pop-a-shot and other proprietary full-scale basketball shooting challenges, pitching cages and air hockey. The venue also includes a casual food and beverage area with pizzas, wings, fries, and more, and will eventually include a bar serving bottled beer and wine. tarokosports.com
Drunk Dracula
Drunk Dracula transforms weeknights into an unforgettable adventure for Phoenix audiences. This interactive comedy show, where one actor gets drunk while the rest of the cast navigates chaos, makes for a hilarious and unexpected midweek outing, perfect for breaking up the routine and adding a dose of laughter and entertainment to any weekday evening. Information: www.drunkdracula.com
OOROO
OOROO offers weekday convenience for busy car owners looking to get essential auto care without disrupting their schedule. With fast, professional service for maintenance and repairs, OOROO helps turn a mundane weekday chore into a seamless experience, giving customers peace of mind and more free time to enjoy their evenings. Information: www.oorooauto.com
Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS)
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) offers a rich array of cultural and educational programs that make weekdays meaningful and engaging. AZJHS provides a variety of events such as film screenings, book discussions, concerts, and genealogy workshops. These programs offer a unique opportunity for individuals and families to enrich their midweek routines with thought-provoking content and cultural experiences. Whether you’re interested in Holocaust education, exploring Jewish heritage, or participating in community discussions, AZJHS’s weekday events provide a welcoming space to learn and connect. Information: www.azjhs.org
Scottsdale Recovery Center (SRC)
Scottsdale Recovery Center (SRC) offers a range of weekday programs designed to support individuals on their journey to recovery. Their Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides structured treatment sessions three to five days a week, allowing clients to engage in therapy while maintaining daily responsibilities. Additionally, SRC’s outpatient clinic offers flexible evening IOP sessions from 5 PM to 8 PM, accommodating those with daytime commitments. With a focus on evidence-based therapies and a supportive community, SRC helps individuals make the most of their weekdays as they work toward lasting sobriety. Information: www.scottsdalerecovery.com
Tempe Community Action Agency
Tempe Community Action Agency is an East Valley-based nonprofit meeting the needs of vulnerable community members in south Scottsdale and Tempe. The nonprofit operates a nightly shelter in partnership with faith community partners serving the unhoused community. TCAA is seeking volunteers throughout the week to provide and serve meals to unhoused program participants enrolled in the I-HELP shelter model. Meal providers plan, cook and serve meals to 40 program participants, and are encouraged to sit and enjoy the dinner together alongside TCAA staff and clients. This shared experience of serving and then enjoying a meal made with love is not just about nourishment; it’s about offering warmth and support as our guests work towards a brighter future. Participants arrive to an I-HELP site by 5 p.m. to serve meals by 5:30. Find out more about how you can become an I-HELP volunteer this summer by visiting https://tempeaction.org/ihelp-volunteers.html.
C2 Tactical
Looking for a way to enjoy some target practice while escaping the Arizona heat? With locations in Tempe and Phoenix, C2 Tactical offers up to 29 climate-controlled lanes, making it the perfect summer escape for those looking to enjoy target practice or try out new firearms in total comfort.
C2 Tactical welcomes both beginners and seasoned shooters, offering a wide variety of classes and private lessons tailored to all experience levels. Whether you’re interested in learning the basics of gun safety, want to fine-tune your marksmanship or are interested in specialized courses like defensive shooting or their ladies only class, their NRA-certified instructors have you covered. The range also features a well-stocked gun store, on-site gunsmithing and free range time all day every Monday for ladies, making it a standout destination for anyone looking for a fun, safe and educational night in Arizona. Information: c2tactical.com.
Lectric eBikes
Catch some fresh air during the week at Lectric eBike’s Lectric Garage where you can test ride the nation’s #1 best-selling ebikes. Conveniently located right off the 101 and the 17, you and a friend or co-worker can visit and test their seven ebike models, on their gravel and pavement test ride areas. Lectric eBikes are designed for riders of all experience levels and beloved by over 500,000 riders across the U.S. since 2019. The Lectric Garage also offers the lowest prices in the nation for open-box Lectric eBikes, and all ebikes purchased will receive free basic service for as long as you own the bike! Your Lectric is not just a bike, it’s an excuse to have fun! Visit https://lectricebikes.com/ to take their ebike quiz to see which model would be best for you.
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria
Escape the midweek slump with a guided wine tour at the scenic Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria in Cottonwood. For a quicker pre- or post-dining experience, reserve a guided 25-minute tour where you’ll visit the Barrel Room, Greenhouse, and Vineyard while sipping on a sample of Hilltop Reserva, grown on their 110-acre Estate vineyards in Verde Valley and Willcox, AZ. Barrel Room tours are $25 per person (10 max) and run every hour on the hour. Book your tour and dining reservation here: https://merkintrattoria.com/
For those with more time to spare, indulge in The Ventura Room, a private 90-minute Caduceus experience offered by appointment only. Enjoy a private, personal, and exclusive vineyard tour, facility tour, and first-class guided wine tasting paired with rotating dishes from their orchards and gardens. You’ll also have access to purchase archival and rare bottled Caduceus Hilltop wines. Seating is limited to eight spots per tasting for $269 per person. Reservations can be booked at https://caduceusvscventuraroom.com/.
Queen B Vinyl Cafe
Queen B Vinyl Café isn’t your average record store. Located in Old Town Cottonwood, the immersive experience combines an underground vinyl shop & all-ages event space, a café and roastery, and a barbershop! Find limited-edition collectible goods and underground releases—including rare and limited-edition releases and merch from co-owner Maynard James Keenan’s projects, including Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, and TOOL, alongside extra offerings such as vinyl repair services, custom digital screen printing, and even an on-site seamstress designing one-of-a-kind looks. On any given weekday, you might stumble into a live concert, exclusive listening party, poetry open mic, or a puppet show. Don’t forget to check out their Art-O-Mat vending machine, one of the only Art-o-Mat machines in Arizona!
Grab a bite to eat next door at the café, open from 7 am to 8 pm daily, with curated farm-to-table breakfast and lunch offerings including the staple Cain Veggie and Abel Meat Quiches, God’s Favorite (Hot Dog), or any of their three traditional ramen options (Shoyu, Miso Kimchi, and Tonkotsu). Sip on their in-house roasted coffee (also available packaged to take home) or step outside to their dog-friendly patio and enjoy a flight of their estate-grown wines paired with a matching pup flight for your four-legged companion.
Need a fresh cut? Pay a visit to the Barbifer—a separate room featuring a traditional barbershop offer men’s and children’s cuts from 11 am-6 pm on weekdays, except Monday. Parking for free and get a free EV charge across the street in the public lot. See all there is to shop, dine, and explore at Queen B Vinyl Café here: https://queenbvinylcafe.com/.
Thirsty Lion
Who says the best nights only happen Friday through Sunday? Make any weekday feel like an event at Thirsty Lion. From 3-6 PM daily, the vibe is on. Enjoy generous discounts on drafts, cocktails, and wine, plus crave-worthy bites starting at just $7.95. Think creamy queso dip, savory edamame, hand-cut fries, artichoke spinach dip, or indulgent beer-battered cheese curds. In other words, Thirsty Lion turns every weekday into something to look forward to.
Dink and Dine Pickle Park
Don’t wait for the weekend to discover the trending sport of pickleball! Weekdays at Dink and Dine Pickle Park provide the ultimate immersive experience. You can enjoy a rally on an open pickleball court, grab a bite at the chef drive restaurant, or find a spot at the coffee bar to chat with friends and family. Dink and Dine is the perfect midweek pick me up for players with any skill level.Dink & Dine Pickle Park is a hybrid hospitality and recreation venue anchored in competitive pickleball and culinary leadership. With 13 courts, including the signature indoor Stadium 10, chef-driven food concepts, and a focus on community programming, Dink & Dine is built to bring people together through play, dining, and shared experiences.
Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science Center is a beacon of STEM exploration in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Featuring more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, and exciting science programs, Arizona Science Center allows Arizona visitors the chance to get hands-on, Instagram-worthy experiences that are sure to enrich their trip to this great state. Topics covered through various exhibitions and exhibits include everything from exploring the human body to the forces of nature to physics and much more.
Beyond the galleries, Arizona Science Center offers both family-friendly and adults-only events. Programs including Science on Wheels, CAMP INNOVATION, teen programs, professional development, and Adults’ Night Out: Science With A TWIST. You can find the latest weekend happenings and only-in-Phoenix activities for the entire family on its events calendar, which can be found here: www.azscience.org/visit/events.
Foley Ranch
Weeknights just got a whole lot rowdier at Foley Ranch Boots & BBQ in Desert Ridge Marketplace! If you are into live country music, line dancing, and finger-lickin’ BBQ, this is your midweek escape. So, dust off those cowboy boots and get ready to two-step your way through the week! Tuesdays kick things off with a bang—think bingo, beginner line dance lessons, country karaoke, Taco Tuesday, and even family-friendly fun. Wednesdays are all about the ladies with Cowgirl Night, serving up food and drink specials for the 21+ crowd and some more advanced dance moves. Then it is time to rewind on Throwback Thursdays with swing dance lessons, all-you-can-eat ribs, and live old-school country jams. Come Friday, it’s full-on weekend mode with more dancing, late-night specials, and, of course, plenty of BBQ to keep you fueled. Speaking of food, Foley Ranch isn’t just about the music and moves. The menu is packed with crave-worthy starters, burgers, sandwiches, smoked BBQ, salads, desserts, and more, so there is something for everyone’s appetite. Stay in the loop on weekday adventures, live performers, and country dancing galore at https://www.foleyranch.com/.
Ballet Arizona
Always wanted to dance like no one’s watching, or maybe like everyone is? Whether you’re a former dancer itching to get back at the barre or an adventurous adult ready to try something totally new, Ballet Arizona has a spot waiting for you in their open adult classes! Held Mondays through Fridays at their Phoenix campus and Wednesday mornings in Mesa, these classes welcome teens (14+) and adults of all ages and experience levels. From beginner to advanced, you’ll plié, jeté, and (maybe) sweat it out with the help of live piano accompaniment—because you deserve a soundtrack while you conquer the dance floor. Want to ease into it? Check out their “Introduction to Ballet” workshops or one of their special three-day intensives offered twice a year. Tap over to balletaz.org for more info and get those toes pointed!
Pedal Haus Brewery
Pedal Haus Brewery is the perfect spot to unwind after work, savor delicious food and drinks or catch a game with friends. As the ultimate sports hub and hangout, it offers a welcoming space for social gatherings or solo visits for elevated pub food and beer. With four locations in Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, Chandler and Mesa, Pedal Haus provides a vibrant atmosphere featuring both indoor seating and spacious outdoor patios. Enjoy daily happy hour specials from Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with $2 off select Haus beers and steins, $5 well drinks, $6 Haus margaritas and wine and deals on select food items. Make your week exciting by stopping by the brewery. Information: pedalhausbrewery.com.
Salt + Lime Modern Mexican Grill
Salt + Lime is called the neighborhood spot in the Valley for a reason, offering delicious modern Mexican cuisine and an inviting atmosphere for all guests. With two locations in Scottsdale and Cave Creek and an Arcadia location underway, the restaurant provides incredible deals with its daily happy hour specials, including $7 select house margaritas on Margarita Mondays, $2 off tacos on Taco Tuesdays, select wine deals for Wine Wednesdays, discounts on tequila drinks on Thirsty Thursdays and drink pitcher specials on Pitcher Fridays. Happy hour goes from 3 to 6 p.m., the perfect time to unwind from a long day or catch up with friends. Information: saltandlimeaz.com.
