Here is one of the few places in Tucson that remain open 24 hours every day. This is where students come after finishing term papers and where taxi drivers stop for late night/early morning coffee breaks. In fact, it really gets busy after 11p. The eatery is surrounded by a gift shop, clothing store and coffee roasting facility. It's a village setting with an artsy touch featuring paintings by local artists on the walls. The kitchen offers a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads. The chocolate mousse cake is absolutely outstanding.

The exterior looks like a barn, and the interior looks like it's been taken from the junkyard next door. This is a multi-floor restaurant with a vaulted ceiling from which dangle tire caps, model airplanes and street signs, to name a few items. This was the first local restaurant to adopt the junkyard look in the '70s. The place contains several bars, a video arcade and a dance floor. A DJ provides entertainment Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, while Saturday night is reserved for karaoke.

Situated on the University of Arizona campus, this is the venue for the popular "UA Presents" series, which offers around ten events every year including classical music, Broadway shows, performance artists, dance, jazz, and blues. With 2,400 seats, this is Tucson's biggest concert hall. It is excellent for big symphonic events, but acoustic performers sometimes seem lost without the aid of microphones. Ticket prices vary according to events. Call for 'UA Presents' schedules.

Under the direction of David Speers, set design and staging is usually first-rate. Partnered with many private donors including the prominent Hearst Foundation, this organization provides public outreach programs in addition to fine operas. Productions are first mounted in Tucson at the Convention Center Music Hall, then taken to Phoenix for additional runs. Previous shows have included Giovanni and Dialogues of the Carmelites.

This used to be Tucson's avant garde political theater, presenting plays about the plight of Mexican immigrants and other social issues. Now it's more romantic comedy and musical, but every once in a while, artistic director Susan Claasen presents a new play that intends to raise social consciousness again. It's a small theater with only 100 seats, which always gives productions a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

The cast of this theater on the UofA campus is entirely made up from University of Arizona drama students. They learn the ropes of the world of theater from the highly experienced UofA department staff, all while putting on excellent performances of the classics.  Previous productions have included Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' and 'Kiss Me, Kate', a musical adaptation of Shakespeare. Performances vary, but evening shows normally start at 7:30 pm and matinees at 1:30pm. Prices vary for musicals.

This is one of the main venues for blues and blues-related music in Tucson, featuring both local acts and, occasionally, big names. An excellent sound system reverberates off walls covered with autographed photos of blues and rock heavies. It is spacious, with a long bar and a pool table and affords enough room for dancing in front of the stage. The kitchen offers a good selection of appetizers, chicken, steak, plus hamburgers with fries. Happy Hour is from 4pm to 6pm. Bring cash. No credit cards accepted. An ATM is available on the premises.

Right here, just a few blocks north of downtown Tucson, is where the world-famous International Mariachi America performs, Wednesday through Sunday, free of charge. It's actually Tucson's only supper club featuring, of course, Mexican dishes to go with the music. This is a large place, seating 300 people, but still crowded all the time. Happy Hour is from 5p-7p; weekends feature dancing in a smoke-free environment. The decor is plain, but the soul of Mariachi is pervasive here. Try the jumbo shrimp sauteed in garlic butter-it's their specialty.

Almost equidistant from downtown and the University of Arizona, this festive Mexican restaurant has been known for both its food and its energetic entertainment for nearly four decades. A Mariachi band plays nightly, adding to the party-like atmosphere. This is a popular place for Old Pueblo visitors to get a feel for south-of-the-border food and fun. A menu of Sonoran-style favorites includes burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and combination plates. Full bar service is available.

Mike and Tillie Valle and daughters, Christina and Teresa, have been welcoming Tucsonans and visitors to their friendly, family-oriented Mexican restaurants since 1980. The Oracle Road location, now run by Teresa, is a great place to stop for a bite when shopping at the Tucson Mall. House specialties include fajitas, Carne Seca, Chiles Rellenos, and Camarones Rancheros (shrimp sautéed with chilies, tomatoes, onions and cilantro). Full bar service includes the restaurant's namesake, margaritas, and a special house-recipe Sangría.