10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Tucson

You don’t need to be an astronomer to appreciate the stunning night skies of southern Arizona during a visit to Spencer’s Observatory. Located right next to Cat Mountain Lodge and Roadside Inn at the base of the Tucson mountains, the purpose-built observatory offers unrivalled stargazing opportunities thanks to its patio with a retractable roof.

Here, visitors can make use of the observatory’s powerful telescopes and view refractors to get a closer view of the twinkling stars that blanket the pitch-black skies of southwest Arizona. Expert tour guides will talk you through constellations and the unique night skies of the Tucson Mountain Range, making this a fun and enlightening way to spend an evening.

There’s an abundance of after-dinner fun for all ages at the hugely popular Golf ‘n’ Stuff, Tucson. The miniature golf itself is a major selling point. There are 2 entertaining 18-hole courses to choose from, both set in an oasis of green amid the desert landscape, alongside other attractions like go-karts, laser tag, hugely popular bumper boats, and softball batting cages.

There’s an entertainment centre with over 100 arcade games and prize games, and a snack bar serving soft drinks and fast food. The whole thing is well-maintained and run by enthusiastic staff who keep things running smoothly until well after sundown. Located on Tanque Verde Road close to Trail Dust Town, it’s a dramatically fun destination for post-dinner entertainment in Arizona.

A family-friendly option for a night out in Tucson, Unscrewed Theatre is a lively spot for improvised comedy. Shows here are unscripted, with the sharp-witted comedians relying on audience interaction to deliver their famously fast-paced scenes.

As Tucson’s only nonprofit comedy venue, Unscrewed Theatre is run by volunteers, and very reasonable ticket prices make it a budget-friendly choice for a night out in Tucson. There are dedicated family shows as well as performances geared towards adults, so make sure you check listings in advance if you’re bringing little ones along. Unscrewed Theatre is located at Midway Business Park, on the south side of Speedway Boulevard.

Gaslight Theatre has come a long way since it first opened its doors in a disused barn at Tucson’s Trail Dust Town back in 1977. The humble venue’s 100 seats weren’t enough to house the crowds that poured in for Gaslight’s mix of concerts, theatre, and comedy, and the troupe now occupies the former Jerry Lee Lewis Cinema at the corner of Broadway and Kolm.

With an exterior that resembles a Wild West saloon, the focus is on family-friendly fun, with musical comedy melodramas running 6 nights a week. The talented performers also stage 5 different shows every year, ranging from sci-fi spoofs and wacky westerns to hugely popular Christmas shows with plenty of audience participation.

Keeping Tucson locals entertained for over 100 years, Rialto Theatre is a major player on the city’s live music scene. The city centre venue on East Congress Street was built by the same team behind sister venue Hotel Congress and has been attracting live music lovers since it first opened its doors in 1920.

The sloping floors mean that all seats have a good view of the acts on stage, which over the years have included everybody from Snoop Dogg and Linkin Park to Morrissey. Other events include live theatre, club nights, and cinema screenings, and there are several bars to keep you refreshed during your night out in Tucson.

Expect everything from ballet performances and jazz to rock tribute acts at the much-loved Fox Tucson Theatre. The iconic city centre venue on West Congress Street has been synonymous with live music in Tucson since it first opened in 1930, and a number of major renovations over the years mean it now has the high-quality sound system to keep today’s concertgoers happy.

The Fox Tucson Theatre is renowned for hosting high-quality tribute acts honouring legends like Paul McCartney, Queen, and Pink Floyd, but there are plenty of original acts too, as well as musical theatre and cinema screenings. Whatever you rock up to watch, the small but well-stocked bar will keep you refreshed throughout the performance.

Hip crowds of partiers and arcade game enthusiasts flock to the lively Cobra Arcade Bar in city centre Tucson. The location in the middle of the nightlife district on East Congress Street makes it a great option for post-dinner partying.

You’ll need to be aged 21 or over to enter the venue, but once inside it’s a playful mix of retro arcade games, pinball, and dancefloor action. The extensive cocktail list is themed around classic games, and food trucks serve late-night bites from Thursday to Sunday. The dance floor gets packed on weekends, making this a good place to enjoy a laid-back night out with locals during a trip to Tucson.

Arizona’s first standup comedy venue, Laffs Comedy Club has been hosting entertaining acts since 1988. Some of the biggest names in the industry have appeared at Laffs, including legendary standups like Jerry Seinfeld and Tim Allen.

Nationally touring comedians perform on Friday and Saturday nights, and there’s a chance to catch rising talent at the Thursday Open Mic nights. It’s an over-21’s venue, so not one for those with kids in tow, but grownups can enjoy a range of signature Martinis, along with beers, wines, classic cocktails, and soft drinks. There’s a full food menu, too should all those belly laughs leave you hungry. You’ll find Laffs on the ground floor of Broadway Shopping Centre, in central Tucson.

A former funeral home might not sound like the obvious choice for a night out in Tucson, but Owls Club has taken the somewhat eerie vibe and run with it, creating a unique spot for food and cocktails with a strong Instagram appeal.

From the stained-glass windows and outdoor courtyard to the artfully crafted cocktails, everything about Owls Club is an experience to savour, and you might want to take your time over the generously poured drinks. Mixologists here take their work seriously, and the heady concoctions look (almost) too good to drink. Take your pick from the classics or signature creations like the deadly Samba da Morte, which combines sugar cane rum and pisco with violet creme, lemon, and vanilla.

Sitting opposite sister venue Rialto Theatre on East Congress Street in city centre Tucson, the iconic Hotel Congress is widely regarded as one of the best spots in the city to catch live music. Opened in 1918, it was built by the same team as Rialto Theatre, with the same commitment to bringing quality live performances to the people of Tucson.

Unlike the Rialto, it’s also a working hotel, and a great base for party-loving visitors to explore Tucson’s late-night scene. DJ sets and live performances are held at Club Congress and on the hotel’s plaza, and guests can request earplugs on arrival if they prefer a quieter night.