UB's Restaurant & Bar

Mesa is quickly becoming the epicenter of heavy metal in the Valley, and this strip-mall establishment located near the intersection of Dobson and Broadway has a lot to do with it. UB's hosts both local bands and touring acts on a weekly basis, ranging from Valley faves [sic]monic to thrash metal titans D.R.I. The bar has a nice layout that's conducive to hosting concerts, with space for both drinkers and underage concertgoers. Leave the Abercrombie & Fitch at home, however, as the "dress code" here is strictly black t-shirts and jeans. Despite the often-angry nature of the music, the overall vibe here is friendly and upbeat. Moshing is condoned (if not expected), and the security guards are known for not being overly aggro. A passing comment of "nice shirt" can quickly lead to an hour-long conversation on the merits of the Bay Area thrash scene versus the East Coast crossover movement. Even the staff are heshers at heart: one bartender publishes an underground metal 'zine in her spare time. Rock on.

• Cuisine(s): American