Nightlife in New River

Voted the Best Local Performing Arts Troupe by readers of the East Valley Tribune in 2011, National Comedy Theatre’s ensemble of players concocts improvised situations at lightning-fast speeds, relying on audience participation and their own wits to elicit thunderous laughter and applause. After turning to their all-ages crowd for assistance in shaping games and scenarios, the cast employs knowledge gleaned from operating-room sketches to tickle ribs with anatomical exactitude. The show often favors spontaneity over prudence, with performers gleefully stepping into their roles as acrophobic skydiving champions or long-winded court stenographers. Audience members get to select the winning team at the conclusion of the show, and can learn the form themselves during improv classes.

Jester’z offers up game-based and family-friendly improv, featuring absurd scenarios capable of loosening up straight-laced librarians and splitting the sides of hardened motorcycle gangs. The performers make up situations and details as they go along, and what hilarity emerges is a result of training, audience suggestion, and underlying psychological issues. Experience this comedic instability firsthand at a Jester’z show. The show's 10 p.m. start time coupled with the clean laughs make the experience equally ideal for filling awkward silences during first dates and preventing awkward outbursts during after-hours office outings.

This intimately outfitted hot spot specializes in an unintimidating wine list and a stellar selection of small plates and sandwiches. Grape guzzlers of all varieties will find satisfying sips with Centro's extensive wine list. Wines by the glass start at $7, and complements abound on a complete menu of plates sized for sharing. The goat cheese and slow-roasted tomatoes crustini sedates testy taste buds with a jet-setting serving of chevre, slow-roasted tomatoes, parmesan, and olive oil ($9.50), and the mixed olive bowl allots for the recommended daily dose of olives ($6). Graduate from grade-school tomato-soup soakers to Centro's sophisticated grilled cheese, which elegantly entwines fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, tomato, and arugula ($9.50) or the lulu's press with Vermont yellow-and-white cheddar, jack cheese, and tomato ($9).

Today's side deal slides your funny bone a tall, calcium-rich glass of milk. For $10, you get one ticket (a $20 value) to see acclaimed joke-jockey Marc Maron fling cutting witticisms and acerbic satire from the stage of MADCAP Theaters in Tempe. Arrive 30 minutes before the show to pick up your tickets at the will-call area.

At Stand-Up, Scottsdale! bellies ache from a rotating selection of nationally known comedians seen on Comedy Central and late-night talk shows. The intimate 180-person venue, where such local legends as David Spade got their start, beckons a cast of talented funny persons that changes regularly. Voted Best Comedy Club this year by Arizona Foothills magazine, the ha-ha hot spot has recently hosted performances by noted names including Dana Carvey, Frank Caliendo, and Norm Macdonald. With a recent appearance on Spike TV's "Bar Rescue," they now boost a full menu of pub-food appetizers and entrees keeps would-be hecklers otherwise occupied, and Wednesday evening open-mic nights allow rookie comics to test their mettle.

The clatter of pool balls melds with the cheering from sports fans at Skip & Jan's Sports Bar, where 24 pool tables tempt those not busy watching the game on one of 20 flat-screen televisions. During time-outs, patrons nibble on tavern fare, such as potato skins, third-pound burgers, and tuna melts. The bar’s wings, which are served with nine different sauces, earned the eatery a feature in the Arizona Republic as one of the area’s 20 best places for wings not including a chicken farm.