Scottsdale night scene is expecting new arrivals

The family of Scottsdale bars and clubs welcomed triplets this weekend, in the guise of three new drinking spots at the long-awaited W Scottsdale hotel on Camelback Road. It was a difficult labor, but mother and babies are partying comfortably.

The liquor-purveying bundles of joy at the W got me thinking about other local nightlife haunts that are nearing full term. Here are some of the most intriguing. Opening dates are speculative and subject to change.

Samurai Cowboy

World-class Nippon-phile Greg Donnally - creator of RA Sushi, Stingray and Geisha A-Go-Go - is high on his latest homage to the Land of the Rising Sun, which will utilize "robata"-style charcoal grill cooking. And the bar promises to be lively, considering the well-trafficked upper Old Town location (across the street from Stringray). Bad news if you're a Kirin bottle. ETA: December

Temporary

Randy Smith has turned both of his Galleria-area bars - Mickey's Hangover and Six Lounge - into models of longevity, so the name of this high-concept bar/cafe shouldn't be taken literally. If ephemera is what you're looking for, look to the cafe's interchangeable "art wrap" facade, which Smith plans to alternate on a seasonal basis. "It's very art driven ... very modular," says of the Galleria-based concept. ETA: January

Nectar

Here's a project that's rife with mystery. Owner Apolo Sevilla recently filed a permit request with the city for a live-entertainment bar at 4252 N. Drinkwater Boulevard - the present location of Pearl Sushi. Does that mean Scottsdale is about to lose a sushi bar but gain a live music venue in the E4/Jackrabbit Supper Club area? Good trade, if you ask me. Sevilla's proposal promises "a sophisticated high-end lounge" with a "high energy" mix of European, Mediterranean, American and Spanish music. ETA: early 2009

Whisper Lounge

No live music at this upcoming Civic Center chill spot, but the owner's on-file project narrative hints at a "modern-industrial" appearance with "translucent, resin panels" on the second-story balcony. Overall, it sounds like a nice complement to the venerable AZ88, which has always felt somewhat marooned in the off-the-track Civic Center area. ETA: early 2009

Delux

No mere burger joint, this. For starters, it will stay open until the wee hours of the morn' on a nightly basis, just like its wildly-popular sister location in the Biltmore area. Secondly, the burgers are jump-from-your-seat fantastic. Lastly, the bar features one of the most elegant and inventive beer menus in the Valley, complete with seasonal flights and samples. Located in a refurbished law office in the Fashion Square area, Delux is sure to pass judgment. ETA: early 2009