By Alison Bailin Batz
Imagine the world’s greatest backyard party, and then combine it with concessions, beer-infused cocktails, football games and theme parties.

Now, imagine it 10 times bigger and better that.

And now, you are approaching the OMG-factor of Clubhouse at Maya.

Now open in the heart of the Entertainment District in Old Town Scottsdale, the 14,000-square-foot, dog-friendly party palace for the ages is a complete re-imagining of the Maya Day + Nightclub.

“For both those who have and haven’t been to Maya in the summer, we have a massive, Las Vegas-style party pool, cabanas and entertainment pavilion that must be seen to be believed. That’s Maya Day Club,” says Jason Adler, director of operations for Spellbound Entertainment, parent company for Maya. “But, once the temperatures begin to dip each year, the Valley’s best pool party needed a facelift; one focused on what folks like best during the fall and winter months.”

The re-imagining begins with the covering of the pool – no easy feat! – and the transition of each cabana into an interactive game or entertainment experience.

“In place of the pool, we’ve built a treehouse-themed bar, which specializes in shareable cocktails, beer cocktails and food meant to be enjoyed with friends,” says Adler.

Among the standout food menu items:
• Fried Pickles: lightly breaded fried pickle chips with chipotle ranch dipping sauce ($6)
• Fireman Sliders: two house proprietary Angus beef sliders with bacon, fire roasted poblanos, jalapeños, red bell peppers, arugula, red onion, habanero jack cheese and special sauce ($5)
• Cheese Curds: beer-battered white cheddar fried and served with marinara sauce or jalapeño beer cheese ($7)
• Carne Asada Fries: house-cut fries with seasoned carne asada, pico de gallo, cilantro-infused crema, shredded jack cheese and jalapeno beer cheese ($13)
• Nacho Platter: enough tri-color tortilla chips to easily feed six guests, topped with Jalapeño queso, pico de gallo, fire roasted corn, cilantro, guacamole and choice of protein for an added charge ($50)

Among the standout shareable cocktail items:
• The Bag of Bubbles: an actual clear, plastic bag filled with three Chandon minis ($40)
• The Mega Mule: a five-person copper mug with ginger beer, lime juice and the guest’s choice of themed mule: Irish (whiskey added); American (bourbon added); Tennessee (Jack Daniels added); or Mexican (tequila added) ($60)
• The Tito’s Pitcher: featuring Tito’s Vodka for up to five guests and a choice of mixers ($50)

And, of course, there are the beer cocktails (all $12 each):
• Under the Caribbean Sun: featuring Malibu Rum, pineapple juice and Blue Moon
• Mexico is the Sh*t: featuring Altos Silver Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simply syrup and Dos Equis Lager
• Strawberry Fields: featuring Strawberry Pucker, sour mix and Stella Artois
• Man-Mosa: featuring Absolut Mandarin Vodka, orange juice and Bud Light

For those who prefer beer without the cocktail portion, there are more than two dozen beer and cider options including Tower Station IPA, Leinenkugal’s Seasonal Wheat, Estrella Jalisco Papago Orange Blossom, Red Bird Lager, Longboard, Heineken and many more.
But that is only the beginning.

Cozy furniture with a nod to Americana and definitely placed with comfort and relaxation in mind are abound throughout the space. Adler and his team also brought in over two dozen flat screen televisions and placed them throughout Clubhouse to ensure all fall sports – especially college and professional football – could be enjoyed by guests at all times.

“We aren’t picking a team allegiance in football or college by design – we are welcome to ALL fans, every single day. We also offer amazing deals both days on food and drink during football weekends,” says Adler.

For football on both Saturdays and Sundays, Clubhouse offers domestic buckets of beer, with the guest’s choice of five beers, starting at just $30 per bucket. There are also imported bucket options as well, starting at just $35. Then during Monday Night Football, Clubhouse offers happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $7 well cocktails, $4 select wines, $3 select beers and heavy discounts on food items.

Beyond the flat screens and football-themed activities and specials, there is pop art on nearly every single wall, all begging to be the background of a selfie or photo opportunity with friends. Those having a date night will be impressed as well.
“The Lego wall is an early favorite,” laughs Adler, referring to an entire wall that has been covered in a Lego art piece that must be over 20 feet tall. “Oh, and the Cher homage is pretty popular, too.”

The Cher homage to which Adler is referring is located in one of the former cabanas – and it has more than just Cher.

“The ceiling in that ‘experience room’ is covered in disco balls, and yes, Cher imagery throughout, but it also has Skee-Ball, darts and other games as well,” says Adler. “It’s meant to be a full sensory experience, as is the comic strip room.”

The comic strip room, according to Adler, features floor-to-ceiling comics one might see in a newspaper as well as foosball, air hockey and a twist on what Adler calls the “claw game.”

“Remember in Toy Story when Woody and Buzz accidentally get trapped inside that Claw Game at the arcade, leading them to meeting the aliens? Our version is like that but instead of aliens, we have rubber duckies, each with a different discount to use at Clubhouse,” says Adler, noting the discounts range from free appetizers and drink deals to full VIP bottle service.

There are also giant-sized Jenga games on picnic tables throughout the venue, and several corn hole – some call it bags – games set up for guests to enjoy, as well as shuffleboard. For those looking for something wholly different than most other spots, they also boast a giant-sized version of beer pong where guests throw a volleyball into almost human-sized containers shaped like red Solo Cups.

“And no, we didn’t even stop there. We even have our own version of a concession stand and taco bar,” says Adler.

The concession area, tucked into the back of the venue but with grand signage so there is no missing it, features hand-spun cotton candy, popcorn, waffle sticks, hot dogs and street tacos. The prices are very reasonable as well, with nothing over $5.

“And while we are a 21 and over venue, dogs will never be carded at our door. We are 100% dog friendly on our patio and welcome everyone to bring their pooches over for the party,” says Adler.

Clubhouse at Maya is open Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Thursday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $7 well cocktails, $4 wines and $3 beer deals. Food is also discounted at this time, with $7 select burgers, wraps and chicken sandwiches, all served with French fries. On Tuesdays, in addition to traditional happy hour deals, “Taco Tuesday” is celebrated with $4 chicken and steak tacos, $8 Casamigos margaritas and palomas and specially priced buckets of Mexican beer.

Clubhouse at Maya is the vision of Spellbound Entertainment Group, the brain trust that also dreamt up Valley hotspots The W Scottsdale Hotel, The District, Dakota, aloft Scottsdale, Living Room and SHADE Lounge.

“On the heels of Clubhouse, SHADE Lounge at The W Hotel Scottsdale is almost done with an impressive head-to-toe renovation for the first time since opening in 2008,” says Adler.

Formerly, the bar was in a corner with a votive wall and the space was designed with South Beach – stark white throughout – in mind. The new bar will have a 360-degree bar as the centerpiece of the space.

“We’re also adding swanky furniture and booths and opened a full SHADE patio. Colors and accents are wholly new as well, now bursting with lush greenery and seductive dark woods,” says Adler.

For more information on Clubhouse at Maya, visit www.mayaclubaz.com. For more information on any of the Spellbound Entertainment Group venues, visit www.spellboundentertainment.com.