Chez Nous

Siiiiigggh. This place is no longer, or at least I couldn’t tell you it was opened. It looked abandoned. But man I am so upset. Back in the dizzay, I was known to have a few cosmos, sit in a lounger, and dance with the house band to «Brick Howse.» in fact, my friends often call Brick House my song because of this legendary status. Sad to report Chez Nous is no longer, and that makes me very sad :(

ahhh back in the day!!! when it was fresh and good, then fucking Fresh an Easy came along{ yes i do love me some f@E but damn}and they ruined it for all of us…
Now it is like going back to an old boyfriend that you pretended was not that bad, righhhht…
They tried, really they did but it is just a shell, the magic is gone.
I’ve always been in love with you, i guess you know it’s true, you took my love for granted… why? the show is over say goodbye… SAY gooodbye… you broke my heart…

if it had been any less like the original i would have been sad.
granted i’m not totally into jazz. (i know. i’m a monster)
but if you go there on an off night it’s a really nice place to go to with a date
followed up with of course their black and white picture booth so you can
remember the night forever. :) isn’t that romantic?

==== CHEZ NOUS HAS CLOSED ====
And, unfortunately to say, I’m glad in a way. This place has been going downhill in recent times. I will miss the times I had over the years at the Indian School location, however.
They were serving with an expired liquor license and it looks like it may be the final Chez Nous reincarnation:
I will now step outside and pour a little of my Hennessy on the ground, in remembrance.

I went to Chez Nous one evening with friends after dining across the street at the Paisley Violin. It’s current location is relative new. They were previously located at the corner of 7^th Ave and Indian School, but were forced to move last year to make way for a Fresh and Easy. Although I never visited the original location, those that have say the new location is virtually identical in décor to the original.
The bar itself is quite small and intimate. Booths line one wall, bar tables populate the middle, and the bar itself runs nearly the length of the other wall. Live music is apparently a regular event at Chez Nous. The night I went, a jazz/​soul band was performing. I like live music, but often times the performers are not that great, especially in a smaller venue. This group was actually quite good, and their music made the evening all that more enjoyable. Although there is no formal dance floor, people danced in the available space.
The drinks are reasonably priced, and the bartenders friendly. Although I walked there, the parking lot appeared large enough to accommodate a good sized crowd. Support your community/​neighborhood bars!

I was very inebriated when I arrived here and I had a fantastic time, which doesn’t say much for Chez Nous, because I would have had a great time in grocery store at that point.
I almost never carry cash, and I remember being annoyed that they wanted a cover. There are certain things that I hate spending money on: gas, toilet paper, cat litter, and cover charges. Can’t I pay the cover if I go in, hang for a while, & decide if it’s worth the money? I think my friend Julie P. might have paid my cover just to shut me up. Not sure, but thanks if you did. You are awesome Julie.
Then I remember the bar only took cash, my rad friend Ayesha got me a drink. Ayesha is also awesome & carries cash.
I busted out with my scary, cool dance moves most of the time I was there & I have fuzzy memories of a lot of the rest.
I do remember having a hard time getting my drunk ass some water from the bartender. I got the vague impression she doesn’t like people, or just drunk chicks who want water. Sue me, I was thirsty.
Overall, I probably wouldn’t come here sober or on purpose, but you never know what may happen…

Let me preface this review by letting all you fine Unilocalers know that I am a Char’s man.
Chez Nous isn’t bad. It is a litle like an ex girlfriend who you hook up with between relationships… it’s ok, fun even. If it’s around the corner why not… but let’s face it I am in love with Char’s so I don’t think we can do this anymore Chez Nous. It doesn’t feel right. It’s not you it’s me really… well it is a little bit you.
The drinks came in plastic cups… classy. The crowd was a bit less friendly than my love (which is again in case you missed it: Char’s).
The band was good but the layout puts you pretty far from the action unless you are on the dance floor. I forgot to mention Char;s in that sentence.
So anyhow if you need a rebound club check it out, but you can’t make a whore a housewife so bet on the queen of hearts and go to Char’s if you have a choice.

7 dollar cover for this? hahahaha. it’s really a shame. parking, boo, decorations, boo, no cards at the bar??? seriously? wtf., Booo.
most of the black guys i saw here had their snowflakes. cute. it’s like the human embodiment of a pimp cane. accessory for the oh so rich. or want to look rich. whatever. majority of the clientele was in their 50’s, which since i am no where close to that age. its not my thing. some of the women strolling this place were by far older then the men, and in fact this one old bag purposefully bumped into me. or she was that drunk. either way i checked for my wallet afterwards. lol.
parking was horrible. the door man kinda gave me the creeps with his long leather jacket and insistence on shaking my hand. and the eagerness to shove a flyer in my hand as i was already halfway out the door. i kinda like jazz, groove and funk. but this place also served up a healthy dose of grope, gawk, and funk. not of the musical variety.
i can say i will not be returning here. it just didn’t really offer any appeal to me. but at least i gave it a chance.
my expectations were already low since i knew this place used to be Fat Cats, and you could score some crack rock in the parking lot faster then you could catch yourself if you tripped. i suspect the same can still be obtained, but i think they had the dealers checked to stay in their car… because i did spot a couple sitting in their cutlass in the parking lot. sketch.
so to sum it up,
bring cash, and enough of it
don’t park, try to magically fly here.
bring your grandma, she’ll have a blast.
score some rock
Unilocal.

Plenty of Cougars and Black dudes, it’s a porno waiting to happen.
The $ 7 cover was ridiculous and I wasn’t going to go in… that is until the doorman gave my friend and I (a lady too) a deal. (NO, I didn’t have to do «the dirty» in the parking lot or put anything in my mouth! Believe me this place isn’t worth that.)
I went up to the bar to get a Stella — and got my ass grabbed three times. By whom? I don’t know; it was too packed to tell. (Obviously people like this place, though I’m not sure why…)
I was lucky to get a parking space right away so that was a plus, but I don’t plan on coming back, so the next guy can have it.

Dear person who decided that we would have our «after party» at Chez Nous,
It is with the most utmost regret that inform you that you’re choice of after party venues was teh suck. And no, I did not misspell «the». That’s how we say it these days. Get with the times, sucka.
But seriously, wtf?
Through what twisted logic did you come to the conclusion that the best way to top off a birthday party at fez laden with free appetizers, cake, and drink specials was an over-​priced, overcrowded jazz bar… on a Saturday night?
Now before I go any further, I shall confess to you that I was spared the $ 7 dollar charge. My friend and I managed to talk the doorman down to $ 4 for the two of us. Perhaps he was desperate to get more ladies into the establishment. Perhaps he’s just a chump.
In either case, you’ll be interested to know that while waiting in the parking lot for my friend’s boyfriend to show up, I witnessed the doorman using your $ 7 to help pay for a pizza and hot sandwich from Dominos.
Unlike some of the other ladies in our party, I will not complain about the ass-​grabbing and creepy smiles I received. Because I didn’t receive any. No, menacing glares and bathroom gossip was my lot. Feeling that my safety was in jeopardy, I was compelled to make a hasty exit in the middle of the chorus of «Ladies Night».
I’m not going to fault you for inviting me to a totally UN-​safe space (because maybe I should’ve done some research before I took you up on it), but if you were a vegan I wouldn’t invite you to a place that I knew had no vegan-​friendly options. I’m going to leave it at that.
And I’m not going to expect you to ask all of us our age, but please be aware that there are a great number of us who were NOT products of the 70’s and have little use for disco and gold chains.
The average patron had to be at least 10 years older and 20 years more behind on fashion than even you’d ever tolerate in a date. I take solace in the knowledge that you were just as unlucky as I would be (if I was single and into cougars, that is).
I know that the overall cost of Chez Nous might seem a little exaggerated, considering we just had free appetizers and cake at FEZ, but nothing ruins a birthday party afterglow like inane ATM fees and greedy, smooth-​talking doormen.
Regardless, I want you to know that despite my displeasure with your recent choice of after-​party locales, I still love you.
In fact, I’m grateful to you, in my own way. It’s so hard to be funny and snarky when you’re writing a 4 – 5 star review of a place. In a time where my ability to nitpick and rant, it’s refreshing to finally find a place so terrible I am justified in my neurosis.
In the event that all of this is too wordy and convoluted to understand, I’ve made you a chart.
=Things That Are Awesome=
Unilocal
Martinis
Zombie movies
Lesbians
=Things That Are Not Awesome=
Overcrowded bars with unreasonable cover charge
See you at the next UYE, you jive motherfucker!
Hugs and kisses,
Jetta
P. S. Nathan, I still have your coat. Let’s make arrangements to get it back to you. The longer I have it the longer I’m going to be tempted to use it the next time Misty S and I have «roleplay night».
Which I might do anyway if I find out all this was your idea : —)

I’m a little late to the party… I finally got around to checking out the new and improved Chez Nous last weekend. This is sad because the new location is within walking distance of my humble abode.
Anyway, the place looks fantastic. I love that it has the same vibe, the same house band, the same goofy rock sculpture (WTF is that?) and the wallpaper. LOVE the wallpaper.
I also love that the bathrooms are nice and clean, but really– no one goes to a bar for the bathroom.
The bartenders make a mean dirty martini and they don’t get pissy with you when you order more than one. (Take note, Bikini Lounge!)

I would contend to you, dearest Unilocaler, that I date attractive women. Or at least they’re attractive to me. That’s the important part, right?
But that doesn’t mean that when I go out with them I always want to be able to see them… or worse yet have them see what I’m doing… And who knows what I’m doing when I’m there because I can’t see the hand in front of my face. LOVE that…
The music always gets me grooving in my chair and I’m going to say something politically incorrect. I always feel cooler when I’m hanging out with African Americans. They just give off a cooler than cool vibe. I keep inviting my Afro-​American roommate out to whatever and he’s always like «Naahh Dude, you’re too white.» I get it. But I’ll break him down eventually. Little does he know I’m Mongolian.
So anyway, it’s a little difficult to order a drink and always crowded but overall I love it. Bring your stuck up yuppie friends. Smack their skinny asses with the iron hand of culture. They’ll thank you tomorrow.

Wow this place was fantastic!
BTW they are open at a new location: 915 Grand Avenue
Great Atmosphere (Dark, 70’s style furnishings)
Great Music on Friday nights (think Marvin Gaye)
Great Crowd
Bartender’s /​Bouncer very friendly
Lots of Black People
I would have given the place five stars but the martini’s served come in a tiny martini glass, other than that highly recommended for a date or a group of friends.

One of my favorite bars in Phoenix! How could you not LOVE this place! It’s so awesome inside! Gary and I were bike riding downtown a few months ago and stopped inside for a little day drinking and a rest. They did such a wonderful job making it look like the old location.
My first trip to Chez Nouz were with out of town friends from Chicago. I had just moved here and they wanted to visit and I didn’t know where to take them. We had dinner somewhere downtown and we asked where we should go. This was one of the places she recommended. We were super happy we went.
It was the best martini I had since leaving Chicago. We got totally wasted, and I’m not actually sure how we made it home! That’s how great of a time we had. And I’ve been going ever since.

I loved the old Chez Nous a lot; been going there for years.
I was afraid after being essentially forced out of their old, infamous and «historic» digs at 7^th Ave and Indian School Rd, that things would never be the same. I am very happy (and relieved) to report otherwise.
Now, I will always miss the old locale. But folks, the new spot’s interior is essentially identical to the old one. I was pleasantly surprised to see so much of the old bar was preserved (or atleast well recreated). From it’s famous dark velvet wallpaper to it’s leather booths and compact dance floor, I am impressed with the new Chez Nous. The owners did a great job.
And, my perceived silver lining — it’s new location — is definitely better. It’s much, much closer to downtown Phoenix (9^th and Grand Avenues), walking distance to other popular watering holes of the downtown set (Bikini Lounge, for example). It’s in the center of the monthly First Friday’s hubbub, along Grand Avenue; an area ripe with revitalization and promise. Overall, I’d say it’s a plus. If it’s still open in 5 years, I’m sure it’ll be one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood.
Anyone who frequents downtown’s already very popular bar scene should obviously pay a visit; however more importantly, those who used to frequent the old Chez Nous that now may not, should obviously start going again, as well.
Spread the word, it’s back.

It’s weird. I want to love Chez Nous, but I don’t yet. You know how it is, it’s hard to compare a copy to the original. If you’ve been to the now defunct location at 7^th Avenue & Indian School, it’s similar. The bouncers are friendly and just the right amount of chatty, my customized bicycle-​riding photographer friends enjoy hanging about there, and the soul music will make you want to get down with your bad self on the dance floor.
The night I went, they didn’t accept credit cards so that was a bit off-​putting. It’s not the end of the world to pay two separate ATM fees: once to get in, and then again to buy round of drinks, but it is annoying. (I’ve been since and was able to use a credit card at the bar but plan on a $ 25 minimum, an additional 20% gratuity automatically added.) I’ve been lucky to be able to grab a table every time I go, with no hovering. Even on a fully packed First Friday. The staff could be a little friendlier. Otherwise, it’s ok.
But, all in all, it’s just not the first place I want to go on a Friday night, dig?

Welp. Its unavoidable to compare Chez Nous on Grand with Char’s over on 7^th Ave, so I will do a dual-​analysis of these spots.
THE ATMOSPHERE:
Char’s is just a friendlier place. Their doorman doesn’t DEMAND his $ 5 like a put-​out paperboy. Chez’s does. Its kind of annoying and unsettling as your introduction to a night of hi-​falutin drinking and lo-​falutin boogieing. Char’s clientle seems to be in higher spirits and more polite as well. Chez’s are chilly. Burrr. If you stand in front of their seat to order a drink from the bar (because they went to go dance or something) they will let you know that you may NOT continue to stand there, even for a second. The bartenders at both places are sweet and quick about their service.
THE DRINKS:
Weak at both places, but IIRC, they are cheaper at Chez. The no-​card policy at Chez is a nuisance, so Char’s is preferable here. They both serve the typical booze and beer, so nothing really stands out other than the cost (Chez cheaper) and the convenience (Char’s takes card).
THE MUSIC:
They are both MANIACALLY cool spots for some soul-​funk-​blues and great dance floors to boot. This is the main reason to but up with any inconveniences, small or large, at either place.
THE SET-​UP:
Just packed at both places. If you want to come at a decent hour, you won’t get a seat. So, just forget about it. Both buildings are pretty neat setups. Chez is more of a railroad-​style-​room, and Chars more of a dance-​hall set up. Both have smoking patios, though Char’s is small and quaint with tables and a busy atmosphere, while Chez’s is (assuming) not complete and barren but large.
OVERALL:
Char’s Has the Blues AND the lead over Chez due to the fact that I can’t seem to get over the vibe that I don’t belong to «The Secret Club» …shhhhh … over at Chez. But whatever, the drinks, music, and dancing will get me going at either place.

I went to the new ‘Nous’ with my girlfriends a couple of weeks ago and we had a blast. Of course there was the standard no card, and a $ 5 cover that Friday night, but it was well worth the ATM fee.
This is the kind of place you can hear some blues, reggae, soul, and disco to boggie the night away. I preferred to drink a mixed cocktail and do the twist for most of the night and had a fabulous time. There is limited seating and it does get crowded (with good reason), so arrive early or plan on spending your night on the dance floor!
The staff is straight forward and they get the job done well, music is top notch for Phoenix, the capital of non blues bar having cities. have fun!

Ah, what can I say? I fell in love with chez nous the minute I walked in the door (well, maybe five minutes after: I had to wait for my eyes to adjust from the blazing summer sun to the barely lit interior of this retro saloon).
Everything — and I mean everything is just how I remembered: The long bar; the line of cushioned booths along the wall; the wall of rock water feature behind the bar; the only light provided by super dim wall fixtures reminiscent of the late 19^th century; the vintage velour wallpaper (now sans the yellowing and 45+ years of old cigarette smoke); the 70s soundtrack– it was all here!
We determined it was slightly smaller than the OG location, but setup almost identically, save for a certainly separate entry room — which, p. s. contained an ATM (this bar is cash only) AND an old school black-​and-​white photo booth (a real one, that gives you actual photo-​paper print outs).
There was a live band on *Wednesday* night — and they weren’t half bad. They won my heart by opening with an instrumental cover of Ms. Jackson (if you’re nasty)‘s That’s The Way Love Goes. Wonderful. Sadly, the special was $ 3 shots of purple hooter and some other shot I can’t recall because i instantly began musing on my other options as soon as I heard «hooter» (it’s a weeknight, for chrissakes — what am i? 22?). I believe thurs is 2-​for-​1 ladies night, too bad we missed that. So, me and the G settled for our mutual love of (well) G&Ts for $ 4 a pop. I believe draft beers were $ 3.50, imports $ 5 and top shelf up to $ 8.
But we stuck to the G&T, which our barmaid was kind enough to pack a helluva punch in. just three and I was already planning my ipod song list for the ride home (not alarmingly in and of itself, but my chosen songs were a tell-​tale sign of drunkenness: lionel Richie/​all night long; Britney spears/​Gimme More; ToTo/Africa…you get the idea). she was also kind enough to come out to our table when she noticed we were getting low to replenish our liquids.
All in all this place, including its new location, are A+++ in my book.

Chez Nous, I want to write you a love song…
…a love song which describes how I had completely underestimated how much I missed you until I set foot inside your premises after 6 long months apart. Months that felt like years. But the moment I set foot in that door I immediately felt like I was home. My shoulders relaxed. My breathing eased up. I felt like my soul just got a massage.
…a love song which describes my complete amazement upon walking inside on how much of the old you is still there with the new you. Wallpaper? Check. Lounge seats? Check. Wall fixtures? Lamps? Disco ball? Dancefloor? Low lights (and I mean LOW lights)? Cheap tinsel lining the ceiling? Check x 6. So now the bar is on the left instead of the right, but I don’t mind. You’re obviously still you, and that’s all that matters.
…a love song about the fact that the crowd inside tonight was just like the crowd inside the old you every night. Black, white, brown, yellow, green. It didn’t matter then what color you were, and it sure as hell doesn’t matter now. Everyone is chill. Everyone is relaxed. Everyone is cool. No airs. No pretense. No scene. Even the huge guy wearing the white full-​length fur coat with matching white fur hat and white patent leather shoes and bling on every finger. Coolest, chillest guy in the room — just enjoying himself and having a great time and friendly to everyone.
…a love song which exemplifies the glories of the drinks and the service. Drinks? Still dirt cheap. Service? Still completely & genuinely friendly. Never once makes you feel like for some reason you’re not cool enough to belong there.
…a love song which shows my great appreciation for the music. The funk and R&B is back, people. «Let’s Stay Together», your perennial classic, followed by «You Dropped A Bomb On Me», followed by «Word Up», followed by «Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough,» followed by…“Jailhouse Rock?!?” Yes, it did happen. And tonight, you did the impossible. You made me get up. And then you made me get down. Down on the dancefloor. That’s right. Me doing my own brand of jive. For the first time since I’ve been in Arizona. 2 years, and it came down to being in the new you to compel me to bust out some moves. Now I wouldn’t say I have mad skillz with the way I move. Might be reminiscent of the African Anteater Ritual. But who cares? You never did.
…and last but not least…
…a love song about how you actually came back to me. And to everyone else who loved you. How you simply didn’t just throw your hands up in the air and call it quits. How you persisted and moved forward. How volunteers toiled day and night moving as much from your old location to the new one to make everyone feel comfortable from the moment they walked in. How you have truly pulled a Phoenix and have risen from the ashes. How I’ll admit that driving by the empty lot on 7^th Ave and Indian School was a depressing experience, but no more.
Because you’re back.
Because you’re one of my favorite spots. Anywhere.
Because I hope you never have to go away again.
Because whatever your detractors say, you truly are a Phoenix legend.
That, Chez Nous, would be the love song I would write for you.