Axis-Radius: An oral historical past of the influential Scottsdale nightclub

In Scottsdale’s Entertainment District, nothing lasts endlessly. Bars and nightclubs are inclined to fizzle out after only some years in operation as crowds usually transfer on to one thing new.

And then there was Axis-Radius, the long-lasting Scottsdale nightclub that thrived for 16 years, far longer than most different spots.

The double-sided nightclub, which was owned by Valley restaurateurs and nightlife impressarions Les and Diane Coriere was a celebration playground and dance vacation spot for numerous clubgoers and served as one of many extra influential and landmark spots in Scottsdale.

Since its beginnings as a cigar and martini joint in 1997, Axis after which later Radius, functioned as a haven for all method of ingesting and dancing by the bottle-popping crowd, in addition to taking part in host to quite a lot of celebrities {and professional} athletes. It additionally hosted gigs by tons of of DJs and EDM artists, each regionally and nationally recognized.

Axis-Radius not solely helped the Corieri’s launch their ever-growing empire of native bars, eating places and nightlife institutions (which went on to incorporate greater than a half-dozen locations in Scottsdale and across the Valley) but additionally paved the best way for Scottsdale’s Entertainment District.

It finally closed in 2013, however continues to be remembered for its affect and impression on the Scottsdale nightlife scene.

Phoenix New Times spoke with Les Corieri and plenty of others who have been concerned with Axis-Radius through the years for a deep dive into the membership’s historical past.

The days of Jetz and Stixx

Les Corieri began in Valley nightlife in 1985 after buying Tempe spot Clancey’s and reworking it right into a nightclub known as Surprizes. He didn’t cease there. Over the subsequent a number of years, Corieri and his spouse, Diane, turned concerned with now-defunct Scottsdale nightclubs Trocadero’s and Ten Downing Street. By 1993, the couple co-owned Jetz, a restaurant and bar, alongside a neighboring pool corridor and nightspot known as Stixx, each situated on the now-demolished Camelback Mall.

Les Corieri, co-owner of Axis-Radius and Evening Entertainment Group: Jetz was open for lunch, but it surely was extra of a high-energy restaurant and bar. Stixx was extra of a nightclub with very nice pool tables, so it performed completely different (roles).

Mark Drinkwater, co-owner of Axis-Radius, 1997 to 2001: (Les) and I have been companions in these days. We co-owned Ten Downing Street and in addition had Jetz and Stixx. That’s what actually kicked Les and I off. Jetz and Stixx turned well-known. It was only a “who’s who” place the place (Michael) Jordan and (Charles) Barkley have been at on a regular basis and all of the Suns have been there in ’93. It was superb. And these locations are actually what took us to that subsequent degree.

DJ Z-Trip, former Phoenix resident: Jetz and Stixx, on the time, have been two of the most popular golf equipment in Arizona. I bear in mind Barkley and Tiger Woods coming in they usually’d carry everyone. All the bottle service stuff was brewing on the time. And they’d come to the golf equipment and we might play music for them.

Aaron Scofield, DJ and former membership promoter: I labored at Jetz and Stixx on Thursdays and Saturdays and (Z-Trip) was there on Fridays. And the DJ sales space was proper subsequent to the place that they had their VIP space, which was only a bunch of rope round a pool desk and the entire individuals from the Suns, with the Cardinals, would all the time be there. People have been simply lined up alongside the partitions. It was completely fascinating, but it surely was a enjoyable time.

Despite the recognition of Jetz and Stixx, the bars have been on borrowed time. In the mid-’90s, native builders set their sights on Camelback Mall as a possible element of the multimillion-dollar Scottsdale Waterfront mission, which might create high-end retail and residing areas south of Camelback Road alongside the Arizona Canal. Corieri and Drinkwater engaged in authorized battles with builders and commenced in search of someplace close by to open a bar. They settled on property on Indian Plaza simply west of Saddlebag Trail.

Corieri: Jetz and Stixx ended up getting (pushed out) for the Scottsdale Waterfront. So we have been pressured to go away that location. We purchased the land in 1996 the place Axis and Radius would sit to relocate our companies there.

Drinkwater: I believe we paid one thing like $300,000 for it. And I bear in mind he and I have been scared we’re gonna go broke. There was nothing over there again then.

Corieri: Most of the buildings have been boarded up and there have been a couple of companies in what we name "The U" in the present day. There was a whole lot of vacancies, a whole lot of boarded-up buildings, but it surely was removed from being an leisure district. When we really purchased the property with the concept of opening a bar, individuals thought we have been loopy.

Steve LeVine, native live performance and occasion promoter: It was only a bunch of workplace buildings, possibly a few eating places, the Swedish consulate and some different issues.

The beginning of Axis

Corieri and Drinkwater started growing Axis in early 1997, envisioning the mission as an upscale cigar and martini bar.

Drinkwater: We developed Axis first. We needed to do a cigar bar as a result of these have been actually widespread for a pair years there (within the ’90s).

Corieri: It could be a loungey atmosphere and in addition a smoker’s lounge.

Jeff Zischke, native artist and designer: I received the gig designing Axis gig by Les and Mark. I’d accomplished lighting for them at Stixx and Jetz. And I received to be often known as a man who did customized lighting. I fell into that as a result of I’m additionally an artist, designer and sculptor. So they gave me the gig.

Drinkwater: (Axis) was a collaboration the place Les and I and everybody concerned all labored on it collectively. Les’ spouse, Diane, was concerned, too. Diane was implausible with that half. She’s very inventive.

Zischke: They gave me free reign. I designed the ground, the cubicles, furnishings, furnishings, lighting, their emblem, the cigar bar, all of the cubbies and integrated some nice supplies. Mahogany that is roll-printed stainless. Terrazzo flooring. I all the time tried to hunt out the best stuff.

Corieri: It was in a really heat and alluring ambiance. Quite a lot of woods, black granite and outsized cubicles. We needed a really comfy feeling, that you just’d need to are available in, lounge round, have appetizers, share meals and smoke a cigar.

Axis debuted in August 1997. Corieri says the spot received response, albeit restricted to the early night.

Drinkwater: Before (Axis) opened, Les and I and Diane have been scared. We had our balls on the road, I’m not going to lie. But individuals cherished it.

Jeff O’Neil, operations supervisor for Evening Entertainment Group (in 2013): It was this good spot with cigars and martinis the place we have been open seven days per week with a fantastic kitchen.

Corieri: When Axis opened, it was only a cigar bar. There was no DJ, no dance flooring. It was simply music that we performed over our (sound) system.

Dave Rajput, DJ and leisure director at Axis-Radius, 1997-2000: Les simply needed pre-programmed music at first. He purchased this model new Pioneer 200 CD participant. And there was a brand new laptop program the place you would load up with 200 CDs and program it out. But taking part in pre-programmed music at a bar would not work all that nice as a result of the temper is all the time completely different as a result of persons are all the time completely different. A dwell DJ can react to the altering crowds and moods.

Corieri: Axis was doing nicely, however we knew it might do higher. It did not have the power to carry a late-night crowd. When it’s your intention to do a nightlife idea, you need enterprise up till (final name), and it simply did not have sufficient power. It would begin dying out at 11 o’clock. That’s why we made the choice to place in a DJ.

Rajput: I bear in mind speaking to Les. I stated, "Why do not I simply carry some audio system in and I’ll simply attempt DJing on a Friday evening and see what occurs?" He stated, "Okay. Let’s give it a shot. It must be higher than this pre-programmed laptop factor." I did and it was very talked-about.

Scofield: They have been in good palms as a result of Dave was (DJing) had that good sense and skill the best way to make a (cigar bar) edgy sufficient to the place the music just isn’t too cool for the room, however not too sluggish both.

Corieri: Once we put within the DJ sales space, the change was instant. The numbers most likely no less than doubled.

Rajput: As quickly as I began taking part in music, individuals have been dancing throughout Axis.

Rob Wegner, resident DJ at Axis-Radius, 1998-2000: I believe Dave Rajput had a giant position in producing a dance flooring power at Axis. And it regularly grew on weekends after which expanded to weeknights after which Dave introduced me on board to DJ with him.

Rajput: After a couple of weeks of getting DJs, Les stated, "You know what? We received to attempt to do one thing with the property subsequent door. I need to open a dance membership as a result of there’s a possibility for it." I stated, "That’s a fantastic concept.”

The rise of Radius

In June 1998, Axis put in what was described as a “teeny” dance flooring. By then, Corieri and Drinkwater have been setting up a dance membership subsequent door, which might change into Radius in November 1998.

Corieri: Axis was a cigar bar transformed right into a nightclub, but it surely wasn’t laid out like a (correct) nightclub. So we determined to construct the proper nightclub subsequent door with no meals or no restaurant. Just strictly a two-level, high-energy nightclub.

Drinkwater: We created Radius as a full-blown nightclub and nothing else.

Zischke: It was a enjoyable course of designing Radius. I made the stools, the tables, the cubicles. I did the railing for the VIP (part) with figurative parts that resembled a line of individuals as a result of it was like safety guards holding everybody again. It gave it somewhat little bit of an edge. They have been simply very open to letting me do no matter I needed.

Scofield: Les was giving us a tour once they have been nonetheless laying down the bricks for Radius, and I bear in mind saying, “You’re mainly making an attempt to do Jetz and Stixx once more." He was like, "Yeah, only a bigger model of it," like two completely different vibes.

Corieri: There was some danger with opening a nightclub (subsequent door), as a result of how would it not have an effect on the enterprise of Axis? But they have been linked, each on the underside flooring with an atrium and in addition a skywalk between the highest two ranges, it labored out superb. If individuals didn’t like what was taking place at Axis they may simply go over to Radius.

Wegner: I received to DJ the very first evening at Radius, which wasn’t simple. The membership was so new there was nonetheless building mud floating round in all places. I used to be taking part in vinyl records and the mud began caking up within the grooves and the needle stored skipping. I needed to always blow on the records whereas I used to be taking part in.

Rajput: The response to Radius was nice after it opened. People began lining up at 8 o’clock every evening. We have been solely open till 1 a.m. again then and the road could be down the road by 8:40 or 8:45.

Local clubgoers weren’t the one ones coming to Axis-Radius. Celebrities like Michael Jordan, Rod Stewart, and George Clooney have been reportedly noticed on the golf equipment.

Wegner: That was insane. I’d been working within the nightclubs since I used to be 18, however I’d by no means seen something like that in my life. There have been Ferraris and Mercedes and Mike Tyson’s Rolls Royce parked outdoors. Radius has this platform in entrance of the unique DJ sales space the place individuals would dance. And once I was DJing one evening, I appeared over and noticed Ashley Judd had gotten up there to bounce.

LeVine: It’s fairly cool whenever you’re seeing simply celebrities in your home. I bear in mind seeing Charles Barkley and Steve Young. And when that occurs, you are like, “I need to be right here. I need to be on the similar place that these guys get together.” It’s a part of the attraction.

In 1999, Corieri and Drinkwater added a VIP space known as the Amber Lounge on the second degree of Radius as a part of a half-million-dollar renovation.

Rajput: Back then, golf equipment had a brief life. Things by no means lasted that lengthy, possibly a couple of years. But we stayed up to the mark and Les did a pleasant transform (and) put within the Amber Room. Before that, the second flooring of Radius was only a ready space for individuals to come back downstairs.

Zischke: The Amber Room was spectacular. It had curtains to make it a separate space and all this mohair material. There was a 40-foot bar in there that was made out of resin by (Arizona jewellery designer) Russ Twiford. We needed to carry it in on a flatbed truck. It took like 20 guys to maneuver it.

More golf equipment, extra competitors

By 1999, Axis-Radius wasn’t the one evening spot within the space. That similar 12 months, native entrepreneur and developer Shawn Yari opened the equally extravagant dance membership Sanctuary close by. Two years later, Corieri and his companions opened Suede Restaurant and Lounge throughout the road from Axis-Radius.

Rajput: Within a 12 months of Radius debuting, Sanctuary had opened. And it introduced extra individuals to the world. And that a part of Scottsdale simply began to develop as a cool place to go.

Corieri: There’s no query. Axis-Radius ignited that complete space. SIX (Lounge) opened after us. Sanctuary opened after us. Axis and Radius was the motivation for the opposite locations to open in that space, with out query. They opened earlier than Suede, which was our extremely lounge.

Rajput: One of the companions stated, "Hey, I’d prefer to open somewhat lounge throughout the road,” which turned Suede. I used to be like, “That’s a good suggestion.” And then increase, [nightlife] simply began increase from there in that neighborhood. And the (metropolis of Scottsdale) finally relaxed issues somewhat bit. They was more durable to take care of earlier than then, so far as opening golf equipment, however they started altering their minds.

As Scottsdale’s nightlife continued flourishing over the subsequent few years, Axis-Radius remained aggressive by reserving memorable performers and occasions. This included actor Dennis Quaid, who introduced his band, DQ and The Sharks, to Axis for a gig in February 2002.

LeVine: I’d change into a resident DJ at Axis-Radius and on the time Dennis was being repped by my good friend (expertise agent) Jamie Adler. He’d performed some gigs on the town and needed to hang around. So we took him to Axis-Radius and it was an epic evening. Dennis was out the dance flooring and he stored saying, “This is such a fantastic membership.” We introduced him again to carry out along with his band on the Axis aspect. And it was such a cool expertise and he was on the ground doing windmills and singing “Great Balls of Fire.” It all the time appeared like coolest experiences at Axis-Radius have been sudden.

DJ Tranzit, native DJ and membership promoter (in 2013): One of the primary instances I walked into that membership [was] once I took my buddy who was visiting from Chicago there. We managed to get in and sneak as much as the second degree VIP, do not ask me how. We began strolling round, and I all I might see was ladies wearing lingerie and carrying bunny ears. My buddy turns to me and says, "Oh shit! I believe we simply walked into a non-public Playboy Playmate get together!"

When EDM’s recognition waned within the mid-to-late 2000s, Axis-Radius shifted towards that includes extra hip-hop music. Despite this variation, each golf equipment inside Axis-Radius continued internet hosting DJ gigs on the common.

DJ MCB, former Axis-Radius resident (in 2013): Even with all of the modifications, the music (at Axis-Radius) stayed good by the ups and downs. No matter what (was taking part in), for those who needed to go dancing it was one of many solely locations that had that massive membership really feel.

LeVine: Dave Navarro performed the tenth anniversary of Axis-Radius (in 2007) with DJ Skribble.

DJ MCB: Dave Navarro was nice.

DJ Soloman, former Axis-Radius resident (in 2013): I performed a set opening up for Z-Trip when the (unique) DJ sales space at Radius was on the second flooring. And the one means you would get there was up this ladder. And we carried massive containers of records and needed to push ’em by this little rabbit gap.

Z-Trip: It was actually cumbersome. If you are bringing crates of records on the time, it is such as you’re lugging them over your head and thru a tiny portal to slip them onto the factor after which climb up your self. Getting arrange was all the time funky.

LeVine: At some level, Les lastly received sensible and made DJs the main focus and there was a model new sales space downstairs. He stored altering issues to maintain up with the instances.

Wegner: It appeared like Axis-Radius would get a transform each couple of years.

DJ MCB: The final time we reworked was again in like 2008 and put in (a CO2) cryo system. So the primary week we reopened, a buyer within the VIP took alcohol and blew a fireball at one of many sprinkler-heads. The sprinklers went off and the pipe broke. It severely was like somebody turned on a fireplace hydrant inside Radius. Water was coming over the rail prefer it was a waterfall. Before we knew it, there was like three inches of water on the dance flooring and we needed to shut the room down. It was loopy.

Not each reminiscence of from that period of Axis-Radius concerned mayhem or property harm, although.

LeVine: I bear in mind a whole lot of nice instances there. We did some superior after-parties for tons of concert events. We had the NSYNC crew in there after certainly one of their concert events. We had the Backstreet Boys in there. We had the forged of “Jackass” there.

Jared “J-Paul” Jackson, DJ and sound engineer (in 2013): I used to be nonetheless residing in Salt Lake City and DJing full time and I flew in and had a gig at Radius in like 2007 or 2008. I used to be associates with DJ Circle and so was she. So I met up with him earlier than my gig (whereas) she was doing Napkin Nights pictures. And she met me by taking my image.

O’Neil (in 2013): Everyone appears to have an Axis-Radius story, whether or not it is “I met my spouse there” or “I had my twenty first birthday there.”

Super Gigs

When Super Bowl XLII got here to the Valley in 2008, Scottsdale’s bars and golf equipment hosted quite a few star-studded events throughout the nights main as much as the large sport. Axis-Radius placed on a number of massive occasions, together with outside concert events by Snoop Dog, P. Diddy and Kid Rock.

Corieri: The first Super Bowl within the Valley was in (1996) was successful for us as a result of we had events at Jetz and Stixx, but it surely was nothing in comparison with ‘08. The Super Bowl (after) 11 years had grown so massive that it was mind-boggling. We have been nearly sort of dumbfounded by the quantity of visitors. Every Super Bowl is big now, but it surely was simply the sheer quantity of holiday makers that got here in ’08, simply made (1996) look pale compared.

LeVine: Les went all out for the Super Bowl in 2008.

Corieri: We did a block get together every evening (for Super Bowl week) in ‘08. Just the lineup of our expertise on the street was phenomenal. We had P. Diddy on Thursday, Friday we had Snoop after which on Saturday we had Kid Rock. It was a giant weekend, to say the least.

DJ MCB: All these Super Bowl occasions in 2008 have been superb … Kid Rock, P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg. So many good instances.

Axis-Radius stored bringing in massive names even after the Super Bowl left city.

LeVine: I introduced in LMFAO earlier than they turned a factor. Every music they did was simply epic. Those guys Redfoo and Sky Blu used to come back to (Axis-Radius) with their suitcases and carry out on the common they usually simply placed on a present. We have been reserving them repeatedly, it appeared like as soon as a month. They’d drive in from California they usually have been utilizing Axis-Radius to raised their units. I bear in mind they have been taking part in on the Axis aspect the day they hit it massive.

When EDM started its resurgence in recognition within the early 2010s, Axis-Radius began seeing larger crowds at any time when celebrity DJs have been booked.

LeVine: There have been so many massive names coming to Axis-Radius. You identify ’em. From Kaskade and Calvin Harris to Chris Lake, all of them performed there.

DJ Soloman: Calvin Harris, when he performed there, all 8 ft of him needed to duck by to get into the DJ sales space. There (was) somewhat cutout within the backside of the sales space and you need to dip down. And then the audio system are hanging proper about your head. But in case you’re tall, your head hits the highest of it. That was fairly amusing. And then everybody began tweeting about it. Gabriel & Dresden tweeted about it, Fedde Le Grand tweeted about it.

LeVine: Axis-Radius had a whole lot of dance music at first, then it sort of modified to extra of a Top 40 spot after which it will definitely went again to strictly dance once more. It’s humorous how issues are cyclical and historical past repeats itself. (Axis-Radius) tried to maintain up with altering instances.

Scottsdale’s Entertainment District was additionally altering and evolving within the 2010s. By 2012, Axis-Radius had much more competitors from such close by nightlife joints as El Hefe and the now-defunct Wild Knight. That similar 12 months, Evening Entertainment Group-owned spots Myst and Suede have been shut down and demolished to make room for Maya Day and Nightclub, a Vegas-style seashore membership with an outside pool and indoor dance membership situated throughout the road from Axis-Radius. It opened in April 2013 and instantly attracted massive crowds.

LeVine: Maya made a huge impact on Scottsdale. Day-clubbing had change into extra widespread. Pool events had change into extra widespread. We knew that and we noticed that. That’s why all of us received behind constructing Scottsdale Beach Club, which was the working title of the place earlier than it turned Maya. Maya got here out actually sturdy immediately.

Meanwhile, Axis-Radius was nonetheless internet hosting celebrity DJs like Z-Trip, Steve Aoki, Ferry Corsten and Cedric Gervais, however was exhibiting its age.

LeVine: There have been a whole lot of nice DJs who got here to Axis-Radius to carry out throughout its final 12 months.

DJ MCB: I opened for Steve Aoki (at Axis-Radius in February 2013). That was fairly wild. That was one of many greatest reveals we had there.

Pickster One, native DJ (in 2013): The time I performed with Z-Trip at (Axis-Radius) was my spotlight. That was superb seeing him get down in Scottsdale doing what he does greatest.

Z-Trip: I believe the final two instances I performed (Axis-Radius), I used to be like, "This place wants a face-lift or else any individual’s going to come back into city and fulfill its position." And I believe that’s what occurred.

Wegner: Toward the top of its life, Axis-Radius was getting fairly tough across the edges.

Last Call

In June 2013, Evening Entertainment Group introduced the closure of Axis-Radius later that month, revealing plans to rework into two distinct ideas: the two-story live performance venue Livewire, and Bottled Blonde, an indoor/outside beer backyard and nightspot. Corieri says it was as a result of the properties wanted to change into extra than simply nightclubs.

Corieri: We needed to go in a special course with an idea that could possibly be open seven days per week and do enterprise from the afternoon to late evening. Since Axis and Radius have been pure nightclubs, we have been solely open 4 days per week from 10 to 2, and it wasn’t one of the best use to solely function throughout these hours. The different cause was we have been (reserving) touring DJs like Oakenfold and Calvin Harris and since Vegas had gotten into the sport of reserving (EDM artists) of that caliber, it turned costlier in our market. So we determined to maneuver from being purely nightclubs to venues which are additionally open for pleased hour, meals, sporting occasions, pay-per-view and late evening.

LeVine: Axis and Radius ran for a very long time and adjusted when it needed to, however it will definitely ran its course.

O’Neil (in 2013): You’d be hard-pressed to search out a whole lot of nightclubs which have lasted (so long as Axis-Radius) wherever within the nation.

Axis-Radius exited the nightlife scene following one last dance get together on June 29, 2013. More than 1,000 individuals attended the farewell occasion and a number of DJs who have been Axis-Radius regulars through the years — together with LeVine, Wegner and LTJ — carried out units.

LeVine: I keep in mind that last evening was fairly epic. I received to DJ and had a good time. It was unhappy to see the place go, however I additionally suppose its time had come.

Wegner: I used to be invited to DJ at Axis-Radius on closing evening. And my good friend Ramsey Higgins, who’s an outstanding DJ, joined me. It was evening, the dance flooring was stuffed with lots of people. In some methods, it simply appeared like, I do not know, an everyday evening. I imply, there wasn’t any crying or something like that. It was bizarre.

LeVine: It was positively the top of an period in Scottsdale.

Corieri: We’re pleased with what we have achieved with (Axis-Radius). We might have by no means thought in our wildest imaginations again in 1996, after we purchased the property, that it might flip into what it’s in the present day. It’s sort of mind-boggling.

Note: Some quotes have been condensed for brevity and readability.