This is part one of a multipart series in which the Summer Wildcat will chronicle nearby bars and like-minded establishments in an attempt to find the best spots with the best deals on booze and food.

Establishment #1: The Cactus Moon

If you want to go to an almost over-the-top watering hole where the bathrooms are clean and easy to find, with attendants in each offering cologne, perfume and gum, look no further than the Cactus Moon.

Located on Craycroft Road just south of Broadway Boulevard, Cactus Moon is open Tuesday through Saturday until 2 a.m., and that’s plenty of time to get your party on.

Tuesday

Tuesday night parties at The Moon are called Metalhead, named in honor of the glam rock cover band that regularly performs there, starting at 10 p.m.

A $5 cover charge gets you in the door and $1 Heineken and Coronas can be had from 8 p.m. until 10p.m. From 10 p.m. until midnight, you can enjoy $2 Heineken and Coronas.

After midnight, the drink specials stop, along with the band, so don’t get so trashed that you forget the specials have gone away, along with your sobriety.

The kitchen stays open until 10 p.m. and offers the usual assortment of fried food that goes so well with cold beer.

Metalhead plays a good assortment of 80’s rock, with covers of Motley Crue, Poison, Whitesnake and more, and the lead singer can often be found roaming the floor while singing and flirting with the ladies.

Two Go-Go dancers usually take up their spots at either corner of the stage, giving the guys something to look at. The club gets rather warm, the beer stays cold and standing too close to the speaker bins may leave your head ringing. If you’re a fan of ’80s rock, though, don’t miss Metalhead.

Wednesday

Wednesday nights at The Moon are Ladies Nights. The doors open at 5 p.m., with no cover charge until 7 p.m. The cover charge for the ladies is $2, and the cover charge for men is $5.

A free, one hour long country line-dancing lesson is offered, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Ladies can enjoy 25-cent drinks from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. and $1.50 drinks from 10 p.m. until close.

The kitchen offers a $4 beer and burger combo until 10 p.m. and all patrons can enjoy $1 wine, well and draft drinks until 8 p.m.

$2.25 bottles of Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Coors and Coors Light are available from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. as are $2.50 bottles of Corona and Pacifico.

KRQ DJ Chris P spins a good mix of hip-hop and country, and broadcasts the set live on the radio. The dance floor is usually packed by 11 p.m. and the music stays loud until close.

The bar stays brutally cold until the dancing masses heat the place up. If you like jam-packed clubs, popular music and the opportunity to meet plenty of new people, Wednesday just might be your night.

Thursday

Thursday nights at The Moon bring beer pong and free poker. The doors open at 5 p.m. with the usual $5 cover.

The kitchen offers the popular $4 beer and burger combo until 10 p.m. and $2.50 drinks can be had from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Free dance lessons begin at 6 p.m., and the bar hosts two free poker tournaments, one at 6:30 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m.

If you like a more laid back evening playing cards with your friends, then Thursday night might be just what you are looking for.

Friday

Friday nights at The Moon bring “”Tucson’s Best Happy Hour”” and live music from Robert Moreno. The doors open at 5 p.m., with no cover until 7 p.m.

The kitchen offers a Steak Stampede until 8 p.m., serving an 8-ounce top sirloin with a potato, salad and a roll, all for $5. The bar offers $1 wine, well and drafts until 8 p.m., along with $2 you call its.

$2.25 Miller and Coors bottles, along with $2.50 Corona and Pacifico bottles, can be had from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. and two-for-one drinks are offered from 10 p.m. until midnight.

Saturday

Saturday nights at The Moon are tailored mainly for the country music lovers.

The doors open at 6 p.m., with no $5 cover until 8 p.m. Free line dancing lessons are offered from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the $4 beer and burger special goes on until 8 p.m., and you can enjoy $2.50 you call its from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.

$2.25 Miller and Coors bottles and $2.50 Corona and Pacifico bottles are available from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., and KIIM FM DJ Porkchop is in the club until close. The DJ spins country music, and the dance floor two-steps and line dances all night long.

Reflections

The building itself is very large and has ample parking. Valet service is offered, but if you get there early enough, you can usually find a good spot. The line to get in can get dangerously long if you don’t show up before everybody else.

The Moon has several quarter-operated pool tables, in case dancing isn’t your thing, along with a smoking patio if you want it.

Waitresses often bring around shots for $3 and the DJs will sometimes call out random drink specials that end when the current songs do.