While most men are watching football on Monday nights, women are being pampered with martinis and manicures at Furio, a hip downtown Scottsdale lounge. Furio owners John and Alicia Casale — who also own the Salty Señorita across the street — started the popular ladies night two years ago.

“The night was actually my husband's idea,’’ Alicia Casale says. “We were brainstorming on how to make Mondays a viable night because so many places are closed on Mondays. We were looking for something that would cater to women since so many men are watching football on Monday nights. This just fit.’’

On a recent Monday evening, the swanky New York-style restaurant and bar was packed with women in their 20s to 40s who fill the lounge area to the side of the bar, which is bathed in a vibrant blue light. Soothing trance music plays in the background while women sip martinis. Some are getting their nails done in a corner of the bar.

Before the Casales could transform Furio into a nail salon on Mondays, they were required to obtain a salon license to operate the weekly theme night. Once they acquired it, they hired a handful of manicurists to give patrons a very basic eight-minute manicure. “They do a very limited manicure so they don't have to worry about hygiene issues,’’ Casale says.

“There's no cuticle nipping, no clipping or anything that could involve a blood spill,’’ manicurist Lisa Stinelli adds. “We shape, buff and polish.’’

In addition to a manicure, patrons can choose from a drink menu featuring six different martinis: The Raspberry Beret, Pretty in Pink (Cosmo), Shampoo (appletini), Shanghai Silk Wrap (orange martini), The French Manicure (vodka, pineapple and Chambord) and the Perm (vodka or gin martini).

“The martinis are great,’’ Kathy Turner, 39, of Phoenix says. “We've tried almost all of them tonight!’’

Turner's friend Lori Biesel says she was attracted to the night because it's ideal for women.

“It's a fun girls night out,’’ Biesel, 31, of Scottsdale, says. “But I'm surprised there aren't any men here since there are so many women.’’

Manicurist Michelle Silverman agrees.

“The men really need to catch on,’’ she says. “We have TVs and they show sports by the bar.’’

Although there aren't more than a few men here on this particular Monday, Stinelli says that the manicurists usually see one to two every week.

“At first they seem embarrassed and then by the end of it, they're in heaven,’’ she says of the mani-curious men.

Casale says that the night's popularity has increased since they started martinis and manicures.

“We went from 50 to over 100 manicures a night,’’ she says. “It's been an absolutely unbelievable promotion. Every Monday is just busier than the next.’’

Customer Crystal Jans says she didn't think she would be walking into a bar for a manicure.

“I didn't expect this at all,’’ Jans, 21, of Tempe, says. “I was expecting more of a salon atmosphere.’’

Jans' friend Jessica Pence agrees.

“I didn't know (Furio) was a restaurant,’’ Pence, 22, of Mesa, says. “I figured it was a salon but I didn't know how they would serve drinks without a liquor license.’’

Their friend, Joanna Futch says she plans to return.

“It's cheap for a martini and a manicure,’’ Futch, 23, of Mesa says.
“Usually you end up paying $7 to $9 for a good martini so this is a really good deal.’’

Martinis and Manicures
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays
Where: Furio, 7210 E. Second St., Scottsdale
How much: $10
FYI: Furio doesn't take reservations. Manicures are given on a first come, first served basis.
Info: and www.furio.tv