10. The New Speakeasy in Town
With a retro-chic, modern speakeasy feel, Sidebar is a small, casual lounge with a big beer list and a robust signature cocktail series. More than 50 bottled beers from a $3 Pabst Blue Ribbon to a $16 Chimay Red as well as wines from around the world are available to quench your thirst. If you’re hungry, small appetizers are du jour – or just call in something from the Pei Wei downstairs. Your food will be delivered right to your retro barstool.

Info: 1514 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-1646, sidebarphoenix.com

Historic Hanny's

11. Historic Hanny’s
Built in 1947, Hanny’s – known to old-school Phoenicians as a department store – was added to the city’s Historic Property Register in 2005, long after its department store days and even after serving as a training site for city firefighters.

Hanny’s is once again open for business, this time as a restaurant serving “Mediterranean comfort food” in a 1950s art deco setting. Fans of AZ88 will be grateful to see Karl Kopp has another shop, but don’t come looking for the same menu. Hanny’s is its own experience, one made richer by the old Hanny’s brands listed on the wall – Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin and Polo, to name a few.

And for the complete Hanny’s experience, stop at the vertigo-inducing glass-and-mirrors-decked elevator shaft (which, for some of us, will require a cocktail to ease the nerves).

Info: 40 N. First St., Phoenix, 602-252-2285, hannys.net


12. EnviroCar
Jim Whiteside was looking for a unique business to get involved with, and his curiosity was piqued when he read an article about a scheduled-car service with a hybrid fleet. With nothing quite like it in Phoenix, Whiteside started EnviroCar in May 2007.

Using its fleet of three hybrid vehicles – two Priuses and a Lexus RS400H – EnviroCar currently relies on a very small but dedicated clientele, Whiteside says. The service works by pre-scheduled reservation and requires 24 hours advance notice.

Info: 602-334-4035, envirocarphx.com

Sweet Republic Ice Cream

13. Sweet Republic Ice Cream
You know there’s something special happening at Sweet Republic in Scottsdale from the moment you taste the Cheese Course Duo artisan ice cream – a savory/sweet treat that pairs Roquefort blue cheese with local Medjool date flavors. The Salted Butter Caramel Swirl ice cream and Basil Lime sorbet equally challenge your notions of traditional.

Sweet Republic’s co-founders, Helen Yung (pictured, left) and Jan Wichayanuparp (right), met in 2001 when they were both investment bankers training in New York. They bonded over a mutual passion for food. Their careers – and that passion – let them share various culinary experiences around the world.

Yung, the Chief Ice Cream Chef, received her formal culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Australia and handcrafts the ice cream in the shop using all-natural ingredients and local hormone-free milk and cream. Sweet Republic’s toppings, sauces and hand-rolled waffle cones also are made entirely from scratch.

The shop, which opened Memorial Day 2008, is taking its show on the road this spring; look for the Sweet Republic ice cream truck in Downtown Phoenix and at local farmers’ markets.

Info: 9160 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-248-6979, sweetrepublic.com


14. Almost Famous Film Festival
The annual 48-hour Almost Famous Film Festival provides a prime creative venue for amateur and experienced filmmakers as well as arts supporters.

Here’s how it works: A Friday kickoff party welcomes contestants and provides the guidelines for the contest. They then have until 7 p.m. Sunday to make their films, which are given to a panel of local judges. The top 20 are shown at a public screening.

Founded by Jae Staats, the first 48-hour challenge was held in February 2005 and hosted 26 teams. It grew to 64 teams in 2006 and 82 by 2007.

“The coolest part of our film festival challenges is that they’re open to everyone,” Staats says. “In L.A., you could get lost in the crowd, but here, events like this bring the community together.”
The top 20 films from this year’s challenge will screen March 5 at the AMC Arizona Center.

Info: 602-295-3147, thea3f.net