Photo by Will Coles
Mellow evening temps are here for a brief visit in the Valley before the sweltering summer months, and with them come my favorite springtime activity – drinking on rooftops. I could always opt for a White Claw on the sundeck of my Midtown Phoenix apartment complex, but why do that when I can venture to Scottsdale and enjoy a craft cocktail, the sunset and sweeping views?
Well, that is precisely what I did one recent weeknight – I took an Uber to Canopy by Hilton in Old Town Scottsdale, the posh enclave’s first new hotel in more than a decade. The swanky hotel and its swanky sky-high bar and restaurant, Outrider Rooftop Lounge, opened in October. Outrider was operating under limited days and hours until the beginning of March, when it announced it will now be serving “posh plates,” handcrafted cocktails and local beer daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Of course, the perfect time to go is early evening to catch the sunset. Perched on Canopy’s seventh floor, Outrider provides panoramic views of Camelback Mountain and the Valley beyond, plus chic furniture, a state-of-the-art fire pit and a modern mural by the bar.
‘Tis the season for feasting al fresco and Outrider recently added new items to its Southwestern-inflected menu, including appetizers such as poke ceviche, spiced meatballs, pretzel bites and a charcuterie board, as well as heartier fare like sandwiches, salads and tacos.
New, locally inspired cocktails honor spring in the Southwest with ingredients like butterfly pea flower, house-made lemonade and fresh citrus.
Photo by Madison Rutherford
The Scene
The first thing you should know about Outrider is that everything – not just the picturesque Valley vistas – is absolutely beautiful: The modern lighting fixtures that illuminate the bar. The garden lights draped effortlessly over the seating area. The seats themselves – upscale lounge chairs with a European flair that are still somehow in line with Canopy’s Southwestern-skewing design elements. The colorful cocktails, the food and the vessels in which they are served. It’s all just so pretty. I’m swept away by Outrider’s sheer beauty before I even take a bite or a sip – and after? I’m truly mesmerized.
Highlights
The second thing you should know about Outrider is that everything brought to your table is done with intention. That’s the first word that comes to mind as a plate of poke ceviche turns up, followed by matching bowls of pretzel bites and beer cheese and a couple cocktails adorned with flowers and dehydrated fruit. Everything is thorough and thoughtful, from the ingredients to the presentation.
The ceviche in question is a marvelous medley of fresh ahi tuna, Mexican papaya, pickled Fresno chiles and the wild card: Tajin cashews, a genius addition for taste and texture. Served with a heaping pile of tortilla chips, you’ll be scraping the bowl in no time. Though the chip to dip ratio is unbalanced, allow me to offer a pro tip: Order the pretzel bites – soft, salty orbs served with a side of green chile queso mixed with Music Hazy IPA from The Shop Beer Co. – and dunk the remainder of your chips into the beer cheese. You won’t be disappointed.
Photo by Madison Rutherford
Three cheese flatbread topped with goat cheese, smoked gouda and mozzarella makes for a simple yet satisfying entrée, but don’t skip the tacos. The pulled pork variation is crowned with pickled pineapple and caramelized onion and the shrimp iteration arrives loaded with tangy pico de gallo, jalapeño and lime-cilantro cabbage. Both come on crunchy Mama Lola’s corn tortillas, a locavore’s holy grail.
And the aforementioned cocktails include the Sunburnt Whale – Grey Whale Gin, Hellfire bitters, fresh lemon, lychee and a cabernet float and the Gooseberry Elixir, a tequila tipple featuring cilantro, kiwi and elderflower.
As well as its commitment to local, seasonal ingredients, Outrider is dedicated to including superfoods and healthy herbs in all of its cocktails. You’ll find goji berries, carrot juice, rosemary and thyme among the innovative ingredients packed into your glass.
Sip them slow – most of the cocktails come in small servings – and watch the streetlights and skyline subtly turn on as dusk descends. It’s only spring for a little while longer, after all.
7142 E. First St, Scottsdale, 480-590-3864, outriderrooftop.com
