Bars had it rougher than most during the pandemic. Yet a surprising number of them debuted in the Valley over the last 18 months, creating an exciting new landscape for local tipplers, from daily-driver sports bars to subterranean cocktail lounges. Brave purveyors of beer, wine and cocktails, we salut you.
Next-Level Cocktails
Don Woods’ Say When
Opened: June 2021
What you’ll find: Exalting sunsets, weird machines that make foam, scads of vermouth- and aperitivo-forward cocktails
The latest mixology jam from Bitter & Twisted maestro Ross Simon has landed him on the roof of the refurbished Rise Uptown hotel. With 270-degree views of the city and clean sightlines to the west, the indoor-outdoor Mid-Century cocktail lounge is possibly the most perfect place to be in Phoenix during sundown, contemplating the vastness of it all while pleasantly disassociating with one of Simon’s wonderful cocktails. For example, the Whiskey Tart – bourbon with Solerno liqueur, lemon juice, red orange curd and a light, lacy foam that Simon’s operatives conjure out of a strange machine behind the bar. What a world. 400 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, 480-536-8998, riseuptownhotel.com
Grey Hen RX
Re-Opened: January 2021
What you’ll find: Big Easy mystique, a crocodile corpse, cocktails so complex you’ll need a Pfizer chemist to sort them out
The least showy but possibly best – mixology-wise – of the three drinking concepts at Century Grand, this New Orleans apothecary-inspired cocktail lab has changed its focus somewhat since owners Jason Asher and Rich Furnari opened it in late 2019. Once a straight-up whiskey tasting room, it now functions as the Grand’s cocktail Skunk Works, churning out experimental, labor-intensive libations like the Elixir of Aphrodite, combining vodka with, among other things, strawberry-infused amaro, house-made coca wine, rhubarb juice and Egyptian black rose petal. Does it also cure COVID? Could be! 3626 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, centurygrandphx.com
Sidecar Social Club
Opened: December 2018
What you’ll find: Six taps, black booths, pretty lights in the Ocotillo courtyard outside
The latest addition to the Ocotillo eating-drinking campus on Third Street, Sidecar is half cocktail lounge, half dive, with a temptingly naughty list of boilermakers (beer with a shot of booze) on the menu. But it also has a serious side, expressed in cocktail concoctions like the Thruxton, a French 75-ish number in which pineapple-infused vodka and lemon are hit with a splash of sparkling Moscato. 3243 N. Third St., Phoenix, 602-842-7181, ocotillophx.com
Pigtails Downtown
Opened: February 2020
What you’ll find: Hanging gardens, taxidermied javelinas, oysters
Unleashed right as the pandemic was really starting to make a name for itself, this fun-to-find cocktail haven at CityScape (it’s located through a kitchen door with a small neon sign reading “Cocktails”) is the handiwork of the same folks who brought The Whining Pig wine-and-beer franchise to the Valley. With Pigtails, the owners go a bit more high-concept. Instead of old Trivia Pursuit sets, amusements include a seafood raw bar and baroque libations like the Black Hog Down, made with sotol (a tequila-like spirit), Montenegro, crème de cacao and mole bitters. As for the tucked-away location… that’s part of why it survived the pandemic. COVID couldn’t find it. 1 E. Washington St., Phoenix, pigtailscocktails.com
Wine Rooms
Chez Gregory
Opened: July 2021
What you’ll find: The bruschetta of your dreams, childless Gen Xers
Mark our words: Come January, this converted Hoover-era bungalow in the Garfield Historical District (hello? adorbs!) will be the hottest wine spot in the Valley – not just because of the nifty, down-to Earth vino list and noshes, but because co-owners Steven Schmidt and Gregory Thielen had the foresight to install a ridiculously charming patio in the backyard, complete with plenty of seating overlooking the bustle of Downtown. Back in July, when Chez Gregory opened, imbibing outdoors didn’t hold much appeal. But now? Try to stop us. 719 E. Roosevelt St. Phoenix, chezgregoryphx.com
Rewined Beer and Wine Bar
Opened: October 2018
What you’ll find: Board games, blackboard wine menus, people jonesing for pad Thai
With an infectiously laid-back atmosphere and a rotating selection of more than 130 beers, wines and ciders, this Whining Pig-ish watering hole in Midtown Phoenix is more than just a place to tie one on while you wait for your table at Glai Baan… though it is supremely suited to that task, as well. 3308 N. 24th St. Phoenix, 602-429-9660, rewinedbeerandwinebar.com
Cool Cocktail Lounges
The Boom Boom Room
Opened: January 2021
What you’ll find: That Jay-Z and Beyoncé mural you’ve heard about, chillaxing vibe, a mean Sidecar
Not to be confused with the old Boom Boom La Rue’s drag boutique up the street, this Boom Boom is the brainchild of owner Rasheda Worthy, who – besides the pandemic – had to contend with an extended closure in May after an SUV plowed into her Miracle Mile cocktail lounge. She resumed pouring Champagne and mixing classic cocktails for a diverse Midtown crowd this summer, with old-school hip hop inside and Truck Panda mobile eats outside. If you’re looking for a sleek, chic drinking spot, this is it. 1544 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, facebook.com/boomboomroomphx
The White Rabbit
Opened: October 2018
What you’ll find: Throwback cocktails, bemused soccer moms
Complete with a “secret password” and “hidden entrance,” this downtown Gilbert lounge plainly has speakeasy written all over it. Expect tufted furniture, classy small-plate nibbles and complex cocktails like The Aviation-like Not My Cup of Tea, with gin, honey, Crème de Violette and blue cornflower. And don’t forget the password! They seriously will not let your suburban butt inside. 207 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, twr.bar
Pour Les Femmes
36 Below
Opened: June 2021
What you’ll find: YSL clutches, videos of Yoshino trees, cocktails that taste of pea flower, the fun kind of 12 steps
Though the website somewhat wishfully identifies the bar’s location as “Scottsdale” – what, Arcadia Lite isn’t bougie enough for you? – you have to hand it to owners Josh Katz, Sheldon Wiley and Moe Murillo for their vision. Taking over the old UnderTow space below Sip Coffee & Beer in East Phoenix, the trio has remade the subterranean speakeasy into an unapologetically feminine drinks refuge, with garden-themed cocktails and bright, floral themes throughout. It’s sort of like cocktailing in a bridal shop, and there’s nothing else quite like it in the Valley. 3620 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 480-336-8812, 36belowaz.com
Greenwood Brewing
Opened: July 2020
What you’ll find: Mid-gravity ales, solid arts district people-watching, empowerment
“Confidence, Empowerment, Inclusivity” are the stated goals of this woman-owned Roosevelt taproom… well, all that and getting you pleasantly buzzed, hopefully. Get the job done with Herstory white ale and other audience-friendly selections from owner Megan Greenwood’s liquid portfolio. Great outdoor beer patio, too. 425 E. Roosevelt St. Phoenix, 602-875-8577, greenwoodbrews.com
Titillating Taprooms
Hair of the Dog
Opened: April 2021
What you’ll find: Beer geeks, dog fanciers, half-eated rawhides, Wren House Brewing Co. Big Spill Pils
Gilbert’s hot new artisan pet groomer? Eh, not quite. It’s actually a 24-tap beer bar and wine lounge with ancillary coffee, cider, mead (supplied by Prescott’s Superstition Meadery) and light snacks, set in a pleasant strip mall (oxymoron, anyone?) with a spacious patio. All that said, yes, your canine friend is welcome to join you. Owners Randy and Marleen Duren wouldn’t have it any other way. 3133 S. Lindsay Rd., Gilbert, 480-219-5489, hairofthedoggilbert.com
Cactus Taproom
Opened: May 2019
What you’ll find: Sunburnt weekenders from Lake Pleasant, an utterly stacked grab-and-go fridge
For deep West Valley beer fans, this 14-handle taproom and beer shop should be in the regular rotation, with admired out-of-state labels like Toppling Goliath and El Segundo represented, along with rotating Arizona beers. 20429 N. Lake Pleasant Rd., Peoria, 623-440-9316, cactustaproom.com
Trevor’s Liquors
Opened: December 2020
What you’ll find: A local alternative to Total Wine & More, solid cigar selection, people who probably drink a tad too much
Arguably the biggest thing to happen to the Valley’s retail beer scene when it opened last winter, this 15,000-square foot booze emporium and shop features 24 taps to go along with spirit and wine tastings, tobacco and booth seating overlooking Scottsdale Road. 7340 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale, 480- 581-8923, trevors.com
Latin Libations
Barcoa
Opened: October 2021
What you’ll find: Raicillas, mezcals, bacanoras… anything you get by distilling agave, basically; taco philosophers
Just off Roosevelt Row, find this latest jam from Phoenix Pizza Festival impresario and all-around media mensch David Tyda. From daily-driver reposado tequilas to the most unicorn-y mezcals, it’s a two-story temple to all things agave. Upstairs: a casual cantina with a good cerveza selection and classic Mexican tipples like the Batanga (tequila, lime juice and cola). Downstairs: a sultry, vibe-y craft cocktail lounge with a drink list authored by Nick Fiorini of Sidecar Social Club and a 100-percent Mexican wine list. Ay, caramba… we’ll never leave this place. 829 N. First Ave., Phoenix, barcoaphx.com
El Charro Hipster Bar & Café
Opened: August 2018
What you’ll find: Curated agave spirits, a small but engrossing beer selection, Bacanora spillover
“I’m a mezcalera,” a masked GG Peralta stipulates playfully, while pouring a flight of mezcals at the Grand Avenue bar, cafe and multi-purpose hangout space she owns and operates with her parents. Part of Grand Avenue’s recent hospitality revival, El Charro is a fantastic place to grab weekend brunch, have a drink while waiting for your table at nearby Bacanora or learn about Mexico’s second best-known agave spirit. 1325 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-730-3247, elcharrohipster.com
The Golden Pineapple
Opened: May 2020
What you’ll find: Old-school “gramma’s tacos,” high-ABV drafts
Yes, we’re using the term “Latin” loosely here, but the selection of Italian amaros amassed at this Tempe gastropub – a PHOENIX Best New Restaurant honorable mention (see page 138) – needs to be seen (and tasted) to be believed. 2700 S. Mill Ave. Tempe,480- 590-5703, thegoldenpineappleaz.com
Hey, Sport
Venue
Opened: September 2020
What you’ll find: NFL Sunday Ticket, people in Kyler jerseys, $5 sangria on Saturdays, bulgogi banh mi
How do you know when you’re in a sports bar that’s not just a sports bar? When you see a “Bourdain burger” on the menu. So this sportsy Surprise gastropub has culinary aspirations. That just makes it – along with the umpteen hi-def flatscreens – an even more appealing place to catch the A.M. games on Sunday. If everything goes well, you could stay for the early afternoon games and take advantage of the half-off Sunday sandwich special. And then the Sunday night game. And so on. 13699 N. Litchfield Rd., Surprise, 623-584-0255, venuetaproom.com
The Woodshed
Opened: It’s always been open
What you’ll find: Real alcoholics, pretend alcoholics, inexpensive drafts and solid bar grub
Snapped up a couple years ago by award-winning mixologist and “friend of the magazine” Brandon Casey (Citizen Public House, The Ostrich), this old warhorse of a dive bar has retained its essential, lovable grubbiness while enjoying an overall spike in quality. Great place to catch whatever frothy contest of sporting prowess you happen to enjoy on the telly. 19 W Baseline Rd Tempe, 480-831-9663
