If you stumble across a dimly lit yet highly reflective cocktail lounge on Van Buren Street and Fourth Avenue, it’s not a desert mirage but, a crystal-adorned cocktail bar called Quartz. This “concept within a concept” offers a birthstone-themed drink menu in the front room at Quartz and an international desert-themed menu in the back at The Cave. We sat down with Paul Waxman, Quartz’s general manager, to discuss how the bar plans to put the “camp” in “Summer Cocktail Camp” with their outdoors-themed cocktails on Sunday, September 3.
Where does Quartz’s design concept and menu originate from?
The space we are in now is broken into two rooms – the Cave concept and the Quartz main room. The design concept for the Cave was inspired by the Mos Eisley Cantina, a bar in a Star Wars movie. Even though this is true, people have called us a Star Wars-themed bar, which is not true. The Mos Eisley Cantina is more like visual inspiration, as it’s in the middle of a desert. Basically, we wanted to do a desert-themed cocktail bar where people can escape the heat. Different deserts from around the world inspire the Cave, and we use stories, ingredients, and techniques of the people who live in those deserts to make fun and delicious cocktails. We brought on Maxwell Berlin to serve as our bar manager and cocktail aficionado for our front menu. He came up with Quartz’s menu concept of 12 birthstone-themed cocktails – one for each month.
What can patrons expect while visiting Quartz?
Upon entry into Quartz, you’ll see a glowing rope light hanging from a rock-shaped soffit above the bar. There are many unique bottles, trinkets, and spices behind the bar, and it almost feels like someone lives inside a cave. It’s dark, moody, and sexy. The music is probably a bit too loud, and we usually play something upbeat and fun. Our music is from all around the world, like the Middle East, Africa, Spain, Eastern Europe, etc. The Cave has an entirely different vibe. You go from this dark space into a beautiful area with pink archways and a stalagmite mirror room. The lights are super reflective, and there are private booths where you and your party can hang out.
What does Quartz have planned for Summer Cocktail Camp?
We are taking the phrase “Cocktail Camp” literally. We are looking at what kind of cocktails you would take camping. Guests will go through a journey: you arrive at your campground, set up, then what are you drinking? We are utilizing ingredients you find on a campsite, whether it’s a bottle of whiskey, wine, or beer. Patrons will learn how to make cocktails with limited tools and utilize cool techniques that incorporate average ingredients. We want to teach you how to level up what you may actually be drinking while camping.
What drink on the menu do you prefer during the Arizona summertime?
The drink I want the most in the Arizona desert heat is the Aquamarine. This cocktail is from the front menu, and it’s basically ocean water. I want to jump into the ocean more than anything while in the middle of the desert.
This or that: Manhattan or Old Fashioned?
Old Fashioned. I like the simplicity of a good whiskey with just a bit of sweetness and bitterness. It is the best way to drink a straight spirit.
