Best Cocktail Pioneer
Ross Simon
It’s a banner year for the Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour founder and proprietor, who celebrates his Downtown drinks emporium’s 10th anniversary in 2024. It hasn’t been easy – B&T weathered a pandemic, recession, construction woes, property damage and even art theft in its first decade. Simon’s even-keeled mien – with a splash of his trademark sardonic Scottish humor – has helped him ride the waves, Porn Star Martini in hand. 1 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-340-1924, bitterandtwistedaz.com
Best Spot for Imperial IPAs
Moto Sushi
It really should be called “Moto Sushi and Taproom,” because owner Vince Heppler has assembled the Valley’s most formidable fleet of 8-percent-plus IPAs at his Piestewa Peak-area bar-restaurant. Scouring the Western U.S. for emerging labels and cutting-edge ales, Heppler was among the first beermongers to bring such IPA wizards as Pure Project (San Diego) and Melvin (Jackson Hole) to Arizona, and Moto’s 23 taps are reliably programmed with interesting heavy hitters. Enjoy one with a Volcano Roll. 6845 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-263-5444, mrmotorising.com
Best New Cocktail Bar
Tell Your Friends
Buried under The Americano like Al Capone’s forgotten rumpus room, this ticklishly atmospheric cocktail lounge-jazz club combo is destined to be the hot nightlife ticket in North Scottsdale this summer – precisely because it provides a dark, immersive, classy respite from the heat. 17797 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, tellyourfriendsaz.com
Best Boutique Booze Shop
Buena Vida Bodega
This lilliputian bottle shop in Downtown Phoenix stocks myriad local wines and beers, from orange wines and prickly pear Arizona sake to Arizona Wilderness tall boys and Japanese lagers. The vino selection is so cool, there’s a wait list to join the wine club. If your taste in beer runs toward sours and ciders, this is your place. 1002 E. Pierce St., Phoenix, 602-753-7747, buenavidabodega.com
Best Cocktail Escape
Platform 18
The journey continues at mixology maestro Jason Asher’s train car concept in Arcadia, which unveiled a new Prohibition-themed menu this summer (read: lots of clarified and Champagne-enhanced cocktails) along with a video simulacrum of 1924 Manhattan that hypnotically rolls by through the Pullman car “windows” as you sip. Bonus points if you show up wearing flappers and spats. 3626 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, centurygrandphx.com
Best Beer Lunch
The Fish Fry at Wren Sudhalle
It’s Friday and gosh darn it, you’re treating yourself to a long lunch. Self-indulge responsibly at the new Ahwatukee outpost of the Wren House Brewing Co. empire, where the Friday-only fried fish special (North Atlantic hake, specifically, sourced form Nelson’s Meat + Fish) makes for an affordable ($17) and high-quality pre-weekend splurge. And – whoops! – did you also just order one of Südhalle’s crisp, German- and Czech-style lagers to pair it with? Such are the perils of Friday lunching. 4025 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, 602-244-9184, wrenhousebrewing.com
Best 80s Nostalgia Nightclub
Thundercat Lounge
Not to be confused with the more ’70s-centric Thunderbird Lounge up the street, this Downtown watering hole gives guests everything they need to party like it’s 1989. The retro décor includes classic arcade games like Galaga and an old payphone booth, and the events trend toward the ’80s, with weekly dance nights and guest appearances by obscure icons like Tim Cappello, who played saxophone shirtless in The Lost Boys. 747 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 602-789-3600, thundercatloungephx.com
Best Speakeasy
Melinda’s Alley
The term “speakeasy” is often misappropriated, but it fits here. For one, the stiletto-like space under the Renaissance Downtown actually was an illicit drinking spot in its early days, run by a madam named Melinda, the legend goes. And like a real speakeasy, there’s no signage – only a knock-knock door and an irresistable, weekly rotating cocktail menu run by barman PJ Baron and his merry band of mixologists. A true hidden gem. 50 E. Adams St., Phoenix
Best Upscale Happy Hour
The Gladly
No $3 silver bullets and bargain wings at this thinking man’s happy hour – but you will find $9.50 draft cocktails (The Gladly has six options, magnificently) and high-toned pub grub (e.g. mozzerella fondue with Schreiner’s sausage). We were lying about the wings – they’re here ($16), slathered in Cutino Sauce. 2201 E Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-759-8132, thegladly.com
Best Bar Snacks
Valentine
No wings and things for executive chef Donald Hawk at this universally beloved Melrose diner, where he goes full throttle with the most creative, geeky bar snacks in this town or any other. 4130 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-612-2961, valentinephx.com
- Puffy, crisp-edged pretzel (reminiscent of a cake doughnut) made with White Sonoran wheat, served with airy guinea hen butter and a melting cube of McClendon’s Select honeycomb.
- I’itoi onion-yogurt dip, chunky with mesquite-smoked salmon, escabeche relish and trout roe, served with “barbecue” chips dusted with house-made four-chile powder.
- Smoked Fripper’s bologna, drizzled with mesquite-pecan honey and served with wood-fired dates, stuffed with pine nut miso, dressed with tart pomegranate agrodolce and rolled in pistachio.
- Escabeche-pickled castelvetrano olives, stuffed with mezcal-splashed foie gras mousse and dusted with date sugar.
