The Best new bars in metro Phoenix: cocktails on Roosevelt Row to rooftop views in Gilbert
At the end of each year, we publish lists of the best new places that opened in metro Phoenix. But last year, we didn't get the chance.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, businesses were shuttering all around the Valley and those that did brave the rocky waters to open for the first time, often found themselves shut back down or working with limited capacity, which hindered their ability to really show Phoenix what they'd come to do.
So this year, our list of the best new bars and breweries in the Valley encompasses those that opened in 2020, and have since finally been able to shine, and those that opened more recently in 2021.
From a beloved brewery that found a new home to multiple reimagined rooftops, basement bars and even a camper-turned cocktail spot, these are the 13 best new bars and breweries in metro Phoenix.
Greenwood Brewing
Greenwood Brewing faced more than a few obstacles. But visionary owner Megan Greenwood accomplished her dream of opening a brewery smack in the middle of Roosevelt Row. She started cautiously during the pandemic and ramped up operations as health protocols allowed. Now, the dual patios of the modern brewery are consistently full of guests and their dogs. It's become a place where the community can come together to share a pint. The brewery's staple beer, the Herstory Pale Ale doesn't disappoint and the Sol Oatmeal Stout, Rosemary IPA and seasonal rotations are all great options. After a bike ride or before a first date, this new brewery is one of downtown Phoenix's best new hang outs.
Details: 922 N. 5th St., Phoenix. 602-875-8577, greenwoodbrews.com.
Highball
Around the back of a brick building and up a flight of stairs sits one of the best bars to open in 2020. Highball took over the space on McDowell Road that had previously housed Side Bar. There, owners Libby Lingua and Mitch Lyons created a place to show of their bartending expertise through a carefully crafted menu that features a range of drinks from classic cocktails to Instagram-worthy bright, colorful creations. The bar itself is dimly lit with leather seating and exposed brick. It's a swanky place to enjoy a beautiful cocktail.
Details: 1514 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix. 602-675-4244, highballphx.com/highball-menu.
Lylo
If you're looking for somewhere drink and lounge by the pool, Lylo has got you covered. But this new uptown Phoenix spot is so much more than a pool bar. Cocktail expert Ross Simon adds Lylo to his list of award-winning Phoenix cocktail bars, including Little Rituals, Bitter & Twisted and Don Woods' Say When, a new bar you'll find a little later on this list. Lylo offers comfy outdoor furniture, beachy wicker basket lights and chairs and bartenders who are often clad in bathing suits. The vibes are great, but the drinks are exceptional. A number are made with sorbet and fresh fruit, while others are upgraded classics like the cucumber and gin drink called Mr. Hendricks or the passion fruit and vanilla-flavored Star Martini, which comes with a side of bubbles.
Details: 400 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-536-8899, riseuptownhotel.com/phoenix_restaurants/lylo/.
Pigtails
Pigtails in downtown Phoenix is hard to find. Initially, you might think you've walked in the back entrance of a restaurant kitchen. But trust your gut, you're in the right place. Walk through another door and you'll find a long skinny bar that fills the narrow space accompanied by tiny, two-seater booths along the opposite wall. Lush greenery protrudes from behind the bar and a taxidermy hog's head, complete with tusks, lures over the space. A library-style wooden ladder slides around on wheels, allowing bartenders to reach the impressive selection of bottles housed behind the bar. Cocktails prove the bartenders are true artists of their craft with each drink offering a journey through multiple layers of flavor. The Grounds For Divorce, made with mezcal and coffee liqueur is truly dangerous.
Details: 1 E. Washington St. #128, Phoenix. 602-675-4416, pigtailscocktails.com.
The Wayward Taphouse
The Wayward Taphouse may be the best new neighborhood bar in downtown Phoenix. Located on Grand Avenue, the craft beer bar serves a selection of local and national brews on tap along with a fully stocked beer fridge of interesting and hard to find cans. Opened by Tyler Goolie and Hilda Cardenas, two former Wren House Brewing Co. employees, the beer expertise apparent. A cozy interior bar featuring high top tables along with couches, rotating local art and warm amber lighting makes it a great place to spend an evening. When the weather is nice, a large outdoor patio offers a chance to soak in the best of Grand Avenue's creative, laid back charm.
Details: 1028 N.W. Grand Ave., Phoenix. 602-671-7900, thewaywardaz.com.
Valentine
We waited with anticipation for the opening of Valentine. The bar and restaurant, located on Seventh Avenue north of Indian School Road, took over the front portion of Modern Manor, a vintage furniture store in the Melrose District. After a long build out, it finally opened in late 2020. It was worth the wait. The restaurant serves dishes inspired by the culture, flavors and ingredients of the Southwest. While the cocktails compliment the food extremely well, they stand on their own, literally, in the case of the Hatch chile margarita that's served in a tiny glass boot.
Details: 4130 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix. 602-612-2961, valentinephx.com.
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Baby Boy
Cocktail dream team Colton Brock, Tyka Chheng and John Sagasta joined forces this year to create a new bar in an unusual setting. Baby Boy is located inside The Pemberton, a collection of bars and businesses surrounding a historic house on Second Street near Roosevelt Row. The bar itself is housed inside a shiny silver Airstream camper. There, Chheng and Brock sling fun, tropical drinks inspired by eras bygone. There's a trio of sangrias, a frozen banana drink and an alarmingly turquoise Blue Hawaiian, which, of course, comes topped with a tiny umbrella. The bar itself is not big or flashy, but Baby Boy is one of the most fun new spots in town.
Details: 1121 N. 2nd St., Phoenix. drinkbbyboy.com.
Don Woods' Say When
It's amazing how good the views are just a few floors above Phoenix's city streets. At Don Woods' Say When, the rooftop bar at the Rise Uptown Hotel, the view almost takes center stage. Almost. The cocktails remain the stars of the show with a menu that focuses on two classic preparations: highballs and spritzes. Owner Ross Simon adds his own twist to classics with a menu of refreshing, bubbly, dry and savory drinks that perfectly compliment the sunset. For a chilly evening, enjoy the warming ginger, spice and pear flavors of the Ghost of Mamie Taylor. Interesting small bites, including salty boquerones and nibbles of cheese round out the experience.
Details: 400 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-536-8998, riseuptownhotel.com/phoenix_restaurants/say-when.
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Garden Bar
Downtown Phoenix saved one of the best openings for last this year with the December addition of Garden Bar. Owned by cocktail expert Kim Haasarud, the bar is located inside a historic bungalow on Sixth Avenue, just south of Roosevelt Street, where it's hard to tell if you're walking into a bar or someone's house. Inside, customers can sit in a number of different rooms, currently decorated with Christmas trees and twinkle lights, or grab a stool at the bar. The cocktail menu rotates with the seasons and kicked things off with a "Home for the Holidays" menu featuring classic Christmas flavors like decadent hot buttered rum, a refreshing and fruit-forward Cranberry Jubilee and a chocolatey Cuppa Cold Coffee cocktail.
Details: 822 N. 6th Ave., Phoenix. 602-612-4438, gardenbarphx.com.
Rough Rider
Underneath a modern glass office block on Roosevelt Row, the basement is home to a bar and restaurant fit for another era. Rough Rider, inspired by Theodore Roosevelt and the 1800s, opened in June. The space offers a full food menu, but the real draw are the tea punches, cobblers and classic cocktails. Escape the heat and sip on a refreshing fruity cobbler made with homemade jam or order a steak and sip on a Montezuma's Castle made with mezcal and coco oolong tea.
Details: 1001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-675-0439, roughrideraz.com.
SK Lounge
In July, Surprise restaurant Saigon Kitchen opened a new lounge, converting a space that once held a coffee shop into one of the swankiest spots in the West Valley. Sparkling chandeliers hang overhead and musicians often fill the room with notes from the piano. Cocktails are inspired by the flavors of the restaurant next door and include soft and sweet lychee martinis, boozy Old Fashioned-style drinks made with Japanese Whiskey and maple syrup and a wide selection of wines.
Details: 14071 W. Bell Road, Surprise. 623-544-6400, saigonkitchenaz.com.
Sotol
Downtown Gilbert is packed with bars and restaurants. But the best new spot is a little harder to find. Located atop the building that houses Da'Bayou Creole Kitchen downstairs, Sotol calls itself Gilbert's only rooftop bar. Customers can grab a seat around the edge of the patio to make the most of the view or pick a booth inside at the indoor-outdoor space. A square bar churns out unique cocktails ranging from colorful showstoppers with flames, smoke and other video-worthy tricks, to subtle sippers that really nail it on the flavors. Look for the seemingly random door to the left of Da'Bayou and head upstairs, this Gilbert spot is worth seeking out.
Details: 313 N. Gilbert Road #301, Gilbert. 480-550-6300, sotolmck.com.
TCBC Beer
TCBC Beer isn't a new brewery, but its brand new space is one of the coolest spots in the West Valley. The brewery, owned by best friends Justin Egbert and Paul Power, opened in a tiny storefront near the Wigwam Resort in 2018. After eyeing up the CrossFit gym next door for a few years, the duo finally got the chance to take over the space and expand. Now, the brewery includes a large indoor space decorated with colorful pop-art renditions of famous musicians and a massive outdoor patio. Not only is the beer top notch—try the chocolate cake pastry stout—but the sense of community at this West Valley brewery is tangible. For those who live further east, this spot is well worth the drive.
Details:103 W. Honeysuckle St., Litchfield Park. 623-535-3911, tcbcbeer.com.
Reach the reporter at tirion.morris@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @tirionmorris, on Facebook at Tirion Rose and on Instagram at tirionrose.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best new bars Phoenix: Find cocktails and beer on patios and rooftops
