Going to the Phoenix Open? Here's a partygoers guide to The Greatest Show on Grass
Update: This guide is from 2020. For the latest information, here's your ultimate guide to the 2023 Phoenix Open.
It's that time of year again. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is here.
The tournament opened on Monday, Jan. 27 with two free days during which the public could watch practice rounds, the Coors Light Pro-Am and the San Tan Ford Special Olympics Putting Challenge.
Ticketed days are Wednesday, Jan. 29 through Sunday with Saturday historically drawing the largest crowds. After walking to the main entrance, one white tent announces what attracts crowds to the event perhaps more than golf. Giant green letters spell out "bar."
Here's everything you need to know to make the most of golf's biggest party.
Concession stands sell $13 cans of beer
Past the metal detectors at the security checkpoint but before going under the bridge that marks entrance to the course, there are two places to purchase drinks: The bar tent, which opens Wednesday, Jan. 29, and a Safeway tent that sells soft drinks, beer and snacks.
But for those eager to get to the green, don't worry, there are concession stands, bars and beer gardens sprinkled throughout the 18 hole course.
PHOENIX OPEN: Tickets, parking details, Birds Nest
Concession stands selling hot dogs and hamburgers are dotted throughout the course. Look for small white tents with green and yellow signs. These tents offer bottled soda along with an assortment of domestic beers. Concession stands have 24-ounce cans of beer for sale at $13 per can and are often the closest to the action.
You don't need to bring cash
All official Phoenix Open concessions accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express credit and debit cards. Other vendors may only accept cash, but ATM machines are available at the entrance and throughout the course.
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There are four main venues open to general admission ticket holders, so when the grandstands are full and your feet could use a rest, head to these bars and lounges to grab a drink.
Fan Zone has the most food and drink options
Centrally located and close to the entrance, the Fan Zone offers the largest selection of options when it comes to food and drink.
On one side of the collection of tents, Fan Zone concessions are set up and open will open on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The concessions menu features $9 beer and wine, $10 cocktails and $5 Red Bull.
MORE FOOD OPTIONS: Restaurants nearby in Scottsdale
Across a patch of turf filled with tables and lawn games are three other tents serving a variety of food and drinks. They include:
Zinburger, a Fox Restaurant Concepts gourmet burger chain. The tent serves beer, wine and cocktails along with burgers and chicken. For those who arrive early to catch the first rounds of the day, Zinburger also offers breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, a chain of whiskey bars with three locations in Arizona and one in Nashville. The menu includes $9 beer and wine, $10 cocktails and two frozen drink options, a $12 Jack and Coke and a Red Bull Tangerine Margarita for $14. On Tuesday and Wednesday, this tent opens at 11 a.m. and at 10 a.m. through the rest of the tournament.
Garcia's, a walk up counter along with a bar and beer garden. The Mexican restaurant serves breakfast burritos in the morning before switching to a lunch menu around 11 a.m. The bar is open all day serving $9 beer and wine and $10 cocktails.
It's a hike out to the Craft Beer Desert Oasis
For those looking for options outside of the classic Coors and Miller cans sold at concessions, head to the Craft Beer Desert Oasis between the 6th and 7th holes. This patch of desert is home to a gaggle of beer vendors who open for business on Wednesday.
The area features:
A Blue Moon bar.
A Hop Valley Brewing Company bar.
A Coors Light seating area and deck.
An Arnold Palmer Spiked air stream trailer.
A Saint Archer Brewing Co. bar.
The Craft Beer Desert Oasis is a short walk away from the main action out into the far reaches of the golf course, so this one may be best for those wearing comfortable shoes.
Want a drink and a view? Head to The Ridge
High up on the hill above the course's largest water feature is The Ridge. Getting to this elevated bar and seating area is a workout, but the view is worth the trek.
The Ridge offers bar stools with a wrap-around bar on three sides overlooking the greens, as well as comfy outdoor lounge seating. From one side, customers at The Ridge can view the 6th hole and from the other side, the 11th, 12th and 15th.
The Ridge will offer both food and drinks.
Kiva Club is almost like having club seating
Kiva Club is the Phoenix Open's newest addition, open for the first time in 2020. The double decker tent structure opens on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and is open daily after that from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From the decks of Kiva Club, fans can see the 17th hole. At this new club, general admission fans get the closest to the paid entrance club seating.
Kiva Club will offer food and drink options with a large bar through the center of the area.
Bottled Blonde has shade and couches
Along with the official concession stands and public venues, the Phoenix Open features a few other spots to grab a drink or bite to eat throughout the course.
One of the largest shaded spots is Bottled Blonde. This Old Town Scottsdale pizzeria and nightclub set up shop above the 18th hole with great views of the lake below. Bottled Blonde offers shaded areas with seating along with a comfortable beer garden full of leather couches.
At Bottled Blonde, beer in 16-ounce cans costs $12 and 12-ounce cans cost $11. Cocktails cost $17 and Red Bull is for sale for $8.
Lifebird Grill has hot dogs and beer
Although officially called the Lifebird Grill and labeled as that on the map, find this stand by its huge sign promoting it as the "Home of the Thunderdog."
Hot dogs sell for $7, beer for $9 and all other beverages are $5.
Details: Waste Management Phoenix Open, Jan. 27 through Feb. 2 at 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. wmphoenixopen.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: Phoenix Open: Here's a partygoers guide to the Waste Management Open
