Swizzle Inn

The first rule of Swizzle Inn: No Starbucks Parking. The parking lot in this plaza at the southeast corner of 16th Street and Bethany Home Road is tight, and the Swizz can’t be sharing spots with the multitudes of Starbucks fiends the intersection attracts. Opened in 1996, Swizzle's plain outside gives little indication of the fun within. Inside, there's a very specific theme of Christmas at the beach. It is one of finest neighborhood bars in uptown Phoenix, a low-key place with a couple of TVs, a pool table, a jukebox pumping out Queen, The B-52’s, and Willie Nelson, and a half-circle bar behind which the bartender pours nothing particularly fancy — but that’s not why you’re here. Just about every square inch of the ceiling is dressed with tinsel and lights sure to bring anyone a little cheer.