The Spot: The Kettle Black Kitchen & Pub 1 North First Street, Phoenix www.thekettleblackpub.com The Hours: Happy hour runs everyday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. until the restaurant closes The Interior: We were pretty surprised at how bright The Kettle Black is inside considering the downtown…
The Spot: Barrio Queen, Scottsdale and Gilbert 7114 East Stetson Drive Suite 105, Scottsdale 388 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert www.barrioqueen.com The Hours: The restaurant’s new happy hour is every day from 2 to 6 p.m., with a reverse happy hour from 9 p.m. to close Perfect For: A strong margarita and a…
The Beer: Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout The Brewery: Rogue Brewing Company, Newport, Oregon The Stats: 5.7 percent ABV, 55 IBU The Scoop: After one look at the giant bomber bottle dressed up like a bottle of hot sauce, “gimmick” is the first word that comes to mind. But don’t be fooled:…
The Spot: Chart House 7255 East McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale www.chart-house.com The Hours: Happy hour runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday Perfect For: Strong cocktails and fried, seafood appetizers in a swanky environment. The Interior: The Chart House definitely caters to an older crowd; we were into…
The Beer: Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale The Stats: 8.5% ABV | 38 IBU The Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Missouri Boulevard Brewing Company was founded in 1989 and has long been known for making quality beers. The problem for Arizona residents was that these delicious beers were not distributed…
Located on the corner of Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard, Goldwater Brewing Company could be easily missed the blink of an eye. But despite the brewery’s small stature, the beers created here leave a big impression. Since opening less than two years ago, this family business has managed to make a…
The Spot: RedThai Southeast Asian Kitchen 7822 North 12th Street www.facebook.com/RedThaiPhx The Hours: Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. Perfect For: Watching Pokemon and other anime shows while eating Thai appetizers. The Interior: RedThai in Sunnyslope is beautifully decorated with high ceilings, a long bar, a Buddha mural,…
Wits Who & What: Pedal Haus Brewery in Tempe The Beer: Pedal Haus Wit (5.1 percent ABV) Pedal Haus, Downtown Tempe’s new crown jewel (at least, beer-wise), opened in September 2015, first showcasing a lineup of fine craft-centric guest beers. Now that Head Brewer Derek “Doc” Osbourne has had time…
In 1994, Winnie and Evan Hanseth left their corporate jobs to create a Flagstaff local landmark, Beaver Street Brewery. The hot spot gained popularity, as did the beers. Fast-forward 16 years and the Hanseths opened a second location named Lumberyard Brewery, renovating a building from the area’s lumber era. This…
Huss Brewing Company announced this week that brewery favorites Koffee Kolsch and The Husstler Milk Stout will become available in cans. Distribution state-wide will begin next week, and the brewery plans to debut the new canned varieties at the Strong Beer Festival later this month. The Husstler Milk Stout, winner…
The Spot: Roka Akor 7299 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale (480) 306-8800 rokaakor.com The Hours: Happy hour is daily from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Perfect For: Japanese fare with a twist, including sushi and sliders; plus discount cocktails, house sake, and Japanese beer. The Interior: Smack dab in in the middle…
The Beer: Choklat The Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company The Skinny: 10 percent ABV; part of the Blackwater Series of beers Southern Tier of Lakewood, New York, is known for its wide array of beers, but it’s the brewery’s Blackwater Series that steals the limelight. Southern Tier is neither timid…
Looking for the next gem to add to your fine wine collection? Then you might want to snag a ticket for J. Levine Auction & Appraisal’s Fostering Hope: A Fine Wine Auction on Saturday, February 13, in Scottsdale. During the event, rare, prized bottles of wine will be auctioned off to…
For the first time in more than five years, Michael Allmandinger will not be tending bar at The Parlor. Allmandinger, who has been running the show at the well-respected cocktail spot since late 2013, has taken a sales job as a Spirit Specialist for Pacific Edge, a wine and craft…
The Spot: Pedal Haus Brewery 730 South Mill Avenue, Tempe 480-314-2337 www.pedalhausbrewery.com The Hours: Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. Perfect For: Beer and Bavarian-style eats at a massive brewery on Mill Avenue that doesn’t feel like it’s on Mill Avenue. The Interior: Pedal Haus occupies a massive…
The Beer: Duet IPA The Stats: 7.0% ABV; 45 IBU The Brewery: Alpine Brewing Company, a small craft brewery found in the mountains just outside of San Diego, is absolutely beloved by the beer community. The small brewery’s beers were always relatively hard to find, however, so experiencing an Alpine…
A speakeasy-style basement bar in downtown Phoenix? To be honest, it’s been done. But that hasn’t stopped dozens of people from lining up outside Melinda’s Alley, the new cocktail spot at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, every weekend since the hush-hush bar opened early this year. And if you ask…
The Spot: Dirty Martini Bistro & Bar 1140 East Washington Street, Phoenix (602) 566-8959 www.facebook.com/Dirty-Martini-Bistro-Bar-1663459590566089 The Hours: Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday Perfect For: Slightly elevated bar fare with fancy cocktails featuring top shelf liquor at a place that’s close to Chase Field and Talking Stick…
For many Valley residents, winter in Arizona means it’s time to get in the car, drive north, and see some snow. There’s no better place to do that than in Flagstaff, a short two and half hour drive for most Phoenix-area residents, and a city that’s home to a bourgeoning…
Winter has finally come to two of the Valley’s most popular cocktails bars. About two weeks ago, both Crudo and Okra in Phoenix debuted 18 new cocktails that co-owner and head mixologist Micah Olson says are designed with the Valley’s cool season in mind. On the Crudo cocktail menu, you’ll…
It’s hard to call The Rose Room at Valley Bar a speakeasy without provoking a certain level of ire. But there are no red velvet ropes, no password required, and the lack of pretension in the basement lounge is refreshing. Best yet, the cocktails are approachable — as in, devoid…
The Spot: Zu Izakaya Asian Kitchen 2210 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe (480) 625-4372 zuizakaya.com The Hours: Happy hour is everyday from 4 to 7 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. Perfect For: Inexpensive Asian-inspired bites, cheap sake bombs, and sake. The Interior: It’s hard to believe this is where Italian restaurant…
