Sara Crocker
Audio By Carbonatix
Craft beer has been part of Uptown Plaza’s drinking options for nearly a decade. And despite the latest turnover, that will remain true. The taproom at the end of the promenade went dark earlier this month, but won’t stay empty for long.
Dynamite Beer Co., a beer-and-wine bar and kitchen featuring live music and pub bites, has closed after more than a year in business. Dynamite announced the closure of their bar at the northeast corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue on Instagram on June 9.
“To everyone who joined us for a beer, live music, trivia, or simply made us part of your routine—thank you. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for the memories we made together,” the post said.
Mike Chapman and his wife Laura opened the Phoenix outpost of their Cave Creek beer and wine bar in February 2025. It marked a homecoming for Chapman, who formerly managed the Uptown Plaza taproom and kitchen for Huss Brewing Co., which operated there from 2017 to 2025.
Dynamite’s original Cave Creek location remains open, while a second taproom and music venue in the north Valley town is under construction.
“With so much ahead, we’re focusing our energy on building the future of Dynamite,” the post said.
What to expect at Sleepy Whale Uptown
In Uptown, pint glasses won’t be empty for long. The team behind the downtown Chandler beer bar and bottle shop The Sleepy Whale plans to launch a craft taproom and kitchen in mid-July, co-owner Tony Fatica estimates.
The Sleepy Whale crew is also behind other popular bars and bottleshops in the Valley, including The Theodore in downtown Phoenix, Beer Barn in Gilbert and Silver King Smoke Lodge, which has outposts in Pinetop and Superior.
Those smokehouses will inform some of The Sleepy Whale’s menu. Silver King’s pitmasters will send brisket, pork, turkey and smoked wings to the uptown kitchen. The Sleepy Whale’s eats will also include bar snacks, such as nachos and candied bacon, as well as lighter bites, including salads.
Diners can order the same “local, super unique, rare craft beer” people seek out at Sleepy Whale, Fatica says. The bar also features “a mixture of old-world and natural” wine, he notes. Customers can also shop beer and wine to-go.
Most of the staff from Dynamite have stayed on board, Fatica says. They’re helping ready the taproom and patio, and, luckily, the industrial aesthetic matches Sleepy Whale’s Chandler space.
“The feeling there already fits what we do,” Fatica says.
The transition of the space to Sleepy Whale Uptown will usher in another new dining and drinking option at Uptown Plaza. Recently opened eateries include Korean sandwich shop Let’s Toast, Sam Fox’s popular all-day New American restaurant The Henry and Oregon ice cream chain Salt & Straw.
“I’m excited to be in uptown,” Fatica says. “That plaza seems to be a really good fit for us, so hoping we can grow on that. Having really awesome neighbors in there, I’m very much excited about that.”
The Sleepy Whale Uptown
Opens in mid-July
100 E. Camelback Road, #160
