SK Lounge

Set among the suburban chain restaurant sprawl that fills much of Surprise and the West Valley is a swanky local cocktail bar that, while seemingly out of place, fills a need for area residents who otherwise would have to drive quite a distance to find something similar. SK Lounge is a neighbor and sister concept […]

Skeptical Chymist

Looking very much like a kind of place you’d find on the Emerald Isle, Skeptical Chymist is a charming place resembling an old apothecary with rustic wooden furnishings and hundreds of books lining the walls. Besides having an abundance of the obligatory Guinness on tap, you can get ice cold pints of Harp, Bass, Newcastle, […]

Skysill Rooftop Lounge

At 18 floors above the bustle of Mill Avenue, this buzzy spot atop The Westin Tempe flaunts the title of being the highest open-air rooftop bar in the Valley. Order your drink at the bar, the only covered space up there, and stroll around to soak up 360-degree views of downtown Tempe, iconic A Mountain, […]

Spirit House

When you walk into Spirit House, remember that it was once neighboring SanTan Brewing Co,’s junk drawer. Not a drawer, exactly – more like a side room where SanTan folks stored random items such as old kegs, glassware and kitchen stuff. They’ve since converted it into a 49-seat cocktail lounge that’s proven popular among the […]

Spirits Bar & Grill

Roll down the dusty Apache Trail to Mesa, and approaching the city limits you’ll happen upon this sprawling roadhouse and southern-fried venue infused with an aura of rock ‘n’ roll debauchery. Wall-sized posters of such notorious party animals as Tommy Lee and the Beastie Boys seemingly inspire the rowdy times regularly served here up with […]

The Stadium Club

With a name like Stadium Club, it shouldn’t be surprising that the focus of this Chandler joint is all about athletic exploits. Highlights from arenas, stadiums, and other sporting facilities from around the world are broadcast on 25 different high-definition flatscreens, which are constantly tuned to ESPN and other jock channels. Situated just below the […]

Stardust Pinbar

Stardust Pinbar co-owner Ariel Bracamonte had one goal for the David Bowie-inspired pinball lounge he opened in 2019 next to the The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix: He wanted it to be big on fun – or, to paraphrase the late pop/rock icon as Ziggy Stardust, he promised it wouldn’t be boring. Mixing Bowie-esque glam […]

Starving Artist

When O.S.H.O. Brewing + Distillery took over the former location and brewing operations of Helton Brewing Co., the team opted to reimagine the space and create a neighborhood tavern that specializes in cocktails and globally inspired bites. The bar is vibrant and eclectic, with red lampshades, toile wallpaper, loungey leather couches and classic paintings refreshed […]

Steel Horse Saloon

If motorcycling were a religion, then Steel Horse Saloon would be considered a venerated house of worship. This North Phoenix favorite serves as a hawg heaven, rich with motorcycling memorabilia and populated by plenty of rough-and-tough ramblers, as well as blue-collar barflies and weekend warriors who live in nice suburban neighborhoods but like to play […]

Stray Cat Bar & Grill

Pretty young things and tattooed-and-pierced types rub elbows with hip-hop heads and ASU cuties in the nooks and crannies that come together to give shape to this spacious drinkery. Located off the beaten path on University Drive east of the 101, Stray Cat brings in a diverse college crowd who manage to mingle well with […]

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 […]