The Bar on Central

Whenever entrepreneur Mark Howard gets involved with a bar/restaurant concept, it’s guaranteed to offer an arty bent, tony decor, and luxe libations. Such is the case with FEZ and Bliss/ReBAR, both of which he co-owns, and his newest baby, The BAR on Central. True to form, an enticing selection of high-style signature drinks, champagne cocktails, […]

Bar Smith

Creativity abounds on both floors of this bi-level beatshack located in downtown Phoenix. Bottle-tossing mixologists like Chase Crain show off their furious flairtending skills and whip up handcrafted artisan cocktails at the downstairs bar. Meanwhile, talented turntablists work the wheels of steel from an elevated platform on the rooftop lounge as urbanites and heavenly-looking honeys […]

Barcoa Agaveria

Food festival producer David Tyda says he never set out to be a bar owner. But when he opened Barcoa with Ryan Oberholtzer in 2020, the space quickly became a haven for agave spirit enthusiasts. And, you can choose just how far down the rabbit hole you’d like to go, as Barcoa houses not one […]

Barley & Smoke

The West Valley is becoming less starved for elevated dining experiences thanks to resident restaurateurs like Matt and Kristina Frosch. The couple’s Peoria Artisan Brewery is a go-to for happy hour or hanging on the patio with a pint. At Barley & Smoke, the glitzy chef’s table-meets-speakasy concept tucked behind the brewpub’s kitchen, chef Michael […]

Baseline Pub

If it happens to be your first-ever time ever inside the Baseline Pub and co-owner Tom Panopoulos is about, don’t be surprised if a free shot somehow winds up in front of you. It’s earned the Tempe neighborhood joint a loyal patronage who dig its lovably well-worn atmosphere, the seemingly never-ending buckets of free peanuts, […]

The Beast

The original Cornish Pasty Co., at Hardy and University drives in Tempe is a lovely place to enjoy hearty food and thick beers from the U.K. But it’s more of a restaurant than a bar; it’s even family-friendly to some degree. Do a little exploring inside Cornish, though, and you’ll stumble upon The Beast, which […]

Big Fish Pub

The largish stage located off to the side of this landmark bar and music venue has been graced by plenty of big bands over the years, including Grey Daze (the forerunner of Linkin Park), Eagles of Death Metal, and Hoobastank, just to name a few. And just as its stage has featured an endless amount […]

Bikini Lounge

This wood-paneled Grand Avenue bar has been around since 1947 and used to welcome truckers as they traveled through town on U.S. Route 60. Phoenix has changed a lot in the decades since the tiki drive bar opened, but it still remains a place that sucks you in and dares you to leave. The bartender […]

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

A self-described “cocktailian,” Ross Simon of Bitter & Twisted is known for his tome-like illustrated menus that offer studied riffs on legions of classics, resulting in libations that are proudly “whimsical as fuck.” Among those is the coldest old-school martini in town, which can be sipped in expansive booths upholstered in red leather under sky-high […]

Blooze Bar

The Blooze Bar is the sort of place where NASCAR fans gather to cheer on their favorite drivers and more mature local bands land gigs. Local acts like Cellphone Cowboys and Lit Up play here on weekends — except on Sundays, when Junior, Smoke, and the gang make left turns at high speeds on TV. […]

Bobby C’s Lounge & Grille

Small, slightly upscale bar and restaurant specializing in soul food, and especially catfish. Great place to hang, and enjoy a cocktail or even just a glass of grape Kool-Aid with your catfish nuggets or smothered pork chops. There are superb desserts such as red velvet cake, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. The clientele, mostly African-American […]

Bonfire Grill and Bar

Chef Matt Carter of Zinc Bistro and The Mission created this Scottsdale restaurant’s menu of American dishes with hints of the extravagant, heavy on the skewers and starches, and approachable enough, in ingredients and in price, to appeal to a wide range of diners. Open for lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch, a lavish interior […]