Phoenix
Bar Guide

The revival of Downtown Phoenix accelerated dramatically in the past decade. Washington and Jefferson Streets now anchor a walkable bar district that holds some of the best cocktail programs in the Southwest. Bitter and Twisted set the standard, and a cluster of strong competitors have set up within a few blocks. The sports bars around Chase Field and Footprint Center pull large crowds on game nights, while the live music venues along Van Buren keep the corridor active well past midnight. The light rail makes getting around easy and parking irrelevant.

Phoenix's arts district runs along Roosevelt Street between 5th Avenue and 16th Street, and the bars here reflect that creative energy. Craft taprooms, low-key cocktail spots, and neighbourhood dives all occupy converted bungalows and warehouse spaces. The First Friday Art Walk brings enormous crowds on the first Friday of each month. Every other Friday, Roosevelt Row operates at a more comfortable scale, which is when the regulars actually show up.

Old Town Scottsdale concentrates a massive volume of bars into a compact walkable area around Scottsdale Road and 5th Avenue. The scene runs upscale and bottle-service-heavy toward the north, looser and more relaxed in the southern blocks near the arts district. Rooftop bars here often have unobstructed views of the McDowell Mountains. The best approach: arrive early, secure a patio spot, and watch the sunset before the evening crowds arrive.

Arcadia sits east of central Phoenix at the foot of Camelback Mountain, and its bar scene reflects the neighbourhood's affluent, outdoor-focused character. Wine bars, cocktail lounges, and upscale gastropubs cater to a crowd that spends mornings hiking and evenings drinking well. Camelback Road is the main artery. Arcadia is the city's best answer to a relaxed, quality-first evening that does not require navigating the intensity of Old Town Scottsdale.

Home to Arizona State University, Tempe keeps its bar scene young and energetic. Mill Avenue is the main strip, running south from the university toward the Tempe Town Lake. The venues here skew loud and collegiate, but several excellent independent bars operate in the quieter blocks east of Mill. The rooftop bars overlooking the lake offer views that the rest of Phoenix's flat geography cannot match.

Midtown Phoenix runs along Central Avenue between the downtown core and the Camelback corridor, and its bar scene is quieter and more neighbourhood-focused than either. Several wine bars and craft cocktail spots have opened in converted mid-century buildings that give Midtown a character all its own. This is where Phoenix professionals go when they want a good drink without a crowd. It rewards the drinker who is willing to look for it.