MEET THE NEW JOINTS ON OUR LIST OF BEST BARS IN THE VALLEY FOR 2023. BY PHOENIX NEW TIMES WRITERS T he dusty sprawl of metro Phoenix is packed with outstanding places to grab a cold drink. And the bar scene here is evolving fast. The western saloons of yore press on thanks to loyal customers, but Phoenix is so much more than the cowboy town it once was. Our cocktail bars will transport you to other dimensions when you board a replica train car, descend steep stairs into a basement filled with agave wonders or head to the rooftops to soar above the city. A host of bar owners and mixologists are pushing hard to earn Phoenix the reputation of being a true cocktail destination. Local bars are racking up national and international awards, and downtown Phoenix is booming with new, colorful, creative drinking destinations. More of a craft beer fan? Breweries are popping up around the Valley, some with their second or third locations. Settle in for a cold one in a cozy bungalow, order a flight in Old Town Scottsdale or crush a craft brew after running around the lake in Tempe. If unpretentious, welcoming and comfortable is more your vibe, the Valley’s dive bars don’t disappoint. Sip strong drinks under strings of twinkle lights, play some pool and catch the game at destinations sprin- kled throughout our desert strip mall sprawl. When narrowing down your almost endless options, turn to our newly updated list of the Top 100 Bars in Phoenix for a curated lineup of all the spots we really can’t live without. Since the Top 100 Bars list was last published in 2021, so much has happened in the Valley and the drinking scene has evolved. Here are 12 bars on our list that opened in 2022 or 2023 and have quickly made their mark. Bar 1912 4130 N. SEVENTH AVE. | 1912PHX.COM Hidden behind the restaurant on Seventh Avenue, Valentine’s love letter to Arizona cuisine continues in drink form. The entry of Bar 1912 is marked only by a neon sign that reads “Cocktails.” Inside, Mission revival-style niches behind the bar framing bottles, but the space’s feeling, down to its staff- curated vinyl, is a nod to Japanese listening rooms. Bar 1912’s menu takes cues from Arizona, including a quintet of cocktails inspired by the state’s five Cs. Try Cotton or Cattle. Cotton packs a playful pista- chio flavor that conjures thoughts of pistachio cotton candy, while Cattle riffs on a classic Manhattan, infusing rye whiskey and añejo tequila with bone marrow. The fat-washing results in a velvety spirit-forward drink without the bite. Chef Donald Hawk and his team crank out elevated bites inspired by classic bar snacks, such as foie gras- stuffed olives and whipped pimento-raclette cheese. This all makes Bar 1912 a solid standalone spot or a perfect part of a splurge-worthy night that includes dinner at Valentine. Central Records Wine Cafe 824 N. CENTRAL AVE. | RECORDBAR.ORG On a quiet stretch of Central Avenue, close to the bustling district of Roosevelt Row, Central Records has put down roots. This new space is a wine bar, record store, coffee shop and cafe all in one. Stop by for a coffee, and then work on your laptop until it’s time to order a bottle of wine to split with friends. In the evenings, DJs spin vinyl records while a giant disco ball casts sparkles across the warmly lit room. Sit near the window, at a table with raw wood banquette seating, or at the low bar if you want to chat to the barista-cum-bartender about the latest offerings. Coabana 1 E. WASHINGTON ST. | COABANAPHX.COM Rum often gets short shrift, relegated to tiki bars and hasty two-ingredient cocktails. At Coabana, a cele- bration of Miami’s Little Havana and Cuba, the spir- it’s complexity is on display throughout the bar’s well-edited drinks list. Here, you’ll find takes on the classics – the Hemingway Daiquiri, the Cuba Libre and the mojito — as well as light-hearted twists such as the Angelina. What started as a riff on a pornstar martini gets a tropical upgrade with aged rum, ginger, banana and, echoing its classic build, passion- fruit. The serving flute is topped with a raspberry Champagne foam and dusted with dried raspberries. The expertise on display should come as no surprise given that Coabana is from the same team FOR THE COMPLETE LIST, GO TO PHOENIXNEWTIMES.COM/GUIDE/BEST-PHOENIX-BARS >> p 15