14 Aug 1st-Aug 7th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | 12- and 15-year old WhistlePig whiskeys. The lounge is sleek and dark, perfect for a nightcap, and sun seekers will find a cozy patio in the back. There’s always some- thing happening at the bar, with a number of events throughout the week, ranging from trivia and bingo nights to wine tastings and cocktail classes. Catalyst Crafted Ales 1845 E. Broadway Road, Tempe Catalyst Crafted Ales is a paradise for craft beer heads who lean toward big, bold and sometimes irreverent styles and flavors. Inside the brewhouse, which opened in 2023 under brewer Will Walthereson, drinkers will find playful sours, hoppy IPAs and plenty of imperials of the beer and seltzer persuasion. There are more traditional beers on tap, too, such as Vesuvio, an Italian pilsner that drinkers can have poured from Catalyst’s regular taps or via its side pull, a faucetlike tap that creates a European-style pour with a couple extra inches of foam. A pint goes well with an ahi tuna tostada from the in-house eatery S.A.L.T. (short for Sea and Land Tacos). Get comfortable inside at the bar or outside on Catalyst’s expansive patio. After you try one of the brewery’s unique tipples, you’ll already be pondering what to order for the next round. Captains Cabin 5114 N. Seventh St., #2 Next to the entrance of the uptown location of Hula’s Modern Tiki, there’s a second door hiding in plain sight. It looks to be an employee entrance or maybe a storage room. But inside, you’ll find a dark space serving bright cocktails. Tiki drinks in shades of pink and blue come adorned with purple orchids and green pineapple fronds. Spotlights illuminate individual tables and seats along the bar causing the drinks to glow as customers sip them in the darkness. Wood paneling, seaside paintings and other nautical decor complete the vibe. Whether you’re headed to Hula’s for dinner or looking for a nightcap, this tropical hideaway is the perfect spot to stop for a while. Devil’s Hideaway and Idle Hands 401 S. Mill Ave., #101, Tempe The former home of Mill Avenue staple Rula Bula has a new tenant with the addition of not one but two bars: Devil’s Hideaway and Idle Hands. The latest project from Julian Wright, the restau- rateur behind Sake Haus, Lucky’s Indoor Outdoor and Pedal Haus Brewery, the duo of bars offers dueling experiences. Devil’s Hideaway is a casual spot ideal for popping into for a pregame beer and shot or whiling away an afternoon tucked into one of its horseshoe booths. The reservation-based Idle Hands takes the cocktail experience up a notch and aims to transport people to an enchanted greenhouse, with an evening scene in a forest projection mapped across the faux windows and vaulted ceilings. The drink menu features more than a dozen spirited options. Try Cocktail #401 for a tropical and nutty rum-based sipper. Though the experiences at the bars vary, their distinct personalities make each worthy of a visit. Easy Tiger 4725 W. Olive Ave., Glendale Easy Tiger is what you might call a modern dive bar. It’s relatively young in the tooth yet feels like its own little time capsule. That’s intentional. The owners of Peoria’s Driftwood Coffee, Lance Linderman and Luke Bentley, set out to create a comfortable neighborhood spot on the west side of town that was reminiscent of bars from the 1980s or ’90s. Think wood paneling, vintage beer signs and Oasis blasting on the stereo while reruns of “Baywatch” play on TV. And cans of Hamm’s share space in the cooler with Wren House Brewing Co.’s Valley Beer. But the taut list of affordable cocktails and house shooters shows Easy Tiger does more than nostalgia well. Try The Priestess High for the bar’s mezcal-spiked take on a prickly pear margarita. If you’re feeling peckish, Easy Tiger also features snacks including tots, wings and tacos. Devils Hideaway and Idle Hands (pictured) are new cocktail destinations on Tempe’s Mill Avenue. (Photo by Sara Crocker) Top 100 Bars from p 13 >> p 16
