13 Aug 1st-Aug 7th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | A rizona’s vast deserts are home to a boatload of watering holes. Across the state, more than 7,000 bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms and restaurants serve beer, wine, cider, seltzer and cocktails to thirsty customers. Throughout the metro Phoenix sprawl, there’s never a shortage of bars to choose from. We’ve got everything from rusty saloons to swanky nightlife hotspots, cutting-edge cocktail bars and neighborhood dives. You can even enjoy a tipple inside a replica train car. So it can be difficult to narrow down your options when you’re looking for a great place to stop and sip something cold. That’s where we come in. Every year, we update our list of the Top 100 Bars in the Valley and our selections for 2024 are here. Year after year, many bars continue to deserve their spots on this list. But new ones also make the cut. On the 2024 list, 21 bars are making their debut. And much like the entire list, these new additions range from longstanding dives to elegant cocktail lounges and everything in between. One thing is for sure at every spot on this list — the bartenders know their stuff. So, next time you get thirsty, we’ve got a recommenda- tion for you. Well, 100 recommendations really, with some- thing to fit every mood. Out of the state’s 7,000-plus places to grab a drink, here’s where to start. Barley & Smoke 10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., #1130, Peoria At Barley & Smoke, the team behind Peoria Artisan Brewing takes a chef’s table and speakeasy and mashes them together — with delightful results. The space, which is tucked behind the brewpub’s kitchen, is sleek and stylish, with the open kitchen and bar as the focal point. Plan to arrive stylish yourself; Barley & Smoke has a business casual dress code. Two outstanding sips from the craft cocktail list are the Blackberry Thyme-Out and El Hefe Grande. The former gin-based tipple finds a way to bring out the flavor of its two namesake ingredients. The latter is a fresh, balanced riff on a margarita, using bacanora in lieu of tequila and charred lemon juice instead of lime. Don’t skip the pork belly and cured watermelon to snack on while you sip. With only 30 seats, reservations are strongly encouraged. Buqui Bichi Brewing 21 W. Van Buren St. 325 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler The Sonora-born, award-winning craft brewery chain has brought not one but two taprooms to the Valley. In downtown Phoenix and Chandler, you’ll find Buqui Bichi’s Mexican-made brews, a full bar and a large menu of tacos, pizza, burgers and more. The spaces have an upbeat, ener- gized vibe thanks to live DJs and warm glowing lights that feature the labels of their beers. The brewer’s year-round taps include Banquetera, a crisp, crushable Kolsch-style ale. In the summer months, you also can find a seasonal prickly pear-infused version that adds a hint of sweetness and a bright pink hue. Another Buqui Bichi standard that’s not to be missed is Talega, a warm, roasty coffee stout. The brewpub’s al pastor sopes are a standout among its food options — the perfect snack when enjoying a pint. Butler’s Easy 8375 N. Seventh St. This north Phoenix bar is truly a neighborhood spot, but it serves up more than draft beers and two-ingredient cock- tails. Instead, imbibers will find a large selection of craft cocktails, such as Indoor Smoking, a rye-based old fash- ioned infused with smoke. You’ll also find a solid selection of beer and wine, as well as a deep spirits list. Try one of Butler’s Easy’s splurgy curated flights to sample several at once, with the option to add a cigar. The Whistle Up a Storm flight, for example, features 10-, Speakeasy-style bars Barley & Smoke (left) and Quartz (right) invite customers to sip cocktails in their hidden spaces. (Photos by Barley & Smoke and Grace Stufkosky) 21 new additions for 2024. BY TIRION BOAN AND SARA CROCKER 2024 21 new additions for 2024. >> p 14 Illustration by Emma Randall
