16 Aug 1st-Aug 7th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | F.Y.P.M. 509 E. Roosevelt St. It can be easy to miss F.Y.P.M., the cocktail lounge tucked into Roosevelt Row’s Disco Dragon. But once inside, you may wonder how you ever skipped over the omni- present glow of electric pink neon. The bar’s name is shorthand for “Fuck you, pay me,” a reference to the movie “Goodfellas,” and the phrase is emblazoned in neon-lit script above the bar. But don’t be put off by the mercenary statement. F.Y.P.M.’s team is both knowledgeable and fashionable in their pink Adidas tracksuits. The bartenders serve the innovative cocktails that landed the bar among the top 10 finalists for Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar by Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards — accolades that are among the highest honors in the bar business. If you’re in need of a bite to soak up some of the booze, you’ll find comforting pan-Asian eats, such as bao buns, karaage chicken and gyoza. Reservations are recommended for this 90-minute bar experience, but at times it’s doable to walk in. J.T.’s Bar & Grill 4829 E. Indian School Road The strip malls spread throughout the Arcadia area are some of the most dense in the Valley. They are jam-packed with all sorts of small businesses including JT’s Bar & Grill. Inside the Indian School Road haunt, you’ll find a mix of regulars chatting with the bartenders and groups of friends gathering to watch the game. Sports memo- rabilia and flags adorn the walls and ceiling in this shoebox-sized spot. Behind the bar, servers pour pints and craft simple cock- tails while a team of cooks puts out baskets upon baskets of wings. JT’s serves burgers, some Mexican food and other fried snacks. But the fried and grilled wings are the money maker. Customers can order two sauce flavors per basket, and if you truly can’t decide, order The Works, a blend of teriyaki, Buffalo and barbecue that creates the perfect pairing for a cold beer. Kid Sister 4810 N. Seventh St. Some things are worth the wait. When we learned that two alumni of Progress would partner with their friends to open what they called a “neo-bistro” and wine bar inspired by their travels around Europe and the U.S., we were intrigued. After facing delays refreshing the former Whyld Ass Cafe on Seventh Street, the wine bar opened in May and has hit the ground running. The intimate spot is vibrant and airy, using an array of desert colors. A condensed wine list offers options available by the glass and bottle, but, like the food menu, it is evolving and often includes off-menu features. The bar also makes use of its collection of old and new world wines with a selection of spritzes. While you could be perfectly satisfied to just sip your wine and take in the aesthetic, we highly recommend pairing your drink with small bites crafted by chef Isaac Mendoza. Legends Never Die 504 E. Roosevelt St. Next door to Pretty Penny, a new restaurant from master mixology team Sam Olguin and Brenon Stuart, lives Legends Never Die. The speakeasy-style bar is the latest cocktail concept from the duo behind Killer Whale Sex Club, F.Y.P.M. and Disco Dragon. Upon entering, your eyes adjust to the blue and orange neon glow as you pick a seat on either side of the singular long table. There are 20 seats and 20 cocktails to choose from, and the unique decor signals that you’re about to embark on an adventure. Olguin and Stewart are fans of mixology techniques that straddle the line between science and sci-fi. Try a crystal-clear drink that tastes like a slice of carrot cake, cream cheese frosting included. Look out for ingredients such as fruit foams and savory oils, and Legends Never Die is a new speakeasy-style bar next door to Pretty Penny. Look for a nondescript door on the east side of the building. (Photo by Tirion Boan) Top 100 Bars from p 14 >> p 19
