21 Aug 10th–Aug 16th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | No password required, mostly The 10 best speakeasy- style bars in Phoenix. BY PHOENIX NEW TIMES WRITERS L et’s go back. Speakeasies were a necessary staple of the Prohibition era. That time is long gone, but speakeasy-style bars are still alive and thriving. And there’s something to be said about searching for the entrance, and at some spots, figuring out a password. It’s like a scavenger hunt, where the prize is a heavenly cocktail and stellar ambiance. Not to mention, Phoenicians do need a place to beat the summer heat. With that, here are 10 speak- easy-style lounges for you to channel the Roaring ‘20s and cool off with a cold drink. Bar 1912 4130 N. Seventh Ave. Valentine, a restaurant and cafe on Seventh Avenue, got a lot of attention when it opened its doors in late 2020. But much more quietly, a little cocktail bar opened around the corner. Customers can enter through the restaurant or through a door on the north side of the building and find Bar 1912. The simple yet elegant space features backlit archways that cast a soft glow over a seating area of small tables and a narrow bar. Customers decked out in their most fashionable outfits crowd into the space, hoping to see and be seen. The cocktail menu, much like that of the bar’s connected restaurant, is filled with refer- ences to Arizona. Drinks are inspired by the different regions and ecological zones of the state and feature garnishes such as smoking rosemary and crystalline cotton candy flavored with pistachios. Barcoa Agaveria 829 N. First Ave. When stopping by Barcoa, it’s important to note that the upstairs bar is very different from what lies below. Both are well worth a visit, but downstairs is where the real cocktail magic happens. Enter the colorful cantina from the side door off First Avenue, walk past the taco truck and the string lights, and head downstairs. There, you can pull up a seat at the large, rectangular bar or pick a table around the edges of the dark space. Decorative accents, such as comfortable throw pillows, table runners and artwork, are all imported directly from Mexico. One wall displays a map of the country, outlining where different spirits are made. This bar focuses on everything agave- based, ranging from well-known tequilas to the more unusual bacanora, sotol and raicilla. Curious? Knowledgeable bartenders can walk you through the long menu that includes creations such as the Elote Moda, which celebrates the sweet and earthy flavors of corn through elote mezcal, Abasolo ancestral corn whisky and Licor de Elote. Melinda’s Alley 50 E. Adams St. Sipping on cocktails at Melinda’s Alley is like hanging out in your grandma’s attic but without the cobwebs. In the basement of the Renaissance Hotel, Melinda’s lures trendy patrons, whether they’re celebrating or looking for a more tranquil setting. The lounge is filled with vintage furniture, while the lighting is dim with a crimson hue. The cocktail menu seen one weekend will not be the same on your next visit. The mixologists trade menu responsibilities every weekend. It’s not uncommon for Melinda’s to reach maximum capacity, so try to time your visit right. Find the entrance in an alleyway on the east side of Central Avenue, between Adams and Monroe streets. No password is required, but looking for the bathroom is a comical adventure. The Ostrich 10 N. San Marcos Place, Chandler At The Ostrich in Chandler, the history goes beyond design inspiration. The subterranean bar used to be a storage room for ostrich feathers in the early 1900s and is now a vintage-inspired speakeasy concept named after the basement’s former use. It’s located below Crust, an Italian restaurant at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort. There are two ways down to the bar, one from inside the restaurant (look for a door covered in kitchen utensils) and one from outside (look for a descending staircase and a red light). Antique mugshots, barrels, books and a life-sized ostrich decorate the establishment. Bar stools, high-top tables and leather booths invite customers to sit and stay awhile. Along with craft cocktails, the bar serves draft beer and food. Not sure what to pick? Order the Dealer’s Choice and let your bartender take the lead. Pigtails Cocktail Bar 1 E. Washington St. #128 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. #46-1405 Spread across the Valley, there are two loca- tions of Pigtails Cocktail Bar, both hiding in plain sight. At Desert Ridge Marketplace, Pigtails discreetly neighbors its sister concept, The Whining Pig, and caters to craft drink fans in an elegant setting. Opened in February 2019, the bar features low- hanging light fixtures, shiplap walls with copper accents and excessive plants which create a relaxed and oxygenated envi- ronment for sipping your favorite spirits. Once you’re in the Desert Ridge Marketplace, go across the way from Dave and Buster’s. You don’t need a password, and you get to exit from a secret, bookshelf door. In downtown Phoenix, Pigtails is equally hidden. Head to the heart of CityScape and next to Coabana, another cocktail bar by the same company, you’ll find a nondescript glass front kitchen. Inside, bright lights and white tiles look more industrial than inviting. But a glowing red neon sign that reads “Cocktails” lets you know you’re in the right place. The Cave at Quartz 341 W. Van Buren St. Suite B When you visit Quartz, it’s tempting to grab a seat by the first bar you see, under- neath a large rock overhang strung with glowing rope lights. The front of this dual-concept space has excellent drinks and a dark, moody atmosphere well worth visiting. But for something extraordinary, resist the urge to stay up front and enter The Cave. Around the host stand and through a small hallway, this hidden second bar is a feast for the senses. The shining, mirrored walls and ceiling reflect neon light in a way that’s both beautiful and a little disorienting. Take a seat at one of the booths which are each nestled into private nooks and sip on the small welcome drink while perusing the menu. Venture to (clockwise from top left) The Cave at Quartz, The Ostrich, Barcoa and Bar 1912 to sip drinks while hidden away from the world. Photos by Tirion Boan ▼ Chow >> p 23
