23 Aug 10th–Aug 16th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | The drinks here are inspired by the desert landscapes around the world and each features a laundry list of ingredients. The visual presentation is as important as the taste at Quartz, and we’re fans of the Dreamtime, which comes in a funky glass goblet that appears to have melted around a wooden stand. The gin and mezcal-based drink has flavors of honey, lemon and tea. The Tomb of the Fizzy Kitty, which is served inside a ceramic black cat, is a wild take on a whiskey and Coke and comes with an olive coated in fizzy pop rocks. While in The Cave, you can also order cocktails from the front bar where the drinks are inspired by gemstones. Some of the drinks are bright turquoise and emerald colors, but we’re fans of the less colorful but equally delicious Dripping Diamonds made with orange blossom vodka and topped with a marshmallow fluff float, and the Ama Pearl Diver, a fizzy and frozen mix of Japanese rum, sesame shochu with flavors of honey, white choco- late and pear. Rough Rider 1001 N. Central Ave. The Teddy Roosevelt-inspired theme of underground bar and restaurant Rough Rider comes from about 20 years prior to prohibition. But it captures the speakeasy vibe nonetheless. To find the bar, enter the Ten-0-One building on the corner of Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street. A bright, modern lobby will greet you, along with Teddy’s Preserve, a newly added bar and patio on the ground level. Head to the elevators and make sure to pick the middle one. Hit the button for the basement level and descend below the city streets. When the doors open, it takes a minute for your eyes to adjust to the darkness of this lantern-lit space. Grab a table or head to the white marble bar edged with golden bullet casings. The cocktail menu is split into six categories, but the sections for Punches and Cobblers shine. The punches are made with locally sourced loose-leaf teas and the cobblers feature house-made jams. If you’re in the mood for sharing, try one of the “Fancy Features” which serve two, five or ten drinks apiece. Stardust Pinbar 401 W. Van Buren St. Suite C Many speakeasy-style bars around the Valley take design inspiration from the Prohibition era with dim lanterns and dark woods. That is far from the case at Stardust Pinbar, a rainbow kaleidoscope next door to The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. What makes it a secret is how you get in. Enter Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop, a bright pizza counter where you can grab a slice or two. Then, walk down the hallway to the right of the counter and go through a door that looks like it surely must be for employees only. Cross a small hallway and you’ll start to see the shimmer of the enormous disco ball. Ziggy’s counterpart, Stardust, awaits. Grab a drink at the bar — these skew brightly colored and candy-flavored — and pick your adventure. Do you want to take a spin on the light-up dance floor, try your hand at one of the many vintage pinball machines or grab a table to enjoy your pizza? Stardust is loud and fun, with a DJ spinning most nights. So different from many of the moody and dark hidden bars around town, this spot is a party for those in the know. Valley Bar 130 N. Central Ave. As you certainly know, Valley Bar is a hip place. There are drinks, dance parties, games, shows and, of course, a murderous piece of Arizona history told via shadow mobile suspended above the bar. But since the bar’s opening in 2015, there’s been one aspect that grabbed people’s attention — this nightlife spot is hidden underground. Enter via the alley and descend down a narrow, dark, steep set of stairs after flashing your ID. It’s never not fun, and those stairs are never easy to climb back up. The drinks lean political, with names like the Sandra Day Old Fashioned, The Original Sinema and That’s A Ducey, adding to the urban downtown feel. The White Rabbit 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert At The White Rabbit, be ready for a time warp. To find the entrance, look for a doorman atop of descending staircase. Next, you’re led down a dim hallway. You soon reach a bookcase. There is a small white rabbit staring back at you, and once it’s pulled, you fall down the rabbit hole (metaphorically, of course). The ambiance of The White Rabbit directly reflects the Prohibition era, with a dash of charm and luxury. On some nights, there is live jazz music. The vintage portraits you see on the wall have been passed down by the community. You’ll also need a password, which you can get by joining the bar’s mailing list, or if you decided to grab dinner in downtown Gilbert beforehand, your server may help you out. Once you take a seat, pick out a cocktail from the menu, or have the bartender’s specialty. Choose your spirit, and they do the rest. Escape the bustle of downtown Gilbert’s nightlife at The White Rabbit. Tirion Boan No password from p 21
