20 Sept 19th-Sept 25th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | No password required, mostly The 10 best speakeasies 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 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 heav- enly cocktail and stellar ambiance. Not to mention, Phoenicians do need a place to beat the summer heat. With that, here are 10 speakeasy-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. Barley & Smoke 10144 W. Lake Pleasant Parkway, #1130, Peoria At Barley & Smoke, the team behind Peoria Artisan Brewery takes a chef’s table and a 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 were 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 balanced, fresh riff on a margarita, using bacanora in lieu of tequila and charred lemon juice in the place 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. Captain’s 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 Captain’s Cabin, a dark space serving bright cocktails. Tiki drinks in shades of pink and blue come adorned with purple orchids and green pineapple fronds. Spotlights shine on individual tables and 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 a while. 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. The drinks here are inspired by the desert landscapes around the world and each features a laundry list of ingredients. 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 topped with a marshmallow fluff float. 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. For a speakeasy vibe, skip the lively college bar and head to the back where the reservation- based Idle Hands takes the cocktail experience up a notch. The experiential bar 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 experi- ences at the bars vary, their distinct personalities make each worthy of a visit. 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 With a kitchen and bar open to a 30-seat dining room, Barley & Smoke puts customers “right there in front of the action.” (Courtesy of Barley & Smoke) The Cave at Quartz (Photo by Allison Young) >> p 22 Captain’s Cabin (Photo by Tirion Boan) ▼ Food & Drink
