23 April 6thth–April 12th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | Booze With a View The 10 best rooftop bars in metro Phoenix. BY TIRION BOAN W hile doing research for this list, it became readily apparent that there are two types of rooftop bars in metro Phoenix. Some are all about the view. They feature multiple viewing decks pointed toward the sunset or nearby mountains. The railings that keep customers safe are made of sturdy glass so the vista is undis- rupted. And the fact that they have drinks, and sometimes food, is a bonus. Then there are those that focus on the food and drinks, with creative menus and destination-worthy eats, that just so happen to be on a rooftop. These are the spots where you’ll want to make an early dinner reservation before you relocate to a view- focused patio to watch the sun go down. The wonderful thing about both types of rooftop bars is they all celebrate the Arizona sunshine, provide some instant distance from the busy city streets, and make any spring weekend feel like a luxury. Here are the 10 best rooftop bars in metro Phoenix. Alibi 108 East University Drive, Tempe As far as hotel bars go, Alibi sweeps others off their feet. Adorning the Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown hotel, this high- flying rooftop bar looks southeast across the Valley, offering views of Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains in the distance. The menu pulls from many different inspi- rations to provide a selection of bites perfect for enjoying outside. Fresh poke bowls and light tacos join a selection of flatbreads built for pairing with refreshing cocktails. Add a little heat to your after- noon with the spicy and smoky El Criada, which features mezcal, pineapple, and a Tajin rim. The drinks menu is split into creative specialty cocktails and riffs on classic libations, along with beer and wine. This rooftop bar also includes a covered, indoor section, so customers can enjoy the view even when the wind picks up. Don Woods’ Say When 400 West Camelback Road Brought to Phoenix by the team behind top cocktail bars Bitter & Twisted and Little Rituals, Don Woods’ Say When celebrates long and refreshing drinks tailor-made for sipping on the rooftop as the sun sets. Cocktails are the name of the game here and the menu has large sections devoted to fruit spritzes and bubbly highballs. A supercharged carbonation machine behind the bar infuses drinks with tons of tiny bubbles, resulting in a fizzy refreshment that’s more like Champagne than soda. Pair a bright and botanical drink with savory, salty snacks such as smoked salmon dip or roasted oysters for an evening above the twinkling city lights. Bonus: If you feel like bar hopping without leaving the property, head downstairs for a tropical tipple by the pool at Lylo. Eden 2 East Jefferson Street Located on the third floor of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, Eden isn’t really about the view. While you can peek over the high metal railings to catch a glimpse of the Footprint Center across the street, or peer through walls of trellis and cactus-filled planters to see the city streets below, Eden feels more like an oasis away from the buzz of downtown. And the focus here really is on the food. Head up the elevator or take a few flights of stairs up to the patio and shuffle past families playing in the pool to a seat at the bar or a low table surrounded by soft lounge chairs. Cocktails sweeten the deal, and we’re particularly fond of the Desert Sunset, a locally inspired tipple made with Tempe’s AZ Distilling Co. Commerce Gin and pomegranate liqueur sprinkled with crushed pistachios. The food menu celebrates Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, and we recom- mend starting with the Muhammara, a deep red dip made with roasted peppers and walnuts topped with mint and pome- granate molasses, served with soft rounds of pita. Also, be sure to try the rich lamb meatballs, which are spread with a cool kefir cheese and bathed in a bright toma- tillo harissa sauce. These warm, savory bites will make you forget about the view and focus your attention squarely on the table before you. Floor 13 15 East Monroe Street At Floor 13, the top level of the historic Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown, the focus undeniably is on the scenery. This little bar is mostly a viewing deck with a cocktail list. Customers can sip and stare out at the downtown Phoenix skyline, peek into the office buildings, and wonder what it must be like to live in one of the penthouse apartments that rise above the historic hotel. One cool aspect of the bar is the chance to see the roof of the 1930s art deco hotel. The thick concrete walls have caste- like tops that make up the boundaries of the bar, surrounding a patio of tables and lounge areas complete with string lights and gas heaters. Up here, you are in the elements, so be prepared to feel the sun and the wind. The menu includes a few small bites of food, such as bruschetta and chicken wings, along with strong cocktails. From the Rooftop 222 East Portland Street The streets that make up downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Arts District are packed with restaurants, bars, murals, and buzzy patios. If you want to get above it all and take in the sights with less of a crowd, head to From the Rooftop at the top of the Cambria Hotel on Portland Street. This large space offers a great bird’s-eye view of the popular district along with a look at the lush green of the nearby Margaret T. Hance Park and the mountains in the distance. A central reflection pool bounces the sunset light as customers sip fruity and refreshing cocktails and share snacks such as cauliflower wings and ▼ Café The Perch Brewery >> p24 From the Rooftop Eden Outrider Floor 13 Pedal Haus Brewery The Perch Brewery Don Woods’ Say When Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown Eden Studio Alcott Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown Tirion Boan Lauren Cusimano Pedal Haus Brewery Tirion Boan
