248 Best of phoenix 2023 | WWW.bestofphoenix2023.c0m | septemBer 28, 2023 Hen Rx) inside the Century Grand space, Platform 18 is a 1920s Pullman train car- inspired craft cocktail bar. Once you’re inside the carriage you can find a seat at the bar or at one of the low tables. Screen projections in front of the “windows” make you feel like you’re actually traveling by train, which is cool, but you’re here for the cocktails, which are intricate, inventive, pricey and unforgettable. We already knew that Barter & Shake, the team behind the concepts in Century Grand, were doing some of the best cocktail work in town. Now, the rest of the country knows it, too. Best Low-key Bar THE JOY LUSH CLUB 24 W. Camelback Road, Suite D and E 602-314-5989 thejoylushclub.com Don’t laugh because this bar closes at 10 p.m. (and 9 p.m. on Sundays). That’s part of the charm of The Joy Lush Club. Because not everything in Phoenix’s massive nightlife scene has to be open till 2 a.m., and having a spot for laid-back festivities is crucial in having something for everybody. This little spot may close before others and often caters to a more casual drinking experience, but that doesn’t mean Joy Lush exactly skimps on the beer and wine choices. The club features 16 beers on tap and a rather large curated wine list, plus other offerings outside your standard bar experience. Plus, there’s live music and regular visits from food trucks to round out the evening while furthering that sense of comfort and downtown connectivity. If you’re ready to call it a night before 10 p.m., you can take home some of your favorite beer or wine, a feature that is both awesome and solidifies the bar’s status as a leisurely spot not unlike your very own abode. Partying is all well and good, but why not try a bar that promotes zero expectations and comfortable seats alike? Best Bar for Pregaming RUM RUNNER’S BAR 8355 N. Seventh St. 602-944-8616 rumrunnersbaraz.com Forget opening at 2 p.m.; Rum Runner’s Bar stars slinging suds at 6 a.m. every single day. Even if you’re looking to do more than simply get smashed by noon, you can use all that time to your strategic advantage. That means whether you’re augmenting weekend brunch with more drinking, or starting your night out on the town at 1:30 p.m., Rum Runner’s will be there to cater to your many needs. And it’s not just that this bar is basically like some real-world “Cheers” — it’s got a decidedly impressive set of amenities. On top of your standard bar offerings, there are great deals (like the one for to-go margaritas), free all-day pool, shuf- fleboard and semi-regular goldfish racing, which has to be seen to be truly believed. Is the pirate theme a little silly? Sure, but then that’s sort of the point, as it makes for a perfect level of gimmickry to enhance your partying. In the end, Rum Runner’s is not just a neighborhood bar but a one-stop shop for having fun on your own dang schedule. Best Cocktails in a Courtyard TEDDY’S PRESERVE 1001 N. Central Ave. 602-675-0389 teddyspreserve.com Teddy’s Preserve was inspired by Teddy Roosevelt and aims for a “national park vibe,” but don’t wear your REI zip-off pants and Keens here. This sprawling tree- lined oasis behind the towering Ten-O-One building at Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street is the place for stylish downtown denizens who want expert cocktails, late-night bites and a chill vibe without being cooped up after dark inside a bar or club. You order indoors, where a chic, modern ambiance with custom-tiled walls and oval-backed barstools beckon to those who want to stay in. But it’s better to wander out to the courtyard, where you can relax and sip under the string lights and stars. The inventive drinks list harks back to the 1970s rather than the turn of the 20th century with names like Foxy Mama and Boogie Down, and true to Teddy’s legacy, the business is serious about conservation. It composts, uses no plastic, and turns its bottles into glassware. A food truck churns out comforting plates of corn dogs, turkey legs, quesadillas and more until 11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and midnight on weekends. Best Dive Bar PALO VERDE LOUNGE 1015 W. Broadway Road, Tempe 480-334-7567 palo-verde-lounge.business.site We like to take new acquaintances to Palo Verde Lounge if they’ve never been there before. If they’re horrified, they’re probably not our kind of people. If they immediately settle in for a pickle shot, a game of pool or a smoke on the back patio? Friends for life. The Dirty Verde, as it’s known, has all the necessary criteria of a quality dive bar: zero windows, a truly impressive amount of graffiti (even on the ceiling), bags of chips in lieu of a kitchen, an outdoor area populated by random pieces of patio furniture, plenty of eccentric regulars and a cash-only policy. We sometimes go there for events like DJ nights and concerts, but mostly Palo is our last stop during a wild evening out, when we’re not quite ready to head home and we want to commune with night owls like ourselves.
