Where to drink
The revival of Downtown Phoenix accelerated dramatically in the past decade. Washington and Jefferson Streets now anchor a walkable bar district that holds some of the best cocktail programs in the Southwest. Bitter and
Explore →Phoenix's arts district runs along Roosevelt Street between 5th Avenue and 16th Street, and the bars here reflect that creative energy. Craft taprooms, low-key cocktail spots, and neighbourhood dives all occupy converted
Old Town Scottsdale concentrates a massive volume of bars into a compact walkable area around Scottsdale Road and 5th Avenue. The scene runs upscale and bottle-service-heavy toward the north, looser and more relaxed in t
Arcadia sits east of central Phoenix at the foot of Camelback Mountain, and its bar scene reflects the neighbourhood's affluent, outdoor-focused character. Wine bars, cocktail lounges, and upscale gastropubs cater to a c
Home to Arizona State University, Tempe keeps its bar scene young and energetic. Mill Avenue is the main strip, running south from the university toward the Tempe Town Lake. The venues here skew loud and collegiate, but
Midtown Phoenix runs along Central Avenue between the downtown core and the Camelback corridor, and its bar scene is quieter and more neighbourhood-focused than either. Several wine bars and craft cocktail spots have ope
Bars are chosen from public information: the bar's own menus and listings, press coverage and reader reviews. Hours, prices and door policies change, so confirm them with the bar before you go. Read our full methodology and editorial standards, or meet the editors behind the reviews.