The summer heat has retreated. Nights are cool and the urge to get out pushes you into the city. It's a perfect time to enjoy a brew on the patio. The Valley has plenty of places to do this, ranging from restaurants to microbreweries. Here are some places with patios where you can chill with a cold one.
For about 15 years, Caffe Boa has been known as one of the most romantic restaurants on Mill Avenue and remains a great place to take a date. The twinkle-light-lit patio is beautiful, and inside, the wood and brick decor is simple yet elegant. Get your night started with a glass from the extensive wine selection of more than 50 choices, then dig into one of the scrumptious pasta dishes: The Pola Pola ($17.95) artichoke, ricotta and spinach raviolis is a no-fail, or try one of the premium meats, from swordfish to lamb. If youre in the mood to catch a concert, Marquee Theatre is just a walk across the Mill Avenue Bridge, or listen to live jazz on weekend nights at the restaurant.
Orange Table’s one of Old Town Scottsdale’s best-kept secrets that isn’t so secret anymore, considering a slew of regulars, from students to suits, come for freshly made sandwiches and salads that leave you feeling guiltlessly full. Not surprisingly, the small inside features cheery orange walls to go with the bright and friendly staff, and outside there’s a dog-friendly patio with plenty of shade. Orange Table’s known for its huge sandwiches, including the red Leicester grilled cheese and chipotle chicken melt—be prepared to take some big bites. There are also breakfast offerings and an extended menu for dinnertime, as well as a coffee and beer and wine bar.
Downtown hot spot Coach & Willie's serves up a tasty menu of American foods like pastas, pizzas, burgers and wraps. They go for the Spanglish thing at this upscale neighborhood bar and restaurant with Ritmo Saturdays, with a mix of DJs and live bands offering salsa, merengue, cumbia and hip-hop, with a $10 cover after 10 p.m. There's also a second floor VIP and patio bottle service. Even though it's Arizona, guys can't wear sandals - sorry. But they make up for it by offering $3 16-ounce Bud Lights and Parrot Bay drinks until 11 p.m., when the line really starts to get long. The party goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.
Indulge in a little 1930s-style glamour at Wrigley Mansions swanky and sophisticated lounge. The bar is all dark, rich wood, lighted with small lamps with shades made from peacock feathers. Top-notch jazz musicians perform on weekends, and the patio offers one of the finest Valley views you can get without taking off from Sky Harbor. The specialty-cocktail list includes creative concoctions such as the Butterbaby, a mix of Bailey's Irish Cream and butterscotch schnapps topped with a creme de cacao float and served in a Butterfinger-crusted, old-fashioned glass. Because of zoning regulations requiring Wrigley Mansion to operate as a private club, frequent-diner memberships are $10 a year. The money is donated to charity.
Iguana Mack’s has tasty cheap Mexican and bar food, and the place also boasts live music and comedy nights, but people of all ages come here for the delish drink specials they enjoy inside the restaurant area or outside on the cute patio. Pick up a featured microbrew for only $3 on Monday’s after 4 p.m.; Tuesday’s means $2 beers and $3 liquor after 7 p.m.; on Thursday’s ladies get it good with $1 well, wine, draft and tini-martini specials after 7 p.m.; and happy hour means $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 wells and $3 house wines every day from 2-7 p.m. and Sunday-Wednesday from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. If you’re a Red Stripe fan, they’re only $2 all the time.
Sure theres corned beef and cabbage, and fish and chips. But theres also boxty, a traditional griddled potato pancake rolled around Guinness-braised beef. And you dont have to be Irish to enjoy the nightlife here. Rula Bula is one of the busiest spots on Mill Avenue, drawing crowds for its laid-back atmosphere, huge patio seating and live music.
Part of the La Grande Orange/Postino stable, this bustling place does everyday fare in a big way: Fish tacos, pan-fried chicken, short-ribs hash and pan-seared salmon keep the crowds coming. The patio is one of the best in the Valley, with gorgeous light-wood decking, tiered planters filled with vines and bright flowers, and a view of the canal and all the lush greenery surrounding it. The crowd is more sophisticated, skewing around 25 and older, and the menu notes that cellphones and anything deemed “canal wear” are unwelcome. (No word on what canal wear is — perhaps a life preserver? Running shorts?) But it's not a snobby restaurant and bar, just an upscale one.
Reata Pass Steakhouse is steeped in history — and you could say the tasty, cheap food is sort of a landmark, too. The old stagecoach stop now is one of Arizona’s most authentic Western restaurants, with wagon-wheel benches, stone hearths and pictures of cowboys decorating the walls. There also is a huge patio with picnic tables, so you can have a star-filled meal. The steak house has one of the best rib-eye deals in town: You can get a 12-ounce steak for less than $25.
The Paisley Violin cafe has a central spot on Grand Avenue, near downtown arts venues Soul Invictus, Trunk Space and Dues ex Machina and nightclub Chez Nous, so you don’t have to travel far to have a great night out in downtown Phoenix. In addition to serving a tasty variety of world coffees and sweet baked goods, the cafe also features a vegetarian-friendly, eclectic menu with cheap Greek, Cuban and Asian sandwiches, salads and appetizers. The Paisley looks straight out of Europe, with a wooden bar, hanging lights, and classy paintings and photos. There also is a pretty patio, and you’re bound to hear some live music or poetry readings here.
There may not be a beach near an ocean in Arizona, but at Sandbar Mexican Grill, you still can hang out with the sand beneath your feet. The restaurant features a sand-covered patio and cabanas and has been known to host bikini contests for its young, trendy clientele. Inside, the restaurant continues the beachy vibe, with bright colors, straw-covered walls and tables, and beach photos. The restaurant is popular for dancing to the DJ’s pop music at night, and it contains pool tables and 30 flat-screen TVs. Dig in to tasty fare such as shrimp fajitas ($14) or the honey guajillo chicken sandwich ($9).
There may not be a beach near an ocean in Arizona, but at Sandbar Mexican Grill, you still can hang out with the sand beneath your feet. The restaurant features a sand-covered patio and cabanas and has been known to host bikini contests for its young, trendy clientele. Inside, the restaurant continues the beachy vibe, with bright colors, straw-covered walls and tables, and beach photos. The restaurant is popular for dancing to the DJ’s pop music at night, and it contains pool tables and 20 flat-screen TVs. Dig in to tasty fare such as shrimp fajitas ($14) or the honey guajillo chicken sandwich ($9).
You might end up here after a night of barhopping on Mill Avenue, and the Tavern on Mill is a great place to finish your run because of its good-looking crowds and wide alcohol selection. There also are 30 TVs to check out the latest sporting events on, and the dance floor always is crowded on weekend nights because of the DJs. The Tavern’s kitchen serves bar food with some Mexican items thrown in, and breakfast is served from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays and Sundays. You can munch on the goods outdoors on the large patio.
Sushi continues to be popular in the Valley, and Sapporro is a great place to get your fix. The firelit patio is always packed at this north-Scottsdale hot spot, filled to the brim with beautiful young adults drinking and dining. Inside, the blue-lit restaurant, complete with a large fish tank, is bustling as people chow down at the classy glass tables or watch sushi chefs in action. Try the huge Komodo Dragon, and pair it with the tasty grilled-salmon salad ($13). Later at night, the restaurant bumps popular songs, making it a fun nightlife spot.
Young adults flock to the Salty Senorita, regularly packing its patio during happy hour, from 3-7 p.m. daily. The beachy atmosphere is laid-back, with bright colors and mermaid decorations adorning the restaurant. During happy hour, enjoy $5 food items and cheap drinks, including $2.50 Bud and Bud Lights and $4.50 house margaritas. You also can try Marco’s Fish Tacos ($10.50), with blackened mahi, chipotle aioli and shredded cabbage, or go for a Rustic Street Taco Flight ($16), with steak, chicken and pork tacos. There also is a brunch menu from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, so you can nurse that hangover as you people-watch on the patio.
Owners Joe and Myrah Aiello brought their Italian sensibilities from New York City to the desert. While the pairs former East Coast restaurant garnered national accolades, the new spot has fast become popular for its handcrafted dishes made with imported Italian ingredients. The restaurant is classy yet homey, with burnt-orange walls and white-linen-covered tables, plus a granite bar top. Outside, the romantic patio features soft lighting. If you head there for lunch, expect similar portions to the dinner fare but cheaper prices and new options variety of sandwiches with french fries are available, including the Rapini Civilate ($9). There also are 20 types of pasta to choose from for dinner, including the ravioli of the day ($22) and the tortolloni alla panna ($16), with peas and prosciutto. For dessert, try the creamy tiramisu ($8).
Beginning around 4 p.m., the large bar at this upscale Mediterranean restaurant fills with well-dressed men and women, often lined up three deep for cocktails and small plates. Part bar, deli, gelateria, market and restaurant, the large space has high ceilings, glass walls doubling as wine "cellars" and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, finished with dramatic deep-red curtains and pretty pendant lights. The generous waterfront patio is appointed with low couches and tables, as well as fountains and decorative trees. On Fridays and Saturdays, Mr. P-Body spins a mix of new wave, electro-pop and up-tempo lounge music.
Hop off the light rail at and enjoy a Light Rail Cream Ale
Gordon Biersch may primarily be a brewery, but it also is known for having a great mix of eclectic food, from Cajun to Asian. Find blackened ahi tuna, hummus and goat-cheese salad, and pasta jambalaya at the casual restaurant, and try to score a seat on the patio. Wash everything down with one of the five Bavarian-style lagers on tap.
Gordon Biersch may primarily be a brewery, but it also is known for having a great mix of eclectic food, from Cajun to Asian. Find blackened ahi tuna, hummus and goat-cheese salad, and pasta jambalaya at the casual restaurant, and try to score a seat on the patio. Wash everything down with one of the five Bavarian-style lagers on tap.
Gordon Biersch may primarily be a brewery, but it also is known for having a great mix of eclectic food, from Cajun to Asian. Find blackened ahi tuna, hummus and goat-cheese salad, and pasta jambalaya at the casual restaurant, and try to score a seat on the patio. Wash everything down with one of the five Bavarian-style lagers on tap.
Gordon Biersch may primarily be a brewery, but it also is known for having a great mix of eclectic food, from Cajun to Asian. Find blackened ahi tuna, hummus and goat-cheese salad, and pasta jambalaya at the casual restaurant, and try to score a seat on the patio. Wash everything down with one of the five Bavarian-style lagers on tap.
Class meets sass at this upscale, trendy nightclub that's a favorite among celebrities, including Britney Spears and Matt Leinart. The bar is basically a huge dance floor with a few tables lining the walls, and the patio is a relaxing, cozy place to hang out at because of the cushy seating. Sip a tasty and strong blueberry-pomegranate martini, made with blueberry vodka, pomegranate juice and fresh blueberries while you mingle or take in a fashion show. The real draw at Jackrabbit is the tame burlesque show, where gorgeous women prance on the stage to jazzy tunes. Dont get too excited, though theres no nudity.
The north-Scottsdale Chop & Wok, which has been around for more than 20 years, serves innovative Asian and Hawaiian selections in a rock-music atmosphere. The order-at-the-counter spot (which is popular for takeout) has a modest patio that hosts bangin’ concerts and a bar filled with smashed guitars — no wonder, because owner Jamie Mather plays in local band Blanche Davidian. The eatery has some of the best wonton soup ($6.99) around, with bok choy, chicken breast and jumbo shrimp making a selection large enough for two people to share as a meal. Give the classic Hawaiian blue plate special a try, too — it contains filling teriyaki chicken and a green salad for $5.50.
Located at the Arizona Grand Resort, this charming eatery serves authentic Mexican fare, from chicken, shrimp or beef fajitas to homemade tamales. Pair the meal with margaritas and award-winning salsa and chips, and if the weather is cool, dine al fresco on the candle-lit patio. Visit on a Friday or Saturday night to be serenaded by a strolling mariachi singer, or come during happy hour, 4-6:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, for drink specials.
Young adults flock to the Salty Senorita, regularly packing its patio during happy hour, from 3-7 p.m. daily. The beachy atmosphere is laid-back, with bright colors and mermaid decorations adorning the restaurant. During happy hour, enjoy $5 food items and cheap drinks, including $2.50 Bud and Bud Lights and $4.50 house margaritas. You also can try Marco’s Fish Tacos ($10.50), with blackened mahi, chipotle aioli and shredded cabbage, or go for a Rustic Street Taco Flight ($16), with steak, chicken and pork tacos. There also is a brunch menu from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, so you can nurse that hangover as you people-watch on the patio.
Young adults flock to the Salty Senorita, regularly packing its patio during happy hour, from 3-7 p.m. daily. The beachy atmosphere is laid-back, with bright colors and mermaid decorations adorning the restaurant. During happy hour, enjoy $5 food items and cheap drinks, including $2.50 Bud and Bud Lights and $4.50 house margaritas. You also can try Marco’s Fish Tacos ($10.50), with blackened mahi, chipotle aioli and shredded cabbage, or go for a Rustic Street Taco Flight ($16), with steak, chicken and pork tacos. There also is a brunch menu from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, so you can nurse that hangover as you people-watch on the patio.
This 5,200-square-foot restaurant houses a winery and wine bar, which pours Kokopelli’s Arizona-grown wines by the glass or by the bottle. Unwind with a glass of wine and a platter of assorted cheeses, dried fruit and chocolate inside or outside on the 1,500-square-foot patio. The menu for the sister to the Chandler location features appetizers and nosh platters; panini; pasta; and daily pork, chicken and seafood entrees as well as steaks and Kobe-beef burgers. Beer lovers aren’t left out here: There’s a decent selection of microbrewed, imported, organic and domestic offerings.
This dark bar features live music almost every night, with some big names gracing the stage, including the Format and Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World. Last Exit also hosts open-mike nights, so locals have a chance to show off their stuff. Three-hundred people can squeeze into the space, which includes an outdoor patio. Depending on the act, there may be a cover charge, so check before you go.
The elegant piano bar inside the Phoenician lobby is the go-to place to sip on fancy drinks or snuggle up next to the fire pit during cooler months. Light up a cigar on the patio to admire the multicolored sunset and panoramic views of city lights. The drink menu boasts domestic and imported scotches, whiskeys, brandy, beers, Cognac and tequilas. Guests also can fill up on dishes from the neighboring Il Terrazzo, including Margherita pizza, Bolognese pasta and tiramisu.
This nightclub may not exactly evoke your favorite beach vibe, but itll feel like youre back at spring break with the rowdy crowds who hang out here. Girls dance on platforms, and the rest of the floor gets busy as DJs spin your typical Top 40 music. Its right off Mill Avenue, so the people who come are typically young and good-looking. If dancing isn't your thing, the venue serves bar fare, which you can munch on outside on the patio. Head there Thursday for penny tacos and 99 cent margaritas.
This sprawling sports bar has all the requirements: a huge patio, pool tables, shuffleboard, TVs, hot waitresses and good ole American food — plus, there’s live music Thursdays-Sundays. The grub may be standard, but it also packs a tasty punch. Try the raspberry-chipotle-coated boneless wings ($6.99 a dozen) or the barbecue Cheddar melt sandwich ($8.99), topped with “fizzled” onion strips. Also, be sure to have a basket of fries with your meal ($3.99) — at CK’s, the spuds are deliciously beer-battered.
Suede is one of the classiest bars in Old Town Scottsdale, with sleek lighting and interior design, not to mention a notoriously upscale crowd. The bistro features a European-Asian menu, but it’s no wonder its nightlife is so well-known, considering the consistently massive crowds who go to mingle or take in special events such as fashion shows. On the patio, relax on comfy lounge chairs. Inside, chat up the patrons in the middle of the two huge bars. The dance floor is usually packed, as DJs spin the latest dance music.
Martini Ranch may seem like your typical Scottsdale nightclub, where upstairs in the Shaker Room, DJs spin the hottest Top 40 and dance music. Downstairs, though, the nightclub has become a reputable music venue with some of the nation’s best musical acts, not to mention local standouts, taking the stage. Mandy Moore, Vanessa Carlton and Josiah Leming have all performed at the Ranch, and the club has created one of the most popular Sunday-night-out destinations, with cover band Metalhead performing each week. If music or dancing isn’t your thing, chill out on the sprawling patio or grab a drink from one of three bars.
To step into this Baja cantina is to instantly go on vacation, from the appropriately landscaped patio to the animal-print barstools. And don't be surprised if the owner comes to say hello looking as if he just got off his surfboard while you're enjoying his incredibly valued fish tacos, steak burritos or cheeseburgers. Live bands are featured Fridays and Saturdays, while "Jami-oke" (live band karaoke) happens Thursdays.
This is one of the trashiest bars in Old Town Scottsdale because of its dingy atmosphere (despite the colorful patio), but it’s also fun because of its rotating daily activities, ranging from karaoke to dildo plinko — there’s also a Wheel of Booze, where you can try to score great drink specials. The bar also has amazing drink and food specials — from 4-7 p.m. daily, enjoy half-price food and $2 well cocktails, glasses of wine and beer pints. Plus, pitchers of beer are $7.50 daily. Food includes lots of shrimp and fish choices, plus standards such as sliders and quesadillas.
This tiny wooden house turned bar on the corner of Indian School Road and Goldwater Boulevard stands out in Scottsdale for being the antithesis of this city’s swank glamour. Inside, the place has low, pitched ceilings, and outside, a second bar serves the wraparound patio. But while it’s small, it’s no dive. The place is funk-free and popular with people who have real jobs. Jim Brower runs the bar, which his parents opened in 1959, and it’s a must-visit during the holidays. From Halloween through New Year’s Day, Brower decorates every inch of the bar in Christmas wrapping paper, lights, candy canes, ornaments and tinsel. It’s like being inside a Christmas tree. And it’s breathtaking.
Patrons of Pier 54 come here for the atmosphere: lake views, al fresco seating, an outdoor bar and live music on Fridays. The menu is limited, but during the cooler months, you won’t mind munching on such items as soups, pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and build-your-own burgers at this patio cafe as the breeze tickles your face.
Suite 301 is one of the classiest bars on Mill Avenue. Inside, white drapes partition off cushy private couch areas, and the clubs dim lighting is offset by candles lining the bar and tables. Outside, lounge on a comfy bed or mingle while listening to the DJs spin dance tunes. The patio overlooks Mill Avenue, so you can spy on all the people below. While the bar is ultra-chill on weekdays, Fridays and Saturdays get packed, especially because of the Pole Wars contest in which women take turns on the club's poled platforms. Sip on a Sweet 301 martini, made with raspberry vodka, Blue Curacao and Chambord.
This favorite among gay men really loves its fellas. It gives patrons a $10 martinis-and-manicures special every Mondays, plus theres karaoke Sundays and one of the best drag shows in the Valley every Thursday. In addition to the fun entertainment, the beautiful, Roman-inspired, brick-walled bar is peppered with chandeliers and columns, and is a chic place to hang out. Outside, the patio always is packed with people, sipping on yummy cocktails such as watermelon-tinis or munching on items from the reasonably-priced bar menu.
This bar on Mill Avenue is always boppin’ because of its attractive crowd and specialty daiquiris, ranging from the White Russian to the Tropical Itch, made with bourbon and rum. You also can chow down on standard bar fare, from burgers to wings. Enjoy sipping while listening to a DJ inside, or head out to the patio with your goodies for some people-watching.
This Irish pub is a great place to go after an event or to hang out and people-watch from the patio. The restaurant is covered in Irish decorations, and the crowd always is noisy and fun. Maybe that’s because the bar features 10 draught beers on tap and a huge selection of Irish whiskey. The place is popular for its traditional boxty dishes, so try the steak and Guinness stout boxty ($9).
Casey's is special for three reasons: its awesome wrap-around patio, its haunted legend and its Jimmy Eat World-inspired fame. Make friends with some of its tattooed, artsy regulars on the patio, which is lit with twinkle lights year 'round and has a kickback atmosphere that encourages strangers to become easy drinking buddies. The place is a weekly hotspot for granola girls and emo boys to enjoy a Kilt Lifter or stiff drink, and the Irish bar and restaurant also sports a "Blarney" stone in the men's outdoor bathroom.
This casual eatery draws the Arizona State University and downtown-Tempe crowd with its menu of affordable Mexican classics. It’s centrally located, making it a great place to recharge after a night of barhopping or an ASU game. Sit on the patio to people watch, and dig in to burritos, tacos, tortas, quesadillas and enchiladas. Sit at the bar to watch sports on the flat-screen TVs overhead and sip on beer and cocktails.
This neighborhood bar/retail store with I Love Lucy memorabilia has a relaxed patio with a view of the golf course and live music some nights. Thin-crust pizzas and bruschetta are favorites, but if the night gets chilly, don't miss the yummy homemade soups. Choose from hundreds of bottles of wine, or order by the glass.
Radio/TV host Adam Carolla has hung out at the Horse & Hound Sports Grill, a place where the patio gathering always is huge and tons of guys come to watch the latest sports games. The bar is covered in Arizona sports memorabilia, and it’s common to hear cutthroat cheering in the eatery. The grill features off-track betting, shuffleboard, billiards, darts, pinball and arcade games, in addition to poker Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The patio is bustling at Loco Patron, where the young, good-looking crowd comes for cheap Mexican eats, big margaritas and mingling. The small restaurant isn’t anything fancy, but the food comes in big portions and is tasty. Stick with the appetizers, which are cheap and filling. The cheese crisp ($5), a Mexican-food standard, is piled especially high with cheese here. Pair it with a prickly-pear margarita before you move outside to people-watch.
Its cool to be a cowboy or cowgirl at Cadillac Ranch, a Western bar. This Tempe hangout with rock-star flair feels more like an Old Town Scottsdale spot and sees designer-duds-outfitted young people populating the bar and patio. Dont be surprised to see girls in short skirts riding the mechanical bull and loads of people dancing to a mix of country, hip-hop and pop on the dance floor. If you head here for dinner, try some Texas wings ($8.75) or a half-pound Cadillac burger ($9.75) just dont anticipate any heavy conversation, because Cadillac Ranch keeps the music loud.
This little, dark bar is a great place to go to escape noisier nightclubs in Old Town Scottsdale. The bar evokes a swanky vibe with leather chairs and intimate lounge areas, while the dance music emanating from the speakers gives it a contemporary feel. Small groups may dance throughout the bar, while others head outside on the patio to chill out. The staff recommends trying the chocolate chip cookie dough martini.
Hard to find — south of Bethany Home Road, tucked behind a ballet school — and easy to like, the eatery has a cozy dining room, open-air patio and full-service bar. Among the culinary highlights are tequila shrimp and pollo ajedrea, chicken breast wrapped around goat cheese, spinach, dried apricot, diced shrimp and mushrooms. After dinner, settle in on the patio with a specialty cocktail such as the Fuego Martini, or enjoy mouth-watering desserts like cream-cheese flan or tres leches cake.
This neighborhood restaurant has a large patio with an outdoor bar and dining areas and menu items such as tacos, quesadillas and chimichangas.
Create your own faux Mexico escape at Dos Gringos Trailer Park, a popular destination in Tempe that has no pretensions, just cheap prices. Get your in-state vacation started by sipping $2 Corona and Corona Lights while hanging out at the brightly colored picnic-table areas, and listen to live music. Dos also features an awesome happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays with $1 shots. The same special goes down during reverse happy hour from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays. And if you’re a late-night nosher hankering for some Mexican food, menu items are $4 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.
This is the third Dos Gringos Mexigrill neighborhood patio bar and restaurant. Inside the building is an enormous courtyard patio, complete with an outdoor bar and dining area. Dine at one of the high-top tables, relax at one of the booths or sit at the bar … if you can find room. Menu items include tacos, cheese quesadillas and chimichangas.
If you’re looking for a more casual alternative to some of the fancier nightlife options in Old Town Scottsdale, Dos Gringos is the place to go. Here, wearing flip-flops and T-shirts is the norm, and people get wild and crazy regularly. Congregate at one of the picnic tables, and get ready to talk loudly, since the bar usually is packed. Dos Gringos features an awesome happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays with $1 shots. The same special goes down during reverse happy hour from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays. And if you’re a late-night nosher hankering for some Mexican food, menu items are $4 daily from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Mill Avenue gets a touch of class from La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar, a hip pizza joint where diners can enjoy their pies while lounging on couches out on the patio, where people watching is great, or inside the art-filled dining room. While the thin-crust artisan pizzas are a must-try, with varieties such as the chicken and pesto and the harvest mushroom, the eatery also offers bruschetta, salads and sandwiches.
Sunnyslope may not exactly be known for its trendy hipster hangouts, but Bomberos Cafe and Wine Bar gives cool kids up north a place to sip wine, nibble on small plates and listen to live music. There’s a catch, though — all the wines here are from South America. Not that it matters. The selections are rich and robust and go well paired with panini, bruschetta or cheese. Relax inside the brick-walled, candlelit interior, or head out to the patio, which features live music. Bomberos also serves coffee and pastries starting at 7 a.m. daily.
Acme Bar and Grill serves up traditional bar fare with greasy appetizers and standard salads and sandwiches, but it’s really popular for its weekly drink specials and attractive crowds at night. Before you hop on the bar to dance (which is an option here if the space isn’t too crowded), imbibe $3 well, wine or domestic bottles during happy hour from 3-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Ladies get lucky Friday and Saturday nights with penny drinks from 8-11 p.m. Head out to the patio, which is always packed with young people mingling, or play pool inside.
Phoenix neighborhood bar the Vig garners hipsters from all over the Valley for its sleek decor and menu full of tasty American burgers, sandwiches and salads. Try a VigAzz Burger, with bacon, Gouda and arugula if youre daring, add a fried egg to that bad boy. Vigs patio is a perfect spot to unwind; it features a bocce-ball court and a fireplace for when the sun goes down and temperatures dip. Plus, trivia cards are scattered on tables, and you can check out the live bands around 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 3-6 p.m. Sundays.
This Tempe microbrewery offers a good selection of locally made beers as well as seasonal or daily specialty brews such as cask-conditioned ales. Barley wines are tapped on the first of every month, and a pumpkin porter is available now. Hopheads will enjoy the Hop Knot IPA or Raj IPA. The brew masters also bottle a couple of beers - Eighth Street Ale and Kilt Lifter - and distribute them in the Valley. The food isn't bad, either.
This outfit has several Valley locations and a good selection of locally made brews. Many locations have patios, but the one in Phoenix's Ahwatukee area is dog-friendly. Try the Desert Trail Pale, an American pale ale; Raptor Red, an American amber ale; or Dream Catcher Light, a lager.
This friendly hideaway has something that not all beer joints offer: live music. Every night. Monday is blues; Thursday is open-mike. There's a fire pit on the outdoor patio (known as the camp). A farmers market is held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays in the camp. Cave Creek Coffee Co. has a good wine selection and several beers on tap or by the bottle. Choices include Kilt Lifter, Longhammer IPA and Sierra Nevada on tap. Oak Creek Nut Brown Ale and Jimmy Buffett's Land Shark Lager are available by the bottle. The menu has been upgraded to include pastas and salads.
This is a restaurant, not a microbrewery, but the Arizona Center location offers a great place to kick back and enjoy good food and a cold beverage. A waterfall adds pleasant background noise. Sam's specializes in Southwest foods, skillfully blending American and Mexican cuisine. Try the Desert Fire pasta or the blackened fish tacos.
Pinnacle Peak Patio has seating for more than 2,000 people in eight areas, including a patio lined with paloverde trees and featuring a dance floor, band stand and private entrance; the cozy lower and upper levels with a fireplace and bar; and the Sunset Patio, which is separated from the rest of the patio by a river-rock wall and overlooks a cactus garden. At this restaurant and brewery, you can get traditional barbecue and Western food as well as microbrewed beers and both house and premium wines.
After the lights go low at Bar Smith, which features an American, pub-style menu, the space transforms into one of downtown Phoenix’s hottest nightclubs with a diverse clientele.
The Billet Bar, in Old Town Scottsdale, is one of the Valley's premier biker hangouts. A front porch looking out onto busy Scottsdale Road lets visitors watch as Harleys, choppers and sport bikes pull up. Pool, jukeboxes and big-screen TVs showing sports are popular, as is the Paradise Patio out back. Offers a full menu with items such as pizza and burgers.
Dont come to Pearl Sushi expecting a mind-blowing meal. The sushi here is OK, but its really all about the scene, as beautiful people flock to the Old Town Scottsdale restaurant to nibble and mingle, especially on the people-watching patio. The bar features concoctions such as the Pearl Jam, a coconut vodka martini, and the Gekkeikan Nigori sake. Pair the trendy drinks with one of the restaurants signature rollsthe pearl necklace, with yellowtail and shrimp tempura, is really tasty.
One of Valley's most elegant resort and spas is also home to an incredibly swanky bar with spectacular views of Paradise Valley and Camelback Mountain. At night, million-dollar homes studding the Valley and the peaks glitter in the quiet darkness, and the buzzing sounds and glaring lights of Phoenix and Scottsdale are blocked by the mountain. The minimalist, modern bar is walled with windows and surrounded by a secluded wraparound patio with a fire bowl that positively begs you to take your enormous martini outside to gaze into the distance.
Kai manages a dazzling fine-dining trifecta: pampering service, gorgeous patio views and fabulous fare. Lobster fry bread, filet mignon topped with Cabrales cheese and Kurobuta pork rubbed with coffee and chile keep you on the edge of your seat. The fine-dining experience here, inspired by a unique menu showcasing regional and tribal bounty, is as good as it gets in Arizona.
The Euphoria Bar and Bistro’s laid back, high-quality feel makes good use of its proximity to ASU’s main campus, serving up fresh Mediterranean food in a relaxing, clublike atmosphere. Hookah service with 43 flavors is available on the outdoor patio, while the kitchen serves up gyros and pita pizzas until midnight. The bar offers a range of alcoholic concoctions, including its signature Euphoria Martini. A DJ spins an eclectic mix of dance tunes on Thursdays and Fridays.
There’s a lot of history running through OC Seven, in the Scottsdale Resort Club. The establishment’s name is drawn from the owner’s family patriarch, O.C. Hing, who immigrated to Phoenix in 1912. The decor boasts a relaxing feel with various earthen hues chosen to accentuate the desert landscape. Outside, canvas umbrellas and casual furniture grace the patio. The menu features traditional Asian and continental cuisine, with dishes such as Asian short ribs and hazelnut halibut.
If youve always wanted to take a gondola ride but just cant make it to Italy, head to Alto ristorante e bar, where every dinner includes a free ride along the waterways of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort Spa at Gainey Ranch. The gondola is not the only attraction, though the food and views are just as enticing, with tasty Italian dishes such as chicken with roasted tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella ravioli. If you eat outside, grab a seat by the terrace fire pits.
This neighborhood Irish pub and sports bar offers TVs on which you can watch your favorite NFL games. Sitting on the patio is recommended at this place known for its many choices of flavored chicken wings and pints of Bushmills. Oh, and there’s no karaoke!
From the standards like baseball and football to extreme fighting, NASCAR, rugby and soccer, Hazelwood's and their fifteen flat-screen televisions showcase it all. Hazelwood's also provides entertainment for those that like the atmosphere but want to get to business, rather than watching TV. The patio is the place for poker tournaments and trivia games as well as live musical performances. Always a good time in one of Phoenix's oldest neighborhoods. Plenty of tasty beers on tap.
Both connoisseurs and novices feel at home at this cozy wine bar. Friendly staff is on hand to answer questions and suggest food items to pair with its more than 300 wine selections. Among those options are cheese plates, oven-roasted chicken breast, pan-seared salmon and salad. Make yourself comfortable on the plush couches or sit on the airy patio. Be sure to stop in to hear live music Thursdays and Saturdays, or enhance your wine knowledge with weekly wine tastings.
The Arizona Room at Casino Arizona features a patio bar and live entertainment seven nights a week, along with a variety of beverages including beer, wine and cocktails.
Features a patio, fireplace and bar. Menu items include appetizers such as oysters on the half shell, peel-and-eat shrimp and oysters Rockefeller, while crab, lobsters, fresh fish, pasta and steak make up the entree offerings.
Tucked in a corner of the Scottsdale Civic Center, the Blue Moose draws crowds with free pool and lots of seating. Big game? This may be one of your best bets at finding a table that's actually in front of a TV. In addition to classic pub grub, you'll find above-average fare like salmon quesadillas. It's also the ideal place for post-spring-training partying, just a couple of base runs from Scottsdale Stadium.
This sports bar and grill offers patio dining, appetizers, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers and entrees.
Fresh seafood, an oyster bar, signature cocktails, steaks and indoor and patio dining in an upscale environment.
Motto: "fresh, friendly, festive." Decor: lively, colorful and clean. You'll find authentic Mexican cuisine, made from scratch daily. Menu items include fajitas, grilled chile rellenos and flan. Also offers a full bar, an outdoor patio and a kids menu.
J. Chew's is a small neighborhood spot with outdoor patios and a cozy, casual atmosphere.
This contemporary American restaurant is known for its comfort food and wood-fire cuisine. Its signature dish is the prime rib, but you also will find steaks, seafood, salads, burgers and desserts, along with sides and appetizers such as huevos rolls, a take on Southwestern egg rolls, and macaroni and cheese. The indoor-outdoor bar and patio create a great people-watching spot, with views of the Borgata shops, lounge seating, fire features to warm you in winter and fans to cool you off the rest of the year.
Mancuso's offers sophisticated, casual dining, a wine bar with extensive offerings, patio seating and menu items such as steamed mussels, creamy garlic pizza and veal marsala.
A hip place to enjoy a cocktail and appetizers while listening to music. Get cozy near one of two fire pits on the patio.
You'll find the college crowd and the young at heart hanging out and having a good time at this Mexican bar and grill. The restaurant takes the beachy vibe and throws in modern touches. Carne asada, fish tacos, enchiladas and fajitas are some of the items on the menu.
Sports bar features high-definition TVs and a large outdoor patio. Serves wings in a variety of sauces, hamburgers, chicken and pulled-pork sandwiches, and salads.
Tucked away next to the patio at Frank & Lupe's is Santos Lounge, a tequila bar that fuses Latin style and flavors with Old World charm. With a Mexican cinema room, interesting boutique tequilas, Latin-only wines and menu offerings such as skewered coconut shrimp with plantains and the Santo Tacos, served "street-style,"you'll forget you're in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale.
You’ll fit right in here if you carry the American Express Centurion credit card, better known as the “black card.” Cardholders get VIP access, but you still can feel like a high roller without the card — all you have to do is purchase VIP membership. The nightclub has two full-service bars, a dance floor, lounge seating, a patio and private tables. On Cherry Chapstick Saturdays, ladies get 1-cent bottle service.
Southwestern-inspired dishes include grilled sea bass and spicy coconut crab fritters. Featuring an outdoor patio with fountains and a central fireplace.
Valley Ho serves up the most swank for your buck. It's a superbly styled, genuine mid-century-modern oasis in Scottsdale. The bar is spacious, with windows that look up on the patio that resides just aside the pool. The vibe is old-school, Rat Pack all the way with piped in crooner tunes and drinks named after the likes of Cuban band leader Ricky Ricardo. Generally populated with the roving Scottsdale bar crowd, it also sees a nice mix of true exotica aficionados who can't help but dig it.
The neighborhood lounge draws 20- and 30-somethings and the young at heart with its outdoor patio and live DJ music, which starts at 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The bar doesn’t have a kitchen, but the staff often orders food in for customers. Instead of happy-hour specials, Pattie’s offers $3 domestic beers and $4 imports all day. Patrons also can play shuffleboard, shoot pool and compete in table-tennis tournaments.
Numerous plasma TVs show all the big games, and more than 15 beers are on tap for fans at this neighborhood sports bar. Grab a bite to eat, play pool or darts and listen to live music Saturday nights. The menu features bar grub such as wings, rib-eye steak and burgers, and happy-hour specials are offered from 4-7 p.m. weekdays. A small patio provides outdoor seating.
Located in Glendale, a few miles northwest of Phoenix, the Ant Hill Grill is a clean, comfy neighborhood bar with a nostalgic feel, which makes sense since it’s been there for nearly 30 years. The menu is pure American fare: burgers and fries, chicken sandwiches and wings. With a fully stocked bar, a jukebox, large flat-screen TV by the bar, Texas Hold’em tournaments three days a week, ladies night on Thursdays and karaoke Fridays, there’s always something going on, and with a great patio/smoking area, you can feel free to go outside and chill out for a bit.
Celebrate New Orleans’ signature holiday, Mardi Gras, any day of the year with Pappadeaux’s Louisiana-style dishes. Look for Cajun sausage stuffed with dirty rice, fried and grilled fish, a crawfish platter, blackened catfish and shrimp etouffee. The signature drink, the Swamp, made with Midori and Chambord, packs a punch. When the weather is nice, sit out on the patio and move to the beat of live music.
If you're under 45, you'll be the youngest people here. But that's part of the fun. If you're older, you'll fit right in. The Grapevine is known for its Greek-pan-Mediterranean fare and its big rooftop patio. But in a smallish back room, a karaoke gem shines. The place hasn't been remodeled in years and is not hip, and your date, unless they grew up here, will probably never have heard of it. But you go for the crowd. The regulars are partial to Broadway and movie musical classics, giving heartfelt performances that make you wonder why they live in Scottsdale and not in Manhattan.
From buffalo wings to chicken wraps to signature burgers, Double Overtime has all the game-day classics to grub on while watching hockey, basketball, football, baseball and golf on 35 high-definition TVs or while people watching on the patio. Wash it down with one of 11 types of beer on tap as well as many offerings of bottled beer. The bills get cheaper during happy hour, 3-6 p.m. daily, with specials such as $2 domestic pints and domestic bottles.
This trendy hot spot has a primo location in the heart of Tempe Marketplace, right by one of the shopping and dining centers music stages, which is nice to watch from outside. The kitschy, colorful interior offers a laid-back, beachy vibe that extends outside to the patio. Go here for the social aspect as well as the food, since the crowds are young and boisterous. The dining options include big portions of Mexican fare and a cheap late-night menu offered after 10 p.m. Try the cheese enchiladas ($6.95) with the green sauce, and pair your food with one of the more than 100 tequilas offered.
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