15 of the Best Bars in Phoenix

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

Hands down this bar is housed inside the coolest place in Phoenix; the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters, within the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix. Bitter & Twisted is both a sweet drinking spot with award-winning cocktails as well as an eatery with uniquely scrumptious bar bites. There’s limited space here, and they literally do head counts at the door, so be mindful of their “first come, first served” mentality. 

The Womack

Best known for its classic cocktails and soulful music, this Phoenix bar best resembles a 1960’s lounge. Originally opened in 1963 by Andy and Maureen Womack as Chez Nous Cocktail Lounge, today The Womack celebrates that old familiar feeling. The dimly lit retro bar is located in a prime Phoenix location and is a perfect place to enjoy good vibes and listen to some classic tunes.

Honor Amongst Thieves

Accessed via a staircase located in the rear of sister restaurant, Stock and Stable, this cozy 80-person capacity 1950’s themed speakeasy and lounge focuses on serving decadent, hand-crafted cocktails all in a sultry ambiance. Relatively new, Honor Amongst Thieves is still one of Phoenix’s best kept bar secrets (until now).

Undertow

Join Captain Mallory’s cursed crew as they travel down the Amazon River in their “Search for the Three Suns.” Located in the basement of a former Jiffy Lube (now Sip Coffee), Undertow is a fully immersive tiki cocktail experience with an evolving narrative. What does that mean? You’ll have to make a reservation - which is strongly recommended as seating is extremely limited - to find out!

Angels Trumpet Ale House

If you love craft beers, this place was made for you. Angels Trumpet Ale House is a gastropub with scrumptious eats and a rotating tap of 31 craft beers. The casual indoor/outdoor layout is truly for the beer connoisseur with it’s ever-changing selection of local and national beers.

The Larry

This all-day food and drink hangout anchored in the Phoenix Warehouse District truly caters to lovers of day drinks. The Larry is open for breakfast, lunch and happy hour with a menu that includes healthy options to comfort food. They also serve specialty coffees for pre or post drinks.

Lustre Rooftop Bar

This bar has the illustrious honor of being downtown Phoenix’s only rooftop lounge. Enjoy cool craft sips and locally sourced eats in on of their cabanas, while listening to a variety of music in this exceptional outdoor hangout. But beyond the killer drinks, enjoy the front row seats to the jaw-dropping sunsets Phoenix is best known for.

The Duce

This might be one of the most bizarre bar concepts in Phoenix, and that’s exactly why it’s doing so well. The Duce turned a warehouse in downtown Phoenix into a jazz style innovative food and shopping experience. Inside this speakeasy, one will find a restaurant, full bar, gym, coffee bar, old-fashioned soda fountain, fresh organic produce and retro clothing, making it quirky yet convenient.

The Breadfruit & Rum Bar

Here you can enjoy award-winning modern Jamaican cuisine in an elegant yet casual tropical setting. Their newly crafted cocktails are complimented by their collection of over 150 premium rums and fine cigars. Bonus? The Breadfruit & Rum Bar’s sustainable, zero-waste compost and recycling is at the core of their business philosophy.

Melindas Alley

Hidden beneath the luxury Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix, Melindas Alley is tucked away in a corner of a narrow alleyway with only a single red light affixed over the doorway to guide patrons to their future libations. The sublevel speakeasy offers two bar stations, vintage knick-knacks and art deco furniture in addition to artisan cocktails all in an industrial space.

Cobra Arcade Bar

With selections such as Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac man, and Mortal Kombat II, Cobra Arcade Bar features over 40 custom-made arcade cabinets with ever-changing games alongside 14 craft beers on tap. Video game themed signature cocktails such as Princess Peach or Crazy Kong take the bar by storm, but Cobra also offers a selection of nonalcoholic drinks for those who just want to play some games.

Chico Malo

Chico Malo embraces “bad boy” with an edgy, bold menu boasting with Mexican and South American flavors, paired with carefully cultivated lineup of signature cocktails. Chico Malo transforms their chic and stylish eatery into an elevated food and drink experience located in the center of downtown Phoenix. 

The Churchill

Established in the Roosevelt Row Art’s District in Downtown Phoenix, The Churchill is a locally infused and community-driven gathering place, made up of a 9,000 square foot courtyard intended for dining, drinking, socializing, pop-up art galleries, and more. The Churchill is home to ten small local businesses that focus their efforts on collaboration. Alcohol vendors include The Brill (local, craft beer and cocktails) and Sauvage Bottle Shop (wine shop).

The Vig Fillmore

With five locations throughout the valley (3 in Phoenix, 2 in Scottsdale), this upscale neighborhood tavern is best known for it’s unique but affordable menu items, mix of live music and DJs and of course, craft cocktails. The Vig Fillmore is in the heart of downtown with an expansive patio, typically dominated by local residents as well as downtown ASU students.

Bliss ReBAR

Famous for its “Sunday Phunday” that comes with both a live DJ and an incredible offer of half off all alcohol from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Bliss ReBar is the weekend daytime hotspot. The bar offers various places to hang out, whether you are looking for an intimate dining experience or just want to watch TV while socializing with strangers.

You should also check out the Jazz venues in the area.