The Valley’s cocktail scene has been buzzing lately, with a new wave of lounges bringing fresh energy – and seriously delicious drinks – to Phoenix and Scottsdale. These are just a few of Arizona Foothills’ favorites, though not necessarily in order! From sleek hideaways to bold, mood-lit spaces, each one offers its own take on what a great night out should feel like.
Step back in time at this sophisticated Scottsdale speakeasy. Tell Your Friends combines craft cocktails, live jazz, and an unmistakable 1920s atmosphere for a memorable night. From the fruity Flapper Frizz to the smoky Jazz Age Smolder, Tell Your Friends offers a variety of options to suit any palate. Reservations are encouraged, and cocktail prices start at $20. It’s open from 5 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Masterful cuisine meets memorable cocktails in Scottsdale through a blend of classical technique and modern creativity. More than just a cocktail lounge, Liquor Pig boasts an extensive globally inspired menu alongside cocktails such as the citrusy modernized whisky sour, aptly named Look To The Light.
And The Spam Folder – yes, the one in the Spam container that’s made with whiskey, rum, cinnamon demerara, amaro, pineapple, and lime – can confirm, it’s delicious.
Filthy Animal and Drop Dead Gorgeous
Tempe cocktail hotspot Filthy Animal invites guests to explore their wild side through carefully crafted cocktails in a jungle-inspired upscale setting. Standout cocktails include the bee pollen-infused espresso martini Bee Something, and the fruity Jungle Thyme.
Opened in 2025, it’s the latest from Pretty Decent Concepts, the group behind Wren & Wolf, Chico Malo, and Carry On. Filthy Animal blends wood-fired cuisine with a moody, immersive atmosphere. Adjacent is Drop Dead Gorgeous, a 1970s-inspired cocktail lounge that opened in early May. Info is limited, but it sure looks pretty!
An Arizona classic, Elvira’s recently expanded its Mexican fine dining experience to DC Ranch. With an extensive margarita selection, agave flights, and a lengthy wine list and inspired cocktail menu, Elvira’s has various options to pair with its classic Mexican cuisine. Creative twists on mole are a menu staple, and cocktail prices start at $14. Elvira’s is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Desert oasis Quartz is carved directly into the heart of Downtown Phoenix. Full of experiential décor and a cocktail menu inspired by the twelve birthstones of the year, Quartz’s cocktails are a delicious kaleidoscope of color. Cocktails start at $13, and while reservations are not required at Quartz, they are highly encouraged at the discreet part of the lounge, known as The Cave.
If you’re a margarita lover like us, try the Rohang Ruby: mez-quila, fiery chili, burmese masala, bitter orange, hibiscus grenadine, sour cherry, lime, fish sauce, and lime leaf. She’s almost too pretty to drink. Almost.
Just steps away from the stadium district of Downtown Phoenix, Coabana offers an escape to Cuba with rich flavors and rhythms. Tasty tapas and island-inspired cocktails provide a unique experience to guests through fine ingredients and time-honored techniques.
The bar’s selection includes classic favorites like mojitos, piña coladas, and daiquiris, alongside inventive creations such as the floral El Colibri, featuring MK Oaxacan rum, hibiscus cordial, and Madeira; the Midnight in Miami, a decadent espresso martini with brown butter-washed rum and mole bitters; or the Dark and Smokey, a twist on the classic rum and ginger beer combo.
Devil’s Hideaway and Idle Hands
Under a red neon glow, Devil’s Hideaway appears just a step above the other college bars lining Mill Avenue. Guests who venture deeper will discover the upscale cocktail lounge Idle Hands tucked down a dark hallway. Devil’s menu leans into creative twists, such as the Spaghett: a fizzy mix of Miller High Life, Aperol, and lemon; and the South of the Border Punch, blending tequila with pomegranate, hibiscus, and chili liqueur.
Hidden inside Devil’s Hideaway is Idle Hands, a reservation-only speakeasy with a dreamy greenhouse aesthetic. The drinks are refined and experimental, including a clarified chai-apple milk punch and a coconut-and-star anise negroni.
Carry On offers an escape to the golden age of air travel. This first-class adventure is located inside Wren & Wolf in Phoenix and is reservation-only. Table pricing starts at $40 for two guests and includes “in-flight snacks” and a signature welcome cocktail. The 90-minute experience features a rotating cocktail menu inspired by the departure and arrival cities.
The journey begins in San Fran and lands in Mexico City, with drinks reflecting the essence of both locales. Guests can enjoy classics like the Pink Squirrel and Harvey Wallbanger, reimagined with modern techniques. A highlight of the experience is the martini cart service, where flight attendants prepare martinis tableside.
Highball is a renowned cocktail lounge located in downtown Phoenix. Opened in October 2020 by hospitality professionals Libby Lingua and Mitch Lyons, the bar occupies the second floor of a historic 1930s building at 7th Avenue. Highball is celebrated for its inventive menu that blends avant-garde ingredients with classic flavors.
Signature drinks like the Tokyo Drift, a guava margarita with togarashi and Japanese citrus, and the Land of the Mountains, a reimagined daiquiri with melon liqueur, lemongrass, and tangerine, showcase the bar’s commitment to creativity and quality. The bar received nominations for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards, including ‘Best U.S. Cocktail Bar’ in 2024 and ‘Best U.S. Bar Team’ in ’23 and 2024.
This spot has quickly become renowned for its innovative cocktails and immersive speakeasy ambiance. The bar’s menu pays homage to the late Paul “Poppy” Keeler, featuring drinks inspired by his favorite spirits. Signature cocktails include the “Drink with Me Bebe,” a blend of La Caravedo Pisco, rosemary-caper shrub, Judy’s Limoncello, local honey, sesame and peach bitters with a lemon twist and the “Poppy’s Cigar,” a smoked tableside concoction of Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie, The Deacon Whisky, apple bitters, chocolate bitters, Peychaud Bitters and local honey.
Poppy’s Office was honored as the 2025 Foodist Award Winner for Most Creative Handcrafted Cocktail Program – so you know their bevvies will spark all the senses!
This one has been around for a few years, but it’s a classic fave, so that’s why it’s on our list. Set in a glamorous, Presidential Pullman-inspired train car, Platform 18 is a 90-minute experience complete with a host and a menu featuring cocktails inspired by each NYC borough, such as the bourbon and wine fusion East 52nd Street. Cocktails start at $13, and reservations are required for this trip back in time.
