Have we gone mad or has a Wonderland-themed cocktail bar just popped up in Phoenix? Hatter & Hare, perfect for the curiouser and the curiouser, has opened in the building formerly occupied by Joe’s Midnight Run. Find it at 7th St., just north of Bethany Home Rd. or just follow the White Rabbit.
Filled from top to bottom (or bottom to top, we’re not sure) with uncommon nonsense, the funky concept comes from Glass Half Full Restaurant Group (Camp Social, Old Town Gringos). Previously named the Rabbit Hole after its sister location in Chicago, the bar beckons guests to enter under a sign reading “We’re All Mad Here.”
Inside, over-sized couches and vintage trunks provide seating areas while giant murals and other whimsical features add to the theme. A giant Cheshire Cat mural creepily grins back at us, picture frames are hung crooked, large playing cards dot the ceiling and a clock counting backwards sits in a corner. The patio is decked out to look like the Queen’s rose garden with black-and-white checkered flooring, red furniture and a vine-covered wall. There’s even a large pink tufted couch with a cutout resembling a slice of cake.
The menu pays just as much tribute to the childhood classic as the decor does. Split into two sections titled “Eat Me” and “Drink Me,” the menu’s fantastical food choices include bar snacks, heart-shaped toasted sandwiches and rabbit food (salads). Dine on dishes like The Queen’s Platter, a mix of meats, cheeses and nuts; Executioner’s Chop, a fun take on a chopped salad; or The French Quarter, a hot sandwich with mortadella, soprasetta, capicola, provolone, olive salad and evoo.
On the liquid side of things, cocktails are divided into “We’re All Mad Here” (craft cocktails) and “Off With Their Heads” (classic cocktails) and served in teacups. Signature offerings include names like White Queen (Hangar One Rose Voka, Rosa 22, Apertivo, lemon juice peach real, sage) and Cheshire Cat (Champagne, orange bitters, butterfly pea extract, lemon juice). Or order up a classic like the Looking Glass Negroni, Mad Manhattan or Alice’s Vesper Martini. For groups of four or more, order one of the Tea Parties, giant shareable drinks served in tea pots at $60 each. Choose from Golden Afternoon, Mega Mule and Mad Hatter.
It’s always tea time here! Well…sort of. Hatter and Hare is open Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Closed Mondays.
For more information, visit: hatterandhareaz.com
