Friday the 13th is getting a spirited twist in downtown Phoenix with the inaugural Suncliffe Showcase, an evening celebrating Arizona’s growing cocktail scene and the people behind it. Taking place Friday, November 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Arizona Wilderness Downtown Phoenix, the event will bring together 10 of the state’s bars for an evening of inventive drinks and friendly competition.
Hosted by Suncliffe, an Arizona-born spirits brand known for its gin and amaro crafted with wild-foraged Southwest botanicals, the showcase will challenge participating bars to create an original cocktail featuring Suncliffe Gin or Cultivaro Amaro. Guests can sample each creation, meet the bartenders behind the drinks and cast their vote for the People’s Choice award. A panel of judges will also select its own favorite.
“Arizona has such an incredible cocktail community, and we wanted to create something that brings that talent together in a fun, collaborative way,” said Thomas Giddings, Co-founder of Suncliffe. “The Suncliffe Showcase is really about celebrating the creativity behind the bar, introducing people to some of the best spots across the state and having a little fun along the way..”
The participating lineup includes Phoenix-area favorites Matilda’s All Day, 36 Below, So Far So Good, Sidecar and Chilte, along with Jimmy D’s from Flagstaff. Additional bars will be announced as the event approaches, bringing the total to 10 participating establishments. The winning bar will take home a rotating trophy to display behind its bar for the next year, until another contender claims the title.
Sad Boy Studios will offer flash tattoos and There Space will bring live screen printing for limited-edition T-shirts. DJ Hey Zeus will provide the soundtrack for the festivities. Each ticket includes a souvenir tasting glass, a cocktail sample from each of the 10 participating bars and a voting token for the People’s Choice award.
The event also has a charitable component, with 10 percent of ticket sales benefiting Keys to Change, a nonprofit supporting unhoused individuals in downtown Phoenix. The partnership gives the celebration an opportunity to support the community beyond the evening’s festivities. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
