Today, we’re bringing you the best bars in Scottsdale according to Patricia Escarcega. Read her expert review below.
Whether you’re in the mood to sip on a trendy cocktail or sample a local craft beer, the Scottsdale bar scene offers plentiful choices for thirsty patrons of all stripes.
For a laid-back, come-as-you-are taste of Old Town Scottsdale, stop in at Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge for inexpensive drinks, no cover charge, and laid-back patio, perfect for enjoying long, leisurely moments in the heart of the city.
If you’re a wine-lover, Scottsdale has plenty of places to imbibe in style. A good place for a date night is Kazimierz Wine Bar, which will make you feel as if you’ve been whisked to a subterranean European hideaway.
Established in 1959, the family-owned Coach House Tavern is a classic neighborhood tavern that claims to be the oldest bar in Old Town. Settle into the patio or mosey up to the bar for good drinks in one of the city’s most relaxed and unpretentious spots.
If you’re a lover of fine craft brews, Craft 64 has you covered. This pizza restaurant has one of the biggest menus of Arizona-brewed craft beers in town.
Terroir Wine Pub
If wine bars rub you the wrong way, it’s time to give it another go with a visit to the Terroir Wine Pub in Scottsdale. The first house rule is: leave snobbery at the door. The second house rule? Have fun. This friendly wine pub features an exciting wine list that changes every day, fun theme nights, and a happy hour that goes on all day. There is also a dog-friendly patio, and if you ride your bike to the pub, you are automatically rewarded with a discount on all glasses of wine. Game nights, open mic nights and tasting nights have made this a vibrant, community-oriented wine pub.
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Recommended for Bars because: Terroir Wine Pub brings the spirit and unpretentiousness of a neighborhood tavern to wine-lovers in Scottsdale.
Patricia’s expert tip: Thursday nights are tasting nights at Terroir, where you can enjoy deals on wine tastings.
Click here for location.
Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge
Eminently laid-back during the day, this no-frills joint transforms into a lively club in the evenings. Locals flock here daily for inexpensive drinks, a comfy heated patio, pool tables, and of course, plenty of room to dance. DJs spin on Friday and Saturday nights, and Pattie’s also functions as a favorite site for get-togethers and special events. The absence of a cover charge adds considerably to the appeal. Pattie’s First Avenue Lodge is located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, convenient to the shops and attractions of downtown. Shuffleboard and table-tennis tournaments take place regularly. Crowds here on the weekends, so be brace yourself for lines at the bar.
Recommended for Bars because: Pattie’s has a great Old Town location, killer drink specials, and some of the best local color in town.
Patricia’s expert tip: Laid-back, no-frills bar offers a break from Old Town Scottsdale’s noisier dance clubs.
Click here for location.
Craft 64
Craft 64 has become one of the most popular happy hour spots in Old Town Scottsdale. And why not? The pizzeria and brew pub has an extensive list of craft beers, with at least 36 Arizona-crafted beers on tap at last count. There is also a well-curated wine list with helpful descriptions. If you get hungry, the kitchen makes great wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas. Executive Chef Horacia “Lachos” Hernandez worked with Chris Bianco at Pizzeria Bianco for more than 15 years, so he knows his way around a wood-fired oven. During happy hour, there are specials on small plates, including a charcuterie board, pizzette and bruschetta. The kitchen makes fresh mozzarella in-house, so you can count on a high quality caprese salad.
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Recommended for Bars because: Craft 64 is the place to go in Old Town Scottsdale when you’re thirsting for some Arizona-brewed beer.
Patricia’s expert tip: Happy hour happens daily from 4 pm to 7 pm. Special include $6 glasses of wine until 6 pm.
Click here for location.
Sorso Wine Room
Sorso Wine Room is a stylish wine bar and cafe at the posh Scottsdale Quarter shopping center in north Scottsdale. The bar is home to a state-of-the-art WineEmotion wine dispenser, which features an eclectic selection of 32 wines. Simply grab a wine glass, insert your key card (similar to hotel key cards), and pour yourself a glass (or a sip – the dispenser lets guests selection from a sip, sample or full glass). If self-serve wine is not your thing, Sorso also has an extensive cellar list with wines from around the world. The cafe side of the bar serves gourmet charcuterie boards, bruschetta, salads, sandwiches and locally-made desserts.
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Recommended for Bars because: Sorso Wine Room is a sleek, spacious and group-friendly destination for wine lovers in Scottsdale.
Patricia’s expert tip: The self-serve wine dispenser at Sorso is a must-try. Happy hour happens every weekday from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Click here for location.
Scapegoat Beer and Wine
This downtown Scottsdale wine and craft beer bar, tucked into a small storefront in Old Town, is at once chic and laid-back. You won’t come here for an exhaustive craft beer list, or encyclopedic wine menu. Rather, the beer and wine list have been carefully curated, offering a satisfying selection of rotating craft beers and a seasonal wine list. Although most of the crowd is here to drink, don’t overlook Scapegoat’s small, playful food menu. In recent months, the food menu included oven-roasted meatballs, Cracker Jax, avocado toast and a burrata bowl. Easygoing yet refined, Scapegoat brings a welcome neighborhood vibe to Scottsdale’s Fifth Avenue.
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Recommended for Bars because: Scapegoat Beer and Wine brings a relaxed neighborhood bar feel to Old Town Scottsdale.
Patricia’s expert tip: The rotating beer selection keeps you on your toes giving you new options on a regular basis.
Click here for location.
Coach House
Established in 1959, this family-owned bar is one of the oldest nightlife venues in Scottsdale. The Coach House is a friendly neighborhood tavern located in Old Town Scottsdale, where locals and visitors mingle in an unpretentious spot known for its long history and Southwestern hospitality. Hang out on the patio, or lounge inside where football or baseball, depending on the season, is playing on the televisions. If you’re looking for a quiet spot away from the glitz and expensive cocktails of Scottsdale’s trendy club and bar scene, the Coach House tavern is the place to go. A great place to enjoy a beer and watch the game.
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Recommended for Bars because: The Coach House is one of the oldest neighborhood bars in town, an unpretentious spot to enjoy a beer.
Patricia’s expert tip: Come enjoy live music on the weekends, and nibble on the complimentary buffet on Sunday afternoons.
Click here for location.
Second Story Liquor Bar
This story-themed restaurant and bar is a unique addition to the Old Town Scottsdale nightlife scene. The restaurant and bar serves up a fun menu full of creative fusion dishes with an Asian twist. From the “Intro” appetizer meu, try the inside out caprese, featuring a creamy burrata and charred and juicy cherry tomatoes topped with a balsamic reduction, parmesan tuile, and crispy basil. For your entree (or, as its known here, the main plot), try the roasted ratatouille, served with savory white beans and cabbage rolls. The bar side of the venue features a long list of well-balanced cocktails. The head bartender, “Whiskey Man” John Christie serves cocktails with a side of storytelling.
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Recommended for Bars because: Second Story Liquor Bar in Old Town offers a nice combination of gourmet eats and old-school hand-crafted cocktails.
Patricia’s expert tip: Stop here for one of the best whiskey flights in Old Town.
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Kazimierz World Wine Bar
Tucked away from the bustle of Scottsdale, this wine bar has a distinctly subterranean feel, thanks to subdued lighting, softly-playing jazz, and wine casks that line the walls. The decor is heavy on stained glass and stone, imbuing the spot with a sense of mystery. Select from a truly staggering wine list; over 1,500 varieties are available. Management has thoughtfully whittled the gargantuan list down to a top 50 list, and servers provide additional guidance if you’re still overwhelmed. Nothing so mundane as a happy hour here; instead, you’ll catch drink specials during the “early evening hours of joy.”
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Recommended for Bars because: Kazimierz World Wine Bar is the place to go in Scottsdale when you want a touch of European elegance.
Patricia’s expert tip: Stop here for a little night music – there is live music nightly starting at 9 p.m.
Click here for location.
AZ88 Bar & Restaurant
This elegantly hip restaurant is famous for its burgers, sandwiches, and “galettes,” a crispy flat bread topped with cheese, olives, bacon, and onions. Although the fare is simple, the preparation is thoughtful and well-executed. Expect to be impressed by fresh ingredients, plentiful sides, and hamburgers that feature over a half pound of choice ground sirloin grilled to order. Located conveniently in Old Town Scottsdale at the Civic Center Mall, AZ88 provides rich ambiance with views of fountains and green spaces. Cocktails are served until 1:30 in the morning, while late-night dining continues 12:30 am. Perfect place for a relaxing nightcap with friends.
Recommended for Bars because: AZ 88 is a Scottsdale classic, a great date night bar for a night around Old Town.
Patricia’s expert tip: Try AZ 88’s famous martini.
Click here for location.
Originally published on 10best.com
