Things to do in Downtown Phoenix: Dinner & Drinks
There are lots of cool things to do in downtown Phoenix. The downtown area (DTPHX) is small compared to other larger cities. But don’t let that fool you. Downtown Phoenix has a cool vibe and is a great place to spend an evening – for a date night, or night out with friends. Here are some suggestions for how to spend a perfect evening of dinner and drinks in downtown Phoenix.
Enjoy Some Craft Cocktails
One of the fun things to do in downtown Phoenix is explore the cocktail bar scene. Phoenix is home to some amazing ones that serve innovative and fun craft cocktails. Choose one and stay for a while or try several. The ones below are all within an easy walk of each other.
Little Rituals
Little Rituals is located in a hotel (Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott downtown); but it isn’t your typical hotel bar. It is located on the fourth floor and has the feel of a private club with it’s small, intimate space.
They take reservations so you don’t have to wait (love that!). I like bourbon drinks, so I had to try the Bad and Boozy, which I loved. There are small bites on the menu and I fell in love with the Crunchy Asparagus – a tempura asparagus with a delicious aioli. It’s a perfect way to start your evening out.
BITTER & tWISTED
Just up the block from Little Rituals is the Bitter & Twister Cocktail Parlour. This cocktail bar always lands on lists for the best cocktail bars in Phoenix. Once you get past the velvet rope entrance, you enter the impressive interior.
Be prepared to spend some time on the menu – it is massive. And the servers are happy to guide you to a cocktail that best suits you. I’m a sucker for an Old Fashioned, and they serve a nice one.
They also accept reservations or you can join their waitlist from your phone.
pigtails
Pigtails is another excellent craft cocktail destination, but it has a very different vibe from the previous two bars. It is a speakeasy and takes a little know-how to find it (look for the pink neon Cocktail sign).
The interior is small, intimate and dark, making it a terrific place to escape. Get a seat at the bar to watch the cocktails being made. And it isn’t just for show – they make amazing cocktails. The retro-style Whiskey Sour I had was delicious.
They don’t accept reservations, so going early is recommended. Another perk for going early is happy hour (4:00-6:00 every day).
hAVE DINNER
Now that you have had a pre-dinner drink (or two) and maybe a snack, it’s time to get serious about food. Downtown Phoenix has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants. These are a couple restaurants that never disappoint.
pA’LA
Pa’La Wood Fired Kitchen Downtown is one of our favorites. It has a cool, metropolitan vibe and the food is amazing. The mussels are a must – I could just eat a few plates of them and call it a day (or night).
The food style is tapas and plates are easily shareable. Or if you order the mussels, you may just want to keep them for yourself. Be sure to order wine. They have a terrific wine list that pairs beautifully with the food.
Allow yourself time to enjoy dinner. This is not a place for a quick bite. It is intended for lingering and enjoying.
ARROGANT BUTCHER
The Arrogant Butcher is a great place for American classics that have been updated, making it a perfect place to go if your group has varied preferences. It’s big space with lots of seating – but if you want to go, make reservations and book them a few days in advance because it is a popular place – and a place for possible celebrity sightings.
HANG OUT
If you aren’t ready to call it a night after dinner, relocate to Roosevelt Avenue to walk off dinner and have an after-dinner drink – another one of the fun things to do in downtown Phoenix.
There are lots of places to have a drink and socialize. Our go-to spot is the Arizona Wilderness Brewing DTPHX Beer Garden. It has a huge outdoor space that is perfect for people-watching with lots of seating areas for conversation. Pair your conversation with a great beer (and they have several). Or try their New Fashioned that they have ON TAP (genius!).
By the end of the night, your belly will be full and you will have had a great night. Enjoy your evening in downtown Phoenix! (If you are looking to explore other parts of the Phoenix area, be sure to check out our other Exploring posts.)
