The Best Bars In Scottsdale, Arizona

Citizen Public House is a craft cocktail lounge and a gastropub. The creativity from the chef must spill over to the bartender, who mixes drinks like The Im-Port, made with Irish whiskey, port, tobacco bitters, and Guinness foam on the rocks. Expect to enjoy your drink in a casual restaurant environment, free from any rowdy patrons or tacky flat-screen televisions.

AZ88 is a self-described ‘modern saloon’ with a large patio area. AZ88’s cocktail list is extensive, but look through the whole list before making a decision, and remember, you can always order more than one. Craft is a good adjective for everything on the menu, from the cocktails to the beer and even to the liquor itself; AZ88 takes great care to offer small batch spirits and local brews.

Coach House is a historic little tavern that serves happy-hour-priced drinks all day long – so how cheap is it really? Well, drinks come in a short glass for $3.50, domestic beers are $3, and higher end beers (including a few craft brews and local brews) are $4. If you are looking to take everyone out to the bar after work or if you’re just looking for a homey place to kick back, then Coach House if the best (and cheapest) bet.

Rusty Spur is the oldest bar in Scottsdale, and it’s also got the most country flair. You’ll find cowboy boots and hats, and it’s very likely you’ll hear some live country music at Rusty Spur. Not surprisingly, the bar is stocked with American whiskey and a lot of American beer, but the Rusty Spur Saloon is more about atmosphere than anything else.

If you love beer and great drinks specials, then head down to the Skeptical Chymist. This Irish bar shifts gears a bit with its apothecary theme, and is stocked with strange roots and herbs as well as potion-making accessories. As for the drinks, the Chymist stocks the finest craft beer and rotates the taps often. Regardless of when you visit there will be a drinks special – come on Monday for a $4 Deschutes Mirror Pond or on Friday for $5 Irish Car Bombs.

Kazimierz (call it Kaz for short) World Wine Bar has a wine list of over 70 pages. The list is well-organized (by type and price), but you’ll still need the help of your waiter or bartender to choose the wine suited to your taste. Luckily, at Kaz’s, they’re happy to assist. Kaz’s hosts entertainment nightly, ranging from smooth jazz bands to DJ sets.

Uncorked Wine Bar is small, almost hidden wine bar perfect for a date or a quiet evening out. The wine list is made up of hand selected wines from all over the world, and many of them are featured in very affordable flights. For $14-$16 you can try three wines, and there are about 5 flights for white, red, and bubbly.

Papago Brewing Company first opened its doors in 2001 to serve some of their fine craft brews, but now have 30 beers on tap – some of their own, but many from all corners of the world. While there, definitely try one of the Papago brews, like the Coconut Joe, which is a stout with flavors of coconut and coffee.

The Beverly serves up craft cocktails with a splash of nostalgia. Unlike the western saloons in other parts of Scottsdale, The Beverly calls up a more recent past – the early 1900s. While The Beverly isn’t necessarily a speakeasy style bar, it is small, darkly lit, and a little hard to find. On the weekends, The Beverly invites DJs and other local performers to liven up the bar.

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