Top Bars in Phoenix – Most Viewed (2025)

Beneath the bustle of Arcadia, UnderTow drops you into an immersive world—an artisanal tropical speakeasy built within the hull of a 19th-century clipper ship. Designed by Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality, the decor features creaking timbers, portholes with animated ocean views, custom thunderstorm sound effects, and cargo‑crate accents that awaken your sense of adventure. Cocktails weave seamlessly into storytelling; menus aren’t just drink lists—they're chapters in a voyage, featuring rum-heavy classics, original, bold riffs in elaborate glassware, and multi-sensory presentations like the flaming Scorpion Bowl. The menu evolves like the sea—each iteration brings new narratives and flavors. Patrons can even join the Captain’s Keep program for rare rum allocations. UnderTow is compact—with just 44 seats—and operates in 90-minute reservation blocks, encouraging focused, theatrical enjoyment. It merges tiki tradition with theatrical sophistication: sound, visuals, cocktails, and space combine to make the bar feel like a scene lifted from a maritime fable. Critics and fans alike acclaim its immersive design and drink quality—some liken it to a Broadway-level experience. Even mocktail seekers get themed options like the nautically inspired “Starboard and Steady.”

Tucked away on the 4th floor of the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott in bustling downtown Phoenix, Little Rituals invites you to reimagine what a hotel bar experience can be. Behind a velvet curtain lies a plush, intimate lounge where creative mixology meets genuine hospitality. Awarded and celebrated—semifinalist for Best Bar Program by the James Beard Foundation (2020, 2024) and a repeated Spirited Awards finalist—this place balances playful technique with regional flair. Expect cocktails built on house-made syrups, tinctures, and seasonal ingredients, crafted by passionate alchemists of flavor. Inside, plush seating, dim lighting, and artful details like a dazzling chandelier and panoramic Downtown views set the stage for evenings that feel both intimate and lively. Think: velvet banquettes, firework-like lights, and an ambiance that’s cozy, classy, and quietly electric. Complementing the cocktails is a playful menu of elevated bar fare—disco fries, spicy bao buns, clay-pot wings, carbonated grapes, and more—all perfectly tailored to the mood and your drink. Guests rave about both flavor and detail. Despite its grandeur, Little Rituals maintains a welcoming spirit. With limited capacity, reservations—strongly recommended—are available up to 21 days in advance, or you can join the walk-in waitlist. Larger parties may incur service charges or deposits. Whether you're chasing accolades or looking for a stylish night out, Little Rituals delivers—with creativity, comfort, and charm in every sip and bite.

Platform 18, Phoenix’s acclaimed cocktail carriage, delivers an immersive journey into 1920s New York and locomotive luxury. Hidden within Century Grand at 3626 East Indian School Rd, this reservation-only venue seats ~36 guests inside a richly appointed, replica Pullman train car. Digital “windows” simulate a moving landscape—featuring Prohibition-era New York cityscapes—to transform every sip into a story. Curated by cocktail artisans Jason Asher and Jax Donahue, supported by Barter & Shake’s operations network, the menu is theatrical and inventive. Highlights include “Blame the Dutch” (coconut-washed gin, lemongrass, chili oil), funky classics, boozy ice creams, and seasonal creations priced around US $16‑18 each. Signature drinks are complemented by elevated snacks like popcorn, beef jerky, rye crackers with Campari butter, and ice cream garnishes. The experience begins with a “boarding” process, featuring mossy oak trees at the platform, followed by a 90-minute seating in the carriage—complete with ambient sound, theatrical lighting, and a sense of transportation. It has earned acclaim as one of North America’s 50 Best Bars (#36 in 2024, #48 in 2023) and has collected numerous Spirited Awards and local honors. Booked in advance through Century Grand’s reservation system (7 days out), Platform 18 fills quickly. It’s open Tuesday–Sunday (afternoon/evening), with reduced hours on weekdays and longer window on weekends.

Located in Downtown Phoenix inside Wren & Wolf (2 N Central Ave, Suite 101), Carry On is a groundbreaking, ticketed cocktail concept from Pretty Decent Concepts that recreates the luxury and spectacle of mid‑20th‑century air travel. Guests “board” a meticulously designed 1970s jumbo jet cabin, complete with steward‑pilots in period uniforms, leather captain’s chairs, chrome accents, and window‑screen projections of flight routes—from San Francisco to Mexico City at launch . The immersive journey includes seat‑vibrations during "takeoff" and "turbulence," overhead captain announcements, snack service (spiced nuts, shortbread), and a scripted 90‑minute timeline that unfolds like a theatre performance . Cocktail offerings begin with a complimentary welcome drink, followed by rounds of elevated classics, such as a brown-butter Old Fashioned with wormwood‑balsamic syrup, and signature themed drinks like mezcal‑mezmorizing San Francisco "Terroir" or Mexico City‑inspired “Woody” . Mid-flight, a martini cart rolls through the cabin for personalized martinis mixed tableside in playful penguin shakers—referencing the bar’s mascot. The flight concludes with a final snack of shortbread cookies upon "landing." This theatrical concept has earned notable praise, including a James Beard semifinal nod for cocktail service and recognition as one of North America’s most stylish new bars. With seatings every two hours (plus an additional weekend matinee), Carry On blends nostalgic glamour with expert mixology, delivering an unforgettable, playful take on cocktail culture.