By: Jess Harter / Mouth By Southwest
The Valley’s craft cocktail scene is shaking and stirring at full speed, with inventive mixologists, atmospheric spaces, and drinks worth lingering over. Whether you’re into speakeasy vibes, rooftop glam, arcade nostalgia, or immersive storytelling, here’s where to raise your glass in style.
48 W Main St, Mesa (map)
Hidden inside Level 1 Arcade Bar, speakeasy-themed Alchemy 48 serves playful yet precise cocktails like the Steam Engine (gin, absinthe, gum syrup) and Glad Rags (rhum agricole, house-made lime oleo, fresh citrus). Between sips, you can challenge your friends to a round of Donkey Kong or pinball.
155 W Main St, Mesa (map)
A working distillery with a serious cocktail game, Arizona Distilling crafts drinks from its own award-winning spirits. Try the Copper City Mule with house vodka and ginger beer, or the Desert Dry Martini with Commerce Gin. The industrial-chic tasting room makes each sip feel like a toast to local craftsmanship.
7353 E Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale (map)
A Scottsdale institution, AZ88 blends sleek design, artful lighting, and martinis that deserve center stage. Go classic with their dirty martini or branch out with the fruity-yet-dangerous pear martini. Bonus: their rotating art installations and stylish crowd make every visit feel like you’ve walked into a living fashion editorial.
7018 E Main St, Scottsdale (map)
A split-personality charmer, Beverly on Main transforms from swanky cocktail lounge to lively dance spot. Start with the Misionary (mexcal, apricot liqueur, pineapple) or Pretty Kitty (bourbon, Grand Marnier, bllod orange) before the lights dim and the DJ heats up on weekends. It’s the perfect spot for when you want cocktails and a party.
2 N Central Ave #101, Phoenix (map)
Styled after a 1960s-era passenger plane, Carry On schedules 90-minute ‘‘flights’’ with vintage-inspired cocktails based on your particular destination (which changes annually). Visual simulations in the windows add to the effect, as do the flight attendant uniforms worn by servers. You even get a small bag of peanuts.
Platform 18/Grey Hen RX/Undertow
3626 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix (map)
3150 E Ray Rd Suite 184, Gilbert (map)
A cocktail triple threat, Century Grand houses three transportive bars. Step into Platform 18, a Pullman-inspired train car serving drinks like the bourbon-based 21 Hours to Louisville with passing scenery projected outside. The Grey Hen RX channels a New Orleans apothecary, slinging ever-changing remedies like the gin-and-herb Cure for the Common Cold. Undertow, a tiki escape set inside a “ship’s hull,” offers rum-forward cocktails like mai tais and Zombies (it also has a location at Epicenter in Gilbert). Each bar offers a fully immersive escape where storytelling meets flawless mixology – arguably the crown jewel of Phoenix’s cocktail scene.
The Ostrich/The Blue Heron/The Goose
10 N San Marcos Pl #B1, Chandler (map)
2470 S Recker Rd #101, Gilbert (map)
8300 Hayden Rd #F102, Scottsdale (map)
Crust Simply Italian moonlights as a cocktail curator with bird-themed speakeasies adjacent to each restaurant. In Chandler, The Ostrich delivers classics like the Bourbon Street Sazerac in a vintage, underground lounge. Scottsdale’s The Goose goes modern, shaking up drinks like the Scotch-based Scottish Birdie. Gilbert’s The Blue Heron channels breezy elegance with gin-forward sippers. Each spot has its own personality, but all share the same commitment to well-balanced cocktails and atmospheres worth nesting in for the night.
740 S Mill Ave #D140, Tempe (maps)
This sultry, ’70s-inspired hideaway delivers cocktails as stylish as its name. Standouts include the Lemongrass & Tonic (gin, lemongrass, yuzi liqueur) and Smokey Sour (mezcal, Scotch, sherry). A lush, Insta-worthy interior plus a friendly, knowledgeable staff make it as easy to linger here as it is to order a second round.
1514 N 7th Ave, Phoenix (map)
Retro glam meets modern mixology at Highball, where cocktails are inspired by cinema and pop culture. Try the Crazy Never Dies (tequila, dark rum, lime) or Disco Panda (Japanese whisky, Indonesian rum, green tea). The menu changes seasonally, but the inventive spirit and low-lit, cinematic atmosphere are always the main feature.
132 S Central Ave (4th floor), Phoenix (map)
Named the best hotel bar in the U.S. in 2025, Little Rituals serves elevated cocktails with a meticulous touch. The Watermelon Sundae is tangy and earthy, while the Golden Sgroppino swaps quince brandy ‘‘champagne’’ for prosecco. Expect perfect ice, gorgeous glassware, and one of the best views of downtown Phoenix.
