Skip to main content
DiningBlogDestination Info

20 Best Bars to Grab a Drink in Scottsdale, AZ

By October 5, 2022No Comments

Scottsdale may be best known for its sun-drenched golf courses and swanky resorts on the east side of Phoenix, Arizona, but the desert city also has a buzzing bar scene that ranges from rustic Western-style watering holes to DJs and strobe lights to classy cocktail bistros with patios overlooking the mountains.

When staying in one of our vacation rental homes, you’ll be in the heart of it all, with Scottsdale right at your fingertips.

Old Town is a great place to go for Scottsdale bars that you can hop between, with a large concentration in a walkable zone. On the outskirts of the historic city, quieter neighborhood joints and swanky resort wine bars offer a more mellow vibe. In Old Town, there are also a lot of great restaurants, when you need something more filling during your bar hop.

If you’re looking for the best bars in Scottsdale to check out, this list will help you find great drinks, fun parties, and live music all over town.

The Beverly on Main

Classic cocktails in a dark and moody setting are the vibe at the Beverly on Main. The intimate and classy setting is anything but stuffy, though, with DJs that spin on the weekend a fun “Classic AF” cocktail menu with sips like the “Main Character” and “Trending So Hard.” Happy hour runs from 4 to 8 p.m. every evening.

Rusty Spur Saloon

Beer, barstools, and toe-tapping country tunes are the scene as you walk through the old-school style swinging doors at the Rusty Spur Saloon, a staple Scottsdale bar for over 70 years. By day, the Rusty Spur offers a Southwestern pub grub menu of burgers and chili, while nights bring live country music, tequila, margaritas, and domestic and premium beers.

Coach House

With a claim to fame as the oldest dive bar in Scottsdale, dating back to 1959, Coach House serves drinks only in an open-air setting. While the setting is small and unassuming, the atmosphere at night is lively, with colorful lights, live music, and pop-up cook-offs.

Jade Bar

Chic craft cocktails are only half of the draw to Jade Bar — the stylish lounge also offers stunning views of Paradise Valley. Located at the lux Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort, Jade Bar is the perfect spot for a romantic sunset date by the fireplace on the shaded outdoor patio. A light food menu (think charcuterie, shrimp cocktails, and truffle fries) accents the fun cocktail concoctions like the “French Spy,” vodka with strawberry, lavender, and sassafras, and the “Lost Dutchman,” tequila with guava, turmeric, saffron, and vanilla.

BS West

  • Address: 7125 E 5th Ave Rear, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
  • Website: http://bswest.com/
  • Ambiance: Lively

Open since the late 1980s, BS West is a popular LGBTQ+ friendly bar and dance floor. Different drink specials throughout the week include a two-for-one Wednesday offer and discounted beverages during Sunday karaoke.

Second Story Liquor Bar

More than 300 whiskeys are on offer at Second Story Liquor Bar, as well as a robust wine list and craft cocktail options. The elegant establishment also has a dinner menu and small plates like seared tuna tataki and crispy brussel sprout salad. The dark and cozy setting makes for a romantic date night spot.

Rockbar Inc.

  • Address: 4245 N Craftsman Ct, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
  • Website: www.rockbarinc.com
  • Ambiance: Casual sports bar

Live music, game-watch parties, and billiards tables are part of the fun at Rockbar Inc., an Oldtown Scottsdale venue with an open rooftop. The low-key drink menu of draught, canned, and bottled beer compliments grub options like pizza, hot sandwiches, and wings.

Boondocks Patio and Grill

  • Address: 4341 N 75th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
  • Website: boondocksaz.com
  • Ambiance: Casual and lively

Boondocks Patio and Grill on the outskirts of Oldtown Scottsdale is best known for its large patio with outdoor seating, where you can often catch live music or watch football games. A hefty pub grub menu of burgers, baskets, and burritos complements the broad drink offerings of craft beer on tap, spirits, seltzers, and “Docktail” mixed drinks. Boondocks also has a location in Tempe.

Bitters Cocktail Bar and Food

Photo Credit: riva442 via Instagram

Located on the south side of Scottsdale in an industrial-style setting, Bitters Cocktail Bar and Food is a gastropub focused on craft bites and beverages. A creative cocktail menu is enhanced with garden ingredients while nine rotating craft beer options are offered on tap. Artisan salads, loaded mac, and a large selection of appetizers fill the food menu.

Sorso Wine Room

Sorso Wine Room in the Scottsdale Quarter open-air mall is the perfect low-key spot to stop for a quiet date night or an evening out with friends. An extensive global wine list is served by the glass and bottle, with spirits, specialty cocktails, and Italian bites to round out the spread.

Old Town Tavern

Known as the “biggest little stage in Old Town Scottsdale,” Old Town Tavern hosts live acts every day of the week. Mixed cocktails are the house specialty and the venue prides itself on offering affordable drinks and frequent specials. Old Town Tavern is on the walkable Civic Center Park Path.

Wasted Grain

A dog-friendly garden, oversized games, and three bars set the stage at Wasted Grain in Old Town. Happy hours melt away into a bouncing nightlife scene with live music, DJs, and dancing. The drink menu here ranges from draft beers to high-end bottle service, plus a selection of cocktails that include a fun “Gummy Bear Martini.”

Kazimierz Wine and Whiskey Bar

Kaz Bar in Old Town Scottsdale is a speakeasy-style establishment with live Latin and jazz performances by local musicians. Wine and whiskey selections are on the menu, as well as creative cocktails like the “Song Dynasty,” with vodka, Cocchi Rosa, tiki bitters, pineapple, and kiwi, and the “Talk to me Nice,” with mint-infused Bacardi, chinola passion fruit, and hints of coconut, lime, and lemon.

Thirsty Camel Lounge at the Phoenician

Located at the Phoenician Scottsdale on Camelback Mountain, Thirsty Camel Lounge is an elegant spot with stunning views over the resort and valley and nightly live entertainment. Premium spirits, whiskies, and cocktails accompany a Sonoran Desert-inspired light bite and dessert menu.

The Union Jack British Pub

Irish whiskey, scotch, bourbon, and a wide selection of drafts are on tap at the Union Jack British Pub in Scottsdale. Designed as a gathering place to socialize and catch a game, the locale also offers a robust food menu of British pub grub, from an all-day full English breakfast to fish and chips to bangers and mash. The restaurant and bar has a second location in Mesa.

AZ88

  • Address: 7353 E Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
  • Website: www.az88.com
  • Ambiance: Classy

Known for its craft martinis and cocktails, AZ88 has a classy and modern vibe with fresh flowers and a minimalist interior displaying a rotating gallery of artwork. The bar’s large patio overlooks Scottsdale Civic Center Park and is also open for a lunch and dinner menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and plates.

The Vig McDowell Mountain

The Vig McDowell Mountain is located on the northern end of Scottsdale, away from the bustle of Old Town. A patio with fire pits and hanging lights overlooks the hills of McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Southwestern-style pub fare and weekend brunch is served alongside a drink menu of draft beer, red and whites, and signature cocktails like the “Desert Dove” tequila and citrus mixer and the “Flying High Cadillac Margarita” that adds agave nectar to the classic.

Porters Western Saloon

Housed in a nearly 100-year-old brick building that once served as Scottsdale’s first post office, Porters Western Saloon is easily recognizable for the pinto stallion General that stands guard on the upper balcony. The contemporary rustic two-level watering hole keeps beers on tap and it offers a selection of wine and specialty mixed drinks that pay tribute to the locale, like the “Sonoran Sunset” and the “Postmaster.”

Maya Day Club

One of the most popular Scottsdale bars, Maya Day Club keeps the party going by sunlight and strobe light, with epic pool parties, giant lawn games, and a pub grub menu. During the day, you can reserve cabanas for bachelorette parties with the girls while after dark, the Vegas-style venue turns into a hot Scottsdale nightlife scene.

Terroir Wine Pub

Guests at Terroir Wine Pub can order flights to sample a trio of wines from an expansive menu that changes to stay fresh. Non-oenophiles can order from a selection of draft, domestic, and imported beers. Live music, cozy couches, and patio seating create a relaxed atmosphere for sipping and dining on flatbreads, bruschetta, and paninis.

Grab A Drink & Enjoy Scottsdale

With this long list of Scottsdale bars, you’ll be sure to find your perfect spot to sit back, grab a drink, and fully enjoy your vacation to Arizona. Grab an after dinner drink at any of these Old Town bars or check them out during Happy Hour to start your evening off on the right foot. Regardless of when you decide to visit, we’re sure you’ll be served a great drink at any of these Scottsdale bars.

Next Post

Leave a Reply

20 − two =