Linger Longer Lounge embodies the essence of a cozy bar with an elusive identity — is it a dive bar? A cocktail lounge? Someone’s garage? It doesn’t matter because the atmosphere is always vibrant. Enjoy sipping on cheap American lager or indulge in a brain freeze with their negroni slushy. There is often live music, dancing, and a diverse range of events. And for sustenance, Der Wurst, located inside the bar, offers a satisfying array of hot dogs. Swing by between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday to enjoy happy hour specials, including $5 draft beers and $7 cocktails like the Tito’s Lavender Lemonade and Tucson-made Del Bac Whiskey Old Fashioned.

Twelve years ago, this stylish, multi-windowed bar in the Sanctuary Resort & Spa was ground zero for the city’s nascent cocktail culture. Now, the bar focuses on seasonal cocktails are made with premium spirits, local fruits and vegetables, and assertive ingredients such as turmeric and harissa. And the views of Paradise Valley — both indoors and out on the patio — are gorgeous.

This bar is an homage to all things Arizona — 1912, the year Arizona became a state. The Phoenix gem is nestled behind Melrose favorite Valentine. 1912 boasts a chic and moody ambiance, complete with a beautiful vinyl listening bar. The drink menu is inspired by Arizona’s original economy, featuring the five Cs: cotton, citrus, climate, cattle, and copper. Bartenders are well-versed in the cocktails’ origins and their historical significance. Pro tip: It operates on a walk-in-only basis, so plan accordingly, as there is often a wait.

A few years ago, finding a natural wine bar in Phoenix was quite the challenge, let alone one selling local natural wine. Then came Sauvage. From its modest origins as a small natural wine stand in the downtown Phoenix hotspot, The Churchill, Sauvage expanded to its own brick-and-mortar location in 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. The shop found its home in the hundred-year-old Helen Anderson house off McDowell Road, restoring it to its English cottage roots. While Sauvage still offers a plethora of retail wines for purchase, it has upgraded to a selection of over 200 wines available for enjoyment on-site, corked to go, or by the glass, accompanied by a menu of small bites. Sauvage is always bustling with events, including rotating chef specials and DJ performances throughout the week.

Since 1947, The Bikini Lounge has stood as a quintessential embodiment of Phoenix’s essence. While many new establishments attempt to replicate the inherent kitschiness of a loosely tiki-themed dive bar with over half a century of history, capturing the true soul of a place like The Bikini Lounge proves to be a challenge. Don’t expect an expertly made cocktail, but with cheap and strong drinks, you are guaranteed to at least get your money’s worth. Amidst the rapid transformations of the Grand Ave area, The Bikini Lounge remains a taste of old Phoenix while also embracing and influencing the evolving Phoenix culture. Operating from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. every night of the week, be sure to bring cash, as The Bikini Lounge operates on a cash-only basis.

David Tyda and Jourdain Blanchette opened this bi-level cocktail bar to celebrate Mexico’s famous agave-based spirits — namely, obscure heritage brands of tequila, mezcal, bacanora, raicilla and sotol (the only spirit on this list distilled from a plant called Desert Spoon). Their 40-page drink menu features somewhere around 200 labels, accompanied by tasting notes and explanations of origins and processes. For an even better education, consider one of a dozen flights, or book a group private tasting ($75 per person). Both the colorful upstairs cantina and moodier, dimly lit basement have different vibes and different cocktail menus, but some drinks are available in either setting. 

Housed in a bright white converted bungalow built in 1914, Garden Bar is a breath of fresh air — a beautiful space that feels more like a comfortable home than a place to drink. It’s light, bright, and tastefully decorated, featuring a few front porch tables and a small backyard patio. More importantly, the cocktails here are always balanced and delicious. Mixology heavy-hitter Kim Haasarud, the eight-time cocktail book author who currently serves as president of the U.S. Bartenders Guild, owns the place.

Co-created by hospitality groups known for their major contributions to the valley’s culinary scene, Quartz is a gem-themed cocktail lounge located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Despite its modern and sophisticated ambiance, the bar is designed to resemble a massive rock wall. Its menu, ever-evolving and dynamic, showcases expertly made cocktails boasting eccentric flavors, such as the “anahata emerald,” reminiscent of a midori sour, and the “rohang ruby,” a spicy mezcal margarita. For patrons seeking a more immersive experience, Quartz offers a reservation–highly–recommended back room called The Cave. This area boasts a stunning all-mirrored hallway and private booths. The Cave presents a separate set tasting menu, featuring themed cocktails inspired by deserts from around the world.

Hanny’s has witnessed all the iterations of downtown Phoenix over the past two decades and continues to navigate the area’s transformations with unwavering expertise. Set within a refurbished mid-20th-century department store, Hanny’s offers a stylish and softly lit ambiance, making it an ideal destination for corporate dinners all the way to a swift pre-concert drink. The establishment boasts an impressive array of wine, beer, and spirits, including standout options like the formidable espresso martini and an extensive Scotch selection.

Central Records draws inspiration from Japanese vinyl listening bars, with a strong emphasis on music being a part of the experience. The establishment hosts its own radio show, and regularly features live DJs, while also providing workshops and opportunities for aspiring musicians to perform. While the focus leans less towards specialty cocktails, Central Records boasts a well-stocked bar offering a diverse selection of natural wines and a curated range of local and elusive European beers. Make sure not to overlook the Thursday night jazz dinners, and anticipate potentially busy weekends as the venue tends to attract crowds.

Ross Simon’s multi-award-winning cocktail bar (housed, ironically, in the 20s-era Luhrs Building, which was once home to the Arizona Prohibition Department) has anchored the downtown cocktail scene for eight years and counting. Ross drops an ambitious new menu each year, a lavishly illustrated tome filled with dozens of masterfully conceived and executed drinks. He considers the smallest details, right on down to the water filtration system and ice quality. Drinkers can keep it classic, sipping a polar martini or one of many slight, careful negroni riffs. Or they can get “whimsical as fuck” (B&T’s motto), and travel down novel avenues, from a butter-washed bourbon and Cocchi Torino concoction that nods to popcorn to a pina colada upgrade that is truly worth drinking.