Yikes. I have been waiting on submitting this review since I just could not find the right words for this place. Like Si said earlier, this is not my typical scene. I am uncomfortable in bars. Generally, I am crying into my heinously over-priced, poorly mixed drink in the corner. But that is not relevant to this review at all. Pfff. I am not cool enough to understand why people like this place or why it is cool. This has to be one of the smallest dance clubs ever constructed. Are these cramped quarters good, so that someone is guaranteed to unknowingly grab your ass at some point in the evening? Also, the layout for the place, with two different mixes of house music permeating both floors, is obnoxious. It truly feels like the cool peeps are dry humping each other upstairs, and the not-so-great peeps are downstairs wishing they were upstairs. The cover was $7. WTF? I can think of millions of different things I could spend my cash on. But don't relax just yet, we haven't even explored the deplorable cost of drinks. This must be the place that Paul Rudd was referring to in 40 Year Old Virgin, when he states "Yeah, it is $9 beer night." $7 for a gin and tonic, that freaking Cocktail served us. I loved the fact that because I wasn't dancing vigorously or did not have huge, fake breasts, that it took him like 12 minutes to figure out we were there. This place is horrible. The icing is the fact that these huge bouncers plop themselves triumphantly in every corner, just waiting for the chance to push scrawny punks out of the way. All I can say is this is not my kind of place and I am totally ok with that. read more

Though I've known about the existence of this place for quite some time, I have always been hesitant to visit Bar Smith, not out of an aversion to drinking and dancing, but because I know some of the guys who work/frequent this place, and some of them haven't really been briefed on the whole "Jetta" thing. Oh hi, um, I hope this doesn't weird you out, but I already know you. We used to take a class together. You might not remember me...I was a boy then. So, uh, what's new with you? When Dottsy Z announced that, as a conclusion to her birthday pub crawl, she wanted to go dancing at Bar Smith, I was at first a little wary. But everyone seemed so excited at the idea, and as the pictures of the pub crawl will show you, I was looking fucking hawt last night. So I figured to hell with parliamentary procedure, we had some dancing to do. After navigating the diabolical labyrinth that are the one way streets that surrounded the place, Nathan and I showed up about twenty minutes after everyone else. Since it was after 130 in the AM, they didn't charge us cover, and after I gave the security the old "please, I'm working on the driver's license thing, don't make a big deal about it" eye fluttering, we were let in without any hassle. Within thirty seconds of stepping inside we spotted a man dressed in a cardboard and tinfoil robot costume, doing the robot. Then and there that I decided this place was at least getting three stars. The scene on the rooftop bar was like every Halloween party in Hell (or Heaven, for you overachievers). Way-buffer-than-humanly-reasonable hipsters shook their bon bons with Joker nurses and s&m fairies as bass-driven boogies pounded our ears to near deafness. One could even spot Adam M over in the corner by the DJ dancing with himself (either that or his partner had wisely moved out of the way of his cyclone of dancing fury) I like to imagine that no matter where I am in the universe, Adam M at any time can be found dancing in the corner. Seriously. Only Phoenix would have rooftop dancing in November. That's why I love this city. At first I felt a little awkward about dancing, but when I realized that Dottsy and Kevin H were taking pictures, I knew that there was no going back, and even I starting shaking my groove thing, despite being about three or four inches taller than every one else in the club. I tried so very hard to minimize the damage done to the other patrons, but I just know someone will read this review and say to your friend! "Hey, remember that behemoth chick who gave you that black eye! She wrote about it on yelp!" Though I've been to many a club, last night marked the first time a total stranger walked up to me and asked to take a picture of me. Every day I'm going to google "tranny dancing bar smith rose in mouth" until I find that picture. My pose was simply too good to be kept in someone's memory card. The whole night we were there (in this case, "night" means about 45 minutes) we kept dusting off chalk off of each other. The walls were literally coated in it. Surprisingly, I wasn't as annoyed with this as I was disappointed. I was hoping that perhaps some sort of hipster robin hood was literally just throwing drugs at passersby, but it turns out we were just dancing too close to the walls. Oh well. I admit, I feel a small tug at my conscience, giving this place a three-star review based on 45 minutes spent on the rooftop dancing and brushing "mystery powder" off my tits. But, alas, it was enough to win me over, and I will definitely agree to a second date (perhaps even a third if I can actually get into the ladies room), where I'll order some food and drinks and write yet another one of those "useful and factual" reviews I'm so well known for. read more

Bust out those vintage Nike sneakers that you haven't worn since high school and impress your fellow urban dancers with your Dougie, the Robot, the Carlton, or better yet, the WORM. At any rate, Bar Smith is your destination for your Hip-Hop dancing needs! There is absolutely nothing fancy or pretentious about this venue. It is clear as mud once you enter this urban night spot. People come here to dance, groove, bounce to whatever lyrical rhyme that spits out of those loud, rumbling speakers! If you are looking to battle, there is no shame in doing so! The vibe here is incredibly welcoming to all levels of dancing! If you see somebody pointing and laughing, it's probably because of your poor fashion sense. Not hip-hop enough or something. Or those green skinny jeans clashed with your blue socks. If hip-hop isn't your thang, head up the stairs to the top roof where you can hear the electronic beats of house and trance music. Don't be surprised if there's a giant circle formed to see who has the most creative techno moves. For once, a place where you don't have to dress or have the best moves to impress. Quick Facts: x $5 cover. x Downtown. x Free Parking at the CityScape Garage or Metered Parking. x Light Rail nearby. x Sandwiched between 2 other dancing venues. read more

I would give this place 5 stars if they ventilated the downstairs, expanded the rooftop and not charge $10 cover. A warning to the ladies, you will get your hands/waist/ass grabbed throughout the night. They should probably enforce the 1:1 guy/girl ratio here since it was a total sausage fest...I felt like I was a lamb shank at the meat market read more

5 stars for the rooftop patio, 4 stars for downstairs. For one night I was given an honorary hipster status at Bar Smith. We met a local DJ Joe Dipavora and his lady friend and chatted with them for a while, Joe was treated like royalty and everyone kept coming over and talking to him. So I think I met like 20 other DJ's from here in the phoenix area. The roof top at about 40' x 60' is small, so you're gonna be standing shoulder to shoulder all night. But that is a good thing because you'll be with tons of other hipsters all feeling the groovy house music. The two bartenders on the rooftop deck were able to take care of everyone so no service problems. Downstairs the music was more danceable and hip-hoppy, and you could even join in one of the break-dance circles and show off your moves. See I have no moves so I just bounced around to the cool music upstairs all night. This place is awesome, such a cool vibe, cool music, and cool rooftop location. read more

RE: 10/05/14 1:07a Table 210 Receipt #***** Employee: Ms. Britt I was at patron in your facility at the above mentioned time. I was ready to leave the bar & Ms. Britt said she could not find my debit card. I gave her my telephone number & she called me @ 3:00a to say she found it. She took it home with her & called me today to say she would meet up with me & return it. Is this common practice with your facility? This is shady business at best. read more

I've been back a few times since the last review but the most notable was to see DJ Z-Trip. He was awesome, no complaints there. Bar Smith though? They failed on so many levels. I got there sometime between 10:30 and 11:00 and there was about a 20 minute wait out front. Not the end of the world or anything but after finally getting in, there was a sea of bodies and another very long wait. About 50 people were lined up by the stair case waiting to get upstairs. There was a bouncer not allowing anyone up there until people would slowly trickle out. Why they put Z-Trip on the patio, I don't know. It's the size of a shoe box and was clearly to capacity before 11 PM. FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL!! I was in various lines roughly 50 minutes and still hadn't made it upstairs. Forget about stepping out of line to get a drink because you'd lose your place. The short of it is I paid for pre sale tickets, managed to get there at a decent time, and still had to wait close to an hour just to get in the same room as the guy. It was a total let down. At that point I was so ready to just walk out and ask for my money back. They clearly oversold the event and didn't give much thought about their patrons who paid money to see this DJ. They were going to fit every last body into that place if it killed them...and everyone else in there. After finally getting upstairs there were so many bodies, no one could move at all. It was a total clusterfuck. I finally made it to the back bar and stood in line for 10 minutes just to find out their card reader broke earlier in the night. Fantastic. No signs saying it was a cash bar, that would have been a nice gesture. Also, the bathrooms were downstairs, so forget about having to pee AT ALL during the 2+ hours you're there. If you had to go, you better hold it, otherwise you'd be waiting in line for another 30 minutes just to get back up. By the time Z-Trip came on, the sound was bass heavy and mildly distorted. I inched my way to various parts of the patio but the sound didn't get any better, so my partner and I said fuck it and went downstairs for the rest of the night. Thankfully they were playing his set downstairs and upstairs. At least people could move more easily downstairs. Plus the sound was better. And the bathrooms were actually accessible. Even at the end of the night, there were people standing in line waiting to get upstairs. Bar Smith gets a huge "F" as far as I'm concerned. I won't be back to this place for any headlining DJ. They obviously don't know how to run an event. read more

Really...people like this place? It's bad enough when the bartender can't make a drink correctly the first time. (Vodka and Tonic mind you...and I think I only tasted tonic water) When you go back (or in this case Robert M took it back for me since the bartender ignored me the first time I tried) the drink tastes 10x worse. Music was good though. read more

I kind of feel like a dick giving this place such an "low" rating because out of the two times i've been here, one of them was an absolute blast and the other time i wish i was dead. So, a fair rating would be more like a 2.5 The Good: They have the coolest spot on the Washington drag, complete with rooftop patio that is completely urban and when CityScape comes to fruition will be the ultimate place to view it. The Bad: However, the owners have completely missed what their target rooftop market should be, and "dumbed" this place down with awful DJs and a projection screen ... not to mention an completely forced "VIP room", which seems more like a holding cell than somewhere to put the local celeb dorks that frequent this place. The Good: The decor and design. The interior is very classy The Bad: Their current clientle has completely missed the point. Tuck in your fucking shirt, or don't, but do it with some fucking style. You look like shit and you're making this fine bar with some massive potential look like a dive. The Good: They have a DJ The Bad: He plays bad Hip Hop/Rap. I don't mean that i hate Hip Hop. The exact opposite, actually. He just plays all the horrible shit. Would it kill you to update your selection from "irrelevant" to "marginal"? How about going beyond that to some indie hip hop like Spank Rock, Handsome Boy Modeling School, M.I.A., or Ohmega Watts? How about something everyone knows dispersed in there, like Common, Jurassic 5, Lupe, Nas, or OutKast? The music upstairs is straight up boring. The Good: You can have a fantastic time here with all of your friends The Bad: You need ALL OF THEM there to make this possible read more

My home away from home! Bar Smith's number one best feature is its DJs. The music is ALWAYS on point. Whether it's the hip hop downstairs or the House upstairs. I always go here when I need to really get my dance on. The club is well known for it's resident DJs - Senbad and Pete Salaz. These guys are true Disc Jockeys. For real. This spot is awesome if you're looking to spot some legit bboys and bgirls as well as a myriad of other awesome dancers. The drink prices are among average, similar to any other Phoenix bar I'd say. It's just always a good time, even when it's not that packed. Forget Axis Radius or whatever, this is where the real music is. read more

Irritating: I've been here on two separate occasions both on Saturday evenings. I don't like paying cover, so Bar Smith irritates me. The last time I was in this neck of the woods, it was 1:30 and the door guy would not allow us to enter for the remaining half hour without paying 10 bucks to get in. I find this ridiculous and shameful, so Bar Smith is on my shit list. Also, I was unable to have a conversation in the downstairs area because the music was just that loud. Bragging rights: The drinks are strong and good, so I'll give them that. My interactions with the actual bartenders have been positive. The actual spot is very cool, especially the rooftop patio- lots of dancing is to be had! The best way to describe this bar is- the Scottsdale scene in the middle of Central Phoenix. Not a huge fan. read more

I would never go here again. Ever. Even if there was a fire, and there were no other bars left in Phoenix. I came here with my mom and a friend to meet up with a friend of my mom's. $10 cover for each of us to get in. Maybe I've been spoiled by being a girl, but I've never paid cover to get in anywhere. Strike 1. Strike 2: Barf Smith. It reeked of vomit as soon as we walked inside. I thought maybe someone had just puked by the entrance, but the smell lingered as we walked upstairs and to rooftop. Then there was a group of disgusting girls dancing on the bar, so I couldn't even get close enough to grab a drink. Strike 3: After less than 5 minutes at this place, we proceeded to leave and tried to get a refund. The lady working the door was unbelievably rude and said there was nothing she could do. When my mom asked to speak to a manger, she was told there was not one available. Really? On a busy Friday night, there is no manager around? We weren't even offered any kind of apology. I'm sure the vomit smell, cover charge, and rude staff is not an everyday occurrence (or at least I hope), but after my experience, I have no desire to give it a second chance. read more

Bar Smith = WORST BAR EVER I wrote that on my cocktail napkin after being in this place for only 10 minutes. Let's just say it wasn't worth battling all the one-way streets and construction paying the $5 cover (I see many people complaining about $7-$10, but I can see why.) The music was blaring and not in a good way. My first stop was the bathroom. There was no attendant in in there (THANK GOD!) But when I opened the door I hit the girl standing at the sink and couldn't walk in until people moved around like puzzle pieces. Second stop the bar. I got a beer and a water from the downstairs bar. Five dollars for a Newcastle? Jesus. Not happy. Take my beer upstairs and find a hideaway behind the rooftop dance floor to drink and smoke in peace. Yes, upstairs they are playing different music than the shit downstairs. Yes, it was cramped and sweaty. No, the misters didn't do a damn thing for me. The flair-tending that was performed at the upstairs bar was pretty cool! They actually lit bottles on fire. I have never seen that done at a bar in Phoenix and that is the only reason this place has 2 stars. I don't even think the view is that great. All you see is a mess of construction and cops waiting to nab all the drunks as soon as they get released from the bars. Uninspired, un-enthused and unlikely I will be returning. read more

This 2 story bar was hip and fun. I had tons of fun with the bar down stairs and even more when ascending upstairs to the outdoor patio with a full bar and even a light show against the wall. The atmosphere was pretty laid back with a lot of different kinds of party Forster from ravers to upscale middle aged looking for a good time. The only draw back is the fluctuating prices in the drink. Down stairs was 6 bucks for a whiskey sour up stairs it's 9 dollars. And I didn't really feel like walking back down stairs and back up so I settled for water. The staff here is pretty cool and the bouncers outside are awesome. The told me what bars would also be open as well as where to get cash. read more

Bar Smith - Pretty cool upstairs patio with a dj and a light show - Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I didn't come here for dinner. I came here with friends for a Saturday night out that started around 11ish, and were very pleasantly surprised. You enter a whole new world as soon as you climb the stairs to the top. There is a deck, with views on one side of Phoenix's few tall buildings on one end and the large smooth wall of another building on the other emblazoned with a light-fueled logo of "Bar Smith". Very cool backdrop. On this outdoor deck with a full-scale bar, is an excellent mister system that keeps partyers cool in the infamous 90+ heat of our Phoenix summer nights while simultaneously adding to the atmosphere. There is a live DJ playing house music. The crowd is mixed, and a nice contrast to the douchebags of Dirty Scottsdale (come on, you know who I'm talking about). This is yet another place where you will forget that you're actually in Phoenix... or, to be more accurate, that you will learn that your previous images of Phoenix need some updating. read more

I went to Bar Smith in February with a cousin and a few friends while I visited AZ. I'm From Los Angeles and was very impressed with the music at Bar Smith. First time I came here was on a Saturday night. The DJ's were spinning heat ALL night [3 were on deck taking turns], from old school/classic hip hop , from pharcyde to pete rock cuts and everything in between AND ASIDE!...even to that good ol jiggy but not too much, it was all good. I even had to take a moment to shake one of the dj's hand and give him praise for a fresh set he pulled off. I don't think there was a time I stopped dancing other then when I went upstairs for a moment [nice up top on the deck and really crowded but I preferred the vibe/music downstairs] I didn't do any severe drinking but that was okay since I was so pumped to dance, which means it had to really be cracking. We all had an amazing time. Next time I go out to AZ I'll definitely be hitting Bar Smith again and who knows, maybe I'll see that grade A breed I saw the first time but without a girlfriend ;) read more

I have been here 3-4 times. Each time on Friday or Saturday post 11pm, generally Friday. The aspects of Bar Smith I like best is the music, the cleanliness, and relaxed atmosphere. The music is my favorite part, not sure if it is just the days I happened to go but it was nice being able to dance to David Bowie, The Doors, The Postal Service and many many more exceptionally mixed songs. I also love that the bathrooms are always clean, with a very friendly bathroom attendant. The dance floors are also clean, and I rarely saw abandoned cups. It is also great that everyone is friendly, it is easy to get a drink, and they aren't very expensive (under 5 for well liquor, maybe $4?). I dislike that it can get really really hot both inside and outside. There are fans downstairs but it doesn't feel air conditioned. The last time I went most of the fans were off (or broken?) and it was unbearable, we ended up leaving feeling sick from the mix of alcohol and heat, which was a shame because it is really fun dancing there. It also bothers me how small it is, it sucks that there are only two stalls in the girls room, and that there isn't more room where you can gather with a group away from the speakers. read more

Once you work your way through the hip hop scene downstairs, you'll be met with fresh air, indie music, and a nice view overlooking Cityscape and the US Airways Arena on the roof of Barsmith! An intimate (small) setting, Barsmith plays host to many of Phoenix's best local dj's. Wednesday nights offer "hump day" partygoers the Scenario, a hip dance party jamming to the beat of drum and base, moombahton (spelling?), reggae, etc.... If you're looking for a wilder night to bust out your dancing shoes, check out Sticky Fingers every Friday from 10- LATE! There's always great drink specials here if you arrive before 11pm, however the prices aren't too bad after the specials end. The rooftop vibe alone is worth giving this place a try! read more

This place sucks. I'm a born and raised Phoenician who has been living in LA for the past 4 years and I have enjoyed seeing the developing downtown scene in Phoenix. Until Bar Smith. I brought a few friends with me to check out this place for our Labor Day vacation. Their AC was broken (with 110+ heat) and they still charged a $10 cover. I thought, "This is a joke and I'm getting punked." I really don't want to re-live the experience but after getting the run-around, and into a heated argument with the promoter we all managed to get 2 free drinks. This of course only AFTER our group of 7 paid the ridiculous cover and bought a round. Avoid this place at all costs, however I will say that I believe this place is better on a different night (we went on Saturday). It's a shame because the DJ is really good and it reminded me of the DJs out here in LA. This place also attracts a sleazy sausage crowd. Our group had 4 girls and I'm pretty sure all of them were thoroughly grossed-out. LOL! Go anywhere else. Please. read more

Nope nope nope nope. Staff has poor attitude, drinks are outrageously priced and not well made. Poor drink selection (think frat party selections only). Weird crowd and a bit gross all around. read more

Sometimes there's a cover, and sometimes there isn't. In true nightclub fashion, you can never really tell what it's going to be either. I've never seen anything good happen downstairs. The music has never been good, regardless of the genre that night (Hip Hop, Techno, etc). And, the overall vibe is pretty lackluster. Upstairs, however, is house music heaven. Located outside under the stars, on a relatively small balcony, the vibe is always pretty stellar. Open air, video collages on the walls, and AWESOME music. I've never been let down yet. Even on a random Wednesday evening recently, when it was almost empty, the music was still amazing. If you live in the Valley, you have to visit the upstairs of Bar Smith at least once. It's fantastic. It's a shame they've never been able to replicate any of the upstairs magic to the rest of the club though. read more

Bar Smith has great sandwiches for lunch, and a nice rooftop bar open most evenings. Be warned, the place smells like a raw sewer burst open. Hang out for about 15 minutes, and your nose will get used to it and stop noticing. There really isn't anything special about the place, but everything is good. I always have had my eyes on the enormous bottles of grey goose above the bar. UPDATE - 6-20-08: Went in last friday to meet up with a friend. He had been there since 4:30 in the afternoon, and now it was 10pm so as you can imagine he was too drunk to really know his surroundings. I walked up and they were frisking everyone who went through the door, and took one look at me and said go ahead... lol. The girl tried to charge me a cover, which I denied and went ahead and went in anyway, as I was not planning on staying longer than what it took to get my buddy out of there. I went in and it was a friggin thug fest. Every Cholo, Ese, and Heina in Phoenix was there. I was the only white guy in the place. It felt very unsafe, even for a guy who grew up in the hood. I will never go back there as long as they are advertising to and accepting this type of clientele. It's unsafe, unsophisticated, and downright embarrasing. ONE STAR! read more

My friends and I have started frequenting this place to get away from the Scottsdale d**** bags if ya know what I mean. We had a lot of fun! It gets a little packed on the roof, but it a great change of pace to be in the middle of down town and see the buildings and the electronic music and dancing is cool. The prices are very reasonable. I think I bought a round of shots (4) and two cocktails for about $30. Where as in Scottsdale you would be lucky to get out the door with 4 shots for under $30. The only issue is parking. But this is a problem for down town as a whole. We found a lot right across the street but they charged $10. It's a little steep, but sometimes you get luck and find a meter and don't have to pay at all. Good luck! read more

Located downtown Phoenix sandwiched between what i thought was a strip club on the left & a reggaeton club on the right, Bar Smith seemed highly unlikely! I appreciated upon entering Raekwon's ice cream was CANCELING out Daddy Yankee from the right (HA!) Hip hop/old school mash ups on the lower level combined with a different scene of music on the upper level. With videos playing against the wall with a full bar & DJ, the rooftop scene is what gives the place an edge as compared to other places I've been to out here. I'm hoping they alternate the genres between the upper & lower levels cause it just wouldn't be fair if they only played the corny music on the rooftop! i could definitely see renting out the space for future parties here. Great ambiance. This place has $5 drinks with fast 'bartender recognition.' The crowd told me that this place is where young professionals come to party with their older coworkers & alot of Phx. locals meet on a saturday night. Also complete with an 'under the stair' dancer (literally), a bathroom attendant that made me feel a strange pang of guilt because it seemed to be a requirement to put soap in peoples hands & a hot dog stand (though not the bacon wrapped ones i love) outside. As me & my fam. danced the night away with the rest of the Phoenicians i knew that my cousin & best friend would be going back home to California where places like Bar Smith is plentiful...sans the rooftops in the city. But, even though this place would be a typical great frequent in California, Bar Smith holds its own out here in the desert. read more

I love the rooftop at Bar Smith especially as the weather gets nicer. I went for a party last night and it was great. Two different types of music one downstairs and one on the rooftop. The drinks are not overpriced and usually there is a good crowd there. The bar staff is great and always helpful unlike many Scottsdale clubs. read more

Bar Smith is what you'd get if you crossed the Merc Bar with a house party. The downstairs portion of the bar is swanky and low-lit, with a DJ tucked away in the corner. The crowd is young and has been infiltrated by the college types, streaming in from the new ASU dormitories about a mile away. It is a place where you'd feel encouraged to wear a collared shirt and your expensive jeans, but it is still Phoenix, so no pressure. The upstairs portion of it is really wonderful... it's open air, so in the cooler months, I imagine it will be wildly popular. Many couches and ottomans are strewn about, perfect for gathering. I'm pretty sure you're going to hate me for even mentioning this part during the most disgusting months of the year, but there's a fireplace up there, too (some time this year, your ire for this fireplace will morph into an uncontrollable urge for "cozy"... just wait). I really like Bar Smith, and I think it's a great addition to the downtown scene; just watch your drinks. read more

Hmmmm..... I have been there a few times and each time I want to give a completely different rating so I settled for a mid-range 3 stars. Totally depends on the night and more specifically, the DJ. This is unfortunate because you have to pay a hefty cover either way. *Unless you get there before 10 30pm and then you're good* First time I went... Really awesome and almost beat out Char's Has the Blues (which is my ultimate favorite) so that says a lot. The DJ was great and there were lots of people dancing. Love the rooftop bar and dance floor, giant chalkboard wall and people there in general. Second time.... A letdown. Not so great DJ so a lot less people, expensive and ridiculously weak drinks, still same $10 cover. I would suggest to research the DJ and get there before 10:30pm on the weekend. read more

Best Saturday night spot! Solstice Saturday's are amazing. Hip Hop downstairs, House upstairs. Best dancing vibes.

We came here after hitting the Monarch Theater right next door. It was 10 bucks per person to get in. For a bar that has a club type of vibe, they actually had a good beer to drink. Odell IPA. I mean, every other dance club type of establishment the have only the normal Bud/Miller/Coors. I give this place 3 stars because downstairs sucks. The DJ down there sucked really bad, and the smoke machine smelled like crap. Downstairs is a hip hop type of vibe, and upstairs had EDM house music being mixed. As a big time EDM fan, I heard some Wolfgang Gartner, Feed Me, and Porter Robinson. Good stuff. Great music going on upstairs. Upstairs was awesome, but just way too cramped. Another thing that sucked was that there was a crap ton of dudes dancing up there. They should have taken a queue from the Monarch next door and let ladies in for free. They ought to have the EDM DJ downstairs, and put the hip hop DJ out of a job, because no one was dancing to his mix. I mean, I tried to give him a chance, but he was playing THE WORST hip hop.Stuff you have never heard that is not dance worthy. I am not expecting the Scottsdale hip hop mash up, but it would hurt to play something someone has actually heard. Prices were average. 5 bucks for an Odells and 7 bucks for a liquor mixer. I would come back here if they did something better with the downstairs. The bar counters downstairs were really sticky, and there was barely anyone down there. Would it hurt to wipe down your counters more frequently? I down rated it to 2 stars because of the split atmosphere, and the overwhelming amount of dudes. Otherwise, if it wasn't a sausage fest, I would have given it 3, and if the downstairs wasn't lame, it would get a 4. read more

We went on a Friday night a few weeks ago to celebrate my birthday after a rough week of work. There was a $10 cover charge for everyone...WHAT?? The downstairs decor was sleek and sophisticated...I thought, this place has promise and it almost made me forget about the cover charge. We got drinks and shots at the bar (friends paid so not sure what the drink prices were like) and then decided to check out the upstairs. On a busy night, you can't just go upstairs. You have to wait in line and then when people come down, they will let people in line up. Luckily the wait wasn't that long. Once we got upstairs, it was completely packed with people. We fought our way through the crowd and snagged some spots along the railing so we could people watch the line at PHX next door. The music that was played that night was good (lots of rap and hip hop). The oddest thing about the roof was that they were projecting crappy MTV shows (i.e. "The X Effect") onto the brick wall. I thought it was weird personally. I think I need to go check out Bar Smith on a weeknight and when I do, I will make sure to update my review. For now, 3 stars for a chick fight as we were leaving and guys checking me out and asking me to stay as I made my way toward the door with my husband in tow. read more

I may have found the heartbeat of Phoenix. We wound up here after the Lady Gaga concert (which I reluctantly attended, but surprisingly enjoyed), after telling a guy I chatted up at Seamus that I like anything with a fiddle. And a fiddle they had. House music. With a fiddle. On a rooftop in Phoenix. Who knew?! Stiff drinks, fantastically talented dancers showcasing their skills, within stumbling distance of the lightrail. Even a bathroom attendant which...the verdict is still out on. I don't know that this role (in general) was really imagined for offering up lotion, hairspray and paper towels, or for the more practical role of regulating the bar-goers of the puke and rally persuasion. At any rate, an awesome evening for sure. P.S. If you can seek out the off-duty pedicab driver who is friendly with the bouncers, you may be able to roll in without a cover charge. read more

I want to like Bar Smith, and I actually very much do. But...the 3 stars were inevitable after my lunch here a few weeks ago. First off, let me say that I really do like everything about this place - the ambiance, the vibe, the menu, the service, the prices...it's all great. Seriously. But I just can't justify giving a fourth star because my food was not very well-prepared. I ordered the Blackened Mahi Mahi, which came with a Pineapple Relish, Mixed Greens and a Cajun Remoulade Dressing -- very excellent concept for a dish, and the flavors were really lovely together...this dish made me believe that a pineapple relish may be the only way to eat mahi mahi. However, as I'm sitting there enjoyed the dish, I start getting closer to middle of the mahi filet, and I realize that it's not cooked... Not even remotely. Yeah, the edges were cooked, but most of it was cold and raw. NOT how I like my mahi mahi. I very kindly asked the waitress if they could cook it more, and she very kindly had the kitchen do so. They got it right the second time around (although it wasn't quite the same...), but it makes me wonder if whoever's back in the kitchen knows what they're doing... I want to go back. I want to try it again, because I have the feeling it was a fluke. I HOPE it was a fluke. But as for now, I have no other choice but to give them 3 stars...despite how much I really do like this place. read more

And someone is full of themselves... $10 per person for a cover charge? Just so I can blow an equal amount on subpar booze and music? No thank you. I used to be a huge Bar Smith fan, but lately... some one gone done lost their mind! We arrived a party of 5, assuming the line to the west end of Washington Street was for Bar Smith, only to be surprised that it was for an event at the Monarch Gallery. After hastily providing our ID'S to the doorman a girl tells us it will be $10 a person, while looking in, it is clearly empty. As I am more than well aware of the tight quarters in the bar from past experience and price gauging for beer, we decide to leave without paying. read more

This is a very fun club for you party animals. The bar doesn't have a cover until 10, so a bunch of ladies and I arrived closer to 9:30. The place was fairly dead for a couple hours, then it picked up. Vodka was on special, with mixed drinks for 4$... so needless to say, we all had vodka based drinks. There was nothing special about these drinks and they were on the small side (served in a plastic cup, you know, to be classy), but for 4$, what can you ask for? They had one DJ on the roof (who happened to be my wedding DJ, so I obviously liked him) and another downstairs. Overall it was a typical loud crowded club scene, but I would come back if I were in the mood for that kind of thing. read more

If you are looking for dancing, loud music, and drunk people everywhere, Bar Smith is your answer. $10 cover for everyone (ladies and military, we are sadly not excluded from this) and you enter wonderland. I love the upstairs bar, especially this time of year. It's a nice break from being hot and sweaty downstairs. It's usually EDM/house DJ's outside. Not as much dancing as downstairs, but you'll see the occasional raver going all out. Last time I was there, someone showed up in a bear costume! Downstairs is more hip music. It doesn't start to pick up until after midnight, aka after enough libations make the crowds go crazy. It's fun to go between upstairs and downstairs. Carolina is a kickass bartender, she makes a mean whiskey ginger and has awesome green lipstick! Drinks weren't crazy outrageous expensive either. Bathroom line never seemed to last forever, although I don't think it's a classy enough joint to warrant an attendant. She was sweet though and gave me an extra piece of gum when I smartly opted out of a cigarette (yes, they have cigs for tips in the bathroom). Overall, Bar Smith can be a fun time. Go into it expecting nothing, walk out drunk and sweaty. read more

Pretty cool place that appeals to 2 very different crowds. My friends and I stayed downstairs for the majority of the night. The hip hop music was pretty good and the DJ had a excellent music selection. The bartenders were very friendly, except for one of the blonde girls. When I put my empty beer bottle on the bar, she took it and I raised my hand to say "thank you" for taking it. Then she came back with another beer that I didn't order, and I think she got a little pissed because she misunderstood me. At the end of the night, I asked for some water and she only gave me a bottle instead of just a cup of tap water and charged me $2. Don't be a hater lady!! GET A SHOT OF CAFE PATRON!!! If you like coffee and patron, it's literally the best of both worlds. And, to top it all off, they are only $3 A SHOT!! Very reasonably priced. I had 3 within a span of an hour (I'm a heavyweight so I wouldn't recommend that for everyone!) Upstairs, they have techno/house music and it's packed like no other. The people are really cool though. They have friendly battles and it's pretty cool to just watch them for about 10 minutes. Depending on your scene, you can pick either floor. read more

Loud, trashy, costs $10 a person cover even for girls. They also pat down men like they expect terrorists to be showing up. Just terrible and not worth the money. read more

Bangin' Like A Black Smith By The Rue Friday night hanging at Bar Smith, This place is off Washington, Its a few blocks west of Fifth, The rooftop dancefloor gets packed, This story is not a myth, Go with your friends or by yourself, It doesn't matter who you're with. We stopped by here on our way home, From watching the Cards win, They don't play in a dome, They beat the Raider's, Their face they shouldn't have shown, Danced the night away at Bar Smith, No they do not spray foam. My first time here and it was a blast, They DJ on the rooftop was good, I was cutting some rug at last, Downstairs was live hip hop, Compete in the rap contest I was asked, Unfortunately I had to decline, My rhymes are way too fast. For all you partying downtown, Stop by here, Don't waste time looking around, A lot of cute girls, And dudes who are clowns, Just don't show up when I'm there, And try to take my dancing crown!! JAZZERCISE!!! read more

Probably my favorite roof top spot (maybe tied with lustre, for different reasons). It's small and cramped, but it's got a good vibe. They usually play EDM on the roof, more top 40/hip hop inside. Bar tenders seem decent too, which is always nice. Fun place. read more

Seeking out local evening entertainment last spring (cab fares to Tempe can really break the bank), I frequented Bar Smith on a number of occasions with my friends. Each visit, I had a pleasant time--savoring the bar's laid back atmsophere on its roof deck and (relatively) cheap drinks served by friendly bartenders. Bud Lights are $3/bottle. I expect it will become even more of a happening place when the light rail starts running in December and patrons can enjoy the view of trains arriving and departing from the rooftop. Two things kept me from giving Bar Smith four stars: 1.) the expensive cover charge ranging from $7-$10/person and 2.) the bathroom attendant in a room the size of a porta-potty. Can you say unnecessary? read more