I am a big fan of Level 1 Arcade in Mesa. Alchemy 48 is a speakeasy that is located in the basement…read morebehind Level 1 Arcade Bar in Downtown Mesa. In order to enter you will need to see the staff at the back patio and descend down the staircase behind Level 1. You must solve a brief riddle to reveal the entrance. A group of us hung out at Level 1 recently and had a fun time checking out Alchemy 48 afterwards. The bar offers a unique experience with decor that transports visitors back to 1920s Prohibition era. Alchemy 48 has purple velvet walls, unique lighting, creepy wall pictures and a fireplace at the center. The staff is dressed in authentic speakeasy-era attire. There is live music on occasions. There are several cocktail drinks like the Alchemy R N' R, The Peacock, Old Fashioned, Dark Arts Black Manhattan and the Rittenhouse Rye, For food, patrons can sample a charcuterie boards and other light snacks. I love the vibe here and enjoyed a fun evening out with friends for my first visit here.

We're big fans of speakeasies, so we were excited to try this one out--especially since it's just a…read morefew blocks from home. Unfortunately, it ended up being a letdown. The place was less than half full when we walked in. The hostess was friendly, and we were seated at the bar. That's where the experience started going downhill. Several bartenders were working, yet not one acknowledged us not a greeting, not eye contact for an uncomfortably long time. I get it if you're busy, but common courtesy like "we'll be right with you" takes two seconds. Basic hospitality shouldn't be optional in a service job, especially at a place trying to position itself as "upscale." When we were finally able to place our drink order, we waited even longer. It got to the point where we were about to cancel altogether. The only reason our drinks even got made is because a customer of one of the bartenders sat down next to us and suddenly, all of our drinks were made at the same time. So if you know the staff, apparently you won't be waiting. My Old Fashioned was mediocre at best. Unbalanced and not worth the time or price. After last call, the bartenders vanished to close out tables, leaving us stranded and still waiting to pay. We had no intention of camping out for over an hour for a single round. I eventually had to get up and track someone down just to close out the tab. This place has potential, but the service was indifferent at best, borderline neglectful at worst. If you're going to charge premium prices and sell a curated experience, you actually have to deliver one.

Great food and atmosphere. The best. My wife had us come two nights in a row. You really need to…read morecome here. A great date spot.

We have been here before when this place was Casa Ramos. I guess I expected for them to have made a…read morechange, but this place looks exactly the same. It is a very nice looking place with a large fireplace in the center of the wall. Behind the metal cut out screen is going purple lights of the bar. It's kind of a good mix of traditional Mexican and modern decor, leaning more towards modern decor. What I don't like is it feels very echo-y, if that makes any sense. Our server was very nice and very helpful. I ordered one of the specials which was ahi tuna tostadas. There were three of them served on a delicious tostada shell with avocado and black sesame seeds. They were delicious! A friend ordered the street corn which came as a dip with chips. It was really good. I really loved my lunch and the two people with me seem to love theirs. This is a solid choice when you're in Mesa and wanting Mexican food with a bit more upscale atmosphere.

So glad I stopped by! It wasn't on my list of speakeasies as this was a bit far from where I was…read morestaying. But a friend wanted to meet for food around the area and this spit popped up on Yelp. It didn't disappoint! I was skeptical at first as having a sign posted at the sidewalk and a bouncer outside the stairs going down, was a sheer sign that this isn't such a secret and speakeasy-like spot. But I was proven wrong very quickly. Dre who was the bouncer and I'd much rather call Drayden, is young but friendly. The hall leading down to the entrance was well decorated. It's hard to miss the door when you can hear people on the other side :). Hostess was nice. Alex immediately introduced himself from behind the bar as I sat down, and Meagan was the main bartender this night. They were both a wealth of knowledge when it came to cocktails. I really wasn't expecting too much but the two drinks I ordered were a solid 5/5. I had the silk bandit and the untold legacy. I like sweet drinks this way. It wasn't too sweet. All the flavors were well balanced and well thought out. They also had a girl singing tonight and she was amazing!!! Thanks for a nice relaxing night. Service was a 5/5 and I'd definitely come back if I'm in the area.

As the self appointed king of speakeasies, I'm back at it with another one. This time was checking…read moreout a speakeasy located in the heart of downtown Gilbert on a Friday evening at 9 p.m. I parked for free on the street before making my way to The White Rabbit. There are some things I really love about The White Rabbit and some that I didn't. Ambiance (3/5): When I think of a speakeasy, I think intimate. The White Rabbit is not that. It's pretty large for a speakeasy with a large bar and a good number of tables/booths. They weren't at capacity while I was there, but there were a good number of people there. Which made it pretty loud. To the point where you have to yell at your bartender when ordering your drink so they can hear you. Perhaps a much different experience on a week day. Getting in the speakeasy was both a hit and a miss. If you're subscribed to their email list, as I am, you get a different password every month. I was excited about this. Upon approaching The White Rabbit, I saw a sign naming the establishment and pointing me in the right direction. This takes away from the spirit of speakeasies which are supposed to be truly hidden without any signage identifying the restaurant. You'll see a velvet rope blocking a stairwell where you tell one of the bouncers the password. I had a reservation. If you don't know the password, as another party there didn't, they ask you to access a QR code to find out or ask others who are waiting. I appreciated the dedication to the cause. Once you get in, you walk down the stairwell, and then enter a cool hallway decked out with Prohibition-style decor. That leads you into the main room. The main room is also Prohibition-style though a bit unremarkable. The bathrooms are clean and also feature some cool paintings (and they also hide that they are actual bathrooms). With that being said, when I liked the hallway and the bathrooms better than the bar itself, that's a bit of an issue. Seats at the bar are bar stools without back support. Never fun for my old man back. I did, on the other hand, appreciate that they have free WiFi. Service (3.5/5): The service was generally pretty good, though a bit slow. They start you off with some water without asking you which is always a nice touch. It was just one of those situations where you have to put some effort into getting a bartender's attention on several occasions. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so no food for me. I did check out the menu. They have a small selection of appetizers, flatbreads, and desserts. Drinks (3/5): When I'm at a speakeasy, I'm looking for creativity and an interesting blend of ingredients and flavors. While The White Rabbit has a good number of cocktails, many of them didn't attract me. Part of it is a matter of personal preference. There were only two drinks out of about 20 that I was interested in. Overall, I wanted a little more, but with that being said, the drinks were reasonably priced for a speakeasy. Not a bad speakeasy by any means, I have super high standards when it comes to these watering holes. Just not in my top five when it comes to speakeasies in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

This is the second time dinning at The Vig at Dana Park and tonight we sat out on the large patio…read more The patio has plenty of seats and has both misters and heating lamps making it possible to use year round We kicked things off with the pretzel served with queso and house mustard--perfect for sharing. The queso was rich without being too heavy, and the mustard added a nice contrast. For my meal, I had the Caesar salad topped with a bistro steak cooked a perfect medium rare. The romaine was crisp, the garlic-anchovy dressing bold, and the garlic croutons and parmesan tied everything together. The steak was tender, flavorful, and elevated the salad. At the table, we also ordered the cheesesteak with Angus beef, roasted peppers and onions, Havarti cheese, and garlic aioli served on a baguette, with sweet potato fries. The sandwich was hearty and satisfying, and the fries were really good The wagyu burger was another standout--topped bacon, Gruyère and smoky blue cheese, caramelized onions, tomato jam, and garlic aioli on a pub bun. The beef and bacon were fabulous and the fries cooked to perfection Jake, our server, was terrific--attentive, friendly, and helped make the whole experience even better. We finished with the butterscotch bread pudding topped with vanilla gelato and caramel sauce, which was the perfect ending--warm, comforting, and just the right amount of sweetness Overall, a great patio dining experience with flavorful dishes, excellent service, and plenty of variety.

I'm so glad this place has moved into my neighborhood!! We went tonight to celebrate my birthday…read moreand had the most wonderful experience. Most impressive was the bartending staff. Mason was on point with all aspects of service, he was attentive, welcoming, and really made us feel at home. I was also impressed with the new bartender whose name I didn't catch but it was her first night and I would have never known unless she told me. She was friendly personable and slinging drinks like she'd been there for a while. Great job to both of them! As for the food, it was phenomenal as expected but a special call out needs to be made for the butterscotch bread pudding. It was complementary for my birthday and I probably would have never tried it before but it turned out to be the best bread pudding I've had in ages. So tender and sweet delicious!! 5 stars. Highly recommend!

Killing time in downtown Mesa, I stumbled upon this particular distillery. The reviews looked good,…read moreand as a lover of spirits and cocktails, I decided to give them a try Through the front doors you take a right and enter a very intimate lounge and bar area. The light is very dim, but you can see the central bar, the almost decorative stills behind glass in the back, and many booths and seating areas You order your drinks at the bar. They have a list of signature and classic options using spirits distilled at the whiskey as well as other spirits. Each cocktail is a work of art. The artisanal elixirs are made to order right in front of you at the bar. This means they are quality drinks, but it also means they take slightly longer because they're made with care... they also might cost you a bit money The staff are friendly. We spoke to a couple about the cocktails, the distillery, eating options in the area, etc The drinks are solid. They aren't the heaviest of pours or too strong. Each cocktail has specific drink rate, garnishes, etc that will accompany it The distillery has a prime location, smack dab in the middle of the downtown Mesa. You can find restaurants, bars, shops, and even a place where you can both play pinball and shop for antiques or a spot where you can eat Cronuts while playing Super Mario Kart (Outcast) Some tips: Tell the bartender what you enjoy drinking and let them guide you towards a selection They offer tours on Saturdays (1hr in length) where you can learn more about the distilling process and try samples They have a couple clarified cocktails that were truly unique and refreshing. If you're into that They are open 7 days a week but their hours vary depending on the day Cheers!!

Updating my original 4 star review to 5 stars! AZ distilling is a fantastic place to grab a…read morecocktail or two, at their beautiful bar situated in downtown Mesa. I've grown to really enjoy the expanded list of cocktails on their menu and that has improved my experience when I go. Plus, I just love sitting at that horseshoe bar. Until next time, cheers!

I don't usually post reviews, but I really wanted to give a shoutout to the amazing staff at Lucky…read moreLou's (Dana Park location). We came in with our family and three kids and sat on the patio since we were a larger group. After eating, our kids were sitting in chairs near our table, chatting and moving around a bit. They weren't being loud or disruptive, but a nearby a couple clearly seemed upset. The woman was shaking her head and saying to the waitress "this isn't okay to be doing while people are eating", pointing toward our kids. Once I realized this, I immediately called my kids back over and had them sit with us, and I even let her know that if something was bothering her, she could've told us and I would have addressed it right away. The couple chose to ignore us and left shortly after. The manager then came out and reassured us that Lucky Lou's is a family-friendly restaurant and that our kids were absolutely fine. That meant a lot to us and really showed how supportive and understanding the staff is. I also hope one day that couple realizes how hard it is to keep a 4-, 6-, and 8-year-old sitting at a table for more than 30 minutes without shoving an iPad in front of them. On top of that, the service was excellent, the atmosphere was welcoming, and I honestly had the best burger and tater tots of my life. We'll definitely be back--thank you for creating such a kid-friendly and enjoyable place for families!

I think this is the first review where I was like "man I didn't get any photos of the food"…read moreAmerican Kitchen indeed! The burgers are freaking INCREDIBLE! American diner but leveled up and modern. The beer battered fries are delish and the ranchhhhh so fresh!!! We got the bean dip as an appetizer and it was great-we topped with ground beef. Service was GREAT. I wish I got our servers name he was really great! The best part about the menu is there's a great selection of cuisine

On a Saturday night after grabbing some ice cream at Topo, we stopped by Sotol Modern Cocktail…read moreKitchen for a nightcap. Located in downtown Gilbert, Sotol is a rooftop bar and restaurant. I love a good rooftop and the weather was perfect. While they don't have a parking lot, free parking is available on the street and in the various surface lots and garages in the area. Ambiance (4.5/5): It's tough to beat a rooftop. Here you'll have nice views of downtown Gilbert, including the historic Gilbert water tower (which lights up at night). It's not a huge restaurant/bar, probably 50 seats or so. A good number of tables and then 15 seats or so at the bar. We sat at the bar. There's a pretty nice mural on one end too. Service (4/5): A little slow to start out with and to close out, but overall, friendly. We found one of the last four remaining seats at the bar. If not for that, there would have been a wait. One drink and then we made our way. Overall, about average. Food (N/A): I was on a liquid diet for this visit but they do have a full menu. Drinks (4/5): Interesting craft cocktail list. The first one on the list is a Sotol cocktail. If you've never had Sotol, it's a Mexican spirit. Not tequila and not mezcal, but somewhat similar to mezcal and it does have a bit of a smoky flavor. The Sotol So Good has sotol, butterfly pea, coconut rum, pineapple, lime, and orgeat. It's purple so it makes an impression. It packs a punch too. If you're looking for a cool spot to grab some food and drinks in the heart of downtown Gilbert, when the weather is nice, Sotol is a great choice!

Visited Sotol Modern Cocktail Kitchen while in Gilbert. The atmosphere was modern and open, and the…read moreservice started off a bit off-putting, though it improved slightly as the visit went on. I've been wanting to check this place out for a while. Right from the start, the elevator was out of order, which wasn't ideal. When we got inside, the place was mostly empty -- only a couple of other guests -- yet we were told to sit anywhere except along a section of tables by the wall. I pointed out a table at the far end, well away from the entrance, but was directed instead to what felt like the least desirable table, with the reasoning being they might need the space for a large party. After a bit of back-and-forth, they eventually let us sit where we preferred, but it made for a poor first impression -- especially considering the restaurant never filled up. Tried a few cocktails -- they were well made and enjoyable, definitely the highlight of the visit. Overall, good drinks but the initial experience left a sour note -- may or may not return. Saluti.

First time at Espiritu and it definitely lived up to the hype. The food and drinks were both…read moreincredible, everything we tried was full of flavor and beautifully done. The whole space has such a cool, cozy vibe that makes it perfect for a night out. However, what really stood out was the service. We had the blonde server/manager Megan who was super welcoming and attentive despite how packed the restaurant was. She made the experience really fun and even lit my girlfriends and I's cocktails on fire! 10/10 recommend!

We walked in right as the kitchen was closing on a Thursday night, and they still took care of…read moreus--huge points right out of the gate. My wife ordered the whole red snapper and it was outstanding. The portion was massive--she couldn't even finish it. I ended up turning the leftovers into fish tacos the next day... and somehow it was just as good. I had the skirt steak--perfectly cooked and really flavorful. What really stood out, though, was the service. Our server was fantastic--friendly, confident, and clearly knew the menu. We actually followed her lead on both drinks and food, and every recommendation hit. Great food, great service, great experience. People were at the bar enjoying drinks and gave a cool vibe. We'll definitely be back.

Why is this gem not open more with a regular menu!? The food was unexpectedly incredible! I would…read morehave gone back the next day to eat again if they were open. Please, please be open more with a full menu. I will be planning my schedule around next pop up :)

The first time we ate at Tucked Away It was a regular full-time restaurant. We enjoyed the food…read morewith its New Mexican twist. If I remember correctly, the chef studied with Bobby Flay. Much to our dismay, the restaurant was closed to focus on catering. Luckily, though, It reopens for pop-ups. This morning I saw an Instagram post announcing that there would be a brunch pop up today, so we got up and got ready to go. It really is tucked away in the corner of plaza and goodbye Safeway. Inside is a small dining room with a bar, and through the rolling doors is a patio with outdoor seating. You can see the kitchen through the plexiglass divider, and there is bar seating along the divider so you can watch the cooking. There's a great, colorful mural on one wall and some fun lighting fixtures and art. Today's pop up was packed when we arrived. We grabbed the last two chairs which were on the bar overlooking the kitchen. The menu had seven choices. Of course we ordered two different things so we could share, but we skipped cocktails. We ordered: *Steak chilaquiles Christmas style (both red and green chile) served with a side of beans and talked with an egg *Green chili pork hash served with a side of beans talked with an egg Both were delicious! We both ordered scrambled eggs, and I'm pretty sure it was more than an egg. I'm not sure how they cook those eggs but they were the best ever. The pinto beans had green chili in it and was so good. I'm from New Mexico, and these tasted like the beans that you rarely find outside of New Mexico. The steak on my chilaquiles was really good - - thin sliced and tender. I was able to easily cut it with just a butter knife. The pork in the hash was so yummy. What are scrumptious brunch! It was nice to sit overlooking the kitchen, as it was quite a show to watch the chef. I was amazed at how over easy eggs were tossed and caught in the pan without the yolks breaking. Heck, I can't even flip eggs with a spatula without breaking the yolk! Anytime I've overlooked a chef cooking, I'm totally in awe of their amazing skills, and this was no different. I really recommend Tucked Away, just as I did when it was a regular restaurant. Follow them on Instagram to be alerted to pop ups. You won't regret it!

12 west is generally a solid option for food and drinks in Downtown Mesa. I used to really love…read morecoming here when Mike was one of the main bartenders, he made excellent cocktails. I've been here a bunch of times over the years. Giving 4 stars simply due a mix of experiences, good and meh. Most recently we sat at the cocktail bar ordered a beer & whiskey sour. Drinks came quickly but then it took a while for anyone to ask if we wanted food (we originally intended to). I think what happened is that our original bartender may have gone on break, while a new person coming on shift was busy doing things and didn't know to check with us since we already had drinks in front of us. It wasn't a major issue. It just created a long gap which gave us the option to decide to go elsewhere. We also noticed the beer we ordered was flat and we eventually let the new bartender know. She offered to get us a pint of something else but we had decided today wasn't our day at 12 West and move on. Typically beers are great, cocktails are solid, and food is good too. What seems to vary the most is service.

My husband and I stopped in for an impromptu lunch date over the weekend. The weather was perfect…read morefor sitting on the patio. We got a couple drinks as well as the popcorn chicken and Birria tacos. This wasn't our first time visiting this location and probably won't be the last. It's a great spot in downtown Mesa. There's ample seating for larger parties. They have a couple patio areas as well as a couple bars inside.