I was searching for a nice speakeasy/cocktail bar to get after dinner drinks for my friend's…read morebirthday and found Star 78. It was easy making a reservation. There is parking on the street or in the lot. We weren't familiar with the area so it was a bit tricky to find. It is located in the back of a coffee shop. The concept of going through the phone booth is fun. The space inside was quaint and intimate. They have a regular menu and then had a special Valentine's Day menu. I got a nice fruity cocktail that was sweet. I enjoyed it. Everything was reasonably priced. All of our drinks were pretty glittery, it made everything really pretty. My friend got a free glass of prosecco for her birthday which was nice. A good speakeasy to visit. Menu has good variety. Service was great, they ran through the menu with us and was attentive.

It's a goal to visit as many speakeasy bars in Phoenix as possible! Finally got to try out Star 78…read moreand we made a reservation during their murder mystery special. Before getting into that I'll talk about the drinks. Pretty good and reasonably priced. Nothing to gimmicky about them and would definitely return to try other options. The bar setting itself was nice! I truly appreciate the speakeasy feel- walking through a mystery door phone booth was a good welcome to this bar. Small on the inside, but had a classy but casual feel. Since we did the murder mystery there was also a preset menu which was cool. The food was okay, but will be returning back for the drinks more than the food. The murder mystery game was a nice way to get everyone in the bar involved. Essential a real like clue or who done it game. Very interesting but also can be a bit distracting if your goal was to come out and have some drinks and peace out at your leisure. While it is a very cool idea, I feel that more customers would be able to come and go on these days and not be turned out because a reservation was not made. All in all, will return on another night to try more drinks

Located in Desert Ridge Marketplace, I checked out The Whining Pig on a Saturday night. Since I…read morelive in the area, I walked over. There is ample parking if you're driving. This beer-focused bar isn't the easiest to find because it's underground down a stairwell. Look for the signage close to the stairwell. Ambiance (3.5/5): We sat at a booth at the bar. It's one of the few seats that have back support (which is important to me due to my old man back). Outside of that, it's all barstool seating with no back support inside. Outside, they have a small patio with chairs. That would be another option for me when the weather cooperates. The decor inside is your typical beer bar decor. Laid back. Comfortable. There's a jukebox. A cool place to grab some brews. Service (3.5/5): Two bartenders were working that evening and they were pretty solid. I did have to grab their attention a few times but no biggie. The Whining Pig has daily specials including a beer and grilled cheese combo on Wednesdays. I was curious on the price. They didn't know nor did they find out. That was a miss. Food (N/A): No food for me on this visit as I had dinner prior. They have a small menu, mostly made up of various grilled cheese sandwiches. They have a classic one, a pizza one, and a few others. I'm a dan of grilled cheese so I'll definitely try one out at some point. They also have charcuterie boards. Drinks (4.5/5): Now for the good stuff! Unlike most beer spots, they also have wine and several cocktails. But when in Rome, so I went with a beer flight. You can choose five beers of your choosing from a list of 40 beers or so. While they don't brew their own beer, they have an interesting selection of local craft beers and European ones. The types of beers you're not going to find at your neighborhood bar, including saisons and sours. The flight is served in a pig shape holder which was pretty funny. Flights are always my go-to when they're offered as they allow you to try out a nice variety. Added bonus: Walk down the hallway past the bathrooms and you'll run into Pigtails---a speakeasy owned by the same folks. That way, you can get both your brews and elevated cocktails fix in the same night.

The atmosphere was fun! Had a couple glasses of wine and went to listen to the live music outside…read more I love the decor in this bar with everything written in chalk on a chalkboard. The bartender was nice and efficient. It's also really cool that there are several games at the bar that you can play while you are drinking. Will definitely visit again.

Swung by with a large group on a Saturday night. Fairly busy, but we luckily snagged a corner booth…read morethat accommodated all of us. Cozy atmosphere with rustic/modern decor. Waiter had to bring us menus because none of us were able to get cellular service to open the QR menu code. Started off with a few dozen oysters and a cheese board. So many drinks were ordered and our group enjoyed each one. Can't remember all the names, but they were all well prepared and brought out quickly. Oysters were very fresh and cleaned nicely. Cheese board was decent as well. Will definitely be back for a night cap.

Oink oink oink. I stopped by Pigtails Desert Ridge on a Monday night for some drinks. As the…read moreself-appointed king of speakeasies, I was excited for my second visit. Located in Desert Ridge Marketplace, there's plenty of parking though it is a busy area. As someone who has been to speakeasies all over the world, there are certain things I look for so that it's an authentic experience. Sadly, as speakeasies have become a popular thing, some have opened that don't stay true to the historical roots of what a speakeasy is. Let's see how Pigtails fares (and note: they have another location downtown. Ambiance (4/5): Speakeasies popped up during the Prohibition Era when alcohol was illegal in the U.S. Since they were underground bars, there was no signage. You had to know where to go to find it. Which is part of the experience. There should be a creative way to get into a speakeasy. This is an area where Pigtails fails. While it's somewhat hidden, there's a neon sign that says Pigtails. Dead giveaway. You walk down a flight of stairs and that takes you to the bar. When you arrive, you'll see a central bar with bar stools surrounding it. With some nice booths on the exterior. Which is where I sat. The lighting could be a little darker (after all ambiance is one of the hallmarks of a speakeasy) and the music was a bit too loud, but outside of that, nicely done. Service (4.5/5): Friendly and mostly efficient service all-around. They fill up your water cup without you asking. They provide you with helpful recommendations. And there's free WiFi which you might need because my reception wasn't great underground. You pay using one of those hand-held electronic card readers which have become super popular. This may be a pet peeve of mine but I like to see an itemized receipt before I give you my credit card. Food (N/A): I don't think they have food, but if you're hungry, The Whining Pig is attached to Pigtails and they have food there. All it takes is a short walk down a hallway to get there. Drinks (4.5/5): When I'm at a speakeasy, I'm not trying to see a margarita, mojito, gin & tonic, etc. I'm trying to see creative crack cocktails that blend an interesting group of ingredients. And this is what you'll find here. Despite several cocktails not being available, there was a ton on the menu that I wanted to try. I had three cocktails on this visit including Panic at the Disco (IYKYK), and one that was served in a clear tea cup with a huge ice cube (and earl gray tea was one of the ingredients). Exactly what I was hoping for. While the "Pigtails" signage outside of the speakeasy was disappointing, these rest of the experience was terrific.

Came here for a little staycation with my family and decided we didn't wanna leave the hotel so we…read morepicked 26 for dinner. I'm gonna give three stars because the service was great at the bar and the server was attentive outside and quick although she didn't know the menu well. I ordered the cheese plate to split with my children and no one knew what was on it when I asked, but I was later informed that I got a tomato jelly and honey mustard as the sauces. To me a $30 cheese plate would not come with a container of honey mustard so I was not impressed. When I asked what cheeses were on it they told me there was 2 different cheddars. There was no way it was a cheddar it was a very soft cheese. I believe it was a goat cheese. The almonds were probably the best part of the whole platter. My husband got wings, which were very big. He enjoyed those and the sauce, and my other daughter got meatballs, which she enjoyed, but thought they were a little spicy, I find that usually when kids order things that are spicy servers will say just so you know that has a little bit of heat to it to which the waitress did not again, I don't think she was very knowledgeable on the menu in general . For the type of hotel twenty6 was kinda of major let down. Definitely will pass on the next visit.

Nana had the kids, so we stepped out for an after work cocktail date night. Twenty6 lounge is the…read morebar in the lower lobby of @jwdesertridge and is a casual spot for resort guests, or a couple on a mini date night. We each enjoyed a couple of drinks while chatting about life. Sitting at the bar was quick service and quiet, but you can also relax in a plush patio chair out in the courtyard. Next time, we will plan better and be sure to play some arcade games in the new space before it closes at 9!

Great service. The food came out fast. We let the server know we had to leave in 30 minutes. She…read moremade it happen.

the ambiance was great! Food bad and waitress annoying. queso was so under average. chips not…read moregood. I've made better edemame at home. the Kung Pao chicken was inedible. SO chewy that I couldn't swallow 50% of the pieces. the flavor was good but quality of the chicken was terrible. both margaritas I had were bad. SO unbalanced. the waitress swiped my own card without me knowing and I didn't like that AT ALL. she was rushing me. so annoying.

We just ate at Backayard in Desert Ridge and had an amazing experience, Tiana was our server and…read moreshe was kind, and everything we needed we got in a timely manner. She made us feel welcome and we had great banter the entire night. I highly recommend her, the vibes were spot on! Thank you Tiana!

Our family enjoyed our visit to Backyard. The wings and carne asada tacos were amazing. Our…read morewaitress was attentive and very apologetic for the people sitting next to us. Unfortunately, we sat out on the patio where there were kids running around and throwing things.. At one point a server who was carrying a tray of drinks was almost taken out by these kids. My wife had to go and complain to the manager. "Sports BAR"... means BAR not a romper room for kids. We enjoyed our first time at BY but parents need to take care of their children and teach them how to behave in a public.

Some great food accompanied by a great vibe. Quantity of tasty food served was more than enough…read moregiving value. Cocktails, martinis, all well served. Surely a good casual place to come back to.

The wings were interesting…read more The brussel sprouts were really good. The steak was yummy.

Awesome experience. Especially for our first time. Didn't think I'd land a single axe but the…read morelesson at the start was so helpful. It made it easy. The staff is super patient and kind. Kinda wanna go back and throw axes with them... It's not just throwing axes. They have a variety of games- tic tac toe was my favorite. I also love that you can upload a pic. Good beer. Didn't they the food. But fun atmosphere. Lots of games outside of throwing. Impossible not to have fun!!

Located in the entertainment district known as High Street, I've been to The Mighty Axe - Phoenix…read more With plenty of bars, restaurants, shops, comedy clubs, coffee shops, and more in the area, High Street is an awesome part of town to go out. I've been to The Mighty Axe twice. Ambiance (4/5): This is part of what I love about The Mighty Axe. It has a cabin feel to it. Despite being in Phoenix, you feel like you've been transported to the mountains. There's some seating at the bar as well as some comfortable seating close to a fireplace. The barstools at the bar don't have back support (which is always a con in my book). The music tends to be solid. All in all, a cool spot. And a casual one at that. Service (4/5): The service tends to be friendly, laidback, and efficient. Just like I like it. Food (N/A): I've been on a liquid diet both times, and to be honest, I'm not even sure if they have food. Drinks (3.5/5): Everyone likes different flavor profiles when it comes to cocktails. The Mighty Axe has a solid list, though one that is not super appealing to my taste. Outside of their cocktail list, they have a full bar. The Mighty Axe, if the name didn't give it away, is both a bar and an axe throwing place. While I haven't done any axe throwing, I've checked out the area where it's located (the back of the bar). And there's even one outside on the small patio. Overall, one of my favorite bars on High Street (I live in Desert Ridge so I've frequented pretty much everywhere in the area).

I really liked the food, the ambiance and the service. We…read morehad a very large party of 15+ and they accommodated us all in 1 table. The wait was reasonable, around 30 minutes. It's in a big old outdoor mall, so parking is plenty. Whoever thought of adding a 6oz Sirloin stake to the kids menu is truly a genius. The pizza was delicious. The queso appetizer was very yummy. I'd definitely come back.

Yard House at Desert Ridge Marketplace is one of our favorite go-to spots when we're out shopping…read morein the area. We almost always end up here for dinner, especially before heading over to the Improv right nearby. It's a great place to relax, grab a good meal, and start the night. It's almost always busy, which says a lot about how popular it is. My best tip is to add your name to the waitlist online before arriving -- it saves a lot of time. Once you're seated, there are so many menu options to choose from, plus a huge drink selection and tons of beers on tap. My go-to meal is the steak bowl, and it never disappoints. The flavor is absolutely perfect every time. I also love that it's on their under-700-calorie menu, which makes it a great option when I'm in contest prep and trying to stay on track. Even better, it's already in MyFitnessPal, so it's super easy when I'm tracking my macros. The only thing I'd mention is that because it's usually packed, the wait staff can be a little hit or miss depending on how busy they are. Overall though, it's still a solid spot for a good meal and drinks, especially if you're spending time at Desert Ridge.

New to the community!!!! We love this place! Been here 2 weeks! Super nice staff! The manger was…read moreawesome she was very welcoming. Natalie helped us when we sat on the patio in her section.

Exceptional Staff Response to Unwanted Contact considered Sexual Assault at Blue Martini…read more My husband and I recently visited Blue Martini, and while we initially had a great time dancing, the evening took a distressing turn due to the actions of another patron. However, the club's staff--specifically the security and bouncers--handled the situation with outstanding speed, professionalism, and care. While dancing, an unknown individual came up from behind me, inappropriately grabbed my body, and attempted to put his arms around me. My husband intervened immediately to physically remove the patron from my body. Once freed, while my husband was speaking with the individual, I went straight to the nearest security personnel to report the incident. The response from the Blue Martini staff was immediate and flawless: * The security team I spoke to instantly took the situation seriously, ensuring my safety first and showing genuine concern. * They listened attentively to my report. * The bouncers quickly located the aggressor, who was promptly and permanently removed from the premises. In a situation that was shocking and unsettling, knowing that the staff at Blue Martini is trained, prepared, and willing to take decisive action against harassment and assault made a huge difference. Their effective and swift response deserves significant recognition. It's clear that Blue Martini prioritizes the safety and well-being of its patrons. If you are looking for a venue where staff actively addresses and removes individuals who cross boundaries, this club sets an excellent standard. Thank you to the security team for making me feel safe and protected during a vulnerable moment. Highly recommend Blue Martini for both the atmosphere and, most importantly, the top-notch security!