Years ago, I spent the summer in the United Kingdom and kicked it off with a week in Ireland…read morelearning about the culture, the arts, and the food. It was probably my first time being introduced to Irish pubs and the traditional dishes and drinks that they serve. Today, I was walking around near the ASU Downtown Campus and came across Seamus McCaffrey's. I gave it a try for lunch and enjoyed some tasty food and great service. While I didn't grab a drink, I'd certainly consider meeting friends after work there another time. I walked into the bar, and I was literally behind the bar where is was quite dark. Many of the bar seats were taken though I stepped into an area behind the bar where there were a number of open tables where I could seat myself. There was yet another room further back with booths and some creative decor, though I was happy with a table near the bar. The server came right over and made some great suggestions and introduced herself to me. She checked on me multiple times during the meal and made sure I liked what I picked. I ordered an item off the Traditional Favorites menu, the Chicken Pot Pie, which consisted of tender shredded chicken, peas and carrots smothered with herbs in a creamy white gravy under a flaky puff pastry. It also came up with a cheese stick. Both were tasty yet not too filling as I expected. There was a light breaded top to a bowl and then no bread on the bottoms or sides, but that was alright as I didn't need an over-the-top dish for lunch. While the prices are a bit higher than I would have expected them to be, it was certainly worth it, and I'll be back again. Seamus McCaffrey's opened in 1991 and brought a real Irish pub to Central Phoenix. It is a family-run bar that serves Irish classics and pub favorites. From Boxty, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips along with stacked sandwiches, burgers, and starters, the menu is not huge but still feels like it has a bit of everything. They have live music on the weekend and host special events throughout the year. The biggest celebration is its annual St. Patrick's Day street party on Monroe, a Downtown Phoenix tradition filled with great beer, great food, and a whole lot of green. Check out its website (https://seamusmccaffreys.com) to see its menu, upcoming events, photo gallery, and specials. The specials include daily specials, happy hour specials, and a $13 lunch menu. I look forward to returning again this summer!

Nestled in the heart of Phoenix is the original Irish Pub which brought Guinness to Phoenix 40ish…read moreyears ago. The McCaffrey's that started it all. Quaint ol'Irish Pub where the Guinness is truly unique and unlike all the restaurants and bars around that serve Guinness, ice cold! It's not supposed to be Arizona. Seamus truly has mastered the real pint of flavourful Guinness. Dont forget to say hello to Murph at the bar, drinking from her own Irish crystal Stein.

Rough Rider is such a fun speakeasy, drink spot. The food is nothing to miss, also. While a dark…read morevibe, the drinks are lively and fun. My purple drink reminded me of a snowball. With great service, drink recommendations and delicious food, Rough Rider is the total package. A speakeasy is always like a little oasis escape and Rough Rider is no different! I can't wait to go back soon.

Rough Rider felt delightfully off the beaten path in the best possible way. Stepping off the…read moreelevator was like being transported into a perfectly preserved speakeasy from another era. The space is warm, moody, and inviting--like a lighthearted Western brought to life--with candlelight and rich wooden accents creating an atmosphere that begs you to settle in and stay awhile. The drink menu was eclectic and thoughtfully curated, offering both trendy and classic cocktails alongside an impressive selection of spirits, beer, and wine. The bartenders were knowledgeable enough to suggest excellent off-menu creations and kept the drinks--including the water--flowing with effortless style and hospitality. The wedge salad was crisp and bright, elevated by thoughtful ingredients like jalapeño bacon and balsamic onions. The crab dip was a standout: packed generously with crab and complemented by just the right amount of cheese, finely chopped red onions, and crispy breadcrumbs. We ended the evening with St. George Absinthe, an absolute gem of an offering. Jake, Brad, and Stormy were kind, attentive, and full of great recommendations without ever feeling pushy or intrusive. We were able to truly enjoy each other's company while feeling genuinely cared for by the staff. Parking in the garage next door was graciously validated at the host stand. We left feeling full, impressed, and already looking forward to returning with family.

It's hard to put into words how great this place is. Have you ever been somewhere when everything…read morejust feels "right, balanced, happy"? That is Farish House. The cozy, intimate comfort of what used to be Coup des Tartes blended seamlessly with the deep, peaceful, gentle "love" you felt from House of Tricks into one calm, warm, easy spot. Farish House is a real, soul-warming experience across the board. The service, care, comfort, ambience, food, value and clear love they put into everything make Farish House our new favorite place. We walked through the front gate, up onto the front porch and inside where we took one of three small tables in the cozy front salon of this soul-warming 1899 French Bistro. *Food: we started with a bottle of Australian Cab. Shockingly good. And not crazy expensive, especially on Thursday when bottles are 30% off, it was an amazing deal. Turns out, the owner, Greg, was in the wine distribution business for several decades, curating wine programs for top Valley restaurants, so he really knows his stuff and their vast wine selection is amazing. We were offered a basket of truffle popcorn, mmm, salty, crunchy, and rich. We ordered the Chef's Selection Charcuterie and Warm Noble Baguette & Marinated Olives to get started. Both were beautifully curated, balanced, and incredibly high quality. The flavors and textures blended perfectly. with cheeses broken from large wheels, rather than cut and sliced, house-made pickled grapes, unique and unusual ingredients, smokey meats, compound butters, just awesome! We then moved into one of the cozy dining rooms and ordered the slow roasted Peposo Short Ribs and fingerling potatoes pan fried in duck fat served with Moroccan spiced aioli. Both were rich, warm and delicious. For dessert, and yes we thought we'd explode from all this food, we ordered a massive slice of bread pudding, some of the best I've ever had, rich, gooey and incredible. Along with that we ordered a beautiful Espresso Martini and an off-menu banana cream martini. Their drinks are not "poured" or mixed here, they're balanced and expertly crafted. This is French Bistro comfort food at its finest and it's unmistakeable. *Service: it just doesn't get better. Everyone working there is "family". And that's how they make you feel; like family, cared for, wanted, welcomed. Service isn't a choreographed masterpiece, no tuxedos, cloths draped over arms, napkins frantically re-folded when you step away, dishes served and cleared in unison. No, it's relaxed, warm, friendly, kind, like being at your grandmothers house and knowing you're surrounded by people who care. Met Greg and Katherine, the owners, and their daughter Alexandra and several other "family" members taking care of us. Their appreciation for your presence is unmistakable. *Ambience: it's just plain comfy, cozy, easy, relaxed, warm, deep, gentle, worn (in a good way), wise, and calm, that's the best I can describe it. Hard wood floors, cozy rooms, soft, warm lighting. It's a non-pretentious, French bistro that feels like the home of a favorite grandma or great aunt living in a warm family cottage in the outskirts of Paris. *Value: it's perfect. It's not ridiculously expensive like Kai, Brinkley's, Cafe Monarch, Christopher's, or French Laundry where you go, "okay, that was fun but we'll only do this very occasionally/rarely and it's probably worth it, but dang that was pricey!" No, Farish House is 100% value to experience, not cheap, but not overpriced, the balance is just right. It's a place you can go often, and we will. Yes, our meal with apps, drinks and dessert, some on happy hour and the Thursday wine special, was around $200. I'd happily say this experience was worth every penny. *Overall: I can't recommend Farish House highly enough. Parking is on the street or in a nearby lot, and that's a downtown thing. There's a small lot in back. The food, ambience, service, quality, and experience were stellar. I wish I could rate them 6 stars instead of just 5. I'll return often and highly recommend Farish House to everyone. I genuinely hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Of all the restaurants I have tried during my recent visit to Phoenix, this establishment is a…read morestand out! We arrived just around dusk and since the weather was beautiful, we got a table on the patio. There is such a contrast of two vintage homes, one being the Farish House in a sea of highrise buildings in downtown Phoenix! If you like a restaurant with a great wine selection, this is your place. I was lucky enough to have both of the owners (Kathryn and Greg) come by and greet us. This bottle (pictured below) of Pinot Noir was suggested to us, and we decided to have with our meals since our chosen dishes were beef and pork. One of the best wines I have had recently. We had the stuffed date appetizers which were devoured so quickly I did not have a chance to snap a pho My friend chose the beef short rib dish, which was well presented and extremely flavorful. After carefully reading each item, it was very hard to make a choice. I ended up with the pork chop meal, see cauliflower/potato mash, asparagus, and the awesome sauce along with the perfectly cooked pork chop made my taste buds very happy! We had service by Ella who is fabulous and also got to meet the owners daughter Alexandria. But there's more! After much deliberation and compromise, we both decided to share the bread pudding. I have been to New Orleans many times where they make fantastic bread pudding. The Farish House bread pudding can stand up to the best of the bread pudding in New Orleans and that is saying a lot. If you are a foodie and like local family owned businesses, this is your spot. Since I am only visiting, I will not be here for their Saturday Tea Service! Thank you so much for providing me with another wonderfu and delicious memory of my Phoenix visit. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says "I'll be back!" Bob, the Farish House cat ‍ was a delightful "host" as well.

Sazerac is a great spot for a quality nightcap (and some lat night food truck eats)…read more My colleagues executed an EPIC event, and after 15+ hours working on our feet, we needed a festive place with stiff cocktails and food. First, for a divey-style bar, the barkeep was really friendly. And they have good drinks. He made a stiff dirty martini, an espresso martini, and a few of their Mezcal-based "Smoke and Berries." Outside, we feasted on cheap eats from (I can't remember the name), but we ordered everything from tacos to nachos to fries and I think empanadas? Great music, great lighting, service, and drinks. Highly rec.

I had a really good time at Sazerac!! They have an extensive selection of beer, cocktails and other…read moredrinks for purchase. They have an outdoor patio and air conditioner on the inside. They also have a food truck with a lot of different options to eat!

What an unexpectedly fun night!…read more I honestly had no idea what I was walking into when a friend told me I had to check out Bikini Lounge because they know I'm drawn to all things eclectic. They were absolutely right. From the moment the friendly bouncer smiled and said, "Step right on in," I was hooked. Yoooow!! The first DJ was incredible. He was spinning all kinds of trip-hop, indie, electronic, and remix-style tracks that had everybody partyin'. It wasn't your typical dance music, but every song seemed to connect with somebody in the room. The crowd was incredibly diverse, and it was so much fun watching people of every age and style dancing and nobody cared. The second DJ, a younger woman, shifted the vibe a bit and leaned more toward a younger crowd. It wasn't quite my style, so I took that opportunity to grab a seat at the bar and do what I apparently do best... chat with complete strangers. I'm a talker, and thankfully they seemed just as happy to strike up a conversation. This isn't some fancy cocktail lounge, and that's exactly the point. It's authentic. There were people dancing at the bar, grooving in their booths, bouncing in their seats, and filling the dance floor with great energy. I came by myself, and within minutes a cool group of strangers invited me to squeeze into their booth like we'd all come together. That's the kind of place this is. At one point they even offered me a glass of beer from their pitcher. I politely declined (look at me making responsible life choices... sometimes), but then I realized almost everyone had pitchers! So I sauntered over to the bar. I did have to wait a bit; apparently chivalry doesn't extend to letting a woman cut the line, but once I reached the bartender, the service was fast and friendly. Every trip back to the bar was the same. No complaints there. As the night went on, the energy just kept building. Before I knew it, I was on the dance floor sweating, smiling, and dancing with complete strangers. After a while, I had to retreat to the patio just to catch my breath before heading back in for more. My ankles are still sore... and the glutes? Fuhgetabouttit! The best part of the night wasn't the music or even the drinks. It was the people. Every generation was represented. Every fashion style imaginable. Every personality. And somehow it all worked. There was this genuine sense of joy and community that you just don't find everywhere. If you're looking for polished and upscale, this probably isn't your spot. But if you want great music, a welcoming crowd, zero pretension, and one of those nights where you leave happier than you arrived... give Bikini Lounge a shot. I went in not knowing what to expect. I left wondering why I'd waited so long to go.

I have lived in AZ my entire life and never have I ever been here! So when my husband, my parents…read moreand I were on a mission to day drink we decided to visit! It's such a vibe! Our amazing bartender Eddie gave us a little history lesson, very friendly, super hospitable and made great drinks! It was a very warm day and their AC didn't seem to be working, but we made the most of it! It's a great location just west of the main attractions downtown if you want a more chill, local spot-this is it!

Sat at outside even thought the weather has warmed up. They have fans and mister and a nice breeze…read more (Didn't need the misters tonight. ) Noah was our server. Such a nice guy. Very on top of it with timing, service, knowledge of food, etc. I wanted to try the chopped salad everyone raved about. Was offered different choices of protein but we had it the way it was meant to be. Very good! Lots of different textures and flavors. Then we shared their filet with mashed potatoes and charred broccoli. . Hubby and I both said "yummmmy" Finished with the dessert of the night. A Bread pudding with oranges and cherries and something else with vanilla whipped cream and chocolate drizzled. Excellent. Definitely worth the praise on social media.

Ambience was great. Service was great. Food was lacking. Salad was basic. Ordered the short ribs…read moreand expected a lot better. Outside of the meat was dry, bbq sauce was very acidic, sweet potato mash was weirdly mushy and had an odd flavor. Broccolini was boring. I can make much better short ribs in my instant pot at home. Would not recommend. Dessert also didn't impress. I think you can find a similar experience at other restaurants. Not sure I'll give it another try. Pretty expensive for eh food.

Stopped by for some drinks in between a wedding ceremony and reception …read more I wish we could've stayed longer! This place has 3 different areas with different themes and cocktails. We were placed in the Asian inspired area, while they have a locomotive/train and underwater one as well. We went pretty close to when they opened so the services was incredible fast and servers were attentive and interacted with us a lot. They were still setting up as the barista, had to grab supplies to curate our drinks. The drinks were very unique, and used specialty ingredients like pandan, coconut, pickled mango.

This place was a TRIP that's for sure!!! You have to check this place out if you have another…read morereservation at Century Grand... shoot even if you don't come here specifically for Grey Hen. These cocktails are incredibly creative, the plays on everything savory are absolutely wild. Grey Hen also has the doctor to fill the entire experience. Love the newspaper style menu, love the bar, and even love the faux outdoor table seating. I wish I was here longer to experience more of what the menu had to offer, this place was a blast.

Thoroughly enjoyed a Saturday morning brunch at the Match Market & Bar located inside the Found:Re…read morehotel. I ordered the ham eggs Benedict while my company ordered the Eggs Any Style which included bacon, breakfast potatoes, and sourdough toast. We both enjoyed a Bloody Mary. The Benedict was lovely in presentation and taste but the portion was not enough to be filling. I would recommend adding a side of breakfast potatoes to round out the dish. My counterpart throughly enjoyed his meal with the note that the side breakfast potatoes were perhaps a little too crunchy. Overall, this place is a vibe and definitely a cool spot to bring someone visiting from out of town. Service was quick and friendly, they were serving a large conference of folks with no impact to service.

The pizza was 10/10 but unfortunately the service lacked. We sat at a table during the week, and it…read morewas not busy. You order at the counter, and they do ask for a tip, but after the lack of service we received, I'd say it's best not to leave a tip in advanced since you don't know what service you will get. My personal opinion, bring cash if you want to tip. We received our food, and truly did not get checked on once. I had to get up to ask for a drink refill. Again, the restaurant was not busy and there was plenty of staff. The place itself is cool and I do plan to come back to give it another try. Hopefully it will be a better experience.