The decor, overall vibe, and drink menu are really fun, but the bartender we had kind of killed the…read moreexperience. We'd heard good things about this place and have been trying to support local downtown bars this summer, so we stopped in around 11 on a Friday night before heading home. As we sat down, we watched the bartender be pretty dismissive toward another group at the bar, so we were already a little unsure. We started talking about the decor because we liked the eclectic vibe. We jokingly pointed out that one of the pictures had a joint instead of a cigarette because someone in our group hadn't noticed. One of the bartender's first comments back, completely seriously, was, "I'm from San Diego. Have you never seen art before?" Honestly... what? It was such a weird, unnecessarily condescending response. I brushed it off at first as awkward banter, but it was a really strange first impression. The drinks were decent. The Loverlist was really good, and the Unicorn Fluff and Old Fashioned were fine. The bartender was quick to talk up their whiskey selection, but when we asked for a recommendation, she mostly gave reasons why she couldn't recommend anything and just kept saying they had "over 90 different options." Without a whiskey menu to look through, that wasn't especially helpful. We also asked for a shooter and were offered half of a cocktail instead. That would've been totally fine on its own, but combined with everything else, the service just never felt welcoming. We ended up leaving pretty quickly. I'd give the place another shot because the atmosphere is fun and has a lot of potential, but hopefully with a different bartender behind the bar.

I'm happy to have finally gotten a chance to visit Unicorn Zebra since it's been on my list from…read morethe time they opened. It's a fun and also elegant atmosphere with the zebra theme clearly exemplified across the space. I would have to say this is one of the coziest bars I've been to, the furniture and seating is really supportive of a long-term visit. There are other levels, lower and an upper level besides the main space, but be aware that if there are parties, they can typically take up different areas. Our bartender, Sarah was fantastic! The way that she handled all of the guests and the busy field was incredible, so calm and collected, and furthermore making some really incredible drinks. Heads up that the online drink menu is not the current drink menu, I couldn't remember all the names of our drinks and put those in the photo captions, so when I checked on the website, the menu was showing something different other than what I saw at the bar. Out of several places I've been to, I'd say the mixture of flavors and details in the drinks are quite unique. I'll be back for more one day

I'd give The Owls Club 10 stars if I could…read more This is a true gem in Tucson. Historic, moody, sophisticated vibes with live music and a setting that feels like you stepped into another era. Fun fact, it used to be a mortuary which honestly adds to the whole slightly eerie, beautifully atmospheric charm in the best way. Why did it take me so long to get here?! Drinks aren't cheap but they are absolutely worth it. I had a non alcoholic drink that was divine and honestly didn't feel like an afterthought at all. So many little nooks to explore, but the courtyard under the palm trees was my favorite. On this visit, with moonlight, vintage architecture, and soft ambient lighting, it just felt unreal. All I could think was this is the perfect place for events, gatherings, or just lingering a little too long because you don't want the night to end.

*Visiting the Owls Club is an experience... for one it's in a former funeral home. Equally…read moreimportant, stellar drink menu. * Expect a intimate and macabre-ish vibe indoors- pews for seats, long corridors and party vibes outdoors with live music at times *Excellently curated drink menu and even more impressive bartenders who not only makes these drinks from memory but also are able to keep the orders and drinks flowing * Order at the bar and seat yourself indoors or outdoors... it gets busy and so you will need to speak up to get the attention of the very busy bartenders... also speaking up doesn't mean being rude to others also patiently waiting for their drinks *Gets super busy as the night progresses * Tip well and return... too many cool cocktails to not try

Ursa reminded me of what cooking the desert can be. Nopal, cactus, squash, rabbit - ingredients…read moredeeply rooted in place and culture. Their pay-what-you-can experience is unlike anything I've encountered, reflecting a genuine commitment to their community. Warm hospitality, conviction in every dish, and storytelling in its most sincere form make Ursa a restaurant well worth experiencing. Huge thanks to June, Emma, DJ, Eric, Mika, and of course Chef Aaron.

My review is from the perspective of my pay-what-you-wish experience. Also as someone who's…read moreinterested in nature and trying new edible plants. I enjoy some challenging textures and flavors for the sake of experiences. What I tried over 2.5 hours: -Nixtamalized Barrel cactus fruit aged in ash with chiltepin jam and chiltepin leaves preserved in vinegar. I liked it- sweet and smokey. The barrel fruit was a tad fibrous. -Refried tepary beans with wolfberry and a green powder of globe mellow salsa verde. The powder was tart and yummy. The tepary beans tasted fairly simple. The dried cactus was nice- reminded me of kale chips. The tortillas of my friend's omni menu were very soft and pliable. -Yakitori: Barrel cactus fruit with candied Tohono O'odham Ha:l Squash,mesquite tare and marinated cholla buds reduction from last year's cholla, topped with jojoba seeds. This was a fave. -Maitake with corn rib and desert botanical bonchons. I thought the name might have referred to Banchan, the small Korean side plates of kimchi etc since there was kimchi in one of the bites on the plate but it was spelled Bonchon, "my hometown" in Korean. The heirloom corn vegemite bite was umami as expected. The snail shaped amaranth leaves white kimchi bite was tart, bold and delicious. The corn rib bite was topped with pickled yucca bud pieces on top- I loved getting to try that and loved the flavor and texture of it. A sunflower head "brisket" bite was really interesting and I enjoyed the brisket flavoring that was achieved here. The texture felt fitting for it too and it seemed clever. Likely a challenging bite for some with the flower flavors and texture in the end. The amaranth dumpling bite was filled with something else made from amaranth I didn't catch. The last bite of this plate was the Maitake mushroom with palo verde- delish. -Raw Nopal with preserved amaranth pico de gallo with agave pulque -blackened agave frozen granita with pico de gallo and pressed coriander ironwood emulsion. Vinegary and refreshing- Big hit. -Kaiseki: cactus bud, three sisters stew, cowpea and ironwood blossom. We were also given a complimentary Non- Alcoholic beverage with it: a chilled palo verde Pu-erh fermented tea. It had a light fizzy feel. LOVED the drink and it balanced the saltiness of the stew. The broth that the waiter added to the stew at the table was overly salted but the stew was good and was more filling than the other dishes so far. I liked the meaty texture of the ironwood flower. This course came with a tostada topped with refried tepary beans and prickly pear tunas and with young cactus in salt bush emulsion. -Wolfberry sorbet- served beautifully. Very sweet and single note.The waiter said the wolfberries on top were pickled and I wish I tasted pickled flavor because it would have provided balance. I tried my companions roasted Huuñ Ga'i sherbet with kombucha soaked corn and preserved amaranth flowers and enjoyed it more than the wolfberry sorbet. -Wildflowers-Cactus sorbet with frosted amaranth leaves and cactus marmalade. I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't come right after the overly sweet wolfberry sorbet. It was more balanced but I really was sweetened-out. It had some medicinal notes but was interesting. I liked the cactus marmalade pieces. I like the leaves that were super crispy but some were heavily frosted with sugar. I LOVED my companion's Wildflowers dessert. It was a warm miso cake with mesquite, brittlebush curd and cactus marmalade.The mesquite really came through here wonderfully. -Pimachata: Candied squash and aerated squash. Was craving something savory now but luckily this one was less sweet and more balanced. My companion seemed to enjoy her goat cheese ice cream. With the check, came two sticks with mesquite gummies.I love mesquite but this again was a tad too sweet now. The least positive part for me was the service. I was surprised that a place with a focus of introducing people to food of the desert they might not know about would not have the servers engage when someone seems very interested, like me. No written menu/ description was given during the meal and I tried my best to write down notes as the waiter was listing the descriptions extremely quickly in a rehearsed way without engaging with us and without slowing down much when asked. I asked for an extra note card and he gave me a blank receipt. The most confusing part was that they ended up bringing us a printed menu with the dishes listed when we finished the full meal. We were so flabbergasted as to why he wouldn't mention it was coming when I was writing notes or even better provided it at the start. It felt that the servers were very focused on doing a rehearsed part instead of engaging meaningfully. I was very happy with my pay-what- you-wish experience and I experienced all of this like art viewing. So cool getting to try so many local desert plants!

My husband and I are in our 40s, and after Christmas party with colleagues, on a Friday night,…read morefound ourselves at Highwire Tucson bar and lounge. What a fun place and amazing atmosphere! We don't typically drink a lot, but Mexican candy shots and Margaritas were incredible, and before we knew it, each of us had like, 5. Next morning-no headache, no issues, no hangover, only fun memories of dancing and having a great time! HIGHLY recommend, seems like people at any age can still have fun at a place like this, it has indoor and outdoor areas, plenty of space, and upbeat music. Visit HIGHWIRE, you won't be disappointed!

HighWire's Christmas pop-up bar in downtown Tucson is pure holiday magic. We popped in just to…read moretake photos and ended up staying because the whole space is such a vibe -- twinkly lights, festive décor everywhere, and endless little corners perfect for Christmassy photo ops. It's fun, cute, and totally worth a stop if you're trying to soak up some holiday spirit in Tucson. Loved it!

Came for queer fem karaoke night! So much fun. Packed. Well organized event…read more The event space is cool. Dark. Red. Patio area. The one downfall was only having one bar tender. She worked so so hard and the drinks were great but she could have used the help. The lines were long. All the drinks were good. Beers on tap. LGBTQ welcoming!

Super-cute little bar that has special events and live music from time-to-time. Friendly employees,…read morea lovely little outdoor area and a small upstairs area. It's tiny so just know that before visiting. It's conveniently located downtown so it's a great place to dash into for a drink, and if there's good music playing there's never been a cover that I've experienced so you can just sit there and enjoy. There are drink specials and sometimes event-themed drinks to go along with whatever is happening that evening.

She wanted a crafty drink to pregame before a concert at the Fox so we popped in here around 7p…read moreSaturday. There was only one other couple and they left about 15 min later leaving us as their lone patrons until 7:45p - just like I scripted ;) We got their Select Old Fashioned ($15) and it was terrific - smooth and not too sweet (Maple syrup is the source). The ambiance of this narrow wood/brick venue is dark, warm, cozy. And with super high ceilings, doesn't feel tight - or perhaps that was facilitated by the absence of patrons? The minor negatives: The two staff were unengaging and there aren't a lot of appetizers or cocktails to choose from, but as a whisky bar, that may be deliberate.

This is such a cool spot to have a cocktail. Super intimate, a million whiskey and bourbon options,…read morewith a vibe that's unmatched!

4.5 / 5 Service -…read moreThough it took a few minutes to be greeted by the server, the overall service was great, he was attentive and very personable. Food was ready in roughly 20 minutes. Food - yum yum yum! The chicken was juicy, the Mac was cheesin, the curds was curdin', and the Voli (short for ravioli) was absolutely insane. And the banana foster was just superb (if you are taking it home, ice cream will melt in the box ) Drinks - the prosecco was a typical lil prosecco. But the old fashion was very good though. Ambiance - We went on a Sunday evening so it wasn't busy at ALL, but we had a fun seat in the booth- where we could see the kitchen, very very fun time!

Service is a miss, but the food is incredible. Definitely some of the best food in Tucson. The…read moreambiance is very comfortable and relaxing. The salmon with mushroom risotto was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The chicken pot pie was the best I've ever had. You can order ice cream at your table or on the way out. They have a seasonal pumpkin flavor which is delicious, but the OG oatmeal cookie dough is one of the best ice creams ever. Management is always present, so if you aren't satisfied, let them know and they will make it right. Our server disappeared, we thought she may have left, luckily manager Michael stopped by our table, or we would've sat abandoned for a long time.

I came here yesterday for their final wine tasting of the summer. They will restart them after the…read moresummer ends. It was a free wine tasting provided by A. Torano (who has a tasting room in town) and free charcuterie items provided by Maynard's. Both were great. I love that they have a cured beef option. This is rare. Most charcuterie boards only have pork. I also ordered about aperol spritz and really like it.

Alien abduction of humans may or may not be real. But I think humans must be abducting aliens to…read moreemploy here. It's the only possible explanation for the unearthly PERFECT service received at this cafe EVERY time, over decades. Not just exceptional. Eerily PERFECT.

Cup Cafe is located inside the historic 1919 Congress Hotel, it is a bit confusing, the restaurant…read moreis at the far end of the lobby. Host was most gracious, I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to be seated indoors or out on the patio area. He walked me through to show me the table closest to the misting fans. In the end I chose to sit indoors cause it was hella hot. Here is what we ordered: - Golden Latte with Agave (10/10) - Braveheart - Quiche du Jour (this one changes daily) - Moroccan Skillet - Shakshuka Everything was absolutely delicious. I bookmarked this place specifically for their killer lineup of desserts. I wish I could order all of them. The Coconut Custard Pie was calling my name and I gave it a good long lingering stare in the rotating glass case but I decided on the Prickly Pear Panna Cotta. I am all about the prickly pear whenever I visit Tucson. The cooked cream had the perfect wobbly jiggle, it was light, yummy and refreshing. Highly recommend this spot in Downtown Tucson. I don't drink but they have an amazing looking bar. Metered parking on the streets.

This dining experience was one of the best…read more Starting off with the decor... Five stars Then the happy hour appetizers... Off the hook The Pho was incredible because the broth was homemade, and there was no skimping on anything, especially in the flavor department The only thing tricky is finding parking nearby, but just keep driving around till you find a spot. I promise you it's worth it... Five stars all the way

I got carry out yesterday. I ordered the Bun Cha Hanoi. I didn't eat it yesterday because I had…read moresushi I needed to use up. I ate it today and threw it out. I asked twice for extra peanuts, sauce, and cucumber. I confirmed it when I picked it up. The sweet gal who brought me the food also said, "Let me go ask." She whisked it into the kitchen and came back. "Yes, it's all there!" Nope. No extra peanuts, sauce, or cucumbers. Now, the meat. Just a big "meh." The noodles were slimy and tasted "off." It's a gorgeous restaurant right on campus of UA. The two wait staffers I encountered were bubbly and bright and smiley. Due to the jolly wait staff, which is a big deal, I'll rate the restaurant a 2 instead of a zero. MIss Saigon on the corner of Speedway and Campbell? I ordered the same dish, Bun Cha Hanoi, at this Speedway/Campbell location last week. The number 41! It was glorious. Everything. No wonder their front desk is literally covered with carry out bags.