Rough Rider is one of Phoenix's hidden gems. Tucked away in the basement of a downtown building, it offers a unique historic ambiance that feels like stepping into another era. The space is cozy and full of character, though the limited basement footprint means it's not the most intimate setting if you're looking for a quiet, private dinner. The food was outstanding from start to finish. The lamb lollipops were perfectly prepared and packed with flavor, the potato and artichoke dish was a delicious and unexpected standout, and both the veal and Wagyu carpaccio were excellent. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The house-made jam cocktails were especially memorable--creative, unique, and absolutely delicious. It's refreshing to find a cocktail program that offers something different from the usual menu. Service was attentive, friendly, and professional throughout the evening, adding to the overall experience. If you're looking for great food, inventive cocktails, and a distinctive atmosphere with historic charm, Rough Rider is well worth a visit. We'll definitely be back. read more

Chris our Server is super nice and on top of his game, very cordial, knowledgeable and very accommodating. Love the ambiance, cocktails are Spot On, Food is fantastic and Service was phenomenal. We had the crab dip/marvelous-bread was to die for, Mussels-Excellent-broth very tasty, Salmon-fantastic- done perfectly with crispy skin, Pasta-very, very good. One of our favorite restaurants in Phoenix. Make Reservation, Parking Garage on East Side of Building is usually available. We will be back! read more

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Saint of Santiago and Potion Seller for dessert were both winning cocktails IMO. Both were very well balanced. I ordered the hamachi crudo and it was delicious. I just wished I had more! Cuts were nice and thick and all the flavors blended well together. This place is like a secret but it's not. The vibe is fun and rustic at the same time. Bar tenders were all attentive and nice. The only thing I thought was a bit off was not having a specific bar tender which made it a little confusing sometimes. For themselves. One would take my order and the next would ask what I wanted. Or when I asked for the check and then another would ask me what I'm drinking next. Would definitely come back here at some point! read more

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Absolutely outstanding, delicious and what a cool experience! First it's a little hard to find but once you find the elevators, head down to the basement for a culinary delight! We loved all the food we had, but the POTATOES are out of this world delicious!! The Brussels were a big hit with us and the pasta dish. I am not normally a chicken fan but I tried it and I must say it was cooked to perfection. But again, those amazing potatoes, YUM YUM! They do charge an auto gratuity for parties of 6 or more and it is a little pricey but worth it. It is a darker restaurant so if you are like me and cannot see that well, bring your readers and a night light! Make sure you ask for Heather S for your server, she was outstanding. read more

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I brought some friends from out of town to Rough Rider, as I had so many people recommend this place to me. This underground speakeasy is located in the basement of the Ten-One building in downtown Phoenix. There is parking nearby in the garage; the restaurant will validate your parking, which rocks. When you walk in, you are instantly transported to a pre-Prohibition era. The ambiance is *chef's kiss*. I highly recommend making a reservation as this is a popular spot. I personally loved all the different and unique seating options throughout the restaurant, not a single bad spot. Our server was friendly and did a great job answering our questions about the cocktails and punches on the menu. Our favorite drinks of the night were the Bull Moose Sour (for the Bourbon lovers), the Roses by the Elevator (for the gin lovers), and the Happy Birthday Mr. President (for the Vodka lovers). We also munched on the Brussel Sprouts and the Baked Crab Dip, the dip is hands-down the best appetizer on the menu. read more

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Very cool hidden underground bar with an upscale ambiance. Honestly quite spacious and easy to accommodate large groups like mine. Drinks were nicely presented and I really enjoyed my mezcal cocktail. We also tried the dessert - the sorbet was very refreshing and the brownie was decadent. Great place for a nightcap. read more

Rough Rider - Saint of Santiago - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

The vibes are what make this place so amazing! I did try their food and everything is on the pricier side. I will say this is a spot you get drinks to start the night. Feels very speakeasy vibes in here! read more

In town for Valentine's Day and tried out this spot for a little date night. The vibes were immaculate and the service was amazing. Everyone was very attentive and nice and knowledgeable about the food and drink options. We got a few of the happy hour items and the crab dip. Everything we had (crab dip, oysters, jumbo shrimp, fried cauliflower, drinks) was so good. Highly recommend getting a "bartenders choice" drink. My fiancé ordered one and it was incredible. They also validated our parking from the parking ramp inside so that was very appreciated! read more

Rough Rider - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

My buddy and I came to Rough Rider for pre-drinks before the Phoenix Suns game and this speakeasy restaurant is the perfect place to grabs amazing cocktails and solid food for a bar. We split a Ribeye between the 2 of us which was great. Highly recommend this place if you want great service with a speakeasy vibes style of place with some of the best mixed cocktails in downtown PHX! read more

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Words do not do this place justice! I wish ya'll could feel the atmosphere, taste the food, and sip on these yummy drinks through these photos. Every single thing we ordered was PHENOMENAL! For starters the drinks, nice pours and lots of choices. We described the kind of shot we wanted, and boy did they deliver. Then moving onto the food...these photos will never compare to actually tasting it. It's been a while since I've like any restaurant's Brussel sprouts, but rough rider has you covered. To the hamachi Crudo tasting so FRESH. Also kudos to the chef for making the seasonal hamachi Crudo, such a unique twist, I loved it. The best combo is ordering both and alternating. Pasta was delicious and the sauce for the mussels was mouthwatering. Now for the final star the DUCK! I'm still thinking about this duck and it's been a week later (just now making time for a review). The staff was so knowledgeable, you tell them what you want and they point you in the perfect direction. I want to go back so badly for the overall experience! read more

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It was good but not overly great. The potato and artichoke appetizer is amazing! I had the duck and hubby had the pork chop. The duck was amazing, smaller portion, but the pork chop was good, the slaw side was just meh, but there's so much of it and that's all you get with it. We ordered smore cake for dessert, I wanted to love it so much and what we could eat we did. The problem is we got an edge piece of the cake (think edge of brownie pan) and it was so hard it was almost uneditable. It's luck of the drawl but try and get a middle piece. It was a fun date night out, but I don't know if we will return. Lots of other options to try. read more

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This restaurant can be difficult to find if you don't know it's a speak easy in the basement of a high-rise building in downtown. The server was very attentive even with a group of 10+ people. Food was flavorful and presentation was beautiful on every single dish. Some drinks even came with a piece of candy as a garnish! It can be difficult to go to the restroom as they are upstairs and you have to take the elevator which can interrupt your meal. It would be nice if they had one downstairs where the restaurant is located. If you go I would recommend ride share! Although there is a parking lot in front of the high-rise it can be difficult to get in and out of especially at night! read more

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Huge thanks to a fellow customer sitting next to me at a bar top while in Sedona, who recommended we come here! Arriving for their opening, we were fortunate to find free parallel parking within a couple of blocks. Now, this is a speakeasy: no loud signs informing one of their location; having to take a specific (middle) elevator to go down to the basement; once the elevator doors open, to enter a dimly lit host station. The atmosphere is rich, elegant, and inviting from the start. Requesting to sit at the main (lively) bar top, we were fortunate and privileged to be served -- and entertained -- by Brad (and later, Brandon) -- both approachable, professional, knowledgeable, and comfortably attentive, making one feel valued. The impressive and positive teamwork is visible among the entire staff. Watching the cocktails being made by our talented bartenders was quite a show. Impressively, we noticed the use of large, clear, and stamped ice cubes in some of their cocktails -- such details truly elevate the experience. Hubby enjoyed his Legend Manhattan ($30) and Game Theory ($19); I thoroughly enjoy the presentation, scents, and flavors of my Signature Smoke ($35), followed by the Game Theory. For food, we enjoyed off their Happy Hour menu: Roasted Potatoes & Artichokes ($14). Off the regular menu, we shared their tender and well-prepared Ribeye ($80), with a finale of their delicious S'more Cake ($11) and French Press Coffee ($6). Happy Hour: Tuesday - Sunday, 3-5 P.M. What surprised us (and took a little away from this fine experience) is -- being such an elegant venue -- this is not 21-&-over until 9 PM (when the kitchen closes). Thankfully, the babies/children present weren't crying, loud, or running around. Fabulous experience and one we'd want to visit, again, when in the area. read more

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Really intimate and cool speakeasy restaurant. We had the smoky old fashioned speciality drinks and let me tell you they did not disappoint. They were on the pricey side but boy were they tasty and smooth! We only shared some of the appetizer dishes not a huge meal. We enjoyed the muscles, oysters, and crab dip dish. Service was also top notch! If you have a hot date I think this is a good spot to consider! Enjoy! read more

Happy Valentine's Day, my fellow Yelpers! My husband and I chose Rough Rider for Valentine's Day this year, and if you're looking for a spot that commits to a vibe, this is it. The space makes industrial look sophisticated, with a strong Old World energy that feels equal parts historic speak easy and modern cocktail den. You can tell they take their concept seriously and they execute it beautifully. We started with the baked crab dip (lump crab, cheese, celery, breadcrumbs), which was rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. It came with four small slices artisanal bread (think Texas toast). Emphasis on small. We asked for two additional slices and were surprised to see we were charged for an extra side. Not a dealbreaker, but at these prices, a little bread generosity would go a long way. For our entrées, I had the pasta (Sonoran pappardelle with braised pork ragu) and it was fantastic. I'd describe it as hearty and subtly spicy. My husband ordered the filet, which was tender and beautifully prepared. Truly, every bite we had was excellent. That said, Rough Rider definitely knows it's good and it prices accordingly. We skipped dessert and alcohol and still walked out nearly $200 lighter. For two people. Without question, the quality is there, but the pricing feels higher than it needs to be. We love supporting local businesses and don't mind splurging. Rough Rider is very much a "special occasion" destination rather than a casual night out for us. All in all, the food was delicious, the ambiance is distinctive, and it's a great spot to celebrate. Would we go back? Yes. Would we brace ourselves for the bill? Also, yes. read more

First impression. Love the vibe, greeted by the hostess immediately and seated at our reserved table. Celebrating our wedding anniversary with a complimentary champagne, a nice touch. Our server was Pop, he did a great job explaining the menu and drinks recommendations. Love everything we ordered and for the price, it was pretty good. If you need a restroom, you'll have to go upstairs, only the negative side. Be careful it's yummy certified. read more

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This was the last stop on our trip to Arizona and by far it was the best one all trip and there were a lot of great ones. We got some recommendations from another bartender in Scottsdale and boy did they come through. We found parking right outside and we knew it was a speakeasy but will not like it took us a few minutes to find the exact elevator that took us to the restaurant/bar. We finally found the elevator and went directly to the front desk. We were quickly greeted and taken to the bar. We were greeted by the bartender who was very nice and knowledgeable and great us awesome recommendations. We did not have much time for food so we just stayed for a few drinks. I went with an Old Fashioned and the Legend Old Fashioned. I enjoyed them both but the Legend topped the cake. I absolutely loved the feel and the ambiance, it had a very prohibition like decor but the drinks paired and matched well with the ambiance. Will definitely be back! read more

An absolutely wonderful experience for our 7th Anniversary dinner. Rough Rider in downtown Phoenix. Speakeasy vibe. It's in the basement of an office building. It's own elevator paneled in wood. Right then you know it's something special. When I made reservations, told them it was our anniversary. The server, Heather, was amazing! Great personality. Anniversary greetings from the staff that came by. The cocktails were delicious. My pre dinner cocktail was called a Bull Moose Sour. Yum! Ingredients you wouldn't think would go together, did. Shawn definitely enjoyed his drinks! Watching the bartenders is entertaining. Heather suggested having the bartender make up a dessert cocktail for me. Why not? Jake, the bartender delivered it himself. Had a bourbon base. It was delicious! I had the venison chops. Oh so yummy and tender. Shawn had crab legs. He said they were good. Will definitely go to Rough Rider again. read more

Rough Rider - Venison chops - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Great drinks at a decent price. Food came out fast and tasted amazing. Would go back again

Great speakeasy bar and restaurant. Wonderful hand crafted drink and a great selection of appetizers and entrees as well as desserts.

Went here to have a little Mini after party for Friend's birthday. It was an impromptu visit but we were still able to get in. It is hidden in the basement of the building below a lively Mexican spot. The hostess was very friendly and helped us decide on the best place for us to sit. We ended up choosing a lounge area with a couch, two chairs and a table in the middle. It was a great little casual spot right by the bar. I ordered the reelection martini. It was on the pricey end at $30 but definitely worth it. It had a smooth salty bite to it with a little tang. The blue cheese olives that came with were to die for. I could eat a bowl of those. Something about the cheese and it's smoothness was so delicious. My friend got the smoke show which he enjoyed. I love the theater of drinks. Browsing over the menu I definitely will be back to try more drinks, and some food, but this is definitely a great spot. Will update when I come back for a longer visit. read more

Rough Rider - Oysters - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

It was my first time into Rough Rider last weekend. It was a busy night but I was able to walk in with a buddy of mine and grab a place to sit. The staff and management were very kind. We waited probably at most 5-7 minutes for someone to take our drink orders and for a busy Friday night that's what I'd expect. But they were very nice and apologetic about the wait. Not a problem at all! The bar is so nicely laid out and it's in the basement of what I believe to be an office building. It looks like a bar from the early 1920s. Service is quick. Drinks were fantastic. I'll add a few pictures. Will definitely be returning soon. read more

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This is Hubby's favorite restaurant, so we come here relatively often. It's in the basement of a large office building on Roosevelt Row. There's not really a sign alerting you to the location, unless you count the huge smiling Teddy Roosevelt on the side of the building. This place is Teddy Roosevelt themed, At the decor really does bring you back in today 1910s. It's dark with lots of gorgeous carved wood. There are pictures of Teddy Roosevelt and because it is Teddy Roosevelt themed, you'll also find bits of Americana. There's a raw bar on one side, and on the other side there is a long bar, a lounge area with fireplace, and a dining room. There's also a little room with a sofa and some comfy chairs off to the side - - perhaps you can rent it privately? I do know that some people came in before us without a reservation and they were banished to the little room because there were no seats available at the bar or in the dining room. Every time we've come here we have had the most attentive servers. The cocktal menu offers a little something for everyone, although I don't think they have a large beer menu. They have wonderful cobbler drinks. Hubby had the Martini of Honor and I had a yummy mezcal drink topped with bee pollen called Twisted Nectar. We started with the the smoked salmon dip, which was delish! For dinner, we both had the pork chop with apple slaw, which is what I always order. Soooo good! Its a good idea to have a reservation on the weekend. And allow time for parking. They do validate! read more

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One of my fav higher end restaurants! The food is great and the drinks are on the stronger side! The staff has always been amazing! It's located down a few floors and the attention to detail is insane! read more

The ambiance is pretty cool. See the pictures. It is a bit warm for a basement though. The service was very good with one exception. We were asked if we liked our food once. When we got our appetizers. Which was excellent. The mascarpone potatoes are a must. The shrimp cocktail was very good as well. My wife had a cocktail that she liked very much as well. But the entrees. The ribeye was a good cut and very tender but totally un seasoned. The potato's it was sitting on were excellent. The chicken breast. Over cooked and very dry. The sauce and the celery root puree, very good. We were very disappointed at the entrees after the excellent appetizers and cocktail. The ambiance was top notch as well. read more

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First time here. We chose this location to celebrate our anniversary and we are so happy we did. From the hostess, to the waitress, to the server, and bartender--all wished us a "happy anniversary" and even before we got started we were welcomed with celebratory champagne. Hilary our waitress was absolutely PHENOMENAL. Amazing service and great recommendations. She made our time here that much more awesome. Every cocktail we ordered was fantastic. We started with the roasted potatoes and artichokes--HIGHLY recommend. It is a large portion. I ordered the seasonal fish which happened to be salmon--it was good. My only slight complaint is the sauce was salty. If you read the review below mine--several others complained about the salty salmon as well. I was able to eat my dish but it was very salty. My boyfriend ordered the ribeye and he said it was one of the best steaks he has had and the mashed potatoes were equally amazing. The ambiance and vibe is amazing especially for date night or celebrating. Come check this place out! read more

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Excellent food and service and atmosphere was outstanding Mark Gaetjen Uber man Would recommend anyone coming in town like we were just traveling through read more

Came here after work with a few friends to catch up on life. I've had this place book marked for some time now, so glad I checked it out! The ambience and vibes here are amazing! Low light, detailed woodwork throughout and speakeasy feels everywhere! It's usually busy so make sure to get a reservation beforehand. Unfortunately, the non-alcoholic options are basically tea....so I just went with water. We ordered some oysters, and while I'm not a huge fan of them, they were good. We also got the fried cauliflower appetizer that was pretty tasty. On a scale of 1 - 10, I'd come back just for the atmosphere alone, BUT, it kinda sucks that they don't have a few other non-alcoholic beers or drinks available. read more

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Our server was amazing and very patient with us. He recommended some amazing dishes and was super helpful! The food and drinks were amazing. Our favorite was the potatoes because they were so crispy and the flavors were amazing! read more

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Rough Rider was an amazing and delicious experience for dinner! The restaurant is located in the basement and gives off a dark, lodge, hip vibe. Paid parking is available in the parking garage to the east. Main building interior isn't labeled very obvious so find the elevators just past the lobby on the left. Restrooms are on the first floor. Once you get downstairs a small host booth sits to the right against the decorated wall. A large portrait of President Teddy faces you. There is varying seating options and bar seating too. We had really great service! Our water was always filled, we were checked on regularly and were provided recommendations on drinks and food. She explained everything thoroughly. Really appreciated her providing the details on the drink profiles. The food was delicious! We started out with crab dip and muscles. I had the Mr. President drink off the menu to start and it was so yummy for a sweeter side cocktail drink. The seafood menu items, not ordered, are served chilled. We shared the ribeye which was at market price, and cooked as ordered. A table next to us had ordered the potatoes and we were told by our server they were good but we opted out this time. The s'more dessert was just the right amount to finish off dinner. Highly recommend!! And make reservations. read more

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This hidden underground bar is literally such a vibe and way more spacious inside than you'd expect. The mezcal cocktails are absolutely top tier and the brownie we got for dessert was insanely rich. Dropping a star just because it was lowkey so dark inside that we had to use our flashlights to read the menu, but it's honestly the perfect aesthetic spot for a late-night drink with the girls read more

Had a fun time hanging out at the bar. The whiskey selection is pretty decent with a lot of different private barrel selections. read more

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The atmosphere felt cozy and stylish with dim lighting and a speakeasy-type feel that made the whole experience more fun. Drinks were well-made and the food had a lot of flavor too. read more

I wish I would have been informed about the sushi rice. I'm not a fan of it also looks terrible and the rolls are not traditional. Just not my cup of tea. read more

Recommended by a friend , decided to check it out for a quick bite. You got to go through the alley and take an elevator to the basement. A really nice bar, very versatile location. We had a mocktail, but the place seemed like it had a lot of interesting cocktail options as well. Had a nice set up with sofas and like room to get like a more personal and casual setting. Wasn't too loud for a bar, easily communicate. Right from the beginning the hosts and the servers were very friendly and efficient. The roasted potato appetizers is a must try and was recommended by a friend. Very well balanced flavors, slightly a little extra garlic flavor which was really good. And it was perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The mascapone cream was really good and added to the dish as well. read more

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Way over priced! Please do not start clearing plates if others at the table are still EATING! Rude! Server manners: 101 Food was alright. Nothing special. We were a group of about 8. None of us will be back. read more

It's a little tricky to find if you're horrible with directions like me, but once you're inside it's definitely a treat. The drinks are fun and service was friendly. Definitely coming back! read more

Rough Rider - Cocktail: Happy Birthday, Mr. President - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Completed date night by reserving a late night seat at the bar for drinks and desserts. Skipped dessert because the charcuterie board was so filing and amazing. Best one I've had. Drinks were unique and perfectly crafted. The place was awesome. The hidden location had us circling at first but we had fun discovering it. The decor and atmosphere were top notch. The theme of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders is felt all throughout. This is a rare speakeasy that actually feels like one. The wood affects and the amber lighting creates such a dim warmth. Definitely a new favorite and I've recommended this spot to every friend! read more

The restaurant is at the base of The building. Food is good Strange feeling to be here read more

Rough Rider - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Ummmm it was ok super pricey and the food was just ok! You are definitely paying for the vibes!! It's like a sultry romantic speakeasy! Our waitress was Olivia and she was really nice and knowledgeable about the menu. I tried the duck leg quarter...I have never had duck before it was cool tasted like rich chicken lol the oysters were 4 dollars each and shrimp 4.50 both really fresh.... The cocktail sauce was homemade really good but super spicy!! The salad was fresh lettuce was crisp but the Caesar dressing was very mustardy... all in all it was a cute date night and I'd go again if someone else is paying... lol read more

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