I was searching for a nice speakeasy/cocktail bar to get after dinner drinks for my friend's birthday 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. read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Fun night with great drinks... Heard about Star 78 Speakeasy, and decided to try it out. You walk behind a door with a pay phone and enter a room with plush velvet couches and chairs, a beautiful bar, and great ambiance. Servers and bartenders are fantastic! So why not 5 stars?! When we entered the cafe, the guy working kinda gave us a hard time. Who are you? Do you have a reservation? At what time? And then he said have a seat over there. So we did just that. And then 20 minutes passed our reservation time, still no one came over. We said something to one of the young ladies working, and she took us back. We asked her if the guy even said anything that we were there, and she said no. Other people were just walking in and out, but we were told we had to wait. Who knows, maybe he just forgot. Not sure how, but whatever, we still had fun. read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I often refer to myself as the self-appointed king of speakeasies. I may have to relinquish that crown. I live in Desert Ridge, and for 10 months or so, I had no idea that Star 78 Speakeasy existed. Despite passing by on countless occasions. I digress. Star 78 is located on High Street, a popular entertainment district full of bars, restaurants, stores, and more. Parking is easy (and free) either on the street or the surface lots or garage that surrounds the area. I've stopped by twice. Ambiance (4/5): While I don't want to give all of the clues away, I have to give the people what they want. Star 78 is located in a coffee shop. Walk to the back of the coffee shop, look for the phone booth, punch star 78 on the keypad and then push the door. Awesome! You'll enter a speakeasy which seats about 30 people that reminds you of the prohibition era. A true speakeasy should not have signage outside of the establishment (Star 78 almost meets that standard). And there should be a creative way to get in. That's certainly met here. Service (4/5): On both of my visits, service has been pretty friendly and efficient. Once, I made a reservation. The other time I didn't. If you'd like to play it safe, make a reservation for free on Open Table. Food (N/A): I've been on a liquid diet both times, but I have taken a look at their menu. It's a light menu consisting mostly of charcuterie boards and sandwiches. Drinks (4.5/5): When I go to a speakeasy, I hope for creative craft cocktails. Not an espresso martini, mojito, and margaritas. Star 78 does a good job here with an interesting list of cocktails. The type of menu where I'd like to come back again and again until I get to try everything that appeals to me on the menu. All of the drinks here have been great. They've been out of some ingredients here and there, but outside of that, a job well done. Pro tip: If you're into murder mysteries, Star 78 hosts them. Check out their website for the scoop. Awesome to have a speakeasy in my neighborhood! read more

See all

This was an unforgettable experience! Mostly because it was so comical how bad it was. We went there for "game night," a murder mystery experience with a 3 course meal. The atmosphere was supposed to be a cool 20's speakeasy vibe, but then for some reason the murder mystery was 1950's themed, and the music playing was from the current era. We were asked to read roles, but the game wasn't explained very well at all. Worst, we went through hours of reading to strangers and we were never even asked or prompted to vote for the murderer. Not much of a "game." The 3 course meal could best be described as mediocre airplane food. The only good items were the coffee inspired drinks and food, but I would expect that since the place is inside a coffee shop. Lastly, the service was good, but for a $200 night, this felt more like a high school production and food experience, than a swanky fun night out. read more

Hidden gem alert! This was my first visit to Star 78 and I don't have a frame of reference as to what it used to be like, but I know I loved every minute of my time at this stylish little speakeasy. The phone booth entrance is such a fun touch and a neat photo op. The space itself is gorgeous: moody lighting, plush seating, and a vibe that's equal parts classy and cozy. The service was top-notch, Callie and David were both warm, attentive, and genuinely fun to chat with. The cocktails were beautifully presented (I love that they put glitter in mine!) and tasty. They have a selection of beer as well. My friend and I split a panini, which was packed with flavor. We left just before the murder mystery activity, but it looked like they had a good turnout for it and that it was going to be fun. Bonus: always tons of parking in the Desert Ridge complex. 10/10, would dial again! read more

See all

It's a goal to visit as many speakeasy bars in Phoenix as possible! Finally got to try out Star 78 and 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 read more

See all

Ventured here for a date night and tried something different with an interactive murder mystery. From the secret entrance behind a telephone booth to the murder mystery creativity itself, it was great to have script that is so inclusive. This was also set with a course meal. I got the truffle egg salad while my date got the pastrami sandwich on rye. Definitely a tasty sandwich. Drinks were tasty and the price point was great. I would recommend trying the Madam. Would return for drinks and a good time! read more

See all

We visited this speakeasy for their murder mystery dinner and overall had a great time -- we'll absolutely be back! The atmosphere is fantastic: moody, immersive, and perfect for a themed night out (note: you don't know the theme going in) The food was decent, with some standout moments, though there were a few hiccups. They only had rye bread available (a bold choice, especially for a bakery storefront), which didn't work for everyone in our group. Dessert options were also limited -- just two and they quickly ran out of one. The espresso-soaked brownie was incredible and absolutely worth trying. The murder mystery itself was a lot of fun, but something to note: there are two set showtimes, and the group seated next to us wasn't part of the event. Their constant talking made it hard to hear parts of the performance, which definitely took away from the experience. Hopefully this is something the staff can better manage as they get more established. All that said, they're still a newer spot with tons of potential. We'd 100% return for another murder mystery night and will definitely be back for drinks on non-event evenings -- the vibe alone makes it worth it. read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Espresso Soaked Brownie - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

So cute and moody! Great drinks and a fun spot to have an amazing time!! Will be back for sure. read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We were really excited to try this speakeasy because the atmosphere and decor looked great, but unfortunately the experience didn't live up to our expectations. Starting with the appetizers, the food was underwhelming. It honestly tasted like it was made in a toaster oven rather than a full kitchen. The staff seemed to do the best they could with what they had and the service was good, but the food was not great. The cocktails on the menu were also disappointing and overly sweet. The only drinks we actually enjoyed were ones we ordered off-menu based on cocktails we already knew we liked. Even then, the pours felt pretty light. We also attended the murder mystery experience, which ended up being just ok. Overall, the venue itself looks very cool and has potential, but between the food, drinks, and entertainment, we didn't feel the experience was worth what we spent. Sadly, we won't be returning. read more

Fun place. We did the 6 pm Cri.e Tale. Drinks were fabulous! Food was a set but limited menu so I might try the regular menu next time. I would definitely go again. read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - You can get a drink tailored to your personal profile. Really fun! - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Great place for a girls night! Amazing cocktails, excellent service, and a "murder" to solve! Reasonable prices and good food! We had such a great time! read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Entry to the Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

I've been frequenting Bar'Star 78 on High Street lately, and I have to say, the bartender--though I hesitate to call him just that--David, is truly a mixologist in every sense of the word! Having visited so many places, I often ask bartenders to surprise me with something unique, and David never disappoints. As a fan of Bloody Marys, I've always loved the flavor but often feel too full after one. So, when David surprised me with a drink called the "Ghost in the Garden," I was intrigued. It had a similar aroma to a Bloody Mary, but it was lighter, more refreshing, and absolutely delicious. I've never tasted anything quite like it! For lovers of Old Fashioneds, David is your guy. Just ask him to make you his version of the drink, and you won't be disappointed. He even makes his own mixers! For instance, his Bloody Mary mix is something else--he boils tomatoes, garlic, and celery, then strains the juice through a cheesecloth to create the perfect base. It's such an incredible idea and shows just how much care and creativity he puts into his work. David is not just a bartender; he's an artist. I feel so fortunate to have such talent right in my neighborhood, and I'm already excited to see what he has in store for the holiday season! Stay tuned--I'll be sure to share my next experience! read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I went to Star 78 Speakeasy for their murder mystery night with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time. Because it was the murder mystery, it was a set price with a fixed menu. The game itself was fun and engaging, but unfortunately the food really missed the mark. Our entrées arrived cold and we ended up sending them back. The waitress offered a charcuterie board while we waited, and we opted for that instead, which felt like the better choice. The cocktails were good but very sweet, and I'm fairly certain our cosmopolitans had little to no alcohol in them. After that, we decided to leave and head down to Ocean Prime for a proper cosmo. That said, the speakeasy itself has a great atmosphere and a lot of potential. I also think they'd make more money if the murder mystery didn't take over the space at 6pm on a Friday night--open it up and let people enjoy the bar. With better food execution and stronger cocktails, this could be a really great spot. read more

The service was fantastic and it was such a unique and fun experience! I loved trying to solve the mystery! read more

Star 78 Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Great spot :) fun and moody atmosphere that truly helps create an unforgettable experience! Highly recommend! Wonderful staff that were highly attentive! read more

The ambiance is good and the service is good as well. The food items on the menu seem a bit steep for what they seem to be on the menu. We ordered pretzels and a charcuterie board and I think I could have made better ones at home for A LOT less money. Other than that, it was a good experience. Just leaving some feedback! read more

Super rough. Lighting was really bright, bartender seemed lost. Menu was super basic, just seems to have lost all the magic of what it used to be. read more

Excited to return. My boyfriend and I went on their opening day, and were the only people in there. However, Callie (our server) and David (the bartender) were excellent. We participated in the game and had a great time with them. The cocktails were wonderful, the ambience was fantastic, and their friendly, fun, theatrical personalities were great to feed off of. We will definitely be returning, so excited for the growth of this sweet little Speakeasy and the fun, interactive experiences it will offer. I definitely recommend checking it out. Bring your personality and have fun in there. Have already told friends about it, and are planning our return. read more

Stopped in to see the new speakeasy and I enjoy the atmosphere much more than the previous renovation. There are still a few touches that remain but the new seating and tables bring a nicer vibe to the space. We arrived right at 4pm when they opened which allowed us to have a quiet experience. We were able to ask the hostess and bartender a few questions about the new space. Ordered a "bartenders choice" drink from David and he created the most amazing cocktail. On the weekend, I believe they have a mystery dinner party which sounds like a fun experience -- will be back for this! read more