Came here for a friends birthday celebration. I remember when this space was called Gin n Reel, it…read morestill has the same vibe inside but it's been turned into a speakeasy and now serves food. The price for the murder mystery was $55 which was very reasonably priced and the drinks were tasty. I did the cipher which they bring out pen and paper and you fill out how adventurous you're feeling and they will custom make you a drink. The murder mystery experience was so interactive and so much fun! If I'm honest I'd pay just for the murder mystery but the food options weren't great in flavor. The appetizer (bacon wrapped dates) only came with two small ones, and the fig app was even smaller they looked the size of peanut size m&m's. The main dishes were also not great, the skewers were lacking in flavor and the polenta had a weird texture. The tri tip just came out without any ask to cooking temp and was overcooked (well done). The dessert was probably the best tasting of the meal and it was nothing to write home about. Overall I would go out for the murder mystery but maybe hold out for a better menu.

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.

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!

Neat tiki bar. Ordered a few drinks and they were on point. One of them was a mojito tasting…read moredrink called the passion fury. There was food options but we stayed with a liquid diet. Staff was friendly.

A solid spot after many years of coming here…read more A family favorite is the coconut shrimp rolls, pulled pork, and dumplings. I got the burger, it was overcooked so very dry, but otherwise great. We tried the chicken satay for the September special and it was delicious! Wish it was a permanent menu item.

I have heard the RUMORS ABOUT THIS PLACE but I've only been approached two and a half times by…read morecouples..! Lots of smoking on the patio. Feels like the 80s again. Live music multiple times a week and waitresses are efficient and sweet. Fun energy and dancing with your friends! ICE COLD MARTINIS. And big too!! See size does matter HAHAHA

Blue Martini Lounge has quite the reputation. From several people, I've heard that it's a sugar…read moredaddy spot. I am by no means looking for a sugar daddy lol but I do enjoy people watching. I've passed by Blue Martini many of times. It always seems to be the most hype spot on High Street, a nice entertainment district in Desert Ridge. I finally took the plunge and checked it out on a Thursday night around 9:30 p.m. Parking is easy (and free) on the street, in the surface lots, or the garage on High Street. Ambiance (3.5/5): Blue Martini is definitely a bit bougie and caters to that audience. There's a nice outdoor patio which is where we sat since the weather was beautiful. There's a bar outside and waiter service. I briefly looked inside and there's a bar inside too, lounge sitting, and a dance floor. Blue Martini often has live music or a DJ. Definitely a spot where you can break it down on the dance floor. There's bottle service too if that's your thing. Service (2/5): Talk about slow service! It took our waitress longer than it should have for us to greet us. After placing an order for drinks, we received them promptly. After that we didn't see her again for quite a while. I wanted to order a second cocktail and she was nowhere to be found. Eventually she came around and I placed my order. I decided to close out right then and there knowing that it would take a long time to track her down to close out if I didn't do it right then and there. They also charge two fees amounting to 5%. Not sure what that's all about. Food (N/A): While they do have food, I just had drinks since I was there pretty late. I view Blue Martini as more of a drinks spot, but I can't comment on the food. They have a daily happy hour with discounts on select food items. Drinks (3.5/5): If the name isn't a dead giveaway, Blue Martini specializes in martinis. Beyond martinis, they have a large cocktail list. Plus everything else you'd find with a full bar. The drinks are a bit pricey (it is a see and be seen type of spot after all and you're likely to see old geezers pulling up in Lambos and Ferraris), but I liked the selection. I started off with the Blue Martini, their namesake. It's served with a blue glow stick. From there, I had the strawberry basil martini. Both were pretty good. Not speakeasy quality cocktails but better than your average bar for sure. While Blue Martini isn't really my scene, I can have a good time anywhere. If you're looking to turn up and dance, it's a good spot for that. And it's also elite for people watching.

Thoroughly impressed with Tia Carmen. My husband had a conference at the JW Marriott, and I ended…read moreup dining here multiple times. The decor is gorgeously coastal, and the food was incredible. For dinner, my husband had the lamb shank, which was attached to a Flinestone bone. It was tender and full of flavor. I had the mesquite chicken tacos, and they were FIRE. I absolutely loved the charred pineapple brussel sprouts. The drinks were phenomenal - Get the "century of passion" mezcal cocktail! For lunch the next day, I had the cod fish sandwich. Let me tell you!!!! The fish sandwich was probably my favorite dish, as I ordered it two days in a row. I also had the Wagyu kebabs, with a side of mole and it was 10 out of 10. I would highly recommend Tia Carmen!

Very disappointing experience, especially for a birthday celebration…read more We had reservations to celebrate my son's birthday. When we first walked in, the restaurant was beautifully decorated and had a great vibe, so we were excited for the evening. Unfortunately, we were seated all the way in the back, in the room where they serve breakfast. There were no decorations, no atmosphere, and it was extremely quiet compared to the lively setting we had seen when we walked in. There was also another family in the room with a screaming infant. We have kids ourselves, so we completely understand that babies cry, but combined with the lack of atmosphere, it made the experience even less enjoyable. We politely asked if we could be moved to the main dining area, but they were unable to accommodate us. Since we were there specifically to celebrate a birthday and were looking for a fun, celebratory atmosphere, we decided to leave after having one appetizer and water. This simply was not the experience we were expecting when making a reservation for a birthday celebration. If we had known we would be seated in that back room with such a different atmosphere from the main restaurant, we would have made other plans. Thankfully, the evening was saved by Kembara across the way. My husband spoke with their manager while I closed out our bill, and despite us having no reservation, they went out of their way to accommodate us and make my son's birthday feel special. Their kindness and willingness to help truly turned the evening around.

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

I met a friend at Cook & Craft for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised the menu has changed…read moresince my last visit. They've added more drink options and new food items, which made it feel fresh and fun again. We grabbed seats at the bar and shared the Brussels sprouts and the Burata Caprese, both were great and perfect for splitting. We asked for the bacon on the side of the Brussels, which they accommodated no problem. I loved seeing new items like fish tacos, the tuna tostada, and a charcuterie board now offered on the happy hour menu. They also kept favorites like the cauliflower wings and deviled eggs, which have always been solid. Drink-wise, my friend ordered an espresso martini. I started with the Paloma, but it tasted a little too sweet for me--the grapefruit juice seemed off. I switched to a glass of Pinot Noir and was happy. Cook & Craft is a cute spot with an outdoor patio area. I definitely want to go back again to try more of the new additions to their happy hour.

My husband and I had our first date here and have been back many times. Very good cocktails and…read morefantastic speak easy environment. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Seating is limited, so plan ahead on time. Check it out as soon as you can!

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.

Every time I make it to Pigtails, I somehow get there after the kitchen staff has already left so…read moreI still haven't gotten to actually try the food! I've heard their oysters are really good, though, so I'm determined to eventually make it there early enough. What I can review are the drinks--they're amazing. I honestly can't even remember what I ordered last time, but I remember absolutely loving it. The atmosphere is fun, the cocktails are great, and clearly I keep coming back. Next mission: actually arrive early enough to get those damn oysters.

perfect place to charge up before a night out, or simply enjoy a chill evening. it's dim lit which…read moreis nice and they have a great cocktail menu and food menu. the drinks have fun presentations. staff is nice and accommodating. good music. comfy booths. only complaint is how early the kitchen closes. we had to eat somewhere else after.

I've been here multiple times. It's my go-to happy hour spot when friends come to town to have an…read moreelegant night but also not break the bank (at least for happy hour) Stunning interior and friendly service. I haven't had a drink I haven't liked, you can't go wrong with any of them. The 50 first dates has become my favorite, however. For food, the milk bread is a delicious starter. The chicken tenders are also amazing. Can't wait to go back!

Unfortunately, I would not go here again. I was genuinely so excited to take my husband because he…read moreloves jazz, flapper-era music, and the whole 1920s speakeasy atmosphere. Based on how this place is described and marketed, we were expecting an intimate, vintage-feeling evening where we could sit down, have a cocktail, listen to jazz, and enjoy the atmosphere. That was not our experience. There were definitely things we liked. The location was great, the overall theme and decor were beautiful, the lighting created a great atmosphere, and we enjoyed the food and drinks. The service was also very good. However, the entertainment was a huge miss and completely took us out of the experience. We walked in and the band was performing "Genie in a Bottle," followed by other current/recent pop songs, Backstreet Boys songs, and "Creep." The singer was repeatedly screaming into the microphone and encouraging everyone to scream and make noise. At one point, while sitting in what is supposed to be a speakeasy, we were literally listening to him sing "creep" which is one of the most depressing songs of all time. It felt much more like being at a loud dive bar or country bar than an intimate 1920s inspired speakeasy. My biggest issue is that the entertainment did not match the experience being advertised. You can decorate a room beautifully and make it look like the 1920s, but when the soundtrack is "Genie in a Bottle," "Creep," and Backstreet Boys songs being loudly belted into a microphone, the illusion disappears pretty quickly. The noise level also made it difficult to simply sit, have a drink, talk, and enjoy the space. We specifically chose this place because we wanted that relaxed jazz/speakeasy experience, and that simply wasn't what we got. The cocktail selection was another disappointment. For a speakeasy-style bar, I expected a stronger selection of specialty bourbon and whiskey cocktails. The prices also felt excessive for the overall experience. On top of the already-high prices, we paid a $20 entertainment cover ($10 per person) specifically for the band. I wouldn't have minded paying a cover for quality live entertainment that fit the advertised atmosphere, but the artist was not particularly impressive and, more importantly, the music didn't fit the theme at all. There is a lot of potential here. The space itself is beautiful, the service was good, and they nailed many of the visual details. Unfortunately, the entertainment is such a major part of a speakeasy experience that it overshadowed everything else for us. If you're specifically looking for jazz, flapper-era music, and an authentic-feeling 1920s speakeasy atmosphere, I would not recommend this place based on our experience.

This is a hidden gem. Nice and casual, very open and light, great ventilation and humidor…read moreselection. Couldn't be happier.

I've been here before on a couple of occasions with a group, all of those visits were five star,…read moreservice was awesome. Last nights visit was a total dud. I invited a gf to meet me here for a cigar & whiskey and girl talk. The bar area was comfy but the service was lacking. We ordered drinks and those arrived quickly, we went into the humidor and couldn't find any of the flavored cigars so she went to grab the bartender for an assist only to be told she didn't know anything about the cigars and couldn't help us. One of the regulars came in and made a bunch of suggestions, he found the flavored cigars on a bottom shelf. The bartender didn't chat with anybody in the bar it was so odd. Definitely not like the experiences I've had in the past at this place. My gf said she probably won't be back but I will, I'm hoping that was a one off experience. The patio area in the evening is the place to be. There is no food available, but there is free ChexMix. And they have happy hour!!