Scottsdale is one of the biggest cities in Arizona and it's one of the few desert cities in the United States, so it has a unique charm to it. Located east of Phoenix, it's known for resorts, golf courses, bars, restaurants, and even a few speakeasies.
Speakeasies are classic-style bars designed to emulate the 1920s era of prohibition, which was a time when drinking alcohol was illegal. For this reason, many speakeasies used to have secret entrances, codes, and even passwords. While this isn't necessary today, many speakeasies in Scottsdale play into this vibe and style.
In this article, we take you through the five best speakeasies in Scottsdale, Arizona. We also take you through ways to find speakeasies, what you can expect inside, and some unique aspects that you'll only find in Scottsdale speakeasies. Read on to learn more below.
What Are the Different Types of Speakeasy Bars in Scottsdale
You'll come across a handful of speakeasy options in Scottsdale. While many speakeasies hold true to the classic style and vibe of prohibition-era bars, you'll find that this isn't the case for all of them. For example, some speakeasy locations may introduce a little bit of EDM music instead of classical jazz or live bands.
Not all speakeasies in Scottsdale use secret entrances or passwords either. You'll find that many locations are easy to find and you can make a reservation. While they may be easy to find, it's important to note that most speakeasies in Scottsdale do give you a unique experience, so it's not like you’re walking into your average restaurant or bar.
It's also worth noting that some speakeasies in Scottsdale will have a dress code. You don't have to travel back in time and buy a tuxedo from 1924, but you will have to wear nice shoes and cocktail attire.
For men, this is usually slacks, a button-down, and maybe a blazer. For women, a cocktail dress or anything similar should be fine. If you’re ever worried about the dress code, you can always call ahead!
The Best Speakeasy in Scottsdale: Our Top Five Picks
Dozens of speakeasies can be found in Scottsdale and even a short drive away in Phoenix. That said, it's important to try a speakeasy that you vibe with for your first experience to see if it's the right night out for you.
To help you have the best time, we've compiled a list of the five best speakeasies in Scottsdale, Arizona. Learn more about each one in detail below.
1. The Beverly on Main
Image sourced from: https://www.beverlyonmain.com/
The Beverly on Main isn't a traditional speakeasy, but it does have speakeasy vibes and decor. It's tucked away in Scottsdale, and it's known as one of Scottsdale’s many great kept secrets.
The bar is known for its delicious hand-crafted cocktails made by expert mixologists who love making their customers happy. Overall, the service is great, the people are happy, and you'll feel like part of the secret.
The Beverly on Main takes a more modern approach to speakeasies, so don't expect classical music and jazz. While this is an issue for some, it's a new wave of excitement for others! Experience EDM music, dance parties, and much more at The Beverly on Main.
Another unique and fun aspect of The Beverly on Main is the Friends with Benefits event, and no, it's not about hooking up. This event welcomes The Beverly on Main's regulars along with their friends to test out new cocktails, food items, and much more.
These events are held throughout the year and the speakeasy turns it into a party. If you're looking to experiment with something new and fresh, you can't go wrong with these fun nights out! Keep an eye on their website for when the next event is.
2. AZ/88
Image sourced from: https://az88.com/mobile-home.html.
AZ/88 isn't your average speakeasy, but it has a lot in common with some of the more traditional 1920s-style bars.
The most notable trait that gives this bar a speakeasy feel is the art and decor. The restaurant focuses on going above and beyond with art decorations and they'll often have elaborate and interactive artwork all over the place. What's more, this decor changes and doesn't remain static, so every time you go you'll have a deeply unique experience.
The food and drink menus are also a strong suit for AZ/88. Plenty of unique cocktails are available, along with unique entrees, appetizers, and desserts. If you make a reservation, the night will be priced out for you, so expect to spend over $100 when you visit AZ/88.
If you want to get in, don't worry, you don't have to struggle to solve any puzzles or find any secret doors. Instead, you can enter the building through the main entrance with a reservation. The only hold-up might be your age because you have to be 21+ to dine at AZ/88.
3. The Goose
Sourced from: https://thegooseaz.com/.
When you’re looking for a speakeasy atmosphere, The Goose is one of the few locations in the Scottsdale area that holds true to those 1920s vibes, and it's ingrained in the history of the bar. In fact, the name Goose comes from the prohibition era method of naming speakeasies after animals to signal that they were safe havens for drinking.
The Goose also doesn't pull any punches when it comes to their menu. Unlike some other bars in the area, The Goose focuses on celebrating the artistry of the cocktail creation process with a team of innovative mixologists. These custom cocktails are only available at The Goose, and they pair well with some of the restaurant and bar’s shareable dinners and appetizers.
If you’re ready for a night out at The Goose we recommend stopping in or making a reservation. Both options are available, and you can also reserve a table when you give them a call. We always recommend calling first or joining the email list to see what events are in your area – this will help you determine when it's a good time to pop into The Goose.
4. Tell Your Friends
Image sourced from: https://www.tellyourfriendsaz.com/.
Tell Your Friends is all about speakeasy vibes that were cultivated in the 1920s, despite being one of the newer bars in Scottsdale.
While this place is new, they exploded onto the scene with a great atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and plenty of delicious food. Events are plentiful, the live music is always flowing, and you never have to worry about experiencing the same thing twice at Tell Your Friends.
To get into Tell Your Friends, you'll have to call and make a reservation, but on Wednesdays, you might get lucky – reservations are still the best way to go, though. Tell Your Friends also holds true to speakeasy concepts of the past, and you'll have to find the secret entrance below the Americano.
You also need to meet the speakeasy’s dress code. While it's not black tie formal, you'll have to wear cocktail attire, so something like a cocktail dress for the ladies and slacks and a button-down shirt for the men.
5. Poppy’s Office
Image sourced from: https://poppysoffice.com/.
Poppy's Office is located right next door to Liberty Station, which makes it the perfect place to pop in for a drink after a long day at the office. While walk-ins are welcome, we always recommend scheduling a reservation on their website, which Poppy’s Office calls “making an appointment.”
The restaurant and bar pays tribute to Paul Keeler, who was a famous restaurant owner with locations across the United States. This is evident in the design, which is modeled after his office, which gives it a unique feel compared to other speakeasies in the area.
While it's one of the newer locations in Scottsdale, opening in 2023, it's quickly rising through the ranks of speakeasies in the area.
The entire vibe of this bar is that it's like an office. The menu looks like it's on loose-leaf paper, and the chairs, bar, and decorations resemble an office space. Even though this is a bit different than some speakeasy styles you may be accustomed to, it's a welcome change.
That said, Poppy’s Office is anything but an office. Cocktails are hand-crafted by expert mixologists to give you a unique experience you want to find elsewhere.
How to Find a New Speakeasy in Scottsdale
Finding a speakeasy in Scottsdale doesn't have to be hard. While these bars and restaurants tend to be hidden, you can find some of the best locations online – after all, you have to advertise to bring some people in.
We recommend starting your search online. You can use Google, or our guide of course, to find a speakeasy in Scottsdale. If you want to find the best fit, we recommend taking some time to read the reviews. You'll find that the reviews will cover what's on the menu, the types of cocktails, and even what you can wear.
Some speakeasies in Scottsdale are pop-up locations or temporary spots. This means that a speakeasy will open up for a limited amount of time, like around a month or two, and then close its doors. These types of speakeasies are a lot harder to find, but you can always check local media outlets and look for flyers posted for the location.
Another way to stay in the loop about speakeasies in Scottsdale is to keep up with Speakeasy.co's guides on speakeasies in your area. We update our guides frequently and do our best to ensure that everything is current and up-to-date. Plus, we can help you find some secret locations as well!
Not only that, but our guides only cover the best speakeasies, so you never have to worry about being disappointed.
Find the Best Scottsdale Speakeasy
When you want to party like it's 1920, you can't go wrong with the speakeasy experience, and Scottsdale is home to a solid amount of speakeasies. Each one that we covered in this article brings a unique experience to the table, so there's a little something for everyone when it comes to finding a good spot in Scottsdale.
Make sure you take some time to evaluate what you’re looking for. Some of the more exclusive spots may require a reservation and some planning ahead on your end, so keep that in mind before you decide to walk in.
The good news is that you can always refer back to this guide for information about the best speakeasies in Scottsdale, Arizona.
