Whether meeting up with friends or planning a romantic rendezvous, you’ll find that many Scottsdale area hotel and resort bars offer a distinctive atmosphere for enjoying craft cocktails and sharing conversation. Here are five of Scottsdale's best hotel bars to try for happy hour or a nightcap and everything in between.
The Bar at Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows
Craft cocktails and “all-day eats” are front and center at the oval-shaped bar and lounge adjacent to the resort’s modern American-fare restaurant, Hearth ’61. Choose from a rotating selection of expertly mixed cocktails or peruse the seasonal beer and wine list, and then sit back and take in the sleek mid-century modern décor and design. Or, make yourself at home in the adjacent Living Room, a sunken space with comfy seating and majestic desert views where guests can also order from the full bar menu. Visit on a Friday evening and take part in the resort’s complimentary champagne tasting and toast while watching the sunset.
The Canal Club at The Scott Resort & Spa
Slip into a 1930s Havana vibe when you grab a seat at The Canal Club lobby bar or sink into a sofa surrounded by natural hues and lush greenery in an airy indoor-outdoor space. The resort’s laid-back, beachy atmosphere is the perfect place to sip on a Helen & Maude tropical mojito with rum, coconut and lime, or a mezcal-forward Salt River Society laced with lemon and pineapple. For a small bite, check out the Caribbean-inspired bar menu that sports everything from ceviche and Oaxacan tortilla pizzas to skirt steak tacos and churro doughnut holes. The Canal Club is near Old Town Scottsdale if you want to continue the fun.
Lon’s Last Drop at The Hermosa Inn
For a taste of the old West in an intimate setting, visit Lon’s Last Drop at the celebrated Hermosa Inn. Sit inside at the cozy cocktail bar or spy a comfortable spot on the leafy patio next to one of five welcoming fireplaces. The bar, named for cowboy artist Lon Megargee’s painting, The Last Drop from his Stetson, features a list of inventive, locally-inspired cocktails, including The Stetson, a smooth blend of El Silencio Mezcal, curaçao, fresh lime juice, prickly pear and agave nectar. If you’re famished or just looking for a small bite, the all-day bar menu has a tidy selection of shareables and bigger bites along with dessert.
Thirsty Camel at The Phoenician
A panoramic resort view sets the stage for a fabulous cocktail experience at the Thirsty Camel, whether you sit inside the luxurious lobby or outside on the expansive patio. Enjoy live music while sipping on the resort’s signature cocktail, the Camel Old-Fashioned, a new take on a classic that’s brimming with bourbon, brown sugar syrup and brandied cherries. This elegant hotel bar offers a chic setting to celebrate a special occasion with a champagne toast or have a leisurely after-dinner drink. And if you just want to glimpse a glorious Arizona sunset, knock back a frosty glass of beer and nibble on snacks, The Thirsty Camel’s got you covered.
Weft & Warp Kitchen + Art Bar at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
Tucked away in the heart of Scottsdale, the 23-acre Andaz Scottsdale Resort is one of the Valley’s hidden gems. The resort’s bar, which has a magnificent view of iconic Camelback Mountain, is a solid choice for grabbing cocktails and catching up. Revel in the resort’s modern mid-century feel while sipping on a prickly pear margarita or hand-crafted specialty cocktail. For something lighter, choose from a selection of curated wines and local beer. Sit inside behind the floor-to-ceiling windows or snag a seat on one of the patio’s fireside sofas (seasonal) by the Turquoise Pool and sample the chef’s creative Mediterranean fare. The bar features live music several nights a week.
