By local contributor
Lauren Topor Reichert
During the Prohibition years, America went dry. The consumption of alcohol — including the production, sale and transportation of it — was illegal. But the party didn't stop. Instead, secret speakeasies and clandestine jazz clubs popped up in inconspicuous places. Revelers turned to these hooch hideaways in droves, ultimately turning drinking into a wild and rebellious act. And consequently, a booming black market for booze.
By 1933, Prohibition was repealed, and getting together for drinks was legal again. Today, if you know where to look, you can find the same spirit of the Prohibition Era in Scottsdale, with just the right amount of speakeasy secrecy. Hidden entrances, craft cocktails, and a hint of mystery — it’s all here.
Tell Your Friends is what Jay Gatsby’s place might look like in this century: handsomely moody and decorated with gilded accents, oversized spinning disco balls, pops of neon lights, crimson velvet curtains. But this isn’t West Egg, it’s North Scottsdale. Hiding beneath The Americano restaurant, this sexy Scottsdale speakeasy is accessible via two flights of stairs and an online reservation. Live jazz tunes set the scene for signature cocktails like the vodka-and-champagne-splashed Flapper Fizz or the peppery, pungent zero-proof Smooth Operator — best enjoyed between bites of fire-roasted East Coast oysters and decadent Italian-inspired desserts. For groups, go for the Punch Bowl, a gin-kissed, floral-forward boozy party punch of epic proportions designed to serve four to six people – it’s the next best thing to a Gatsby party.
Straight Up is Scottsdale’s undercover whiskey lounge. The concealed cocktail bar has an easygoing atmosphere, indoor and outdoor accommodations suitable for both couples and small parties, and a menu of petite plates, ranging from blistered shishito peppers to glazed pork belly, that complements its libation lineup. Here, whiskey flights range from tasty tours of regions to customizable samplings — there’s a flight for every type of whiskey aficionado at this Scottsdale speakeasy. Ask your bartender for a local spirit and you’ll likely receive a dram of Whiskey Del Bac’s award-winning American single malt: a mesquite wood smoked tipple with a flavor profile that can only be described as distinctly Arizona. In true speakeasy fashion, Straight Up is only accessible by way of a hidden entrance: a telephone booth at Hotel Adeline.
Access to this Scottsdale speakeasy is disguised within The Scottsdale Resort & Spa’s Social Boardroom, a casual bar and game room with a basementy-vibe complete with its own pool table and golf simulator. A decorated bookshelf doubles as a door to this illusive hush-hush space. But which one? That’s something for you to find out. Inside, The Madam is dressed up in shades of maroon and amber candle vessels set the sultry scene. Elevated craft cocktails like the Devil’s Gambit, garnished with dragon fruit, is an exotic indulgence exclusive to this Scottsdale speakeasy — and one you won’t experience anywhere else.
They say birds of a feather flock together. At The Goose, you’ll be in good company with fellow fans of fine spirits and fancy cocktails. Wet your beak with a flock of upscale, avian-inspired cocktails like the Take a Gander made with Japanese whisky, plum sake, pomegranate tea syrup, citrusy yuzu, dry vermouth, and a creamy clarified milk punch or send your senses on a journey to the tropics with the rhum and mezcal-based Landing Strip. The Goose also offers a selection of spirit flights, classic cocktails, a pairing of Osetra caviar and vodka designed for two (playfully named Goose Bumps), and shareable appetizers including tangerine spiced olives and rustic pizzettas. While prohibition may be history, art deco-inspired decor and the bar’s anonymous location give this mysterious watering hole an atmosphere reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. This Scottsdale speakeasy can be hard to find. But we’ll leave you with a tip: look up for the golden goose.
Since 1971, this popular blink-and-you’ll-miss-it underground seafood house and bar has been keeping the bellies of both locals and visitors full with their selection of flown-in daily, New England-style cuisine: think seasonal fish, whole Maine lobsters, and clams. At The Salt Cellar’s Oyster Bar, buried under three flights of stairs, jumbo shrimp cocktail and mussels in butter sauce pair nicely with the bar’s curated, world-spanning wine and bubbly list. If spirits are more your speed, single malt scotch, premium bourbon, fine liqueurs, tequilas, and more are on standby behind the wooden bar. In a sort of homage to the East Coast, this seaside-style hideaway turns up the heat with a spicy, taste bud-tickling gulp: the Long Island oyster shooter. Guzzle one down for yourself during The Oyster Bar’s twin happy hours, daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight.