Nightlife

Tempe Craft Cocktail Guide

July 30, 2024

Explore Tempe’s cocktail scene, from mules and mai tais to old fashioneds and more.

National Cocktail Day is March 24. National Gin & Tonic Day is April 9. National Martini Day is June 19. National Tequila Day is July 24. National Rum Day is August 18. You get the idea!

If your tendency when dining out is reaching, first, for the handcrafted cocktail menu, we think you’ll agree that there’s just something about a perfectly mixed drink that elevates any great evening out.

The term “craft cocktails” has become a popular description for beverages that comprise traditional spirits, house-made ingredients and other thoughtfully curated elements for signature perfection. Making a craft cocktail is both art and science, as it focuses on flavor notes and high-quality and, in many cases, local ingredients.

If you’re still reading, you’re in for a treat at these restaurants and bars — where some of the best cocktails in Tempe are being served.

Alter Ego
108 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 602-612-7871

Alter Ego serves elevated fusion cuisine expertly executed by executive chef Ken Arneson. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and also offer inventive hand-crafted cocktails. Sip your selection and enjoy your food in the gorgeous interior space, on the outdoor patio, or order from their rooftop lounge, Alibi.

Bar Louie
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1220, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-658-1600

Eat, drink and be happy at Bar Louie. Known for its contemporary casual dining and bar experience, Bar Louie at Tempe Marketplace is home to the Fizzy Lizzy and the Bourbon and Spice — among other new house favorites — while their margaritas, sangrias, and mojitos are nothing short of exceptional.

Barrio Queen
31 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-912-4052

Handcrafted cocktails are delicious, but handcrafted margaritas are in a class by themselves! And Barrio Queen at Tempe Marketplace has an entire menu dedicated to handcrafted margaritas. If you want to test your margarita limits, we dare you to try the Death’s Door margarita, which encompasses Habanero, jalapeño, & Chile de árbol Infused Tequila, Ancho Reyes, Azuñia, Agave Nectar and Fresh Lime Juice. Warning, this drink is not for the faint of heart.

Culinary Dropout at the Yard Tempe
149 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-240-1601

Check out the drink menu at Culinary Dropout for a wide range of crafted cocktails. From cocktail classics like margaritas, sangrias, mules and more to Culinary Dropout favorites like the Deviant Behavior that features Ketel One Vodka, strawberry, lemon, and Shock Top Belgian White. Enjoy your cocktail with some of the delicious food offerings, or you can take it next door to The Yard and challenge your friends to a game of ping-pong or cornhole. 

Devil’s Hideaway + Idle Hands
401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-698-6646

Open since March 2024, Devil’s Hideaway is more than a cocktail lounge. This truly unique space draws inspiration from a futuristic underground tunnel system circa 2054. Billed as an adult playground — complete with craft cocktails and small bites — we can’t think of a better place to sip on the trendiest spirit of them all. The Oaxacan Ranch Water features Naran Mezcal, Mineragua sparkling water, hibiscus and lime for balanced and futuristic sipping experience.

Turn one of the corners within the brick labyrinth and you’re at the door of Idle Hands Enchanted Cocktail Bar, a distinct, 90-minute cocktail experience of its own. Video projections across windowpane walls depict other-worldly scenes landscapes pair perfectly with the equally exclusive cocktail program for a one-of-a-kind speakeasy vibe. Order the #33 and you’re in for a surprise.

The Hudson Eatery & Bar
1601 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-699-4173

Named as a tribute to Hudson Manor neighborhood that it’s located in, this restaurant and bar is home to a sunny patio, a pub-inspired menu, excellent cocktail program and an unmistakable neighborhood vibe (think: bike parking and local nods across the interior walls of this former real estate office). Since late 2020, Kyle Delly and Chris Hanna have helmed this concept, which is still somewhat of a hidden gem. What really sets this place apart is its whiskey and tequila list, which offers more than 200 selections. For presentation points and local flare, the Smoked Sun Devil Old Fashion comes out topped with a skull cocktail smoker and a bartender to ignite the woodchips for one of the best reveals in town. Cheers!

Kabuki Tempe
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-350-9160

Along with amazing sushi and Japanese dishes, this popular restaurant in Tempe Marketplace serves up delicious signature cocktails that just happen to be photo-worthy. Try the very fun to say Tiki Tiki Shinjuku, made with Bacardi, Grey Goose, pineapple juice, orange blossoms, almonds and rose water, with Blue Curacao.

Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S. Mill Ave., #102, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-314-2337

Built to be a haven for lovers of bikes, Pedal Haus Brewery brings together European-style crafted beers and cocktails. The Haus Margarita and the Peacemaker Paloma give you just the right amount of liquid courage to crush anyone in a game of cornhole, ladder-ball or ping-pong.

The Peppermill
7660 S. McClintock Drive, #104, Tempe, Arizona 85284 | 480-590-6755

The Peppermill is more than just your typical steakhouse. It has a full-service bar with specialty cocktails ranging from their signature Vanilla Fashion to the Sidecar and Elder Gimlet. Also, check out their classic steakhouse dishes and not-so-classic inspirational entrees.

The Porch
1128 E. Baseline Road, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 602-777-1757

The Porch is known for fun and fabulous cocktails. From frozen floats to giant hand-crafted sharable cocktails, this place knows the recipe for a good time. Whether it’s brunch, lunch, dinner or late-night, the best way to enjoy your perfectly manicured cocktail is from a seat on the wraparound patio, which has an oversized chair, oversized games and tire swings. It’s a must for cocktails and happy hour.

Snakes & Lattes
20 W. 6th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-361-6644

Sip and play all day at Snakes & Lattes! From coffee cocktails to crafted classics, Snakes & Lattes combines the art of mixology with the joys of playing board games. Enjoy food and drinks alongside a library of thousands of playable games, old and new.

Society
20 E. University Drive, #204, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-550-7801

Looking for a change of scenery to go with your happy hour? Society by EVO might just be the place. This upscale, high-energy dining (and drinking) concept pairs secret garden vibes with swanky touches (check out the chandeliers) for an overall refreshing aesthetic — and we haven’t even gotten to the cocktail menu. The Floor is Guava, Passion Be Thy Name and Beach Please round out the carefully curated menu. No matter what you decide on, your tastebuds are in for an adventure.

Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen
96 S. Rockford Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-967-0020
Spinato’s has out-of-this-world pizza and even better crafted cocktails. Pretty Ugli and It’s Peachy are both must-trys. But, then again, they’re all delicious. Pair your specialty cocktail with house favorite, Mamma’s Signature Pizza. Choose between thin crust, Sicilian crust, or the calzone option. Not a pizza person? No problem. Their menu includes salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes galore.

Thirsty Lion
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1041, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-968-2920

From signature cocktails to modern classics, Thirsty Lion at Tempe Marketplace is a crafted cocktail connoisseur’s dream! Choose from their robust selection of handcrafted cocktails, including the Raspberry Drop or the Blood Orange Margarita.

Bonus: Visit these Tempe distilleries for local spirits

With such a deep history in both the wine and craft beer industry, Arizona’s distilleries and their small batch spirits have become the state’s next wave of innovative and artisanal beverages.

Home to three distilleries, Tempe is at the heart of this momentum. And with tasting rooms, tours and curated menus of specialty cocktails, a day distillery hopping is the perfect way to savor this emerging industry.

Adventurous Stills
2215 E. Fifth St., #102, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-292-8770

Started by a trio of friends who enjoyed spending time outdoors, Adventurous Stills brings a sense of discovery to spirit making. Not ones to take the path more traveled, they crowd-sourced funding for this endeavor and then hand-built their still and distilling equipment. The team began production in 2015 and which has yielded a portfolio of gin, vodka, whiskey, rum and bourbon that are named for popular Arizona hiking destinations. In addition to their own line, they also offer a “Taste of Arizona” flight with other locally produced spirits.

Arizona Distilling Co.
601 W. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-921-2487

Since 2013, Arizona Distilling Co. has been pairing “traditional distilling with an outlaw spirit,” and now boasts an award-winning portfolio that includes gin, vodka and Copper City Bourbon — Arizona’s first legally made whiskey since the prohibition. Whiskey lovers should also try the Desert Durum Wheat, made from Arizona grains. The distillery moved to larger digs in 2018 and now includes a tasting room and lounge nicknamed the “Old Walrus.” It’s a nod to Arizona’s first governor, George W.P. Hunt, whose portrait hangs over the bar where, in addition to spirit flights, there are cocktails crafted by bartender partner Micah Olsen and a new bites menu.
Please note: the tasting room is closed until further notice.

Wild Hare Distillery
5869 S. Kyrene Road, #18, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 602-402-2329

Since 2018, co-owners Wendy Tilton and Jim Matz have been showcasing the fruits of their labor at Wild Hare Distillery — their headquarters, a tasting room and retail space. Home to DROVE Spirits, an award-winning line of 100% Blue Weber Agave, and WHD Spirits, a line of small-batch whiskeys, vodkas and gin. The best seller is the Roble Blanco Salvaje, which begins with agave from Jalisco, Mexico, in nectar form. It’s then distilled onsite and continues its journey in a #2 charred oak barrel with medium toast, before finally being infused with vanilla beans imported from Madagascar.