Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Tucson? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Steak Out Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (343)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Sonoita

About the restaurant

Sonoita’s longest-running restaurant and saloon serving cowboys, wine enthusiasts, locals, and out-of-towners for sixty years.
The Steak Out is a hallmark of any Southern Arizona Trip and a local gathering spot for generations of Santa Cruz County residents. Our signature mesquite-grilled steaks, burgers, barbecue ribs & chicken bring customers from near and far to our rural corner of SE Arizona. We feature a full bar, local wines, and live music in an authentic country western setting. Whether you’re looking for a special dinner for two, a spot to accommodate your large group, or just an appetizer and drink at the bar; we’ve got you covered!

Top review

Robert

Dined 4 days ago

Great food. Friendly staff. Great atmosphere. It was our first time there and we will definitely go back.

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Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar

4.8

4.8 (45)

$30 and under

American

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar is a lively restaurant in Tucson, Arizona, offering scratch-made comfort food with a modern twist. Using high-quality ingredients, they create dishes that are both familiar and exciting. Their menu includes inventive burgers, tacos, loaded wings, and decadent desserts, along with a selection of craft cocktails, draft beers, and wines. Whether you're after a casual lunch, a fun family dinner, or a lively night out, Redbird has something for everyone. The warm and inviting atmosphere features a stylish design. Highlights of the Redbird experience include scratch-made food prepared in-house, top-notch ingredients like USDA choice beef and pasture-raised eggs, and unique, flavorful dishes you won't find elsewhere. Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails that perfectly complement your meal. Come experience the modern twist on comfort food at Redbird!

Top review

JoelVIP

Dined 1 day ago

My first time at Redbird with a colleague who has been there before and recommended it for Happy Hour. It did not disappoint! The Happy Hour menu has lots of food and drink specials (at normal portion sizes), the food was excellent (we got the ceviche and the chorizo fundido) the drinks were strong, and the mood in the place was upbeat and fun. Will definitely be back!

Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar – Tucson River

4.7

4.7 (868)

$30 and under

American

Midtown

About the restaurant

When it comes to a great meal, there’s nothing better than biting into a perfectly grilled, juicy burger, and sipping on a cold, creamy milkshake between every mouthwatering bite. At Zinburger, we create the perfect balance of comfort, flavor, and high quality ingredients in each of our menu items. Elevate your all-American burger experience with a Samburger and a side of truffle fries or hand-cut zucchini fries. Our vast selection of beer and wine is carefully picked to complement every delicious style of burger on our menu. Come over and treat yourself to a Zinfully indulgent experience at Zinburger.

Top review

EstellaVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Bartender and burgers are some of the best in town. Highly recommend sitting at the bar for a great service experience, especially during baseball season ⚾️

Blanco Cocina + Cantina – Tucson

4.6

4.6 (1504)

$30 and under

Mexican

Foothills

About the restaurant

Blanco is more than your typical Mexican restaurant, it‘s an escape from the ordinary, a happy hour hang out, a place to sit back, recharge and party. It’s a vacation in your neighborhood that helps you relax with your favorite people. For food, margaritas, and good times, Blanco is the perfect place to find your bliss.

What could be better than street-style tacos, premium tequila, and a panoramic view of the Tucson valley? Blanco in Tucson features a modern take on classic Mexican fare, such as our award-winning Slow-Cooked BBQ Pork Tacos, as well as signature drinks made with seasonal fruits like our Pomegranate Grapefruit Margarita!

Top review

Shelley

Dined 7 days ago

We had an excellent Happy Hour! The service was attentive and friendly, the food was excellent, and I appreciate having a vegetarian taco option (which is really good).

Zona 78

4.5

4.5 (471)

$30 and under

Italian

East Tucson

About the restaurant

Zona 78 is defined by a dedication to create delicious, Italian-inspired dishes from scratch. From hand-tossed pizzas to carefully crafted cheese, there is passion and innovation behind every morsel.

Zona 78 is Tucson family owned and operated.

*Patio seating is first come, first serve.*

Top review

MarshaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We had the best experience at Zona78. Everything was great! Our server was Miles and he took great care of us. Our food was prepared perfectly. It was great to see Paul as well. Zona 78 is one of our favorite places.

Guadalajara Fiesta Grill

4.5

4.5 (565)

$30 and under

Mexican

Midtown

About the restaurant

Mexican Food with flare for fun! Fresh Salsa made at your table-side every evening starting at 5pm. Nightly live music begins at 6pm until 9pm. The widest range of authentic dishes from home-made tortillas and chile rellenos and carnitas to innovative new dishes with many seafood selections such as Chilean Sea bass, halibut enchiladas or lobster stuffed salmon!

Top review

GENEVIP

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Always a fun place to eat. Fresh salsa a plus. Entrees always plentiful and tasty. Service excellent.

Culinary Dropout - Tucson

4.4

4.4 (2874)

$30 and under

American

Midtown

About the restaurant

At Culinary Dropout, raise your glass to friends coming together. A place where food and music are life. Join us at happy hour for ice cold beer and our famous soft pretzels with provolone fondue. At dinner, a signature cocktail and slow braised 36-hour pork ribs are a perfect pair. While you and your crew enjoy damn good food and drinks, a local band plays live for great vibes. Come hang out and stay a while.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Good food, fun games for the kids, and a spectacular server! Thank you for a fun night out with our family!

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OBON + Sushi + Bar + Ramen - Tucson

4.4

4.4 (645)

$31 to $50

Asian

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Nestled in the cross section of Downtown Tucson and Historic 4th Avenue, OBON Tucson is located in the heart of Tucson’s entertainment district on Congress Street. With a polished casual approach, OBON is the spot for an unconventional and memorable dining experience. The menu features an array of starters, steamed buns, ramen and sushi, as well as an expansive list of inventive and thoughtful cocktails.

Top review

Damian

Dined 5 days ago

Good Food! I Took My Girl On A Date Here And We Had A Great Experience.

Dante's Fire Cocktails and Cuisine

4.0

4 (415)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midtown

About the restaurant

Dante's Fire, Cocktails & Cuisine has a simple philosophy - Food made from food. Executive Chef & Owner Ken Foy's vision of a scratch kitchen creating Fine Food For Everyone.

Dante’s Fire has been voted Best Late Night eatery by the Community in Tucson, received multiple articles from The Tucson Foodie, and Best Margarita & Food by the Judges & Crowd at the 2022 & 2023 World Margarita Championship, respectively. In July of 2022, Chef Kenneth Foy was crowned the Iron Chef of Tucson. In July of 2023, Chef Kenneth Foy was challenged for his title of Iron Chef of Tucson. Through a tough battle, Chef Kenneth Foy emerged victorious and still holds his title as the Reining Iron Chef of Tucson.

We've created a fine food, casual atmosphere that caters to well, everyone. Start with our daily Happy Hour and feel welcome to hang out all night long.

Top review

VincentVIP

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Our server (Araseli) went above and beyond our expectations. She takes a personal yet professional approach. We've ever received better service anywhere! The food (Thai Curry Shrimp and Branzino) was excellent and the cocktails exceptional (Cucumber Martini and Mexican Candy Martini). We will be frequenting this restaurant and recommending it to our friends.

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Thai Curry Shrimp (GF)

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Tucson Broadway

4.0

4 (167)

$30 and under

American

South Tucson

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

STACY

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

The service and food was outstanding. We had 5 pm reservations, and got seated about 20 minutes late on Father's Day. I could tell they were working hard to accommodate everyone. Mel, our server, was outstanding. Pleasant, attentive, and just plain NICE!

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