Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Phoenix

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Phoenix? 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!

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Downtown Phoenix

4.7

4.7 (1499)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown Phoenix

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.

Top review

Holly

Dined 5 days ago

The food and service were great. The noise level was a little high but that’s not surprising at the peak of the lunch hour. Overall, I would recommend.

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Popular dish

Chicken Tinga

BARCOA Agaveria

4.7

4.7 (102)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

BARCOA Agaveria is a basement bar that celebrates the spirits of Mexico. Serving imaginative craft cocktails and a vast list of agave spirits, BARCOA is often described as "vibey," "sexy," and "the time of my life" (says some dude from Mesa). Agave spirits such as tequila, mezcal, bacanora, raicilla, and sotol, are the stars here, available as flights, neat pours, or however you like.

Reservations are only available for the basement bar. Please reference the Basement Bar Menu. Above BARCOA, check out the Cantina, a casual back-alley mezcal and tequila bar that serves affordable classic cantina cocktails, and the cheery patio, which features Provecho taco truck. Pop out anytime during your visit and bring food down to the basement.

BARCOA can be tricky to find. We're located on the southeast corner of 1st Avenue & Roosevelt, in the historic red brick building. Don't worry, you're not lost. It's just poor directional signage that the City refuses to fix.

Top review

Genesis

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

Cool new experience. I went at 7:00p so it wasn’t packed or too loud inside. I made a reservation to have drinks downstairs at a table. Drink selections was good. I had a red margarita. Had a nice kick to it. I would go back.

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Experience

Tequila & Mezcal Tasting

Experience

20% OFF WEDNESDAYS

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Desert Ridge

4.6

4.6 (281)

$30 and under

American

Desert Ridge

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

Sierra

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing waitress, awesome staff, clean, quick! We had reservations for 6:30pm to celebrate getting married, we got there an hour earlier due to the ceremony being quicker than expected, regardless, they were able to seat us quickly & gave us a free dessert cookie as a congratulations! I love this restaurant and will be coming back! Awesome first time experience.

Floor 13 Rooftop Bar

4.5

4.5 (481)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

Experience the heart of Downtown Phoenix from the ultra-chic Floor 13 rooftop bar. The rooftop terrace features a spacious sundeck area and a breathtaking view overlooking the Phoenix skyline. Modern touches and a fire pit complement the comfortable furnishings. Whether you're mingling with friends over a hand-crafted cocktail or enjoying a delicious item from our small bites menu, you'll know that the view is better up here.

Come visit us and the amazing views during your 90 minute experience!
21 and over only, must provide a valid ID for entry, failure to show an ID will result in denied entry and loss of pre-paid minimum.
All reservations are required a credit card to reserve.
Beverage minimum per table. Reservations cancelled within 24 hours of reservation time will be charged beverage minimum.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Had a great time before the REAL heat sets in. Good food and awesome staff

Tequila Cocina + Cantina

4.5

4.5 (31)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Camelback East

About the restaurant

Welcome to Tequila Cocina + Cantina!
Where vibrant flavors and modern Mexican cuisine come together in an unforgettable dining experience.
Our menu is a bold fusion of authentic Mexican dishes and modern culinary creations, featuring everything from street style tacos and fresh mariscos to premium steaks and innovative sushi rolls, all crafted with the finest ingredients.
Complement your meal with our impressive selection of tequilas and handcrafted cocktails, perfect for any occasion. Whether you're here for the casual dinner, a celebration, or late night drinks, our lively atmosphere and warm hospitality set the stage for an unforgettable time.
At Tequila Cocina + Cantina, we invite you to indulge in the rich traditions of Mexican culture, paired with a modern twist, where every bite tells a story, and every sip is a celebration.
Come for the food, stay for the vibes!

Top review

Antonio

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Food was amazing and the music was fun. Drinks tasted great and had a nice presentation.

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Experience

Happy Hour

BackYard - Desert Ridge

4.4

4.4 (78)

$31 to $50

American

Desert Ridge

About the restaurant

Now Open at Desert Ridge Marketplace!

Meet your friends at Backyard, where the game is always on! Park it in front of one of our massive TVs or challenge your friends to a game of your own in our open-air playground. Dog-friendly (dog park opening soon!) and fun-driven, Backyard is comfortably familiar, while keeping things exciting on a daily basis! So grab your furry (and non-furry) friends and swing on in for a good time.

Top review

Dina

Dined on May 24, 2025

Too loud with live music night but overall LOVED that we could bring my sisters service dog and be at a fun environment. Food was excellent! Server was not attentive or friendly. Just worked and didn’t make small talk or go above and beyond. Te food servers were friendly/cordial and timely.

Copper Blues (Downtown)

4.2

4.2 (582)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

Welcome to downtown Phoenix"s greatest hotspot! Featuring live music on a stage bar, over 60 beers on tap, truly elevated American comfort food, and an inspiring patio view over Cityscape into the heart of the downtown skyline. Come join us as we make good times a description no longer reserved for the past! From lunch to late night, and everything in between, come feed your souls with goodness.

Top review

Tricia J

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Hot Pickle was a blast!! Service was very attentive! Highly recommend!

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Experience

Dueling Pianos!

Experience

I'm With The Band: Live Band Karaoke

Meritage an Urban Tavern at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

4.0

4 (402)

$30 and under

American

Desert Ridge

About the restaurant

Meritage, An Urban Tavern is located over by our Wildfire Golf Course. We are currently open for lunch, social happy hour and dinner service.

Top review

Cindy

Dined 2 days ago

We had a great experience at Meritage! Alex, our server was very informative about the food options. He was attentive & quick to get us everything we asked for. The food was delicious as well. I got the steak frites & just suggest getting it cooked medium if you like medium rare. Alex took care of things by putting it back on the grill for a minute or so! Overall, we really liked this place!

Salt Tacos y Tequila - Norterra

3.9

3.9 (28)

$30 and under

Mexican

West Phoenix

About the restaurant

Join us for a Family-Friendly Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration! Food and drink deals all weekend, plus fire dancers for Saturday dinner, Sunday Brunch with Face Painting & merch giveaways, PLUS Cinco De Mayo Monday will be a full party with free photobooths!

Top review

Rahul

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Loved every aspect of the restaurant. Food, drinks, service, ambience.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Guy Fieri’s Downtown Phoenix Kitchen + Bar at Caesars Sportsbook

3.8

3.8 (160)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Phoenix

About the restaurant

The newest addition to the DTPHX food scene. Celebrity Chef, Guy Fieri's first full-service restaurant features scratch-made American fare, signature and classic cocktails, and an extensive beer and wine list. The menu also features a combination of new recipes and Fieri’s personal favorites, including the world-famous Trash Can Nachos and award-winning Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese Burger. Located right outside of Chase Field and steps away from Footprint Center.

Top review

Michael

Dined on Mar 9, 2025

Excited to try however while service was very good some what less than expected. Had burgers the bacon Mac n cheese burger was outstanding but the fries were not hot, disappointing.

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