15 best restaurant and bar patios in Phoenix
Fall weather means one thing for Phoenix restaurants: Patrons want to sit outside.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of great patios where you can enjoy brunch al fresco on a Sunday morning, meet friends for drinks on a crisp Saturday night or have a nightcap under the stars.
These are 15 of the Valley’s best patios for all of that.
Pedal Haus
Mill Avenue’s hip brewery is ultra cyclist-friendly with ample bike racks. Pedal Haus went through an expansion in 2016, with bungalows and fire pits added to the spacious 6,000-squarefoot outdoor beer garden. The patio surrounds the perimeter of the restaurant, with games like ping pong, cornhole and ladder ball. Look for 20-plus signature and guest beers on tap, plus cocktails like the Peacemaker Paloma or Rose Royale. Happy hour runs from 3 to
The weather is cooling down, but the Valley’s dining scene is heating up.
In Phoenix, September is when the restaurant industry emerges from the summer doldrums and high-profile players gear up for the new season. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t interesting little mom-and-pop shops that deserve some attention. 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. On Sundays, all-day specials include $3 beers and mimosas and half off chicken wings.
Details: 730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-314-2337, pedalhausbrewery.com.
The Yard
There are two of these massive concepts in the Valley, both with enclosed patios that blend stylish decor with a playful vibe, including lawn games such as cornhole and ping pong, as well as live music. The spaces are great for groups, with lots of seating, cushy couches and fire pits. Culinary Dropout anchors both locations. Try a craft beer on tap, wine or one of the creative cocktails.
Details: The Yard, 5632 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-680-4040. The Yard at Farmer Arts District, 149 W. Farmer Ave., Tempe. 480-240-1601, culinarydropout.com.
Ocotillo
This modern restaurant is located on a sprawling compound in central Phoenix, with a manicured courtyard and plenty of patio space and bike parking. Grab dinner on the main covered patio that features its own bar. Sip a cocktail in the more intimate area with a fire pit and cushy seating. Order some caffeine and a pastry at the coffee bar and enjoy it on one of the picnic benches. Ocotillo serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
Details: 3243 N. Third St., Phoenix. 602-687-9080, ocotillophx.com.
O.H.S.O. Brewery
There are now four Valley locations of this popular brewery and craft beer bar, known for its laid-back, bike- and dogfriendly atmosphere. Each location features plentiful shade with umbrellas, string lights and bikes with the wheels converted into fans. The Gilbert and northeast Phoenix branches feature games such as cornhole and ping pong. Expect plenty of furry friends in the cooler weather — and lots of water bowls and biscuits to keep them happy.
Details: 10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 602-900-9003, ohsobrewery.com. Other locations in Arcadia, Scottsdale and Gilbert.
El Chorro
This iconic Paradise Valley restaurant features scenic desert views nestled at the base of Camelback and Mummy mountains. Take advantage of the top-notch happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. So you can get El Chorro’s famous sticky buns for $6, Wagyu beef sliders for $8, $3 bottled beer and $5 well drinks, house wine and margaritas. Want to feel especially classy? Order from the extensive wine list and soak up the abundant desert plant life and fireplaces.
Details: 5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. 480-948-5170, elchorro.com.
The Churchill
The newly opened shipping-container marketplace features 10 restaurants, bars and boutiques surrounding a spacious, covered, shared courtyard filled with ample wooden picnic tables. Pick up some street tacos at Provecho or an artisan sandwich from Breadwinner. Wash it down with a craft beer from the Brill Line or cocktail from Pobrecito. After 9 p.m., The Churchill is open to patrons 21 and older only.
Details: 901 N. First thechurchillphx.com. St., Phoenix.
Windsor
This popular central Phoenix restaurant features a quaint backyard-like patio, with plaid-printed chairs, woodpaneled booths and tables, and an array of plants in mismatched pots. There’s always a great rotating draft beer selection, served in three sizes: $4 for a “shorty,” $6 for a pint and $10 for a “pitcha.” Specialty cocktails ($10.50) are designated by a number, as well as a B.O.M. (bottled cocktail of the moment) and bartender’s choice. During weekend brunch, $5 gets you a Bloody Mary, pitchas of beer or Pimms cocktail, or concoctions like the No. 45, made with bourbon, Aperol, citrus syrup and fresh
grapefruit. Cocktails, wine and pitchers of beer are $5 until 5 p.m. daily.
Details: 5223 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-279-1111, windsoraz.com.
The Perch Pub & Brewery
The mood at this pub and brewery is just as great as the beer, with a big courtyard and scenic rooftop patio in historic downtown Chandler, and 50 brightly colored tropical rescue birds to scope out. Find 40 taps, including a variety of Perch-made beers, along with lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The menu features burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, appetizers, salads and entrees, including porcini and truffle macaroni and a prime dip sandwich.
Details: 232 S. Wall St., Chandler. 480-773-7688, perchpubbrewery.com.
The Orchard Phoenix
This picturesque dining complex featuring citrus trees, ample green grass and lush flora. Luci’s is a casual spot open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to help you get your day going or unwind after work. Bring the kids to run around in the splash pad and get frozen treats at Splurge, an ice cream shop connected to Luci’s. Sister restaurant Pomelo offers a more refined atmosphere with brunch, lunch and dinner served in a 1920’s Territorial house with its own patio and fire pit.
Details: 7100 N. 12th St., Phoenix. Luci’s, 602-633-2442, lucisorch ard.com. Pomelo, 602-633-2600, pomelophx.com.
Shady Park
Shady Park is a concert venue, sports bar and restaurant for ramen, sushi and pizza. This is the best spot in Tempe to catch national and local DJs, who play everything from techno and drum to bass and dubstep. The patio is shrouded with trees — catch a show, watch a game on the big screen or hang out with friends. Hungry? Dining options include Super Umami for buildyour-own ramen bowls and sushi rolls; and Damato’s for thin-crust pizza.
Details: 26 E. University Drive, Tempe. 480-474-4222, shadypark tempe.com.
Ladera Taverna y Cocina
Sunnyslope’s modern Mexican restaurant features a stylish outdoor space that is the ultimate desert escape with a brick patio, an artsy wooden overhang dotted with ornate chandeliers, floraltiled tabletops, Equipale chairs, a fireplace and potted plants. Sip on a signature cocktail like the OG Margarita or Pinche Paloma; and split some guacamole or queso fundido. For the main course, try the cochinita pibil or crispy red snapper. Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 2 to 5 p.m. weekends, featuring $5-$7 appetizers and tacos and $3-$5 cocktails, wine and beer.
Details: 8729 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-606-2258, laderaphx.com.
The Wigwam
The West Valley resort offers a number of dining options. Litchfield’s, the fine-dining restaurant, showcases a lovely patio that is ideal for pre- or postdinner cocktails, Lounge by the fireplace while taking in the scent of the pecan wood-fired grill. Or head over to the equally attractive Wigwam Bar patio for drinks and sit around the fire pit for happy hour, which runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Specials include appetizers for $7-$8, draft beer for $5 and select wine and cocktails for $6.
Details: 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. 623-935-3811, wigwamariz ona.com/dining.
The Shop Beer Co.
The Tempe brewery has a style all its own, from the sleek yet simple design of the taproom to the eye-catching, to-go crowler cans. The colorful murals, string lights and greenery make this patio especially Instagram-worthy. Food trucks pull right up to the patio for convenience. Signature beers include the Church Music IPA, F.Y.I.T.M. double IPA, Coffee Brown American nut brown ale and the Desert Pale Ale.
Details: 922 W. First St., 480-477-9212, theshop.beer. Tempe.
Casey Moore’s Oyster House
Tempe’s longtime favorite haunt is known for its eclectic crowd and sprawling, wrap-around patio, lit with twinkle lights year-round. There are plenty of tables throughout, but on weekend nights, the place gets packed, so get there early if you want a seat. The mellow atmosphere of the Irish bar makes it easy to chat it up with new friends while sipping a Guinness stout or stiff well drink.
Details: 850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe. 480-968-9935, caseymoores.com.
Different Pointe of View
This upscale dining room sits on the edge of North Mountain in Phoenix, offering spectacular views through the floor-to-ceiling windows inside, but even better, on the patio. Get there early in the evening and snag a prime seat outside, preferably close to the edge to really get that awe-inspiring panorama. Sip on a signature cocktail with desert-inspired names such as the Monsoon Spritz and Crimson Sun. Nibble on a lobster rice paper roll or seared Berkshire pork belly. Be sure to call ahead because there are often special events booked at the restaurant.
Details: Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602866-6350, tapatiocliffshilton.com.