Heading to Scottsdale AZ next week for a conference, staying at the Westin Keirland resort. Looking for suggestions on restaurants, bars, and things to do. It seems like we are on the outskirts, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Not looking for fine dining, an would especially like to locate a dive bar for a bunch of people to go out and toss a few back.
What do you like to do?
The Westin Keirland is a beautiful resort, and it’s on a golf course. Across the street is a fancy mixed-use shopping mall.
I’m not much on bars, but I think Handlebar J’s is still the best dive bar in Scottsdale - it’s about 4 miles down Scottsdale road.
Give me some ideas of what you like to do…
The Westin Keirland is very swanky. Top of the line dining, top of the line shops, dive bars and places for normies to hang out would be on Scotsdale Ave down towards Tempe. The Westin is far north so I’d stay in Scotsdale if I were you.
If you like cheeky things, old Scottsdale is nice, it’s cowboyish touristy a little south of where you are. There is a Coyote Ugly somewhere up there, on Camelback road I think. How old are you? Do you like clubs? There’s Axis on Radius very close to the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale. There is Martini Ranch which is a very hip, fun, young-ish place to go…
There is great food all over Scottsdale, let me think on it and get back you
Thanks. I’m 43 and staying elsewhere is not an option… the conference is at the Westi, and I am booked there… besides, the wife is coming along and she is psyched to stay there… we are going out as a couple 1-2x, and like to eat on the casual but romantic side… mexican, tapas, etc are fine… we are not “high society” types and are not into dancing per se.
We will also be going out with a bunch of friends as a mix of professors and grad students, and like to drink for less and eat bar food on those occasions… most everyone will be staying at the Westin, and it sounds like we are off-the-beaten path… we are not against taking a cab if the destination is worth it…
Best Mexican is Los Dos Molinos in Mesa or Downtown Phoenix. It would be a bit of a haul to get to either location. There’s a very nice, romantic restaurant in the Keirland mall - Zinc bistro. Good food, too.
There is an excellent Pizza / coffee shop called Le Grande Orange at 40th st and Campbell in Phoenix - maybe 10 miles away. It would be easy to spend an entire evening on that block - there is a bar “Postino”, the restaurant, and a great Gelato shop “Arlecchino” next door.
You are not off the beaten path - Phoenix doesn’t have much of a “center” - you are right in the middle of Scottsdale, and there’s all sorts of shopping and dining around you. Down the street is Barcelona, which has Tapas, but I’ve never been there.
I was saying stay in Scottsdale, meaning no need to travel anywhere else in greater Phoenix, Tempe area… I wan’t saying to move your Lodging.
As far as your criteria you mention: here is a new list.
I’ll again say Martini Ranch. I’d change the eating to Mill Avenue which is straight down Scottsdale road and into Tempe - Rula Bula is a great irish pub, Cafe Boa is good all around food, but House of Tricks, and Bandersnatch are very earthen fun places to eat and drink.
There’s also Famous Sams [if they are still in existence] and they are normal fare sportsbar type place.
I’ll definitely second Los Dos Melinos as the very best in Mexican for the area…
Just returned from a 4-day weekend in Scottsdale. Here is where we ate and drank:
Dinners–
–Carlsbad Tavern (Southwestern) - N. Hayden Road. I think this was the best meal we had.
–Old Tortilla Factory - (Mexican) on a side street (maybe Main?) west of N. Scottsdale Rd in Old Scottsdale. Was not happy with the prices or the food (bill was about $12 more for less and not as good food compared to Carlsbad).
–El Paso BBQ - N. Hayden Road. BBQ was very good and we liked one of the sauces enough to bring a bottle home. Best steak fries I’ve had in a while (crisp and not mushy).
Lunch–
–Rusty Spur Saloon - Decent bar food and often there is live music, even on the Tuesday afternoon we were there. This might be a dive bar option too.
If you get a chance, I’d recommend the botanical gardens ($10 or $9 if you can find a flyer w/$1 off coupon–our hotel had a display of “things to do” flyers). We also hiked Camelback Mt. but allow at least a couple hours, and it ain’t easy.
If you have a whole day free, Sedona is only a couple hours away and makes for a great day trip.