Tempe Bars

1340 East 8th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281

480-303-9967

Open 11 am to 2 am Monday-Saturday and 10:00 am on Sunday for Brunch. Happy hour 3-7 pm and 10 pm to close.

Four Peaks Brewing Company

Located near Arizona State University, (there's also an outpost in Scottsdale if you're desperate), Four Peaks Brewing Company does it themselves and does it right. Their bar is a cavernous brewery with fun staff, great but not overpowering crowds, and some T.V.s for sports if you get tired of talking to hip 20/30 somethings. A good crowd that likes beer and is generally easy on the eyes.

Right next door to the Phoenix Rock Gym. Get some routes in and then tip a few pints (in that order!). A great idea for an evening.

Four Peaks serves in pints like god intended, but they also distribute in bottles to your favorite grocery store and bars far away.

As a Brew/Restaurant, they have a good selection of hot food and their menu even gives recommendations on beer pairings.

Kiltlifter - Scottish-Style Ale - Always on Tap.

8th Street Ale - An English Style Best Bitter, mellow, tasty and great with their fries - Always on Tap.

Hefeweizen - A delicious 5% Hefe, very malty with great banana and cloves notes - Always on Tap.

Hop Knot IPA - A good one for the Hopheads - Always on Tap.

Sunbru Kölsch Style Ale - Malty and Sweet, you wouldn't know it's 5.2% til you finish it - Always on Tap.

The Raj IPA - Very bitter and tasty, weighing in at a hefty 6.9% - Always on Tap.

Oatmeal Stout - Guiness drinkers can give this robust and characteristic beer a try - Always on Tap.

Arizona Peach - Subtle, smooth and peachy - Always on Tap.

Four Peaks also features a couple dozen seasonal brews. You'll have to stop by to see what's new!

A member of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild

125 E. Fifth St in Tempe
602-966-4438

Bandersnatch Brewpub

Nestled on fifth street east of mill avenue, Bandersnatch cares about brewing beer and it shows.

They have 3 beers that are always in season and 5 more seasonals that will keep you coming back.

Cardinal Pale Ale - Classic style Pale Ale, very tasty, goes down smooth - Always on Tap.

Bighorn ESB - An English ESB, for the hopheads - Always on Tap.

Bandersnatch Milk Stout - I'm not a stout drinker, but Guinness drinkers rave about it. Malty, with a sweet lactose finish - Always on Tap.

Seasonal:

Bandersnatch Sun Devil IPA - Very malty, coming in at 6.66% it's deviously good.

Bandersnatch Irish Amber - Goes down smooth, roasted barley notes.

Union Jack Ale - Smooth, mild English Ale. Great in the hot Arizona summers.

Roggen Ale - A German red rye ale. Lightly hopped but with bready/buiscuity notes.

Jumtum Tree Barley Rye - Weighs in at a stiff 8.2%. Rich, malty and oh so delicious.

The bar is homey and although deep in Mill Avenue drinking country, its a regular's place. Fun with a great crowd and great beers.

Unlike Four Peaks, they don't bottle and distribute, so if you want Bandersnatch brews you can only get them on fifth street.

Note:*sigh* Another great Tempe bar is no more. Bandersnatch has fallen to the changes near Mill Avenue and is no more. Check their website though. There's a hint that they're moving to Buckeye. I would go that far if I had to.

850 S Ash Tempe, Az. 85281

Casey Moore's

Nestled in the historic district neighborhood of Tempe, just west of ASU's main campus and Mill Ave., lies the home of William and Mary Moeur, built in 1910.

They're long gone, but their home remains, and its been turned into a great regular's bar.

Inside is dark and well aged, outside are sit up bars and bench seating throughout their expansive patio. Some nice shade so pick your spot wisely, if it isn't too crowded like it usually is.

Beers on tap run a fair selection and support their Irish attitude:

Smithwick's Irish Ale, Guinness, Newcastle and Harp, as well as favorites in Blue Moon, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Four Peaks Kiltlifter, Bud and Bud Light.

They also maintain about 20 bottled beers of every persuasion.

Another great place for fish and chips. This is a regular's place, mostly for grad students, campus professionals and Tempe locals, and a great hangout after class and work. Service is friendly, but for some reason, Snottsdalers seem to dislike the place. It's not a club lads and lassies, its a bar.

The place is also reportedly haunted. I like to think the Moeurs come down from time to time to tip a pint.

801 E Apache Blvd
Tempe, AZ 85281-6809
Phone: 480-894-2662

Part raucous campus bar, part regular's joint, they have a fair tap with regular favorites like Guinness and Coors plus some oddballs like Moose Drool. Also have domestics in bottles with a few really good ones thrown in like Blue Moon White Ale and Killian's Red. Tvs, pool tables etc. It's your typical bar.

At night, it gets packed with students so if you like your crowds young (21-24), and you like being packed in with sardines, shoot for after dark.

It should be noted that there are 6 Vine Taverns, including another just up the road at Rural and Elliott in Tempe (which has a more regulars crowd and less college students), one in Phoenix, one in Mesa and two in Iowa(!) Check their website, VineTavern.com and VinteTavernTempe.com for locations, specials and the like.

401 S Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281-2838
Phone: (480) 929-9500

Rula Bula

Located on the North end of Mill Avenue before you cross the bridge, Rula Bula is a pub modeled after an old saddlery with comfy wooden furniture, hearths and a slightly mismatched charm. The restaurant (technically called Boxty House, but I consider the whole place to be Rula Bula) and bar are separate enough to dine or drink if you aren't into both, but close enough to provide its ambiance to the other.

Ambiance is an 11 and more importantly, they offer a full compliment of Irish and British beers on tap - Bass, Guinness, Newcastle and the like. They don't do their own brewing, but if you want a common British beer in a place that looks like it belongs there, this is the place.

On a side note, the food here is INCREDIBLE! Everything on the menu is delicious, and the Fish and Chips are the best I've ever had. Some folks complain about the service, but we've never had a problem. A bit of a regulars place, but if your money's good, and you aren't expecting to be treated like a spoiled Snottsdale kiddie, then you'll have a good time.

They have outdoor seating, too, and its right next door to the shmancy Mission Palms Hotel. If you're staying there or visiting the kids at ASU, don't miss Rula Bula.

Live music indoors friday and saturday nights where they charge a cover and its REALLY LOUD, wayyyyy to loud for the little place, and the band takes up seating space so it becomes more like a stand around club, but not one clubbers will enjoy - avoid.

Come for lunch or happy hour and you'll be, well, happy.

909 E Minton Dr (NE corner of Baseline and Rural)
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 831-0635

Doc and Eddy's in Tempe is a great sports bar/locals bar. Big, dark, with pool tables and tvs for the game. Part of a chain, but you wouldn't know it. It feels like a mom and pop place, with good clientele.

Their beer selection is good across the board featuring Guinness, Bass, Blue Moon, Four Peaks Hefe and Kiltlifter, Bud and Bud Light, Stella Artois, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Newcastle Brown Ale, Coors Light and Fat Tire. These taps undergo some seasonal changes, so you can always find something good. They also have a good selection in 19 bottled beers.

Doc and Eddy's is close to home for me so it's good for a pint and a stumble home.

420 S Mill Ave # 201
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 736-0033

If you like your local GB, you'll like this one because its exactly the same (this one participates in all Passport Club functions except enshrining your mug in the VIP section - they discontinued that :( )

Still, they have the selection of GB brews that you like, along with pricey food, if you like that sort of thing.

Golden Export - Lightly hopped lager - Always on Tap.

GB Hefe - A good hefe, but then I haven't met a Hefe I didn't like - Always on Tap.

Czech Lager - Bohemian Pilsner - Always on Tap.

Marzen - Oktoberfest-style Lager - Always on Tap.

Seasonal - MaiBock and Roggen Bier

Miller products are in bottles to save you from the scary home-brewed stuff.

Really, the only reason to go to any GB is to drink GB beers. If you really like GB, this is one of four in the Valley to partake of, and if you're like me, its a good place for a Hefe. Some folks go once and then not many times after if the goal is to just get beer.

The view from the patio is pretty good. You can almost see the scantily-clad bartenders cross-corner at the Library, and you can definitely see the scantily-clad Mill Avenue Pedestrians.

Update: Now Defunct

It's become a Big Fat Greek Place. It wasn't a great bar, but it's far better than the alternative. R.I.P.

227 E Baseline Rd Suite J7
Tempe, AZ
(480) 659-1445

If you like a comfy place with good food, waitresses in corset-type lingerie and domestics on tap, you've found heaven.

They have about 20 great beers in bottles including imports, but their brand new taps have all your domestic favorites - Budweiser, Michelob, Coors, etc. When we were there, they also had a mystery tap! They hadn't decided what to put in it yet, so maybe you can push them to put in your favorite. A good selection all around with good tap selection if you like em home grown and mass produced (nothing wrong with that, right?)

The food's tasty and reasonably priced. I haven't had it but they say the Philly Cheesesteak is tops and I like a good Cheesesteak. The Cheesecake ain't half bad either.

501 S. Mill Ave. #101 in Tempe

Beers on tap:

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sam Adam's White Ale (rotating tap no doubt), Widmer Hefe, Newcastle Brown Ale, Bass, Guiness, Bud/Bud Light.

Good variety of beers in bottles at 15.

Plenty of mixers.

If I don't sound enthused, here's why. As a gimmick, the Library looks good, but it feels empty and hollow, with its pretentious, too-hot-for-their-own-good attitudes and reform-school girl outfits. Their bars have big Coyote-Ugly type dancing space and the place devolves into that kind of activity at night. Meh. It's the kind of place you go to get a couple of decent beers, ogle a bit (don't get me wrong, the ogling is top notch), TALK REALLY LOUD, and then go to a real bar.

Although this place is themed better, its a club, whereas a place like Fantasy Grill is all about the gimmick (scantily clad waitresses), with no other themeing, but the folks at FG are genuine, and its a little more laid back, better food, etc. FG is a Restaurant/Bar as opposed to a Pub/Club, the only one on this list.

Oh, the place used to be a McDonald's and there's a Hooters above it. This is where Hooters girls go when they get their Bartender's License.

7107 East McDowell Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

On the Southwest corner of McDowell Road and Scottsdale Road in Papago Plaza

(480) 425-7439

Papago Brewing

They're in Southish Scottsdale, but we don't hold that against 'em. This place is all old wood, and if you're a regular, you can put your mug in the cool fryar statue that greets you near the door. A regular's place, a little noisy and crowded (ok, always noisy and crowded) but the beer!

30 varieties on tap all the time, updated daily. Yup, daily. Check out their website and they'll show you the rundown on a daily basis. They brew their own IPAs, lagers, stouts, fruit beer and hefeweizens, but their roster is rarely more than 4-5 of their own brews. They dedicate plenty of space to other breweries in the state, and to some magnificent beers from around the world. Whatever you're into, they've got something for you.

As an added bonus, they have several cold cases filled with bottled and canned beer from around the world, and even hard to find and novelty sodas for the DDs.

Worth the drive up from Tempe. They always have lots of special events including a great homey Oktoberfest.

A member of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild

This restaurant/bar is nestled underneath Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale (NE Corner of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads).

Since The Timberwolf closed down years ago, this may be the best selection of beers on tap in Arizona. (Note, Yardhouse is a chain and has many more outlets with similar setups, mostly in So. Cal., but there's also one in Glendale and Phoenix for Zonies - Visit here for details.

The bar, which dominates the center of the restaurant is ringed with taps, 113 beers on tap by my count (before I got crosseyed), and they are capable of a variety of beer mixes as well (if you like that sort of thing). Their beers run the gamut, from common domestics, to less common domestics from coast to coast, European and Asian beers - the works. A variety of beers for hopheads, stout lovers, lightweights and beer snobs. They even dedicate several taps to the tasty brews from Four Peaks.

It's big and full of TVs tuned to sports so you can catch several big games, or whatever else is on Speed TV and the Ocho. Not particularly pretentious for Snobsdale, but the food is wayyyyyyy pricey. Save your cash for the beer, laddie. They make up for it by having a killer happy hour with <$4 pints and perhaps the best $10 burger I've ever had.

They don't actually brew their own beer, at least not at the Scottsdale location, but their selection is more than enough to give them the 4.5 nod.

5739 W. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, Arizona 85021
Phone 623-939-2480

Haus Murphy's

While in the neighborhood of Old Glendale, we got the chance to eat and drink at Haus Murphy's. Although the name makes it sound like it's having an identity crisis, Haus Murphy's is an authentic and homey German restaurant with a great beer list.

On Tap - Spaten Lager, Optimator and Oktoberfest, Warsteiner Oktoberfest and Dunkel, Weihenstephan Hefeweizen and Frankziskaner Weisbier. They also have 14 bottles including more German beers and Bud if you get homesick, but seriously, Bud? Here? It HAS to have an inch thick layer of dust on it.

Haus Murphy's is to German what Rula Bula is to Irish. Great food (they have a deep and delicious braut and schnitzel menu), German music, German waitresses and their own Oktoberfest (natch) which we have yet to go to, but will probably be back for with their excellent selection on tap, imported bands for the occasion and their honest charm.

3939 E Campbell Ave
Phoenix, AZ
602-852-3939

and

5144 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
602-274-5144

What gives? A wine bar? And it's in Phoenix? Yeah, yeah, I know, it's not a Tempe Bar, its ritzy, what with the moody candle lighting, comfy sofas and chairs and fancy sports cars in the valet parking lot but it doesn't have a stuck-up attitude.

Great staff, etc, but most importantly, Hoegaarden Witbier on tap, as well as whatever they feel like on the second mystery tap, you'll have to go to find out. Also about 20 various tasty beers in bottles. My favorite place to pick up a Hoegaarden, chat with friends and kick back.

Naturally, they have plenty of wine too, which is overpriced for my palate, but they have beer so its all good. Settled in a nice little neighborhood making it a regular's place if you live in east Phoenix. The food is good, the bruschetta being the best pick. Better for dates than bringing your rowdy friends, as there are no big screen tvs or pool tables, but you can canoodle in the candlelight, or maybe pick up on someone.

Note Postino has recently swapped Hoegaarden for Odell's Pale Ale and something else (I absent mindedly forgot what) and...

They've opened a new location on Central Ave that has 4 taps including Odell's Pale Ale, Four Peaks Kiltlifter, Hoegaarden and something else (I was so happy to find Hoegaarden there I forgot what the fourth one was.

Same ambiance on Central Ave., with a little older crowd, but the same quality of beers, service and wines (if you like that sort of thing).

201 N Cortez St
Prescott, AZ 86301

Murphy's

Murphy's isn't even in Maricopa County, let alone Tempe! That's ok, its worth the day trip to visit Prescott.

Converted to a bar and restaurant from an old mercantile store from 1890, it is dark and fancy. They serve up two examples of their craft and dozens more, but only their brews and Guinness are on tap :(

Murphy's features 57 other beers as part of their world tour, so even though they aren't on tap, you can get the mug and t-shirt and drink your way to glory.

The food's alright, and its pricey, but we're here for the beer at their exquisite bar.

They also have their own bakery so the bread is fresh from the oven, and really good. You need something to soak up all that beer anyway.

Murphy's Mile High Lager - Reminiscent of other American lagers, but with a hint of something that shows they really know what they're doing - always on tap.

Prescott Red - Very light for a red. Not a lot of kick but smooth and mellow - always on tap.

Guinness Stout - It's Guinness, and it's...always on tap.

Note: Murphy's Restaurant is not to be confused with Heineken's Murphy's Beers.

The Timberwolf was a great big log cabin-looking bar set by itself on campus at Arizona State University.

At one time it served over 400 beers from around the world and had a mind-blowing 150 on tap at any time. Forget about around the world at your local Old Chicago.

A great place with a more mature crowd compared to the rowdier Vine across the street. You came to the Timberwolf to drink, and you didn't leave disappointed.

Sadly, with expansion going on around campus, it's doors laid closed for many, many months. Finally, whatever deal that had been made came to fruition and the Timberwolf's majestic log cabin-y goodness was bulldozed.

A big expanse of dirt and construction equipment fills the space now, and will probably be filled with more dormatories or class space (but certainly no parking, right kids?)

Update: Part of the space where the Timberwolf stood is being used for the new Honor's College. Not a good trade, imho.

A moment of silence to one of the great bars of Tempe, now gone forever.

1520 West Mineral Road
Tempe, AZ 85283

After being away for some time, I have come to understand that the Tap Room (the bar portion of Rio Salado at the brewery) is no longer open.

Update: It seems that neither location is open for Rio Salado Brewing anymore, so they are truly lost.

A prolific brewer, they made over 20 beers including ales, stouts, lagers, and hefes *mourn*. They were certainly in Four Peaks' league, and alas are now simply no more.

Much like Timberwolf, its like watching an old friend succumb. My best wishes to the owners. If anyone ever hears of them resurfacing somewhere under a different name, etc., please let me know.

In an attempt to further convey our interest in these establishments, we've developed a system to rate places based on their beer quality and variety, as well as indicate what kind of place you're going to. What I think is fancy or a dive, is probably not what you would call fancy or a dive, so we focused on how beer is incorporated into the establishment. Also, the star rating system or classification isn't meant to be a dig to ANY of the listed establishments. If they're on our list, they're worth going to!

The star system relates to the following:

5 stars is a brewery or bar that serves a variety of original, home-crafted or hard-to-find brews, preferably, but not necessarily on tap.

4 stars is for bars who serve a variety of the above beers, maybe don't make them themselves or don't have quite as large a selection, but still a good selection.

3 stars is for places that have a good, if not pedestrian selection, or maybe they only have a couple of tap beers and a slew of good bottled beers.

2 stars is for places that have domestics on tap and some bottles, or just bottles. We usually don't even list places this low. You can go to a family restaurant and get Bud on tap - sheesh.

1 star is for restaurants that have to blow the dust off their last case of Miller Lite, exclusive wine bars, your friend's first attempt at making mead in the basement (just kidding, keep working at it man!), and anywhere else that just doesn't really serve beer. Also, probably not on this list.

Classifications - Since we list bars, taverns, pubs and restaurants, we thought we'd clarify each listing as to what it is exactly so you know what to expect if you're hungry, bringing a date, bringing the boys, whatever.

Restaurant - Generally there to serve food, but may also have a great beer selection. Drinking is still primary but you can probably get a delicious steak or prime rib or vegan thing or whatever. A restaurant that has a proper and prominent bar is a restaurant/bar.

Pub - Unlike the restaurant, every patron's primary goal is drinking, but they do have food ranging from "things you can just microwave" to good sandwiches. You'll probably get wings, chips, etc. These are generally considered pub food, thus the pub moniker.

Taverns - Taverns would like to be pubs, but don't have a kitchen and the microwave is busted. That's ok, we just want to drink anyway. To help soak it up, they will be kind enough to put out cold nosh, usually, pretzels, peanuts, chips, maybe little things on bread or crackers. This is sub-pub food, just enough to make the place a little classier for the regulars. Think Regal Beagle from Three's Company. Note: A proper tavern should probably have more food, and ideally upstairs overnight accommodations. These are almost unheard of in the states anymore, and definitely a dead beast in the Valley of the Sun.

Bars - Drink. That's all you can do. If you ask the bartender for something in a bowl, he'll (or she'll just as likely) look at you funny and ask if you want another drink or not.

Breweries - These places make the beer and serve it. As a result, they may be real simple bars, or extravagant restaurants. They run the gamut. If the place actually makes its own beer, we'll identify the place as a brew-something (brew-pubs serve hot food, brew-taverns have pretzels, etc.)

Finally, when in doubt, all of these places are bars. ("Hey, let's go to the bar!" "Sure, which one?") so if we call one a bar, when its really a "pub" don't go nuts. Remember, its all about the beer.

If your buddies won't answer the phone at 2 AM, ZingoAZ will. They ride Di Blasi scooters to your car, fold it in half, bag it, put it in your trunk, and drive you and your car home. Once you're safely passed out in your living room, they tool back to HQ on the scooters. Brilliant.

There's one in Scottsdale, and their FAQ says they'll take you any distance. For $25 for the first 3 miles and $3 each additional mile, so would I. Considering Arizona's DUI laws, this is more than fair. Just to be sure they'll cover you in Tempe or Mesa, give em a call at 877-NO DUI AZ (663-8429) or visit their website ZingoAZ.

Be patient with their shmancy Flash web page, its worth it to be safe. The AZ version plays Drive by The Cars. The main page plays Drive My Car by The Beatles, etc. Cute. They also have some other sites across the U.S., maybe in your hometown.

Also recently discovered, (thanks, John) is Designated Drivers, Inc. They aren't as fancy as Zingo, and seem to be a bit more expensive, but they also seem to have a longer range and more services. Check them out.

Whatever you do, don't drive drunk, and don't let your friends drive drunk either. A few bucks is worth more than a lifetime of regret, especially in Arizona.

The Four Points Sheraton on Rural and Apache is about to reopen. It's a hotel, so what?

The Four Points Sheratons are the hotels that last year hired the first ever Chief Beer Officer, Scott Kerkmans. FPS wanted to go upscale and have fancy brews on tap at all of their hotels, so they created the position of CBO in order to facilitate that.

Mr. Kerkmans drinks beer all day, following trends and finding the best beers for thirsty guests. I have yet to see their selection, but I hear it is extraordinary. The newly dubbed Sheraton reopens April 24th, and I will be there to report on their selection.

Oh, and if you want to be a lucky stiff, Mr. Kerkmans is looking for an intern.

Update: I went to the Four Points here in Tempe today (4/25/08) and, well, I don't know what I was expecting, but I guess I blew it up too much in my mind.

When I first heard about Four Points' desire to have top of the line beer and their new CBO, and the beers he was trying, I thought, wow this is going to be something really cool. And it is, but I thought it might be more.

The newly remodeled Four Points Sheraton in Tempe is beautiful, and some folks are saying they're shooting for a four star rating. I think they've nailed it.

As for the beer selection, well, hmm. In the lobby they have a cozy bar with plenty of beer in bottles (17 by my count), with quite a few exotics, and plenty of mixers for the highball and tini crowd.

And they had four beers on tap. Just four. Granted they were Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Four Peaks' Kiltlifter, Sam Adams White Ale and Red Moon ESB - all fine beers. Not a single common domestic on tap (no offense to bud/coors/michelob lovers). Still, I expected they might have, oh, I don't know, 8-10 taps, all with well-tasted, thought over beers.

Since this hotel was a remodel (and is VERY nice) I suspect that they didn't have as much room to put in what I was expecting, compared to a brand new, built from the ground up Four Points Sheraton. Do the brand new one's have long bars with a dozen or more taps? Do they have a beer sommelier who can walk you through the menu? I dunno, it was anticlimactic. I can go to the Vine across the street and get 8 taps, and not be bored with any of em. Four taps? Airport bars have more taps.

If they were going for quality over quantity, they do have it, but with all the hype, I was underwhelmed.

That's not to say that what Sheraton is doing isn't refreshing, but I'm hoping that brand new Sheratons made room specifically for their new passion, where as this particular location might have had to make do with the space it had. A road trip (or some phone calls) is the only way to find out.

I like that they have a Four Peaks brew here, and I suspect that that is a local nod. With limited taps, they have also provided a good selection of beers, so that you aren't getting all of the same thing. I think its clear that they know what they're doing, but I wouldn't come here to take a beer tour.

However, if you're coming to visit Tempe/Phoenix, this would be the place to stay. After you've been drinking at the bars all evening, this is a good place for a nightcap.

If you have a report about any of these places, or want to add a place that isn't already listed on the lens, drop us a note below.

* indicates a mill avenue establisment, or one within sight of ASU main campus.

Bison Witches Bar and Deli
McDuffy's
Monkey Pants Bar and Grill
Tavern on Mill *
Zuma Grill *
Maloney's *
Big Fish Pub
Baseline Sports Pub
Crisdee's
Stray Cat Bar and Grill
Coconut Club *
Mill Ave Cue Club *