Entry No. 28 — the Phoenix file — filed under: alley-entrance
Melinda's Alley
A secret-door speakeasy tucked in the alley behind the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown hotel, historically known only to locals; it keeps a deliberately weekly-changing drink menu and is only open two nights a week.
The story
You're not just stepping into a basement bar off Adams Street—you're descending into the concrete foundation of the 1910 iteration of the Adams Hotel. While the street level above evolved into the modern Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, this subterranean vault survived largely unchanged beneath the city's paved grid.
The bar takes its name from Melinda Curtis, a prominent figure in early Phoenix lore. You won't find a grand marquee out front; instead, you have to duck down the alley behind the hotel and look for an unmarked door beneath a single red bulb that illuminates around 9 PM on open nights. Inside, printouts scattered across the tables lay out the neighborhood's darker historical backdrop.
There is no static drink menu hanging over the bar. The beverage program hinges on a brief, weekly-changing lineup of craft cocktails, giving the bartenders free rein to rotate ingredients and keep the offerings unpredictable.
What it's like
Navigate the alley behind 50 East Adams Street on a weekend night and look for the glowing red light above the door frame. Inside, the space is dim, compact, and cast in heavy red light against bare subterranean walls. Because it only operates two nights a week, a queue can form quickly in the alley—arriving right at 9 PM gives you the best shot at grabbing a seat before the room fills.
The move: Track down the unmarked door in the alley on one of its limited open nights, read the in-house literature on the space's backstory, and try whatever's on that week's rotating cocktail list.
- 📍 Downtown Phoenix
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 50 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Pigtails (Downtown) — Walk a single block south to double down on unmarked entrances by hunting down Pigtails' hidden door on Central Avenue.
- Rough Rider — Head a few blocks north to trade this brick foundation basement for an elevator ride down to Rough Rider's subterranean lounge.
- Cobra Arcade Bar — Contrast the dim, quiet alley bar setting with a short walk east to drink beers over 1980s arcade cabinets at Cobra.
Good to know
Where is the entrance located?
It is tucked in the alleyway running directly behind the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, marked only by a red light overhead rather than street signage.
When is Melinda's Alley open?
The bar operates on limited late-night weekend hours, typically opening around 9 PM on Friday and Saturday nights. Confirm current hours before heading out.
What kind of drinks do they serve?
They serve a short, custom craft cocktail menu that changes weekly rather than maintaining a standard staple drink list.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: dtphx.org · usghostadventures.com · phoenix.org · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-19