Entry No. 8 — the Phoenix file — filed under: speakeasy
Rough Rider
There's no sign at street level — walk into the Ten-O-One office building lobby at 1001 N Central and take a nondescript elevator down into a dark, wood-paneled 1800s-style basement bar themed around Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. (The presidential nod is deliberately subtle rather than walls 'hung with photos.')
The story
Walk into the glass-fronted lobby of the Ten-O-One office building on Central Avenue, and you'll suspect you have the wrong address. There is no host stand, no velvet rope, and zero signage indicating anything exists below street level. Step into the middle elevator, hit the basement button, and the doors open directly into a subterranean 1800s drinking parlor hidden beneath the concrete.
The space takes its cues from Teddy Roosevelt’s 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, but avoids the museum-trap. You won't find walls choked with cheap historical memorabilia or stuffed game heads. Instead, the nod to the late 19th century is baked into the room's architecture: deep mahogany paneling, tufted leather booths, brass fixtures, and a drink menu structured around historic cocktail families like cobblers, punches, fixes, and highballs.
What it's like
Stepping out of a sterile corporate lobby and into a dark, subterranean hum takes a second to adjust to. Weekend nights fill up fast, making reservations essential unless you want to hover near the long marble bar hoping two stools open up. If you want a lower-key visit, show up on a weeknight when you can claim a hearthside nook, share a raw bar seafood tower, and order a Martini of Honor in peace.
The move: Take the unmarked middle elevator down together, grab a cozy nook by the fireplace, and share the raw bar seafood tower and a Martini of Honor.
- 📍 Roosevelt Row, Downtown Phoenix
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Cobra Arcade Bar — Trade 1890s mahogany dark for bright 1980s arcade cabinet neon just two blocks away.
- Melinda's Alley — Keep the subterranean vibe going by walking south to a red-lit speakeasy tucked into an alley behind the Renaissance Hotel.
- Stardust & Sage Crystals, Apothecary & Botanica — Pair your Victorian historic immersion with a quick visit four blocks north to pick up handmade botanical Florida Water and apothecary blends.
Good to know
How do you find the entrance?
Walk into the main office lobby of the Ten-O-One building at 1001 N Central Ave and take the middle elevator down to the basement level.
Do you need a reservation?
Reservations are strongly recommended for table and booth dining on weekends. Bar seating and lounge spots accept walk-ins.
What style of food and drink is served?
The menu pairs 19th-century-inspired cocktails—punches, cobblers, and classic builds—with a full kitchen featuring a raw bar, seafood towers, and heavy dinner entrees.
Is there a dress code?
There is no official dress code, though the dim, Victorian-inspired setting leans naturally toward date-night or smart-casual attire.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · phoenixmag.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-19