Entry No. 1 — the Phoenix file — filed under: speakeasy
Tell Your Friends
A Gatsby-themed cocktail lounge hidden below The Americano restaurant in north Scottsdale — descend a carpeted staircase past glowing neon martinis and a red-mirrored entry into a bar crowned by a golden fixture that wraps up over the ceiling and cascades behind the stage, with live music most nights and small bites from chef Beau MacMillan. (The 'Best New Speakeasy / Bar of the Year' award and singer Venessa Mendez could not be independently confirmed.)
The story
You wouldn't know there's a subterranean jazz lair beneath The Americano on Scottsdale Road unless you already knew where to step. Hunt down the carpeted stairwell, drop past glowing neon martini outlines and a wall of red mirrors, and you emerge into a dimly lit basement room crowned by a massive golden fixture that curves across the ceiling and cascades down behind a microscopic performance stage.
The operation blends high-end bar bites from chef Beau MacMillan with a cocktail program crafted by Phoenix mixologist Keifer Gilbert. It leans heavily on 1920s aesthetic cues—plush velvet armchairs, dark woods, brass trims—and positions local singers and jazz acts just feet away from your drink.
What it's like
Book ahead online if you want any chance at a velvet seat or a spot at the small bar on a weekend. Once you descend into the subterranean room, expect tight quarters, low lighting, and live vocals carrying across the brass fixtures. Order the Paparazzi espresso martini alongside the fire-roasted oysters or dip trio, and stick around for the music sets.
The move: Book the small bar area or a velvet chair, split fire-roasted oysters and the dip trio, and order the Paparazzi (their espresso martini) while a live singer plays a few feet away — reservations needed, it fills fast on weekends.
- 📍 North Scottsdale
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 17797 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Fantasia Crystals & School of Magickal Arts (SOMA) — Pair a night of underground jazz and craft drinks with an afternoon spent exploring herbology texts and crystal specimens down Bell Road.
- Cosanti — Contrast North Scottsdale's polished subterranean velvet with a daytime walk through Paolo Soleri's open-air, earthen windbell foundry.
- Cattle Track Arts Compound — Balance a high-gloss Scottsdale lounge setting with a visit to an unpolished 1930s artist colony built from salvaged pipeline redwood.
Good to know
How do you find the entrance to Tell Your Friends?
It sits beneath The Americano restaurant at 17797 N Scottsdale Rd. Follow the carpeted stairwell past neon martini icons and a red-mirrored hallway down to the basement.
Do you need a reservation?
Yes. The room is compact and tables book out quickly, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, the lounge enforces an upscale dress code to match its upscale, 1920s-style lounge setting.
Who is behind the food and drink menus?
The small-bites menu was developed by chef Beau MacMillan, and the cocktail program was created by local mixologist Keifer Gilbert.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · phoenixnewtimes.com · phoenixmag.com
last checked: 2026-07-19