GetOut Magazine

Hot patios for cool drinks
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out
April 10, 2003

With temperatures rising, head out to one of these fab finds when you want to let the warm breeze caress your face while you sip a cold margarita, martini or even a glass of wine after a long day of work.

Best island-themed patio
Bahama Breeze
This fast-growing chain's Chandler location offers a charming covered patio complete with misters, fans and live Jamaican music in an islandlike atmosphere. Its so relaxing here, customer Julie Azure, 31, of Tempe says as she takes a sip from her piña colada. . . . Its fun to come out and drink with a few friends and hang on the patio.
Where: 7200 W. Ray Road, Chandler
On the menu: Fruity specialty drinks like the frozen Bahamarita, Ultimate Piña Colada and Mojito Cubano, as well as Caribbean dishes such as coconut curry chicken, jerk chicken pasta and Trinidad seafood pasta
How much: Beer starts at $2.95; wine starts at $3.50.
FYI: Live Jamaican music on the patio at 6 nightly.
Info:

Best patio for wine and live music
Caffé Boa
The Euro-style bistro and wine bar offers quaint patio dining among glittering white lights and lush greenery on its 1,000-square-foot patio. Patio dining is real limited for Ahwatukee, owner Scott Rennard says. Some of the competitors dont have a good patio. Ours is a real popular spot, especially on weekends.
Where: 5063 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee Foothills
On the menu: Wines, pasta, seafood, salads, unique sandwiches
How much: Beer starts at $2.50; wine starts at $4.75.
FYI: The restaurant and bar hosts live jazz and blues music on the patio beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the weekends.
Info:

Smallest patio hot spot
Cat Eye Lounge
Inside, Cat Eye is extremely dark, so be sure to escape to the outdoors where you'll find twenty- to thirtysomething hipsters chatting it up over martinis on the quaint lit-up patio. I know it's small, but this is definitely one of the most happening patios that I've seen, says Laura Albert, 22, of Scottsdale.
Where: 7164 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale
On the menu: Martinis, specialty drinks
How much: Not available
FYI: Dress to impress. Cat Eye is one of the more trendy clubs to which people flock to see and be seen.
Info:

Best hookup patio
Dos Gringos
With a large two-story patio and cheap beer, it's no wonder Dos Gringos in Scottsdale is such a hot spot with the twentysomethings and college crowd. The Mexican cantina-style bar is more patio than not, and on weekends the place is packed with people trying to hook up. This place is a meat market, says Elizabeth Coulson, 24, of Tempe. Most people that are here are here to check out the scenery.
Where: 4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale
On the menu: Quesadillas, Sloppy Dip, margaritas, beer
How much: Beer starts at $3; wine starts at $4.
FYI: A DJ spins on the patio Sunday afternoons when the bar hosts its weekly beach party, which kicks off at 3. Dos Gringos also features movies at 8 p.m. daily on the second story of the bar in its small outdoor movie theater area.
Info:

Most happening new patio
Flicka's Bar & Grill
The bar, which was redesigned in December, added a 3,000-square-foot patio that overlooks Scottsdale Road. I wanted to do it since we opened, owner Flicka Alvarado says. Weve been working on this (for) four years. I wanted to do it to make it look like a beach area. I wanted to do a nautical look. Since adding the patio, Alvarado says Flicka's has more than tripled its business.
Where: 2003 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
On the menu: Baja-style food such as fish tacos, shrimp tacos, fajitas, chicken burritos, Mexican beer, margaritas
How much: Beer starts at $3; wine starts at $4.
FYI: Outdoors, youll find a beach theme with a wooden boardwalk-style patio. Alvarado hopes to add outside entertainment in the coming months.
Info:

Best neighborhood patio with a wide beer selection
Four Peaks Brewing Co.
The old brick brewery, which is located in the midst of apartments and housing in Tempe, offers a fairly large patio for customers to enjoy. Im here during happy hour at least a couple times a week, says Jake Ryan, 24, of Tempe. I like to sit on the patio, drink my beer and people-watch.
Where: 1340 E. Eighth St., #104, Tempe
On the menu: Portobello veggie beer bread sandwich, Popper burger, chicken salad croissant, hand-crafted ales, wine, hard cider
How much: Beer starts at $3.50; wine starts at $5.50.
FYI: The brewery has an Elvis Presley shrine featuring interesting memorabilia.
Info:

Best patio with Mexican flair
Macayo's Depot Cantina
With its colorful decor and festive atmosphere, Macayo's is an ideal place to kick back with some friends over drinks and appetizers. When the weather warms up, customers flock to the shady patio. We do weekend margaritas here, Jason Cosme, 28, of Tempe says, gesturing to his margarita-drinking buddies. But when it gets hotter, we might have to move inside.
Where: 300 S. Ash Ave., Tempe
On the menu: Enchiladas, tacos, margaritas, specialty drinks
How much: Beer starts at $2.50; wine starts at $4.50.
FYI: People of all ages slam Macayo's immense patio during its hoppin' happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, when the restaurant offers a complimentary happy hour buffet with chicken wings, nachos, burros, mini tamales, beans, chips and salsa, a vegetable tray and a build-your-own taco or tostada bar. A DJ spins a mix of music on Fridays.
Info:

Best use of a patio
Pinnacle Peak Patio
The restaurant, which claims to be the world's largest western steakhouse, boasts 10,000 square feet of patio with seating for up to 1,000 people. It also has a private patio and cookout area for special events, such as corporate parties and weddings.
Where: 10426 E. Jomax Road, Scottsdale
On the menu: Steak, filet mignon, baby back ribs, Pinnacle Peak pale ale and other beers
How much: Beer starts at $3; wine starts at $4.50.
FYI: The main patio showcases live country western music at 6:30 nightly and offers a dance floor.
Info: or

Best patio to chill out
Rancho de Tia Rosa
Designed to resemble an old hacienda, Tia Rosa oozes with charm throughout the restaurant, but it's the spacious misted courtyard and patio that is a customer favorite. We almost always drink on the patio, says Molly Walden, 38, of Mesa. It's so beautiful out here. Why would you want to sit inside?
Where: 3129 E. McKellips Road, Mesa
On the menu: Chili relleno, salmon enchilada, carne asada, margaritas, beer
How much: Beer starts at $2.75; wine starts at $4.25
FYI: The restaurant has a free-standing taqueria that sports a small patio for customers who want a quick meal or takeout.
Info:

Best patio for a Bloody Mary brunch
Sugar Daddy's
The bar's 5,000-square-foot patio has become a hot spot when the sun goes down and on Sundays when the bar offers a Sunday brunch, which includes a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and coffee station. Canine companions are even allowed, as long as they're leashed.
Where: 3102 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
On the menu: Jambalaya, blackened chicken pasta, shrimp pomodoro, beer, margaritas
How much: Beer starts at $3; wine starts at $5.
FYI: The bar hosts live jazz and blues bands inside from 4 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
Info: