GetOut Magazine

New bar finds its niche in downtown Scottsdale
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out

Can a sports bar survive in downtown Scottsdale, a city with clubs for almost everything from dancing to martinis to live music? The Upper Deck Sports Grill opened early last month and aims to find out. “I don't see why not,’’ Elliot Isaksen, 22, of Scottsdale, says of the bar which is filled with a mere 30 people at 10 p.m. on a Friday night. “There isn't really anything like this around here that caters to just sports fans. ’’

The venue strives for a high-class, sports bar feel, but there is no denying that it still has a bit of the rock ’n’ roll vibe that Noyz — the dance club which previously occupied the location — left behind. Music videos greet patrons on a few large television screens as they walk through the doors of the two-story bar. Inside, the music is loud, giving it a dance club feel minus the dancing, but that doesn't seem to bother the crowd. Patrons are much more interested in the Brewers/Twins baseball battle being shown on one of several plasma, LCD and high-definition TVs (there are more than 25) than playing the “Who's Who” of Scottsdale game.

“It's a sports bar so what else are you going to do except drink a cold beer and watch the game with some friends,’’ says Lou Reynolds, 30, of Scottsdale. “If I wanted to meet some ladies, I would be at Dos (Gringos) or Acme across the street.’’

He makes a fine point; the sports bar is definitely not a meat market scene. People in their 20s to 30s either watch the game at the bar or in one of the many comfy booths spread among the Upper Deck or engage in other activities. Upstairs, two young couples play pool in a dark corner of the bar while another handful of couples sit on a couch playing a golf game on an X-Box.

It's clear that owner Tom Anderson, who owned Noyz and still owns longtime Scottsdale destination Anderson's Fifth Estate, went to great lengths to revamp the bar before it reopened last month. The walls are decorated with encased sports memorabilia such as boxing gloves, an autographed Gordie Howe Red Wings jersey and a signed Philadelphia 76ers jacket. The menu incorporates a sports feel with items such as the Fiesta Bowl Nachos and Belmont Steak. But if you ask the customers, the food isn't what draws them in.

“I love the atmosphere,’’ says Natalie Brasista, 28, of Tempe. “The bar is really cool and relaxed ... Downtown Scottsdale has something for almost everyone so it was only a matter of time before they added a sports bar.’’