10 New Phoenix/Scottsdale Venues for Spring 2019 Meetings and Events

Vehicle Vault, a 10,000-square-foot classic car museum and event venue, opened in October. The eye-catching space includes a drive-in-style movie screen and projector, restored classic American cars, an old-fashioned ice cream counter, and vintage gas pumps. Planners can book events for as many as 300 guests for seated banquets or 500 for cocktail receptions. A portion of the rental fee goes to support local nonprofit DRAGG (Drag Racing Against Gangs and Graffiti).

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa unveiled an $8 million renovation in January, which included the addition of six new 500-square-foot pool suites, a V.I.P. poolside lounge area, and a dozen 120-square-foot private poolside cabana cottages, along with a 600-square-foot yoga lawn and 12 pickleball courts. In total, the 950-room property features 240,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, six restaurants, two championship golf courses, five pools, and a 28,000-square-foot spa.

CB Live opened in December, bringing a modern, blues-style music venue to Desert Ridge. The 11,000-square-foot venue features several areas suited for events, including a 4,000-square-foot live music space that holds 500 guests for receptions, a 1,000-square-foot private dining room that seats 30, a 3,000-square-foot restaurant that accommodates 250 for receptions or seats 150, and a 2,000-square-foot patio with seating for 75. State-of-the-art sound, lighting, and video capabilities are available throughout the entire venue. For food and beverage needs, the menu includes salads, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and small bites.

In December, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows completed an update that touched several aspects of the property. Albers Lawn, a popular option for private receptions for as many as 120 guests, can be divided into three distinct spaces: a 1,800-square-foot circular area, a 1,650-square-foot lawn, and a 1,200-square-foot lawn. The renovation also included the addition of the new Sonoran Lawn, an outdoor venue that fits 120 for receptions and features pine trees, olive trees, and other indigenous vegetation. In total, the 23-acre resort offers 46,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor event space.

In December, Fellow Osteria opened in Scottsdale. Between the patio and the dining room, the 3,600-square-foot, indoor-outdoor eatery offers a flexible layout that seats as many as 140 guests. The Italian menu includes pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, and salads, all made from farm-fresh ingredients. Guests can also enjoy ice cream from Scottsdale’s own Sweet Republic, as well as wine, craft beer, and cocktails.

In January, Modern Oysterbar Chophouse opened in Scottsdale. With a concept that focuses on fresh seafood, shellfish, and steaks, the kitchen churns out cuisine like sesame-seared ahi tuna, crab cakes, an oyster bar, and a variety of cuts of beef. While the visual centerpiece of the elegant space is the 12-seat raw bar, the 6,000-square-foot restaurant seats about 300 guests in the main dining room, 30 in the private dining room, and 80 on the patio.

The Japanese restaurant and bar Across the Pond opened in October, offering an atmosphere that blends tropical with mid-century modern. The eatery specializes in sushi and artisan cocktails, along with Japanese whiskey, wine, and craft beer. Measuring 800 square feet, the venue seats 36 guests for buyouts, and a built-in sound system and microphone are available to use during events.

Housed in a 15,000-square-foot airplane hangar, Elite Hangar became available for private events in January. The unique venue accommodates 350 guests for seated banquets or 400 for receptions. With high ceilings, concrete floors, and minimal built-in decor, the space serves as a blank canvas for events from black-tie galas to fashion shows to large-scale karaoke competitions. Planners can choose from four catering partners for food and beverage needs.

In October, Biltmore welcomed the Collins Small Batch Kitchen, a 5,000-square-foot eatery serving creative takes on classic American and international dishes. The menu features options like pecan wood-fired artichokes, braised beef short rib, salmon tartare, and margarita pizza. Striking decor details include exposed brick walls, turquoise leather seating, and yellow shade canopies over the 550-square-foot patio, which can be reserved for private, cocktail-style gatherings for as many as 24 guests.

Brat Haus, an open-air, European-style beer garden in Old Town Scottsdale completed a renovation in January. The 8,000-square-foot open-air patio accommodates 250 guests, and the update included the addition of Brutus Bar, a 1,500-square-foot space with room for as many as 70 for private receptions. The bar offers 28 brews on tap, while the kitchen dishes out from-scratch cuisine like sausages, burgers, salads, Belgian-style fries, and other beer-friendly bites. The casual venue features lawn games like ping pong and darts, a massive mural, and an oversized Adirondack chair that’s popular for photos.