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

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess unveiled a renovation in September that included updates to 458 guest rooms, 20 suites, and the Princess Pool. Rooms now include custom-designed mattresses, modern furnishings, handmade Mexican tile, Sonicast-equipped televisions, and Echo Dot technology. Spanning more than 17,000 square feet, the Princess Pool event area can now accommodate groups as large as 1,000 for seated meals or 2,000 for receptions. Here, guests can enjoy exquisite views of the McDowell Mountains, two new whirlpools inset in the pool, eight new cabanas, and a waterside restaurant and bar.

After a series of renovations, Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale re-introduced the restaurant ZuZu in October. The chic, mid-century modern eatery now features bold lighting, neon signage, custom terrazzo tabletops, and a color scheme inspired by the Arizona sunset. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the kitchen crafts a variety of creative dishes like vanilla churro waffles, green chili burgers, oxtail pappardelle with foie gras, and house-made gelato. The venue measures 4,600 square feet spread across several areas, including the 1,438-square-foot dining room, which accommodates 90 seated guests or 125 for cocktail-style events; the 1,486-square-foot lounge, which seats 60 and fits 100 for cocktail parties; the 349-square-foot private dining room with seating for 15; and the 1,200-square-foot patio with space for 100 guests for receptions or 75 for seated meals. Planners can take advantage of a built-in sound system and two high-definition TV screens.

The palatial estate El Palacio in Arcadia became available for private parties in October. The 1.3-acre property features a historic 10,000-square-foot mansion that has hosted high-profile overnight guests including Oprah Winfrey to former President George H.W. Bush. The home is adorned with luxurious features including intricate architectural details, artwork by Sandro Botticelli, a mosaic tile pool, and a loft library overlooking the formal living room. In total, the property accommodates as many as 500 guests for cocktail-style receptions. With five bedrooms, El Palacio is also well suited for corporate retreats and off-site teambuilding workshops.

The Phoenix Convention Center added Canyon on Third, a unique, outdoor event venue, in July. Situated between the Convention Center’s North and West buildings, the 80,000-square-foot space offers a flexible layout that can be customized with banquet tables, performance stages, and other event elements. In total, the space holds as many as 2,000 attendees for cocktail-style receptions. Aventura Catering handles food and beverage, and AV Concepts oversees audiovisual setups.

The Drunk Munk, a Polynesian restaurant and tiki bar, opened in Old Town Scottsdale in March. The menu features exciting options like flaming pu pu platters, Tomahawk ribeye steaks, specialty sushi rolls, and fried ice cream. Themed beverages include the Hula Coupe shaken daiquiri, classic and flavored mojitos, and the Hula Hula cocktail with spiced rum, lime, honey, and pineapple. Measuring 4,600 square feet, the space includes a main dining room that seats 150 guests and an outdoor patio with seating for 50.

Pedal Haus Brewery in Downtown Tempe renovated its 600-square-foot private dining room in August. With seating for as many as 40 guests, the space includes glass walls, two HDMI-equipped TVs and a small PA system. The menu features crowd pleasers like Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, a ribeye Philly cheesesteak, chicken pot pie, and build-your-own pizzas, alongside an extensive beer selection. In total, the 14,000-square-foot brewery and restaurant can seat as many as 450 guests.

The Sleepy Whale, a beer bar and bottle shop, debuted in downtown Chandler in May. Spanning 3,000 square feet, the industrial-style, open-air venue fits 200 people for reception-style events. The welcoming decor includes picnic table seating and a brightly colored outdoor mural. At the bar, guests can choose from draft beer from 32 taps, many of which feature varieties brewed in Arizona.

In September, North Scottsdale staple Tomaso’s When in Rome reopened as Tomaso’s Italian Kitchen. The rebranded restaurant has been updated to feature modern, bright decor with a pastel color scheme that recalls the clifftop resorts and boutiques on the Amalfi Coast. Spanning 5,000 square feet, the venue seats 165 guests and serves regional Italian dishes like eggplant parmesan, polenta and sausage cacciatore, and ricotta-stuffed gnocchi. Sharing boards with bites like bruschetta and antipasto are ideal for family-style dining.

In October, the Janet Cussler Car Collection in North Scottsdale became available for private events. The 15,000-square-foot venue channels the era of speakeasies, with more than 40 meticulously maintained pre-war cars and memorabilia belonging to famed novelist and underwater explorer Clive Cussler and his wife, Janet. The venue can accommodate as many as 400 guests for seated banquets or 750 for cocktail-style receptions. Planners can choose between four partner caterers with culinary styles ranging from farm-to-table dishes to over-the-top five-star cuisine. All event bookings include security personnel.

As of August, Scottsdale is home to the 10th location of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Offering an interactive version of themed dinner theater, the 80,000-square-foot “castle” features a theater-in-the-round-style Grand Arena that seats 1,025 guests. Additional private spaces can seat as many as 300 theater style, 160 for banquets, or 400 for cocktail receptions. Group packages include the venue’s signature two-hour live tournament, a four-course medieval feast, a customized announcement during the show, and a group photo for every guest. Upgraded packages feature perks like V.I.P. entry, cocktails, and a knighting ceremony for one member of the group. Built-in audio capabilities compatible with wired and wireless microphones are available throughout the building, and planners can use a video projector and a 10-foot screen during events.