10 New Phoenix/Scottsdale Venues for Fall 2018 Meetings and Events

The Phoenician reopened its updated penthouse restaurant, J&G Steakhouse, in September following a three-month renovation that included new seating, striking teardrop chandeliers, and an updated color palette. The space includes two dining rooms; the 1,149-square-foot Mountain View Room seats as many as 64 guests or fits 85 for cocktail receptions, while the 823-square-foot Sunset Room seats 40 or holds 65 for cocktails. The menu includes steak house fare like French onion soup, tuna tartare, bone-in rib eye steaks, and Maine lobster. Audiovisual equipment is available through PSAV.

AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore opened in October, adding 160 guest rooms to the Camelback Corridor. The property includes more than 5,000 square feet of event space, including the 2,000-square-foot AC Oasis, which seats 80 for banquets or fits 120 for cocktail-style receptions; the 680-square-foot Grove Boardroom, which seats 60 theater-style or 30 classroom-style; and the 800-square-foot AC Lounge, which fits 60 for cocktail receptions. While on site, guests can also take advantage of the fitness center, fire pit, and outdoor pool.

In September, the Evans Churchill neighborhood welcomed the Churchill, a 14,000-square-foot community gathering spot. Comprised of 19 repurposed shipping containers, the indoor-outdoor marketplace is home to local restaurants, purveyors, and artisans, including cocktail bar Pobrecito, health food outpost Foxy Fruit, bottle shop Sauvage, and Mexican eatery Provecho. Adorned with local art and murals, the venue is available for private events that seat as many as 300 guests.

RnR Scottsdale in downtown Scottsdale completed a major renovation in August. The indoor-outdoor gastropub and sports bar now includes an 18- by 10-foot LED TV wall, a 32-seat island bar, upgraded seating, and roll-up garage doors. Measuring 5,000 square feet, the venue seats as many as 300 guests, with semi-private spaces available for smaller parties. The kitchen serves from-scratch comfort food like rock shrimp tacos, Cuban sandwiches, and pulled pork sliders. Audiovisual equipment is available for planners’ use.

PNPK debuted in North Scottsdale in March. Specializing in craft sliders and wine, the menu also includes elevated, shareable dishes like charcuterie, deviled eggs, and bruschetta, all served in flights. For groups, the casual, 2,687-square-foot restaurant includes a communal table that seats parties of 24 and a patio that seats 36.

In May, Hampton Inn and Suites Phoenix Downtown opened adjacent to Arizona State University’s new downtown Phoenix campus, within walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center. The 210-room hotel includes one 460-square-foot meeting room that fits 24 attendees classroom style and features a 55-inch HDTV and abundant natural light. Planners can also host events in the 1,500-square-foot Perfect Mix Lobby, which accommodates as many as 75 guests for cocktail receptions. Audiovisual support is available through PSAV.

In June, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in downtown Phoenix added a 255-square-foot private dining room that seats 22 guests. While the venue was only available for buyouts in the past, the new space allows for smaller events. The room includes exposed brick, colorful artwork, striking red booths, and a flat-screen TV with audio hookup. The kitchen churns out globally inspired dishes like Seoul fried chicken, Korean nachos, and fish and chips, which are accompanied by a beverage program of specialty cocktails, spirits, wine, and beer.

Hula’s Modern Tiki moved to a new location in uptown Phoenix in September. The 4,400-square-foot tiki bar includes an indoor-outdoor patio with a fire pit; the Tiki Room, a 400-square-foot, 40-seat private dining room equipped with a flat-screen TV and sound system; and the Captain’s Cabin, a “secret” 28-seat bar that can accommodate 35 guests for cocktail-style events. The Tahitian-style, nautically inspired decor is matched by a selection of tropical specialty cocktails and rum flights. The food menu also draws from the sea, with options like island-style poke, a blackened ahi sandwich, crispy coconut shrimp rolls, and fresh fish.

Starlite BBQ and Whiskey Bar opened in Scottsdale in February, serving modern barbecue favorites like fried mac and cheese, fried chicken, baby back ribs, and chopped brisket; vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are also available. The bar offers beer, wine, and specialty cocktails with an emphasis on whiskey. Offering seating for as many as 85 guests, the restaurant includes 1,200 square feet of interior space and a 600-square-foot patio. Two TVs and a sound system are available for use during events.

Local mini-chain Hash Kitchen opened an outpost in Chandler in July. The largest of its three locations, the 5,000-square-foot restaurant seats as many as 221 guests. The space includes an outdoor patio and an indoor dining room featuring hand-painted murals, a DJ booth, and a selfie station. Famed for its build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, the menu also includes inventive brunch specialties like Fruity Pebbles pancakes, banana split brioche French toast, and carnitas hash.