1. Blind Dragon

Part supper club, part Asian karaoke bar, Blind Dragon opened in Old Town Scottsdale in January. The 8,500-square-foot venue features moveable furniture and holds 250 people for cocktail-style events. The main lounge is equipped with a projection screen and JBL sound system, and six themed private karaoke rooms—which can double as breakout rooms—also include JBL sound systems as well as wireless microphones and TV monitors. The menu offers Asian-inspired bites like shrimp and pineapple fried rice, wagyu beef sliders, and lettuce cups, alongside Asian-theme cocktails.
Photo: Tavit Photography
2. Hotel Adeline

Following a $12 million renovation, Hotel Adeline opened in Old Town Scottsdale in January. The 213-room boutique hotel features nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space including a 1,700-square-foot ballroom that seats as many as 100 guests, a 2,200-square-foot pool deck that holds 150 people for reception-style events, and two event lawns that bookend the pool. It also has a 12-person boardroom, a Mediterranean-American restaurant and lounge, and a 3,000-square-foot pool with cabanas and a trendy pool bar.
Photo: Taggart Sorensen
3. Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Dating back to 1929, Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix unveiled a nearly $4 million renovation in November, which included upgrades to all 119 guest rooms, the Mother-of-Pearl swimming pool and lounge area, and the event lawns. The Mediterranean-inspired property sits on nine acres of land and includes winding stone paths, Tuscan-style gardens, hand-painted tile accents, and hundreds of palm trees. More than 9,000 square feet of indoor meeting areas, all with adjacent patios, and 11,000 square feet of outdoor space are available for events of varying sizes. The 2,450-square-foot Estrella Salon, for example, accommodates 280 guests theater-style, 150 classroom-style, or 180 for banquets; the 2,120-square-foot Palmera Salon fits 200 theater-style, 220 for cocktail receptions, or 140 for banquets; the Reflecting Pool patio has room for 200 for cocktails or 80 for seated events; and the 510-square-foot Vernadero Boardroom seats 18. Audiovisual support is provided by AVMS.
Photo: Amy and Jordan Photography
4. Mountain Shadows

In February, Paradise Valley resort Mountain Shadows completed a new wing with 42 condominiums and suites designed with open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows. The addition includes studio, one-, and two-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 3,410 square feet, as well as four penthouses with views of Camelback Mountain. The spaces are available for events and join the resort’s extensive options for meetings and events, which includes ballroom space, event lawns, a roof deck, a golf course, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Mountain Shadows
5. Skylanes Boutique Bowling Club

Skylanes Boutique Bowling Club in Old Town Scottsdale offers a new option for active events. The 9,000-square-foot venue opened in January and features six bowling lanes, craft cocktails, and a full food menu. Skylanes can accommodate semiprivate parties or full buyouts for groups as large as 315 guests. The venue can also facilitate a variety of amenities, including live music, custom decor, signage, and audiovisual services.
Photo: Evening Entertainment Group
6. Tempe Public Market Café

Casual and inviting, Tempe Public Market Café opened in South Tempe in January. For events, the cafe offers an 800-square-foot patio, complete with an oversize wood-burning fireplace. The space seats 30 or holds 50 for receptions. The health-focused kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients in its dishes, which include sandwiches, salads, pastries, pizza, and small bites. Food is served buffet-style, with table service for drink orders.
Photo: Shelby Moore
8. Casa Amigos Tacos & Tequila

Casa Amigos opened in January, bringing a new option for casual Mexican fare to Old Town Scottsdale. Patrons can dine on tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and salads, which are complemented by a bar menu that includes more than 60 varieties of tequila. The 9,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor eatery seats 300 guests and features brightly colored walls and vibrant custom artwork and tilework.
Photo: Evening Entertainment Group
9. H5

H5, which also serves as a functioning airplane hangar, opened for events in December. The ultra-modern venue in North Scottsdale features 24-foot ceilings, sparkling white floors, a second-floor lounge, and sunset views. It offers 7,200 square feet of indoor space, with an additional 5,400 square feet outside. In total, H5 can seat 300 guests or accommodate 400 for reception-style events. Food and beverage service is provided by Santa Barbara Catering. Planners can arrange for guests to go for a spin in one of the helicopters that are housed there.
Photo: H5 Media
10. GenuWine Arizona

Roosevelt welcomed GenuWine Arizona wine bar in January. The 1,250-square-foot venue seats 48 guests and offers lounge-style seating, local art, and board games. Most of the wine and beer served is sourced locally, and a selection of cheeses, meats, sides, and desserts complements the drink menu. For events, the venue features two TVs and is equipped for live music performances. Self-serve wine machines add a bit of fun to the experience.
Photo: Courtesy of GenuWine Arizona

Scottsdale welcomed its first bike-share program in November. The service is run by LimeBike, which operates in more than 35 markets across the country and in Europe. The service is stationless, meaning there are no set pick-up and drop-off locations, but the company maintains partnerships with Scottsdale hotels including the Quad, Hotel Valley Ho, and Courtyard by Marriott, offering guests a healthy, convenient, and affordable way to explore the city. Each G.P.S.- and 3-G-enabled smart bike can be located and unlocked directly through the LimeBike app.
Photo: Tim Mena

Detours, an Arizona- and Nevada-based tour company, recently expanded its offerings to include Detours Native America. The service gives guests a taste of Native American life by visiting different tribes, landmarks, and festivals. While most public tours involve long drives and overnight stays, planners can book shorter private tours to local areas like Tucson and Sedona.
Photo: Courtesy of Detours

Cloth & Flame offers immersive outdoor dining experiences in Sedona, the Sonoran Desert, and other nearby picture-perfect spots. By working with private landowners and conservation organizations, the company obtains access to spaces that might be difficult to use otherwise. The company can create bespoke events from intimate, chef-driven brunches to 300-guest dinners. Food is prepared on site, and add-on amenities such as lighting, heaters, restrooms, and transportation are available. Programming will expand in 2018 to include options like guest speakers, musicians, and workshops.
Photo: Courtesy of Cloth & Flame