Here's a closer look at Phoenix/Scottsdale's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms and other spaces available for events this spring. The new and renovated Phoenix/Scottsdale venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings and more.
A note regarding COVID-19: At BizBash, we're still committed to bringing you ideas and inspiration for when (yes, when!) events are back up and running. Some of the venues listed here may not yet be available for hosting events due to the pandemic, or they may be operating at a lower capacity.
STK Scottsdale
Opened in January, STK Scottsdale comes from The One Group (also behind 14 STK locations around the country and eight international locations too). The venue is a vibey modern steakhouse restaurant with a lounge-like feel, noted for mood lighting and sleek white banquettes. The patio has standout views overlooking the Arizona Canal. The waterfront patio holds 50 seated guests, and the side patio holds 25. A full venue buyout accommodates 250.
Photo: Courtesy of STK Steakhouse Scottsdale
Cottontail Lounge
In December, W Scottsdale introduced the Cottontail Lounge, which replaced the former Shade Lounge on the hotel's rooftop WET Deck. The lounge is now available for event bookings and can accommodate up to 55 guests for receptions. (Buyouts are available Monday through Thursday.) Highlights include a 28-seat bar, inviting booths, sofas and tables fit for a cocktail party throughout the indoor space and outdoor terrace.
Photo: Courtesy of Cottontail Lounge
The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The nearly century-old The Arizona Biltmore opens next month with fresh updates to the resort experience. Set on 39 acres near the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the property has seven pools throughout, including the new adults-only Saguaro pool (pictured here) and refreshed Paradise pool area, both with new cabanas; Paradise also has a 65-foot triple waterslide. There are 20 rooms for hosting a range of group sizes, including the 25,000-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright ballroom. The overhauled and renamed The Spire Event Lawn with adjoining The Spire Bar serves as an alfresco event space with mountain views. Come next month, the resort will add to its event space, bringing the property's total up to 200,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space for meetings and events. Additionally, planners can expect a sophisticated new adult-only pool and bar; a new indoor-outdoor restaurant, Renata's Hearth; and a brand-new spa and fitness building.
Rendering: Virserius Studio
Culinary Dropout, Scottsdale Quarter
Culinary Dropout opened a location in Scottsdale Quarter in October and has been serving comforting classics like pretzel bites and provolone fondue ever since. The expansive new space is a Fox Restaurant Concept and offers an open-air atmosphere perfect for casual dining or an elevated event. There are eight event spaces to choose from, including the Absinthe Room with a private bar and space for 24 seated guests, plus the Perlata and Legends rooms that can accommodate 30 each, or be combined for seated soirees up to 60.
Photo: Courtesy of Culinary Dropout, Scottsdale Quarter
Via Ferrata Course at Castle Hot Springs
Castle Hot Springs launched Arizona’s first-ever Via Ferrata course in the fall. Translated from Italian, Via Ferrata means “Iron Way”—a system that uses ladders, rungs and steel cables attached to rock. The course lets guests climb into the Sonoran Desert mountain landscape with help from top-end equipment and trained guides. (There are only a few such courses in the U.S. and this one was designed specifically for Castle Hot Springs.) Among the unforgettable highlights: a 200-foot-long aerial walkway soaring above a canyon below. Ideal as a team-building activity, the experience is customizable to individuals and groups of all sizes. The course difficulties vary, so it’s appropriate for all levels too.
Photo: Courtesy of Via Ferrata course at Castle Hot Springs
