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: 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.
Society by EVO
Society by EVO, a full-service, late-night restaurant and bar, opened in April at the Cornerstone shopping mall in Tempe, and the kitchen is headed by local chef Dylan Shortridge, who previously served as the executive chef at The Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The 4,650-square-foot venue boasts an eclectic mix of decor, including a glowing, rose quartz bar top, a wall accented with live flowers and greenery, and a filament light bulb art installation. Utilizing both the dining room and bar, planners can host events for as many as 155 seated guests. On the menu, diners will find Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including whipped feta dip and scallop risotto.
Photo: Courtesy of Society by EVO
Recreo
In March, Downtown Chandler welcomed Recreo, a 9,000-square-foot playground-themed venue complete with swingset bar seating, oversize lawn games, a stage for live entertainment and an eye-catching, repurposed-school-bus-turned-art-installation. The menu is equally playful, with a range of creative crowdpleasers like ancho-rubbed brisket burgers, hibiscus flower hummus, charcuterie boards and chocolate bruschetta on croissant toast. In total, the space can accommodate parties for as many as 242 guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Recreo
Foch Cafe & Bistro
Foch Cafe & Bistro opened in November in downtown Tempe. The indoor-outdoor venue seats up to 180 guests in the 1,500-square-foot dining room and 42 on the 600-square-foot, dog-friendly patio. The menu features American and internationally inspired fusion dishes, such as chimichurri chicken crepes, sweet potato lasagna and duck confit burgers. From the bar, patrons can enjoy cocktails that incorporate freshly squeezed juices, local craft beers and a selection of wines by the glass and bottle. The bright, airy eatery boasts a plant wall above the bar and art by local artists on the walls. An on-site marketplace also puts a strong emphasis on community, selling products crafted by local vendors.
Photo: Courtesy of Foch Cafe & Bistro
Santé
Exuding a combination of Hollywood glamour and boho chic, Santé debuted in November in Scottsdale. The organic, health-conscious restaurant displays eye-catching decor, like a pink-feather chandelier, green moss walls and provocative artwork. The 5,000-square-foot eatery seats up to 150 guests between the dining room and dog-friendly, outdoor patio; and a private dining room seats up to 22. The organic, globally inspired menu includes sumptuous dishes, including the likes of buttermilk-brined chicken with pickled spaghetti squash, brown rice chicharron and bison filet with a red wine and hemp reduction. The kitchen can easily accommodate diners following vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, keto or low-FODMAP diets.
Photo: Courtesy of Santé
K-38 Beach Mex Cantina
As of November, South Chandler is home to K-38 Beach Mex Cantina, a Baja-California-style Mexican eatery and event space. The vibe here is playful and Instagrammable, with a vibrant '90s-inspired color palette, graffiti art, piñatas, a flower wall and surfboard decor. The menu is equally fun with sharable nachos, buffalo cauliflower tacos and churros with house-made chocolate and caramel sauce, while a full bar serves everything from fruity margarita flights to Topo Chico hard seltzer. Occupying a total of 2,500 square feet, the restaurant can seat up to 60 in the dining room, 12 at the bar and 34 on the outdoor patio. Four Smart TVs with HDMI hookups are available for streaming presentations and slideshows.
Photo: Courtesy of K-38 Beach Mex Cantina
