PHOENIX — WWE fans: Are..you..ready...to...chow down?!
Whether you're looking to grab a bite to eat before the festivities or looking for late-night drinks, there are a number of restaurants and bars within walking distance of Talking Stick Resort Arena and Chase Field to quench your thirst or hunger.
This list is in no way exhaustive or comprehensive, as there are a number of quality restaurants and bars throughout the city, but we did highlight places for the casual grab-and-go lunch and staples of Phoenix. Downtown Phoenix Inc., a local organization, has also created a nice dining guide.
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CITYSCAPE
CityScape is home to many restaurants and is practically across the street from Talking Stick Resort Arena. It has quick and casual options like Chipotle, Five Guys, Jimmy John's, and Ahipoki, a make-your-own poke bowl concept, and casual sit-down restaurants like Chico Malo, a Mexican restaurant; Squid Ink, a sushi bar; The Arrogant Butcher, part of Fox Restaurant Concepts; Blue Hound, and Tilted Kilt, a national sports bar. Looking for something healthy? GrabbaGreen has bowls, wraps, and juices.
Address: 1 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
THE WHINING PIG BEER AND WINE BAR
The Whining Pig has Happy Hour everyday. The beer and wine bar has over 100 craft beers and wines. In terms of food, they have five kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches, and a meat-and-cheese platters. It is located at the Collier Center on Washington Street between Second and Third streets.
Address: 201 E. Washington St unit 104, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
HARD ROCK CAFE - PHOENIX
Located right across the street from Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix's Hard Rock Cafe features memorabilia from Arizona Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Alice Cooper and two-time inductee Stevie Nicks. You'll find a leather jacket signed by Alice Cooper and a rubber head prop used in his guillotine routine. Stevie Nicks has a pair of signed boots from Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 tour and a pair of red gloves worn in her 1989 "Rooms on Fire" video. In terms of food, you'll find a typical American favorites, such as burgers, salads, sandwiches, steaks and chicken tenders.
Address: 3 South 2nd Street, Suite 117 Phoenix, AZ 85004.
TACO BELL CANTINA
It may not be the fanciest restaurant, but it is one of the newest to downtown Phoenix. Taco Bell Cantina recently opened inside the Collier Center, which is across from Talking Stick Resort Arena, and brought with it alcoholic slushies ("Freezes") and its "cantina" menu, which includes shareable appetizers that regular Taco Bell's do not have. However, if you're in the mood for a classic menu item, such as a Crunchwrap Supreme, they have those too.
Address: 201 E Washington St Suite 105, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
THE PARK STREET FOOD BAR AND BEER GARDEN
The outdoors have been brought indoors at "The Park," an indoor beer garden with 28 self-pour taps. There are a couple trees in the middle to give it an outdoor feel, a selection of street food-style menu items, and a music stage. Want to sit outside and take in the Arizona sun? They have a patio though the current view is of the construction of Block 23. The Park is located next to Hard Rock Cafe within the Collier Center.
Address: 3 S. 2nd St #114 Phoenix, AZ 85004.
PIZZERIA BIANCO
Chances are, if you've been in the Valley for a while, you've likely heard about Pizzeria Bianco. If not, Google "best pizza in Phoenix" and it'll likely be on the list. The downtown Phoenix restaurant specializes in wood-fired personal pizzas. It was founded by Chris Bianco, a national name when it comes to pizza, a personal friend of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, and the winner of a James Beard Award (Best Chefs in America, 2003). There are two restaurants in Phoenix, but the one in downtown Phoenix is located at Heritage Square near Sixth and Monroe streets. It is not uncommon for there to be a wait. Bar Bianco is next door. The menu features three salads and six pizzas.
Address: 623 E. Adams Street Phoenix AZ 85004
HANNY'S
Hanny's used to be a men's department store, but it closed in 1986, according to Hanny's website. However, remnants of its heyday still remain at this downtown Phoenix restaurant and bar. Diners can find a variety of pizzas, bruschetta, salads and sandwiches, in addition to craft cocktails. Word to the wise, head down to the basement to check out the "doll room" and make sure to visit the elevator...as long as you're not afraid of heights. Hanny's is near Adams and First streets, two blocks from Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Address: 40 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
BITTERS & TWISTED
Certainly one of the most talked about cocktail bars in the Valley, Bitter & Twisted is located in the historic Luhr's Building in downtown Phoenix. It is 21-and-up. They have premium craft cocktails using whatever spirit you prefer. In terms of food, they have a limited menu of elevated appetizers and snacks, including "Hurricane Popcorn," a Pork Bahn Mi sandwich, and green chili mac and cheese.
Address: 1 W. Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85003.
THE CHURCHILL
A mile north north of Talking Stick Resort Arena is The Churchill, an open-air courtyard made of commercial shipping containers. It houses ten local restaurants, bars and shops. Freak Brothers Pizza has personal pizzas; Foxy Fruit has acai bowls; Breadwinner has cold and hot sandwiches; Provecho focuses on Central Mexican cuisine; and The Probrecito has cuban-inspired cocktails. The complex can be found near First and Garfield streets.
Address: 901 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
CORNISH PASTY CO
Cornish Pasto Co. specializes in stuffed hand pies, called pastys. Many of them are stuffed with different sauces, meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Their traditional pasty includes steak, potato, onion, and rutabaga with a side of red wine gravy or ketchup. They also have vegetarian pastys, and other English-inspired dishes. You can find them near 7th Avenue and Monroe Street.
Address: 7 W Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
STATE 48 BREWERY
If you're looking to try an Arizona brewery, State 48 has brewpub in downtown Phoenix. It is near Fourth Avenue and Van Buren, so it might be easier to take a five-minute Uber or Lyft to get there. You'll find more than a dozen taps featuring their brews, sandwiches, salads and entrees.
Address: 345 W Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85003.
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
We can't highlight every restaurant, but there are plenty in downtown Phoenix. Here is a quick one-two punch for a few others.
- Carly's Bistro: An urban bistro with sandwiches, soups, dips, and local beer. Address: 128 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
- Moira Sushi: A Japanese restaurant with a late-night Happy Hour. Address: 215 E McKinley St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
- Angel's Trumpet Alehouse: A rotating craft beer selection, pizzas, burgers, and bar-friendly snacks. Address: 810 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
- Fired Pie: Choose your crust, sauce, meats and toppings at this make-your-own pizza concept. Address: 201 E. Washington St, #111
- Phoenix, AZ 85004.
- Taco Chelo: A local intimate taqueria with tacos, salads, a quesadilla, and chips and salsa. Address: 501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
- Trap Haus BBQ: Championship-style barbecue; sandwiches and smoked platters. Address: 511 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
- Detroit Coney Grill: Detroit-style Coney dogs (hot dog topped with chili, mustard, onions), loose burger, and fries. Address: 16 W Adams St. Phoenix, AZ 85003.
- Cobra Arcade: A vintage arcade bar with different arcades and drink specials. Address: 801 N. Second Street #100, Phoenix, AZ 85004
