Phoenix has been synonymous with sipping tequila in margaritas and palomas for decades. In fact, the Tequila Sunrise was invented here at the Arizona Biltmore resort.
However, while tequila may be the most famous of the agave spirits, it is far from the only one. Options like mezcal, sotol, raicilla, and bacanora have slowly been expanding in the market, providing tequila drinkers with additional agave roads to explore. Phoenix bartenders have been eager to embrace these alternative spirits, offering creative cocktails and a staff who are able to explore the differences between espadin and tepeztate (hint: the first agave is commonly cultivated, the second grows wild).
If you’re ready to venture into the world without tequila, here are five of the best agave bars in Phoenix.
Barcoa Agaveria
Imagine this scenario: after sipping endless margaritas in Phoenix, you find yourself Downtown, curious to try something new. Enter Barcoa Agaveria, a back-alley bar that is the pride of Phoenix’s drinks scene.
Upstairs, a cantina-esque setting gives small-town-Mexico vibes, complete with a beautiful wooden bar housing bottles you can’t find at the local bottle shop. Downstairs, elegant seating with Sonoran touches create the canvas for trying some of the hundreds of agave spirit options.
If you ever wanted to explore the world of bacanora or raicilla, this is the place to do it. With featured cocktails that weave in the flavors of Mexico (the Elote Moda with piloncillo and elote mezcal, perhaps), Barcoa is the one to go to in Phoenix to both understand agave spirits and drink the best iterations. 829 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix, barcoaphx.com
La Hacienda
Home to over 250 different labels of agave spirits, La Hacienda is one of the best options to explore the world beyond tequila (though there is plenty of tequila served too). Created by prolific restaurateur Richard Sandoval, the bar menu helps to highlight the elevated Mexican dishes.
You’ll find the restaurant as part of the luxurious Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort. Once there, get a seat on the Spanish-inspired patio for a sunset view while enjoying one of the multiple agave flight options, including vertical and horizontal tastings. 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale, scottsdaleprincess.com
Dahlia Tapas Tequila & Wine
Situated in the colorful Coronado neighborhood, Dahlia’s cozy and intimate atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for agave spirits and plates of Spanish tapas. Opened in 2023, the restaurant and bar has quickly established itself as a go-to for bites like boquerones, potato croquettes, and octopus carpaccio.
More importantly, it has an extensive list of curated spirits, making it the perfect spot to try a flight of mezcals. Don’t leave without trying the La Madrina cocktail, a mixture of mezcal, chartreuse, and St. Germaine. 2221 N. 7th St., Phoenix, dahliatapas.com
Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila
Don’t let the name fool you; while Cien Agaves has a strong tequila game, its list of agave spirits includes an impressive lineup of mezcal options, including bottles of tepeztate, tobala, and espadin. For newcomers to mezcal, try the Mezcal Old Fashioned with agave nectar. It’s a good introduction to the spirit, particularly if you’re fond of whiskey. Make sure to pair the drinks with Cien Agaves’ tacos, voted some of the best in the city, all while relaxing in the festive atmosphere. 7228 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale, cienagaves.com
Ghost Donkey
This funky, low-lit bar in Roosevelt Row is serious about patrons both enjoying the party and also getting the chance to learn about the menu of agave-based drinks. Named after a good luck superstition in Mexico about seeing white donkeys in agave fields, the menu here is heavily driven by Sonoran ingredients.
Expect to see the vast majority of cocktails offered influenced by mezcal and tequila, with flavors as punchy as the music thumping overhead. Try the Mushroom Margarita for a taste of huitlacoche, an earthy fungus found on corn that has been used since the Aztecs, and used in this case as an infusion for the mezcal. 904 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, ghostdonkeybar.com
