As the Valley prepares for Labor Day, news of great deals and events are getting hotter than the triple-digit temperatures. It’s an exciting week and there are chances for karaoke and music trivia, boat and bike cruises, and ten-course collaborations that’ll make every seafood lover’s heart sing.
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The 411
Stop in at Organ Stop
September is ushering in a fun deal at Organ Stop Pizza and it just released news of a family meal complete with two large pizzas with unlimited toppings, two appetizers, and two pitchers of soft drinks for $65 plus tax. Or, make it a date night for $35 plus tax and indulge in a medium pizza, two small salads or an appetizer, and a pitcher of soda. That’s how you stretch a buck in this economy while living like pizza royalty.
Trivia and Karaoke Anyone?
Flex those vocal cords and brain power at Pedal Haus Brewery’s Downtown Phoenix location. On Friday nights you can dive into music trivia from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by karaoke until 11 p.m. Participants can also enjoy $2 off Haus Margaritas and Pedal Haus’s Day Drinker Light Lager.
Tons of Fun at Pemberton
The Pemberton has a new Thursday event series featuring free movie and craft nights, DJ pool parties Ibiza style, and happy hour pricing all night at each of its eight themed bars. The sizable happy hour menu includes $2.50 tacos, $5 house margaritas, fries, and Detroit-style pizza slices from MB Foodhouse. To top it off, first responders receive 15% off food and beverages on the third Thursday of every month.
Reverse and Get Happy
From 9 p.m. to close, head to the Reverse Happy Hour at Cien Agaves. Each day you can indulge in margaritas, cervezas, and $3 tinga tacos. Best part, the deal is available at both locations, which is great news to us.
Labor Day Shenanigans
The Valley is cranking up the party for Labor Day with deals and events bent on making your day off a memorable one. Here’s what’s going down in the event news:
- Roaring Fork’s “Dinner on Us” is buy one entrée, get the second free from 4 to 9 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.
- The Montauk’s Annual White Party invites guests to dress in their best all-white attire for a fun day of brunching, all-day specials, and local DJs spinning Hampton-inspired vibes.
- Queen Creek Olive Mill’s annual Grill at the Mill features grilled eats, live music, lawn games, and Olive Oil 101 tours all day.
- Arizona Party Bike’s The Pool Party Bike Crawl takes the party to the streets, with guests pedaling—or relying on that handy electric-assist motor—between bars before ending at Hotel Solaya for a pool party with a complimentary round of drinks and live music.
- Tempe Boat Crusin’ will happily take you out on the lake for a relaxing daytime brunch or lively sunset outing.
- Rainbow Ryders’s sunrise hot air balloon flights are available for a limited-time price of $175 per person, including a post-flight toast.
- Labor Day is also National Beer Lover’s Day, and Rack in Old Town Scottsdale is celebrating with $1 off domestic beers and $2 off imported and craft beers.
- Haymaker is also celebrating the dual holiday with $3 off beers all day.
On the Menu
Taco Tuesday Upgrade
News of another brilliant partnership in the Valley is here. Yes, we’re talking about SugarJam the Southern Kitchen and Soul Fire Tacos new Taco N’ Tequila Tuesdays. The weekly event offers Soul Fire’s tacos, handcrafted cocktails, live DJs, and happy hour deals from 4 to 9 p.m. To top it off, The Peach Cobbler Factory will reward guests with cobbler cups topped with ice cream. Personally, we can’t wait for the birria chicken and jerk shrimp tacos.
New at Nobu
Nobu Scottsdale is spiffing up its weekend lunches with chef-curated selections, shareable dishes, and craft cocktails. Start with Nobu Ceviche or Shrimp Tempura before gliding into Jidori Chicken or salmon drizzled in umami-rich teriyaki sauce. You can’t go wrong with a Bento Box either, featuring sample-sized portions of Prime Tenderloin Miso Ponzu and Sea Bass Tempura. The newly expanded Tanoshi Hour offers another chance to experience omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of hospitality, Mondays from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
Get Ready for a Collab
If a 10-course collaborative omakase sounds like your kind of meal, you won’t want to miss news of a one-night-only dinner on September 8. The event features Monique Quinonez of Chula Seafood alongside Uchi Scottsdale’s chef de cuisine Blake Luecke. Expect sustainably-caught, seasonally-driven seafood and more.
Don’t Miss This Week
Need some dining out recommendations? Try these three hot spots.
Thursday: Otro Café is always on our list when we want Mexican food with a modern, local twist. The restaurant sources from local farms, bakers, and family-owned operations, and that intentionality shows on the plate. We always start with fresh guacamole for the table, then move on to the Inca Salad and Posole Blanco before finishing with its chilaquiles.
Friday: Picazzo’s Tuesday deal reminded us that we don’t really need an excuse to visit this Arizona-based Italian restaurant focused on fresh, health-conscious food. We’re kicking off TGIF with a cheeseboard and Mother Earth Salad, then moving into pizza, like the Hot Honey Fig and Salami or Elote with a spicy chipotle drizzle.
Saturday: We’re headed to Taco Viva this weekend, a taco shop near Arcadia known for its carne asada, pollo asado, and pastor. The meats come tucked into tacos, tostadas, mulas, and vampiros. Vegetarian? No problem. Try the Taco Hongos with mushrooms, onion, and sweet pepper.
