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CityScape Area

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

Opened in 2010, this $500 million complex takes up two city blocks in the midst of downtown’s financial and governmental districts. With its mix of retail, restaurants and nightlife, the complex has also spurred a rebirth in surrounding blocks.

DO

• Humor yourself at Stand Up Live, a comedy club featuring alums from the likes of Saturday Night Live, MTV and late-night talk shows.

LISTEN

• Local and regional rock bands take to the stage above the beer taps at Copper Blues.

• Nearby, the world’s biggest pop, rock and country acts land at PHX Arena (formerly Talking Stick Resort Arena), also home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

DRINK

• Across the street in a historic 1920s high rise, Bitter & Twisted has a 24-page “Book o’ Cocktails,” from which you can choose anything, from the Agrodolce (Campari, Curaçao and fruit juice) to straight-up shots of Zubrowka Bison Grass vodka.

• Sip Old Fashioneds at urban-chic Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Phoenix.

Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails

EAT

• At meat-centric Arrogant Butcher, savor beef short rib stew or chicken stroganoff indoors, or people-watch on the expansive patio.

• Chef and owner Schuyler Estes brings inventive sushi creations and Japanese fusion cuisine to Squid Ink Sushi Bar.

SHOP

• Spruce up your look at CityScape’s fashion retailers, such as Urban Outfitters, JoS. A. Bank and Charming Charlie.

Written by Nora Burba Trulsson. Originally printed in the 2016 Greater Phoenix Destination Guide: Meeting & Travel Planner Edition, published by Madden Media.