After stopping in at Starbucks (7th Ave & McDowell) recently to enjoy some hot green tea and spend some time on my laptop, I nearly tripped over a sandwich board sign, advertising a new upstairs lounge called Side Bar.  I get excited every time I see a new restaurant or bar or actually any new business open in Downtown Phoenix so I grabbed my digital camera and snapped an exterior photo of the building.  I attempted to go inside this intriguing new establishment, but the front door was locked since it was before Saturday business hours.  As I was driving away, I noticed the second floor service entrance door was open, so I stopped the car, got my camera and ventured up to ask permission to peek inside.  The owner of the establishment greeted me and welcomed me in to get a glimpse.  I was impressed with the “modernist touches” within the exposed brick interior wall, historic space feel.  One of the bar’s patrons describes the bar as being “upscale, come-as-you-are”.

Side Bar had been secretly open for a few weeks.  It is located on the SW Corner of 7th Ave & McDowell in the recently renovated, historic bulding which is also home to a Starbucks and a Pei Wei. 

If you’ve already been to the Side Bar, let us know what you thought.  If you haven’t been, you should check it out.    find out more at www.sidebarphoenix.com