Phoenix/Scottsdale's Best 19th Holes

Phoenix Examiner

TravelGolf.com, 2/10

Drinks 101: Best '19th Holes' for drinking in Phoenix
April 20, 12:49 PM  Phoenix Drinks Examiner, Mark Nothaft

Longtime local golf columnist Bill Huffman once explained the virtues of a good “19th hole” over cocktails at the old Maloney’s Tavern in Tempe, a mere 300 yards from Karsten Golf Course on the Arizona State campus. He said it’s a civilized way to tally scorecards, settle bets, and refuel yourself after 18 holes and three hours of golf.

A little sustenance and a strong dram are typically in order as you recount those errant tee shots and muffed putts as well, he said. I drank to that, as we toasted glasses of Ketel One.

It made sense, and was quickly a practice I adopted after every round of golf. Wherever I am, whomever I’m playing with, I always invite them for a bite and a drink in the clubhouse after we sink our last putts.

But as I started exploring different clubhouses and their restaurant and lounge facilities, I realized that not all 19th holes are created equal. I found everything from Styrofoam cups to fine china, and Pabst to Patron in the bar. Some of these spots are cut right out of the 1950s, all the way down to the linoleum, while others feature contemporary color schemes and decor. The Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, for example, features rich, dark wood paneling, beveled windows, dark jewel-tone fabrics and a gorgeous hardwood bar. It could be mistaken for a Midwestern steakhouse. But once you look around and see the two-toned golf shoes and Tehama golf shirts, you’ll remember where you are. I’ll take a Dewar’s and soda, please. We’ll look at your appetizer menu as well.

All of this said, I’ve found some true gems out there like Raven. These are clubhouses I would even take the Mrs. for dinner. But for you and the rest of your foursome, they are truly civilized ways to cap off a round.

Phil’s Grill at Grayhawk Golf Club
Fans of “Lefty” need to make the trek to Grayhawk to check out Phil Mickelson’s namesake hangout. Though he no longer lives in the area, his presence is felt throughout this beautiful, clubby space. Comfortable sofas and oversized chairs, flat-screen televisions and an impressively thick wood bar and corresponding rustic stools set the scene, as does all the Mickelson memorabilia, including a golf bag from his childhood, ASU gear, and mementos from Ryder Cup and Masters runs. Sink your teeth into a juicy Barn Burger with a “haystack” of fries, or other nice offerings like prime rib sliders or a blackened chicken Caesar salad. Come in for dinner and a D-Backs playoff game. 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale. (480) 502-1800.

Sivlik Grill at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort
There are few things that this property on the Gila River reservation doesn’t do right, and Sivlik is yet another home run. Located at the Whirlwind Golf Club and offering panoramic desert and mountain views, I love the authentic American Indian ambiance (most attempts feel contrived) and equally satisfying fare. The cheesesteak/French dip is made with juicy, flavorful tri-tip steak, and the Kansas City pork sandwich includes lean loin meat versus the fattier butt or shoulder cuts. Pair these with cold steins on the patio facing No. 18, and you’ll feel more like you’re on vacation than a mere five minutes from Interstate 10 and Loop 101. 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Gila River Indian Community. (602) 225-0100.

The Grill at Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale
This is a real hidden gem that you need to revisit. Remember that when the FBR Open isn’t in town, this is a tremendous venue for golf and dining 350 days a year. During evening hours, you’ll find white linen tablecloths and top-notch beef, chops and seafood. But the Grill is casual enough that you can come in anytime in golf attire and enjoy sandwiches and expertly prepared cocktails. It’s also a hot spot for the “ladies who lunch” crowd. Secure a table near the bank of windows fronting the 18th green, the scene of all those great Phoenix Open moments. I can see Mickelson’s kids running out to hug their daddy after he secured the win in 2005. The lobby is full of U.S. Open memorabilia and plaques. 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. (480) 585-4334. 

The Dynamite Grille at Troon North
Not as formal as the Grill at TPC, but not as casual as Phil’s Grill. The elevated clubhouse affords knockout views of the 18th hole. Giant boulders dot the landscape outside the towering picture windows. The natural earth tones are reflected indoors as well, along with copper lighting fixtures. The Sonoran Desert seems to come through the windows and permeate everything here. You’re further soothed by the outstanding scotch and vodka selection: Bowmore, Balvenie, Grey Goose, Belvedere, Cragmore, the list goes on. Finely prepared larger entrees like New York steak and potatoes, seared tilapia or half a roasted chicken turn a post-round snack into a satisfying, leisurely lunch. 10320 E. Dynamite Blvd., Scottsdale. (480) 585-5300.

Scottsdale's best 19th holes
BRANDON TUCKER, TravelGolf.com Posted 02/25/2010, 8:55 AM EST

This week the most watched hole in golf is the 16th at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, home of the world's largest 19th hole.

But if you're in Scottsdale, Ariz. for the Waste Management Phoenix Open and want to keep your buzz after golf is over for the day, there are a couple watering holes worth knowing about.

One of the slickest hotel bars I've ever ordered a cold beer in is the brand new W Scottsdale hotel downtown. The lobby is packed with bronzed bodies and skimpy outfits with live music on many nights, or you can party poolside upstairs to house beats.

Fitting to the area, the hotel is the first W brand hotel to offer golf packages. Accommodations are engineered more for couples (with open view showers and island beds), but I'd bring my golf group here for dinner at Sushi Roku or one of W's bars for cocktails to check out the scenery.

Once you've had your fill of hard bodies and bouncers with ear pieces at the W, go low-key at the Kazimierz World Wine Bar (www.kazbar.net/). It's tough to find the entrance to this joint on purpose (7137 East Stetson Dr.), and what's inside is a dimly lit, speakeasy-style bar and patrons more clothed compared to the show-it-if-you-got-it W.

There are more wines to choose from than you can drink in a lifetime (about 3,200) and a small selection of worldly beers, too, so you can save the domestic keg beer for No. 16.

By the way - if you're planning a trip to play a little golf in Scottsdale, be sure to check out www.GolfArizona.com for tee times, course reviews, vacation-planning tips and more.

Fat Guy Research, Best Bars in Phoenix/Scottsdale:

Playboy says you can't miss Jenna Jameson's Pussycat Lounge (4426 N Saddlebag Trl, www.pclaz.com), and don't pretend you need me to explain who Jenna Jameson is. The joint has stripper poles and a swing for patrons, so you know things get wild there. The low candlelit ambience gives a romance vibe among the debauchery, but get there early to avoid the late night lines. Or get your college party on at Playboy Top 10 Party School Arizona State bars Maloney's (955 E University Dr, Tempe, on campus) or The Library Bar & Grill (501 S Mill Ave, Tempe). Per the Travel Channel, Greasewood Flats is the perfect low-brow alternative to the high-class resort treatment. The last real cowboy bar in AZ is truly a locals hangout, evidenced by it's lack of a phone number or street address (a deeper search revealed an addy listed at 27500 N Alma School Pkwy). Ask the front desk at your hotel how to get there, then grab a cold long-neck and do some Country line-dancin'.

Phoenix is a mini-mecca for Gentlemen's clubs in the Southwest (despite city regs that tame down couch dances), thanks in no small part to all the colleges and universities in town providing a ready supply of drop-dead gorgeous drop-out talent. From online reviews I've read, Bourbon Street (www.bourbonstreetaz.com) seems to be the hottest dancers/priciest drinks/cash-sucking club. The Candy Store was rated #1 in Phoenix by numerous reader reviews at The Ultimate Strip Club List (www.tuscl.net), with cheap drinks and $10 couch dances. Centerfolds is a friendly joint with a strong mix of talent, good tunes, and drink specials. The Hi-Liter has been a Phoenix landmark since the '70's with a more laid back good-times vibe (check their website for free cover coupons), and legend has it Larry Flint was inspired to start Hustler magazine while there, after seeing local rag Bachelor's Beat (www.bachelorsbeat.com). Check it out for what's hot tonight. Bandaids got mixed marks as the prototypical dancer-graveyard/bend-the-rules club in town. And how can you not hit a Gentlemen's club in the desert called the Great Alaskan Bush Company LOL?! Great Alaskan has a split personality: a topless side that serves booze, and a BYOB all-nekkid side.

Tour addicts know Arron Olberholser is one of the PGA's up-and-coming young pros, and he proved it with a strong leaderboard showing at the 2006 Masters. A 31-year-old bachelor with cha-ching and a Scottsdale resident since 2002, Arron recommends these hotspots: Scottsdale's best sports bar is FOX Sports Grill (16203 N Scottsdale Rd). "You can't find a better spot to watch the games. All the flat screens you can handle." For nightlife, Arron says The Downside Risk (14950 N Northsight Blvd) is a very cool neighborhood hangout, the house specials at Barcelona (Continental cuisine, 15440 Greenway-Hayden Loop, 480-603-0370) are delicious paella and citrus-marinated pork tenderloin, but it's the great-looking crowd and late-night dancing that keep folks around, or San Felipe's Cantina (20825 N Pima Rd) says it all with a sign inside reading, 'You don't come here for the food.'

For more urban nightlife, check out Phoenix's finest establishments such as wine bar Kazimierz, or Bar Louie, a head-turning hangout with jumbo martinis, microbrews, and wines by the glass with a sunset-bathed patio. For live Blues, R&B, and Funk, head for Sugar Daddy's Blues.