You know Scottsdale for its salt-rimmed margaritas. Luckily, you don’t have to search the seven seas to find a little taste of the tropics here. In fact, Scottsdale is home to an array of tiki haunts where you can discover treasures like rum-soaked cocktails and island-inspired fare, without ever having to leave the mainland.
Hula's Modern Tiki
The old-school tiki spirit of the 50s and 60s is alive and swinging at Hula’s Modern Tiki in Old Town, where a fusion of Polynesian and American flavors and a lineup of tropical drinks awaits you. Satisfy that cocktail craving at the best Scottsdale tiki bar with the vodka-kissed Pink Bikini Martini or get down with a Hawaii 5-0, a tropical sipper with spiced rum and a foursome of fruit juices. Swing by for brunch and nosh on Hula’s Spam Musubi or stick your fork into the Kona Coffee-battered French Toast for a buzz without the booze.
Toro at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Arizona may be landlocked, but the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is home to one of Scottsdale’s best sand beaches. The luxury resort also is home to Toro Scottsdale, where delicious Pan-Latin inspired cocktails rule the menu, and the rum and spirits list goes on and on. Dive into a tasty Tuna Poke Bowl or savor the Scallops and Pork Belly, all between sips of your Caribbean Old Fashioned, of course.
ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho
Everywhere you look, from the mod decor to the vintage tunes, mid-century flare is in no short supply at ZuZu, the historic Hotel Valley Ho’s onsite restaurant and bar. At the bar, the ZuZu Zinger, made with Plantation Pineapple Rum, Licor 43, banana shrub, lime and ginger, is sure to bring a smile to your face. And chef-crafted noshes like the Spicy Hawaiian Ahi Tuna with crispy rice will undoubtedly keep your belly full.
The Canal Club
Inspired by 1930s Havana, The Canal Club at The Scott Resort & Spa offers an upscale experience with craft cocktails and Cuban-inspired dishes that range from tostones with smoked bacon and black bean puree to pulled chicken tortas slathered in a spicy green chile. The mezcal-splashed Salt River Society and the Green Bird are two popular signature cocktails. And, refreshing zero-proof sippers like the Beach Buck made with Seedlip Garden and the minty Cocojito are on standby to keep you cool — at the resort pool or on the patio.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
From its hideaway inside Kierland Commons, this Scottsdale tiki bar and restaurant serves up a little slice of paradise in the form of tropical cocktails and island-inspired eats. Sail in for happy hour at the bar where you can enjoy pineapple and coconut-infused sippers and stay for dinner and enjoy epic bites like Tommy Bahama’s Kona Coffee-crusted Ribeye or Lump Blue Crab Cakes. Linger a little longer to catch a Scottsdale sunset from the patio or second-story dining room.
Undertow
You don’t need your passport to get a taste of the rums from around the world. Enter Undertow, an immersive, and award-winning, cocktail bar with an exotic cocktail program that reaches across the globe with a nautical atmosphere that resembles an antique merchant ship. Reach for a classic like the Blue Hawaii or indulge in a guest favorite like The Smoking Cannon — it's like sipping on your own liquid treasure.
Giligin’s Bar
Since 1995, this family-owned Old Town Scottsdale tiki bar has been a go-to for thirsty locals and tiki drink fans alike. The hand-battered Fish and Chips are a must-munch and the Peel and Eat Shrimp (boiled in-house with Giligin’s secret family recipe) are a regular favorite. Dozens of rums are featured on the menu here. While the Mai Tai is an obvious choice, serious rum fans might opt for the double-pour Kon-Tiki, a fruity cocktail with coconut puree, pineapple juice, creme de banana, and a boozy dark rum float.
Hai Noon
Pork Belly Buns dressed up with pickled mustard greens and Panko-fried Soft-Shell Crab with rice noodles are just two tastes of what’s on the menu at this new Scottsdale eatery inside the Papago Motor Hotel. Wash it all down with a Desert Gem Colada, a mix of mezcal, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and cinnamon that is decorated with candied cherry and a green banana leaf — the perfect subject for your next Instagram camera roll reveal.
All of the conditions are right to set sail at these tiki bars in Scottsdale.
Lauren Topor Reichert is an Arizona-based creative photographer, digital content creator, and author of the children’s book, Sprinkle the Dog. Lauren is an avid hobbyist who enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking across Scottsdale and the greater Sonoran Desert. Go behind the lens with Lauren at @goodkarma.photo on Instagram.