Phoenix attracts visitors from all over the world to enjoy world-class hotels & spas, golf courses, restaurants, shopping, and urban hiking trails. But there are plenty of secret spots and hidden gems in Phoenix away from the tourists. Keep reading to discover some of Phoenix’s best-kept secrets!
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10 of the Best Kept Secrets and Hidden Gems in Phoenix
Table of Contents
- 1. Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop
- 2. 36 Below
- 3. Hanny’s
- 4. Rough Rider Bar
- 5. Heritage Square
- 6. Pueblo Plant Shop
- 7. Roosevelt Row Murals
- 8. The Pemberton PHX
- 9. Chám Pang Lanes
- 10. Ghost Donkey
- Bonus: New Windsor Hotel
- A few more secret spots and hidden gems in Phoenix:
1. Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop
As you pull up to Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop, it looks like any regular corner pizza store.
The usual lunch crowd is gathering around outdoor tables with red and white striped umbrellas. The interior is clad with yellow and cream checkered tile, an old-school letterboard menu, and a guy behind the counter tossing pizza dough.
And you’ll also most likely find a line out the door during the lunchtime rush because the hand-tossed New York-style pizza is actually really good!
But what makes Ziggy’s one of the best hidden gems in Phoenix is that if you walk through the swinging doors, past the bathrooms, and behind what looks like the walk-in refrigerator door, you’ll enter a secret 80s-themed speakeasy!
The Stardust Pinbar has such a fun energy and vibe, with vintage David Bowie posters and retro pinball machines lining the walls, and a light-up neon floor at the bar.
Ziggy’s is open from 11 am – 12 am. The Stardust Pinbar doesn’t start serving drinks until 5 pm, but it is still open for dining and playing games before then.
2. 36 Below
Sip Coffee and Beer Garage is a trendy coffee shop housed inside an old automotive garage.
Known for its extensive coffee menu and mouthwatering breakfast dishes, Sip was voted as one of the best coffee shops in Phoenix by Thrillist.
But what makes this coffee shop one of the best hidden gems in Phoenix is the secret underground bar hidden 12 steps below the coffee shop.
36 Below is a “Walipini Greenhouse” inspired bar that totally gives off Alice in Wonderland vibes.
They specialize in the presentation of their drinks with many of them served in unique vessels, such as mushrooms, flower pots, and even glass vapor-filled insects!
They also offer non-alcoholic drinks and a very limited appetizer menu. We tried the non-alcoholic Damsel and Chastity and they were both delicious!
There is limited seating so be sure to make reservations as this small space fills up quickly, especially on the weekends.
To discover more of Phoenix’s coolest bars, consider booking a Haunted Pub Ghost Tour!
3. Hanny’s
Hanny’s opened in Phoenix in 1947 as a sophisticated department store specializing in men’s fashion. Today it is a trendy restaurant bearing the same name.
Not much has changed architecturally with Hanny’s over the past 70+ years.
In fact, Hanny’s is still recognized as one of the Best International-Style Buildings in Phoenix as it signifies Phoenix’s shift to the modern post-WWII era.
The exterior is still reminiscent of the 1940s storefront with the original lettering, sidewalk inlay at the entrance, and the mural painted on the back of the building.
As you walk inside, you’ll be greeted with the original department store signs advertising brands such as Polo and Christian Dior.
The original layout and architecture are also incorporated into the restaurant space, giving off a sophisticated sense of yesteryear.
Despite its sense of sophistication, there are a few quirks to the restaurant that have earned it a spot in Atlas Obscura.
To the right of the entrance, take the staircase downstairs to the basement where you’ll find a display of creepy antique dolls and a table collecting coins that visitors toss in.
Head to the upstairs mezzanine where you’ll find the bathrooms and old dressing rooms glowing in neon lights.
You’ll even find an upstairs bar hidden behind a screen of sliding glass squares.
There is also a beaded mannequin in the lobby sporting deer antlers, and there is plexiglass covering an old elevator shaft that you can peer into. So many fun unexpected quirks!
Hanny’s restaurant is the brainchild of Karl Kopp, a real estate and restaurant mogul. He is also the visionary behind Scottsdale’s AZ88, one of the best places to eat in Scottsdale.
His mission is to combine quality food, great service, and a unique dining experience. He accomplished just that with Hanny’s!
Hanny’s is centrally located near many downtown venues. It’s a great place to stop by after a concert or sporting event. If you visit on the weekends you’ll even find a live DJ and a vibrant crowd at the bar.
For more restaurant recommendations, check out our guide 11 of the Best Places to Eat in Phoenix!
4. Rough Rider Bar
Rough Rider is a hidden speakeasy in downtown Phoenix. To find this subterranean bar and restaurant, head to the Ten-O-One Building, an unassuming office building on Roosevelt Row.
Take the middle elevator down to the basement, and when the doors open up you’ll feel like you stepped back into the 19th Century.
Rough Rider Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders who fought in the Spanish-American War.
Unlike other cocktail bars, Rough Rider has a full menu in addition to drinks. It was even voted as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in Phoenix in 2023 by Phoenix New Times.
We ordered some virgin drinks and desserts, the S’mores Cake was our favorite!
5. Heritage Square
Heritage Square is one of the best hidden gems in Phoenix! This historic square is located in downtown Phoenix on Block 14 of the original townsite.
You’ll find this green space nestled in the middle of downtown among the more modern buildings like the neighboring Arizona Science Center.
It is a charming reminder of the city’s vibrant Victorian past that dates back to the late 1800s.
Visitors can take a tour of the restored Rosson House Museum and walk through the garden pavilion.
The Rosson House is a beautifully restored Victorian home that was built in 1895. It is one of the few Victorian homes that you can tour in Arizona.
The home was built for Dr Roland Lee Rosson and his family. You can even see the room in the home that once served as his doctor’s office.
The tour is very insightful. Not only will you catch a glimpse of what life looked like in the late 1800s, but you’ll also learn more about the families that lived here and the history of the house.
You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the several old homesites that have since been turned into restaurants.
I would recommend Pizzeria Bianco, a cute neighborhood pizzeria located at Heritage Square in the old historic Baird Machine Shop.
I would also recommend stopping in to see the free exhibits at the Stevens-Haustgen Heritage Gallery and Visitor Center.
Heritage Square is located across the street from the Phoenix Children’s Museum which is housed in the Historic Monroe School Building. Visiting the museum is one of our favorite Things to Do in Phoenix With Kids!
6. Pueblo Plant Shop
If you’re craving a break from the concrete jungle, step into the Pueblo Plant Shop. It is located just blocks away from downtown Phoenix, but you’ll immediately feel as if you’ve been transported to a desert oasis.
Pueblo is the cutest neighborhood plant shop located inside an old historic warehouse.
You’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows, a sun-filled greenhouse, and an outdoor patio and coffee bar.
Every square inch of this space is draped with greenery and you can find a large selection of curated houseplants to purchase.
The outdoor space features an intimate patio with an espresso bar surrounded by a mature native garden.
Pueblo has consistently been rated as the Best Houseplant Shop in the Valley. You’ll find thousands of varieties of houseplants, as well as gifts and home decor.
*Related post: For more secret spots in Arizona, be sure to check out our guide 7 Underrated Spots in Arizona You Need to Visit!
7. Roosevelt Row Murals
Roosevelt Row is Phoenix’s walkable arts district. “RoRo” is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix and stretches for one mile along Roosevelt St from N 7th Ave to N 7th Street and encompasses the surrounding area.
This eclectic neighborhood is home to many of Phoenix’s most creative minds and artisans. You’ll find trendy restaurants, live music, art galleries, local boutiques, and colorful murals creating an outdoor museum of sorts.
Take a pedicab tour or walking street art tour to learn the history of the area and see the murals, or just embark on a self-guided walking tour.
There are many hidden gems within Roosevelt Row, such as the alley behind The Churchill known as 1 1/2 Street. Here you’ll find a collaborative mural that is the work of 12 local artists.
Other more notable murals include Timeless, a 144-foot mural on the exterior of the Renaissance on 100 N 1st St that changes as the sun shifts.
Melinda’s Alley is also worth a visit. It is found on 151 Central Ave and serves as a tribute to a local resident of the alley, Melinda Curtis.
Many events are also held at Roosevelt Row, such as First Friday, Pie Social, Sidewalk Saturday, and the Chile Pepper Festival.
8. The Pemberton PHX
The Pemberton PHX is a unique venue that features over 15 shops and food trucks.
At the heart of the Pemberton, is the historic Sarah H. Pemberton home. The home was built in 1920 and is named after the widow of the second CEO of APS.
Today, several shops are housed inside the restored home.
You will also find several shops located inside Airstream trailers, Vamp Rodeo Vintage is a favorite.
There are also a variety of food trucks in the complex and it has such a fun vibe on the weekends. They even offer free salsa dancing on Friday nights!
9. Chám Pang Lanes
When you think of a bowling alley, I guarantee this is not what you think of!
Châm Pang Lanes is not your typical bowling alley.
Instead of dirty floors, sticky vinyl seats, and stale nachos, you’ll find floral banquettes, Kelly green wainscotting, and a neon-lit bar serving cocktails under a disco ball chandelier!
In addition to drinks, the bar also serves an interesting combination of sushi and fried chicken, but the food is actually really good!
This retro-glam bowling alley also has pinball games, pool tables, and duckpin bowling.
The 6-lane duckpin bowling (with adorable mini bowling balls) is on a first-come first-serve basis. It does get filled up fast on the weekends with typical wait times around 2-3 hours, so come early or visit during the week.
This unique concept is the brainchild of the Flagship Restaurant Group which opened up 2 more unique themed restaurants in the Roosevelt Row arts district, Ghost Donkey, and Palma.
All three restaurants are under the same roof, you’ll even find a hidden passageway by the bathrooms that connect Châm Pang Lanes and Palma!
10. Ghost Donkey
Right next door to Châm Pang Lanes you’ll find a single unassuming door that leads to the coolest Mexican-inspired speakeasy called Ghost Donkey.
In addition to mezcal cocktails, they serve a small menu of appetizers like nachos, churros, and queso fundido.
Enjoy your drinks under an electric starry sky that gives off Arabian night vibes. Be sure to keep your eye out for hidden donkeys!
Ghost Donkey has several other locations in the US and even Auckland, New Zealand.
In Las Vegas, you’ll find the bar hidden in the Cosmopolitan Hotel food court under a door marked with a small white donkey. Very cool and very mysterious!
Bonus: New Windsor Hotel
At first glance, the New Windsor Hotel looks like any other rundown city building. However, this dilapidated hotel holds historic significance.
The hotel originally opened in 1893 as the Sixth Avenue Hotel. It boasted 40 rooms and was considered the largest and finest hotel in Phoenix.
While the hotel has since lost its luster and no longer holds that title, it is still in business and is the only 19th-century hotel still in operation in Phoenix.
Even though it has fallen into a state of disrepair, the nostalgic exterior with its warm glowing neon sign and pops of bright color still makes it one of the most photogenic buildings in the city.
So while I wouldn’t recommend booking a night at this hotel, it has a fascinating history and is one of the secret spots in Phoenix that is worth stopping by for a photo!
To explore more of Phoenix’s interesting and salacious past, consider booking a Walking Ghost Tour!
And if you are looking for hotel recommendations, check out our guide 13 Best Places to Stay in Phoenix.
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A few more secret spots and hidden gems in Phoenix:
- Platform 18: An immersive bar experience where guests will climb aboard a glamorous train car and enjoy cocktails while experiencing a 90-minute fictional train ride adventure.
- Curious Nature: You’ve never seen a gift shop quite like this! Browse the shelves of preserved specimens, sift through animal skulls, look for that one-of-a-kind taxidermied critter, and find the perfect set of sheep testicles for your desk. This shop specializes in selling the weirdest and most curious things you’ve ever seen!
- Kimpton Palomar’s Rooftop Bar: The Kimpton Palomar Hotel is a chic downtown boutique hotel. What makes this one of Phoenix’s best kept secrets, is the Lustre Rooftop bar and pool. Day passes are available on the weekends where guests can take a dip in the pool and enjoy fresh locally sourced dishes and handcrafted cocktails with sweeping views of the city.
- Pie Snob Vending Machine: Pie Snob is one of the best places to go for homemade pie in the Valley. However, if you’re craving an after-hours fix, you’re in luck because you can now pick up a slice of pie 24 hrs a day from the Pie Snob vending machine located at 6522 N 16th St Suite #1 in Phoenix.
- Japanese Friendship Garden: The Japanese Friendship Garden is a true oasis in the city. This garden first began in 1987 as a joint project with a sister city in Japan, Himeji. The 3.5-acre garden and teahouse were completed in 1996 using decorative features that were gifted from the sister city.
- Tovrea Castle: The Tovrea Castle is considered a “Jewel in the Sonoran Desert”. This 4-story 5,000 square foot majestic home was built in 1928 by the Tovrea family and has been open to the public since 2012. Tickets are limited and are obtained through a lottery system.
- Wrigley Mansion: Take a tour of the opulent Wrigley family home and dine at the award-winning Christophers or Geordie’s restaurants.
I hope this guide has helped you discover some of the best kept secrets and hidden gems in Phoenix!
[…] *And while you’re in Phoenix, be sure to check out these 10 Secret Spots and Hidden Gems in Phoenix! […]