Five Phoenix Bars Honored as Top Cocktail Spots in the West

Tales of the Cocktail names Highball, Chilte, Huarachis Taqueria, Pretty Penny, and Valentine to its 2026 Regional Top 10 list.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering crystal textures in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and prestige of the cocktail industry awards.The glittering, high-contrast textures of the cocktail industry's most prestigious awards ceremony reflect the Phoenix bar scene's growing national recognition.Phoenix Today

Five bars in Phoenix, Arizona have been named among the top cocktail spots in the U.S. West region by Tales of the Cocktail, one of the cocktail industry's most prestigious awards programs. Highball scored honors in two categories - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar and Best U.S. Bar Team - while Chilte at the Egyptian Motor Hotel, Huarachis Taqueria, Pretty Penny, and Valentine were also recognized as regional standouts.

Why it matters

This recognition from Tales of the Cocktail, which is considered the 'Oscars' of the cocktail world, is a major accomplishment for the Phoenix bar scene and highlights the city's growing reputation as a destination for innovative and high-quality cocktails. The regional honorees will now advance to the national competition, where they have a chance to be named among the top bars in the country.

The details

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation selected this year's regional honorees from over 250 industry expert nominations. Highball was named a Top 10 pick in both the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar and Best U.S. Bar Team categories, while the other Phoenix bars were recognized in the hotel and restaurant bar categories. The nationwide Top 10 nominees will be announced on May 19, with the final winners celebrated at the Spirited Awards ceremony on July 23 in New Orleans.

  • The regional honorees were announced on April 8, 2026.
  • The nationwide Top 10 nominees will be revealed on May 19, 2026.
  • The Spirited Awards ceremony, where the final winners will be announced, will take place on July 23, 2026.

The players

Highball

A downtown Phoenix bar that was named a Top 10 honoree in the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar and Best U.S. Bar Team categories by Tales of the Cocktail.

Chilte at the Egyptian Motor Hotel

A Phoenix hotel bar that was recognized as one of the best in the U.S. West region by Tales of the Cocktail.

Huarachis Taqueria

A Phoenix restaurant bar that was named a Top 10 honoree in the U.S. West region by Tales of the Cocktail.

Pretty Penny

A Phoenix restaurant bar that was recognized as one of the best in the U.S. West region by Tales of the Cocktail.

Valentine

A Phoenix restaurant bar that was named a Top 10 honoree in the U.S. West region by Tales of the Cocktail.

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What they’re saying

“Being recognized by peers who deeply understand both the challenges and the triumphs of our industry makes the honor especially meaningful.”

— Jaymee Mandeville, U.S. East co-chair, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

What’s next

The nationwide Top 10 nominees will be announced on May 19, 2026, and the final winners will be celebrated at the Spirited Awards ceremony on July 23, 2026 in New Orleans.

The takeaway

Phoenix's strong showing in the Tales of the Cocktail regional awards, with five bars honored as top cocktail spots in the U.S. West, solidifies the city's reputation as an emerging destination for innovative and high-quality cocktails. This recognition from one of the industry's most prestigious awards programs is a testament to the hard work and creativity of Phoenix's bar scene.