PHOENIX – Nine months after opening in downtown Phoenix, the Rise Uptown Hotel, formerly known as Arrive Phoenix, has a new name and rooftop lounge from the 1960s and 1970s to match its mid-century modern vibe . Josh Frigerio, ABC15 Arizona The 79-room boutique hotel opened near Fourth Avenue and Camelback Road, not far from the Uptown Plaza shopping complex, in September 2020 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Two Phoenix-based companies, Vintage Partners, a real estate and investment company, and Venue Projects, a refurbishment company, have teamed up to convert two modern mid-century office buildings into a hotel. In a recent press release, Walter Crutchfield, a partner at Vintage Partners, said the name change marked the completion of the hotel’s redevelopment – amid a pandemic – and marked “the opportunity to start over.” They also worked with Ross Simon, who owns the award-winning Bitter & Twisted and Little Rituals in downtown Phoenix, to create the Lylo Swim Club, the hotel’s tropical-inspired pool bar and Don Woods’ Say When, a retro bar and 1960s and 1970s retro style lounge that made its official debut on Sunday 6th June. The hotel also houses Pop Stand, a pop bar that also serves as a registry and Cartel Coffee Lab. Josh Frigerio, ABC15 Arizona MEET DON WOODS ‘SAY WHEN According to Simon, Don Woods was a real estate investor at the time and apparently worked from one of the towers being converted into a hotel. As a tribute to Woods, the bar was named after him. The bar is located on the top floor of the main hotel building. For the ambitious there is a staircase that leads to the main entrance of the bar. Or you can take the elevator for a smooth ride up. Josh Frigerio, ABC15 Arizona Inside, people will find a nine-seat wooden bar with tufted bar seats and a colorful backdrop, a handful of booths, and a couple of rows of lockers. The shaded outdoor deck offers a 270 degree view of Central Phoenix. There are misters, fans, and a variety of tables, chairs, and sofas. Simon said he wanted the bar to be ’60s, 70s cool’ are a bartender finishing your job or you just sit casually on the patio looking for something fun, “he said.” We are here for some really nice refreshing cocktails and light starters. “Highballs and spritzers are staples on the drinks menu, said Simon. But he’s also made sure to have some classic cocktails on the menu, like Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Sidecar Small.” Soap bubbles and lemonade and we really had a lot of fun with it, “he said. Here’s a look at some of the drinks featured: SpritzersSicilian: Solerno Liqueur, Alessio Vermouth Chinato, Cappelletti Aperitivo Americano, Vanilla and ProseccoVenetian: Aperitivo Select, Prosecco, Charged Soda, Cucumber, Orange and Olive Alameda: St George Pear Brandy. italicus, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, cucumber syrup, lemon juice and ProseccoHighballsLime Leaf: infused lime leaf gin, house lime juice, lime juice, brine and super chilled sodaClassic Toki: Toki whiskey, citrus bitters & oils and too much carbonated soda . George Spiced Pear, Yuzu Citrus Blend, Laphroaig and Ginger Ale Josh Frigerio, ABC15 Arizona There is also a small menu, mostly snacks to share: chips and dip, olives soaked in gin, marinated anchovies and a cheese platter. “We’re not a restaurant and we don’t pretend to be. We’re just a great place to be before dinner, after dinner, during a sunset, or just a place to relax and chill,” said Simon. Don Woods’ Say When is open Thursday – Sunday, 4pm – midnight. Reservations are required and can be made at SayWhenPHX.com. With four concepts under our belt, we asked if Simon had any other concepts in the works? “I think that’s enough for now,” he said. IF YOU GO: Rise Uptown Hotel 400 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix AZ 85013 www.saywhenphx.com
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