“The Greatest Show on Grass” returns, as the Waste Management Phoenix Open takes over TPC Scottsdale January 30 – February 3. For five days – don’t forget Pro-am Wednesday – fans flock to the famous 16th hole for a booze-fueled attempt to shake professional golf from its stodgy routine. Whether you’re among the raucous crowd or living it up in a skybox, chances are you’re going to want to extend the party. Here are some great places close to the Phoenix Open.
K.O’Donnell’s
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better combination of proximity and party atmosphere than KO’s. The bar is packed all four days before and after the tournament. This year they’ve expanded to four shuttle buses, so if you miss one chances are the next one isn’t far behind. Round-trip shuttle service costs $10 and includes a voucher for $5 off a future visit. They will be serving a limited version of their brunch menu all five days starting at 9 a.m. to start your day right. If you manage to make it through the day’s festivities and find yourself needing more, KO’s will have live music on their recently renovated patio Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
Liberty Station Tavern & Smokehouse
There are a number of quality options in D.C. Ranch, but Liberty Station Tavern takes the mantle of its predecessor Market Street Kitchen as the place to go for premium cocktails and a shuttle to and from the Open. The menu offers everything from “shareables” to the smoked meats that come from the 500-lb. smoker. Happy Hour is from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, so you can enjoy drink specials on the weekend days of the tournament as well.
Lush Burger
If a short trip to your next destination is what you want, Lush Burger is less than a mile away from some of the parking lots. If surge pricing is in effect, the short drive (or long walk) will lessen the pain.Another thing that will lessen any pain you may have? A half-pound signature burger. If you skipped out on breakfast – first of all, amateur move – catch up with the breakfast flatbread. Find out more about Lush Burger by reading our Restaurant of the Week feature on them.
Sorso Wine Room
Scottsdale Quarter may not seem all that close to TPC Scottsdale, but if you take the Greenway-Hayden loop – and if you’re paying for your ride, you better be going that way – it’s right down the road. When you get there, visit Sorso Wine Room. In addition to a wide range of self-service wines, they offer a selection of craft beer, cocktails and an assorted array of bruschetta, sandwiches, salads, and boards.
Loco Patrõn
The North Scottsdale location features an on-site Mexican brewery, so to honor the Open’s arrival, they’re releasing “The Romper” – a low ABV (4.0%) cucumber lime wheat ale. They’re opening at 7:30 a.m. during the open for their version of “Kegs & Eggs”, will feature live entertainment from Thursday – Sunday and have the “Loco Shuttle” running throughout the tournament.