Tucson Hop Shop — Restaurant in Four Corners States

So pictures this: I and my girlfriend walk into courtyard, wanting to get pizza, and see a very cool bar sorta thing where people are eating pizza, and there are 3-5 year olds walking around. I then order pizza with my girlfriend, and walk into this awesome two story area where people are eating pizza, to order some non alchoholic drinks as the cashier recommended. After walking up to check them out, the bartender says “where are your parents,” (which I mean I did just shave before coming here but come on I can’t look that young, i digress) to which we express confusion- he then states that all minors must be accompanied by parents (keep in mind- bar allows pizza to be served, non alcoholic drinks are being served, and there is an expansive area outside of the bar where there are actual 3-5 year olds), which vexes me.

The cashier explains that Arizona liquor laws require this, which makes me even more confused- were this the case, casa video/espresso art cafe/empire pizza would not exist. Generally the rule set by businesses are “no one under 18 after 10pm.” Additionally strange was the reality that this rule would technically allow a toddler in the bar if accompanied by parents, while a 20 year old would be toast!

So I, a concerned citizen of this beautiful Grand Canyon State, check my handy dandy online Arizona Revised Statues to find that the interpretation of the law here is kinda shaky- a bar area whose primary purpose is serving alcohol must not allow those below the drinking age. I figure this has been interpreted as allowing bar setups where they serve non alcoholic drinks (i.e. Casa Video), so at this point the rule seems to be at this business’ discretion.

Now, to be fair, the pizza place is a separate business- but something’s fishy with this rule imo. And you may say “why did you spend all this time writing that loser” which is fair I have no defense.

But i gotta give these guys a high rating on their atmosphere, cuz damn that place was cool looking. Sodas were pretty bleh tho.

Moral of the story: If you’re 19 in the Hop Shop, they’ll tell you “Stop! Flop or Drop, otherwise we’re calling the cops!,” followed by “Hey that toddler we let in with an adult just threw up slop, go...

The Hop Shop is located in the rusty metal village between Farr Place and Ft. Lowell just east of Dodge Blvd. It can be a little hard to find and parking is minimal - you pretty much have to find parking on the surrounding streets. At the bar they have a blackboard with on tap beers, but three out of three sampled were bad - would never order again. They also have an extensive selection of canned and bottled beers - if you stick with those and are lucky or knowledgeable you will get a good brew that you can take to a large selection of inside and outside tables. There was a live band playing bluegrass - if you like that you would be golden. I don't and was happy they were far enough away that I could barely hear them. If you get seats far away from the band then you might be in a prime location to gaze into the picture window of the adjacent tattoo parlor and see someone getting some ink.

This place was really busy at 6:30 - filled with bicyclists off the Rillito River Bike Trail and other cool people including my neighbor on N Alvernon Way. By 8 PM the place was starting to empty out and at 8:30 a 'last call' announcement went out.

The Hop Shop has some synergistic rapport with the adjacent Caio Down Pizza Studio. They feed on each other in a wonderfully successful way - each helping the other increase their business and their customer's satisfaction. A canny business student might learn why this watering hole is so successful in this location.

A friend and I whiled away few pleasant hours drinking beer at the Hop Shop noshing on Caio Down Pizza and olives. A really good pleasant time on a spring evening in Tucson. Worthwhile and...

EDIT: Appreciate management addressing it and bartenders were much nicer the next time I came in. Grateful! Thanks for being cool Hop Shop!

I have been a loyal hop shop customer and have always loved to go with friends or by myself since they opened. Lately though two bartenders I have found to be very rude and lacking customer service skills and I hope management can address. I write this review in hopes in can reach managements and they can work to improve. There are two male bartenders (unfortunately don’t know theyre names) who are aggressive and frankly rude. They yell at customers, seemed annoyed to serve you or answer questions and yesterday I witnessed an elderly gentlemen with mobility and hearing issues be yelled at by them. The gentlemen could not open the door by himself and unfortunately dropped his pizza. None of the bartenders helped him except to yell at him they would clean it up. I helped the elderly couple with their dishes and walked them down and held the door open for them. It was not that busy when this happened. I found this behavior very unfortunate and unbecoming and I hope the hop shop can instill better training to curate the friendly and fun vibes we all...