Melindas Alley — Restaurant in Phoenix

Great "hidden Speakeasy" located in downtown Phoenix offering a well thought out and limited menu of craft beverages.

First of all the entrance is what a lot of people who appreciate these types of establishments love to see. Enter in the alley behind the hotel in which it is in the basement of, and you know they are open if the red light is on outside. That's it. Extremely vague and much appreciated!

Second: Once you make your way to the basement and enter the space you are enveloped in nothing but red light that permeates the entire place. And it creates such an awesome vibe. Think underground! It is a narrow but long space with eclectic seating comprised of tufted chairs, leather high-backs, velvety upholstered couches and other comfortable seating with tables for your drinks, etc. NOTE : seating is rather limited due to the narrow space and one would need to arrive earlier opposed to later if you wanted to catch a spot to sit for awhile while you imbibe. Otherwise it is standing room only and it can get rather crowded given the date or if there are events in the area attracting crowds. Various concierge at surrounding hotels must have this on their list or recommendations.

Third: The drink menu is limited to 5 or 6 craft cocktail selections with an Old Fashioned being the only mainstay/staple beverage. All others rotate out and you may not see them again for some time being offered again. I for one appreciate this! Too many places try to offer an extensive myriad of "craft" beverages and end up doing none of them well because the mixologist has to try memorize them all or read off a recipe to make it. Which from my experience degrades the overall presentation and flavor of the drink. They keep it simple yet very effective here at Melinda's. The drinks are made well because of this, however, do expect to wait for a little bit while your handcrafted beverages are being made. Especially later on in the evening after its get to the peak hours of patron attendance. The pricing is what is expected of a swank environment such as this and for the types of beverages served. Between $10-15 I'd say is average per drink depending on the evenings selections. You wouldn't need much more than one or two anyway if you are a light to light-moderate imbiber. If you are a budget drinker and looking for cheap swill to get wasted on, this is not that place for you and that is not the ilk or caliber of the people who patron this place.

Lastly the only two negatives I can report about the experiences I've had are: 1. The music has been overly and unnecessarily loud and it is definitely hard to hear the people seated across/next to if you had come to enjoy the company of others, and you have to literally yell at them to have an audible conversation. And, while the music can be "danceable" at times, there is no room to bust a move as it gets to be elbow to elbow down there and is not designed to be a dance space. (Though I would love to rent this place out for private dance events as it just screams o.g. Richie Hawtin parties from the hay-days of Detroit's underground!) They are only open 2 days a week.

Swank - Posh-ish - Sophisticated Grit - Unique - Something...

I have gone here a handful of times. The first time it was new and exciting and kind of mysterious. Now, I like to bring people here who have never heard or been to give them that fun first time experience. The lighting is very dim. The temperature is always cold, but a comfortable cold. Seating is kind of limited and you can feel awkward if your stuck standing waiting for a seat or couch to open up. Only 5 or so drinks in total to choose from, drink menu is very straight forward with options and pricing. Old Fashions are one of the drinks available and the mixologist put fresh fruit in everyone they make. Very chill, low key, kind of quite atmosphere. I only stay for a drink or two and then Im ready to go. Great place to start your night off at before going to the other busy and bigger bars in the area. Worth checking out at least once if you have...

Melinda’s Ally is so very rad! I would have walked right by this place if it had not been for this really kind door person. I asked if there was a wait and he said 'we have been expecting you' in jest and like Valley Bar around the corner, this town has the coolest underground martini bars that make us excited to go out! This spot used to actually be a bordello and the history is reflected in the interior decor - so cool to descend into this world now! Once downstairs there is a great red vibe across the entire place - Kendall was our bartender and he manufactured the very best in Cosmos as he knows how to do them with the heritage yet complexity of something new - you must ask him for one! I love this place and cannot...