Little Rituals is a classical imagining of a cocktail bar: elegant, colorful, and a little bit intimidating. The bar is housed in the heart of downtown Phoenix at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott, making it the ideal spot for drinks before heading out to enjoy the local nightlife, seeing a concert, take in a sporting event. On Sundays, patrons can even bring a ticket or receipt from a local venue or business and get 20 percent off. Little Rituals’ menu is fairly extensive, covering the classics to less familiar. Diving out of your comfort zone with the Southern Belle, featuring bourbon, Strega, dill-infused vermouth, grapefruit cordial and fresh lemon.

It’s impossible to talk cocktails in Arizona without talking Bitter & Twisted — a now legendary downtown spot that’s been racking up local and international acclaim since 2014 for its extensive lineup of drinks and inviting atmosphere. And while it’s hard to choose favorites from the more than 60 cocktail creations, consider trying the sweet and citrusy Lemongrass Collins made with house-infused lemongrass vodka, fresh lemon juice, vanilla liqueur, vanilla sugar, and ginger beer.

Ask someone who really knows their cocktails where to go for a phenomenal mixed drink, and they’ll make sure to tell you about Pigtails. Plus, the cute cocktail names and cozy, trend-forward atmosphere, and snacks are almost as great as the cocktails. There’s truly something for everyone on the menu, but for a couple signature picks, consider ordering a cold brew shot (because why not) and the Jalisco old fashioned with barrel-aged tequila, Demerara, and tiki bitters, as well as a bit of orange and lemon.

Highball opened last year and has quickly become a local favorite thanks to its upscale-yet-warm atmosphere, and creative lineup of cocktails. For those who are still dipping their toes into the cocktail world, the menu offers helpful insight into what guests can expect from each drink. For example: boozy, rich, baking spices, tall (That’s the T.T.P. with gin, tequila, sherry, vanilla, pineapple, fig and lemon). A current favorite is the Bamm Bamm’s Cup with Fruity Pebble-infused pineapple rum, mezcal, cereal orgeat, pineapple, lime and berry bitters, which is described simply as smoky, mysterious, fruit flavors, short.

From the brilliant minds behind UnderTow comes another immersive experience — this time with a turn-of-the-century, train-inspired bar designed to transport visitors back to the early 1900s. There are two main areas of the bar: Either climb aboard Platform 18 for the full train-ride experience, or head to Grey Hen — a New Orleans-style apothecary bar. There’s a full book of cocktail options and customers really can’t go wrong with. For something fun, try the Bootlegger ice cream made with whiskey-infused vanilla bean ice cream topped with dry, indulgent sherry, and finished with toasted hazelnut and balsamic vinegar.

Everyone knows the spirits make the cocktail, and this distillery and bar starts with the highest quality, local gin and vodka. Visit the tasting room for a fun, casual atmosphere and menu filled with bright, citrus-forward cocktails. The easy to sip Glad Eye is an excellent option made with Blue Clover’s own premium grapefruit vodka, Aperol, lemon, Prosecco, and lavender bitters.

Martini lovers it’s your time to shine because there’s nowhere better known for a great martini in the Phoenix metro area than AZ/88, which has been serving the classic drink since you guessed it, 1988. It’s also been home to several eye-catching art installations over the years, so even those who have been frequenting the bar for its more than three decades in operation can find something new to enjoy. The bar offers more than two dozen variations of the martini, but the house classic is an easy pick: Build it to your liking with gin or vodka with and choice of olives, cocktail onions, or a lemon twist.

This speakeasy-style bar is putting Chandler’s cocktail scene on the map with an atmosphere that combines 1920s rustic elegance and a life-sized ostrich decoration. Fun fact: It once served as an ostrich feather storage facility for the city’s founder, Dr. AJ Chandler. This bar prides itself on the classics, so we’d order the French 75 made with Chandon Brut, Rouge cognac, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a lemon twist.