Architecture is far more than the simple construction of a space. It integrates art, science, mathematics, physics, culture, and human experience to create meaningful environments that reflect society’s wants and needs. This is especially true when it comes to the planning of a culinary space. Even subtle design choices—such as the curve of a bar or the rhythm of patterned tiles—can direct the energy of an evening.
Looking to feel inspired? Here are some of the most impressive architectural achievements when it comes to the drinking and dining scene in the Valley.
Carry On: Flight of Fancy
This aviation-inspired cocktail lounge is more than a bar—it is a sensory voyage through the jet-set era of the 1970s. The entrance sets the stage: a richly carpeted jetway with LED-lit flooring that mimics the glow of an airport bridge. Guests follow the illuminated path into a lounge styled like a first-class cabin. Walnut paneling wraps the walls, while brass accents and buttery leather banquettes create an atmosphere both retro and futuristic.
The centerpiece is a sculptural curved bar that acts as the “cockpit,” surrounded by custom LED “windows” projecting aerial views of skylines, clouds, and landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Chichén Itzá. Lighting cues shift with the evening to mimic takeoff, cruising altitude, and golden-hour descent, turning each visit into a narrative. Small but whimsical touches—such as a glowing martini light that signals tableside service or a retro phone with cheeky prerecorded messages—make the design a playful part of the night. Even turbulence effects and acoustics were engineered to heighten the illusion, while reclaimed aircraft parts ground the concept in sustainability.
Toca Madera: Modern Mexican Marvel
Toca Madera blends big Latin flavors with bold design. The restaurant’s interiors fuse the warmth of nature with modern geometry, creating a balance of organic beauty and urban sophistication.
The undulating wood slat ceiling seems to ripple overhead, directing the eye toward dramatic pendant lighting that casts shadows onto lush greenery throughout the dining room. This living decor blurs indoor and outdoor boundaries, inviting the desert’s vibrancy inside. Dark wood tables, softened by rich textiles and gold accents, establish a grounding base against the theatrical ceiling.
Custom woodwork frames intimate booths, while geometric metal accents on partitions provide a modern counterpoint to the organic palette. The result is a layered, tactile space where mezcal cocktails sparkle under low light sand steaks arrive in settings as artful as the plates themselves. Toca Madera feels less like a restaurant and more like a modern art installation that happens to serve food.
Geordie’s Lounge at Wrigley Mansion: Honoring a Legacy
Located atop one of Phoenix’s highest ridges, Wrigley Mansion has embodied grandeur since 1931. Inside, Geordie’s Lounge extends that legacy with a design that carefully balances preservation and innovation. Wood-beamed ceilings and stately stone columns frame the lounge, while intricate tile mosaics speak to Mediterranean influences. A carved staircase descends into the space like a set piece, reminding visitors of the craftsmanship of nearly a century ago.
The bar itself is newly elevated yet still reverent. Marble counters and rich woods recall timeless refinement, while backlit shelving transforms bottles into glowing sculptures. The Wrigley brand’s historic diamond pattern subtly reappears behind shelving and along the bar’s outer shell—a refined nod to continuity. Sapphire barstools and plush seating add a pop of contemporary vibrancy, bridging history with modern luxury.
Platform 18: All Aboard
Platform 18 is one of the Valley’s most ambitious design experiences. Part of Century Grand, this cocktail bar recreates a 1920s Pullman presidential train car with staggering authenticity.
Polished mahogany paneling sets a regal tone, while art deco sconces and chandeliers scatter golden light across the narrow car. Period-accurate luggage rests on overhead racks, and bartenders wear vests and ties straight out of the Jazz Age.
The seating itself is part of the design story. Plush velvet booths conceal discreet speakers that rumble in sync with panoramic “windows,” which project moving landscapes of moonlit woods, snowy peaks, and bustling cities. The vibrations trick the senses into believing the train is rolling down the tracks. Combined with the gentle clinking of glassware and live jazz melodies, the effect is a multisensory illusion of travel.
Recent design enhancements expand the fantasy with the Tycoons & Titans menu: lobster toast presented with theatrical flair, caviar paired with homemade salt-and-vinegar chips, and champagne served tableside, along with a laundry list of other experiential cocktails. Here, food and drink join design as part of the journey.
Bar Bambino: Retro Chic
Tucked into Élephante Scottsdale, Bar Bambino is a cocktail lounge that balances exclusivity with artistry. Guests enter through a private curtain, immediately met by a space that feels retro, moody, and luxuriously layered. A curved bar clad in bronzed scallops and topped with veined green marble serves as the focal point, glowing under mirrored ceilings that amplify the lounge’s intimate lighting. Dark-stained woods envelop the room, giving warmth and depth.
Art is woven directly into the design: Custom wallpaper designed from a mural by Mexican artist Priscila González sweeps across the entirety of the bar, while a chandelier crafted by Yucatán artist Angela Damman crowns the central banquette. Seating options are thoughtfully curated—plush corners for intimate dates, open areas for groups, and an elevated DJ space to shape the soundtrack of the night.
Kauboi: Finesse Meets Fusion
At Kauboi—pronounced Cowboy—design becomes a cultural conversation. The restaurant draws from a post-WWII moment when American cowboy culture fascinated Japan, blending Southwestern grit with Japanese precision in both its architecture and cuisine.
The lounge announces itself with bold material choices: Deep-blue glazed brick, raw stone, and textured metal converge into a space that feels rugged yet refined. A channel bar clad in lava stone tile grounds the room with a tactile, earthy edge. Leather seating adds warmth, while layered lighting highlights both brick and bottles. The dining room is anchored by a custom-built robata and grill suite—half dedicated to yakitori, half to Santa Maria-style steaks. Flames rise as chefs prepare dishes in full view, adding live theater to the space. Every detail—brick, leather, fire—plays into the duality of Kauboi’s aesthetic: East meets West, precision meets grit.
Pyro: Architecture Aflame
Pyro is the rare restaurant and bar where every surface feels like part of a larger narrative. Inspired by Japanese design and storytelling, the 4,200-square-foot space captures both intimacy and grandeur. Rectilinear forms, decorative wooden screens, and dark, rich woods establish a grounding palette, while plush velvet seating and shimmering fixtures add intrigue. The inspiration draws from a 1930s Japanese casino led by “Madam Geisha,” reinterpreted with layers of history, texture, and fantasy.
Design flourishes abound: geisha-inspired patterns woven into textiles, bespoke chandeliers illuminating an expansive dining room, and a cocktail bar framed like a stage set. The open-hearth kitchen serves as the beating heart, where guests can watch flames leap against a backdrop of elegant minimalism.
Outdoors, a lush patio extends the design language, with lighting and landscaping that create a seamless flow between interior and exterior. Whether sipping sake at the bar or sharing plates under the stars, guests are surrounded by a thoughtful blend of heritage and modernity.