Made in the Shade: W Scottsdale Mixes It Up

There’s no velvet rope barring your way to the W Scottsdale’s destination bar, Shade–just saunter up the stairs to where the bar staff, who all look like Ford models, mix and pour with aplomb. You’ll be just in time for their new 2011 apothecary of in-house infusions and cocktail selections like the So-Dang-Good–Ketel One, cucumber, lemon, mint, simple syrup, sprite, and club soda, or the Silver Strawberry–Hornitos Plata, fresh ripe strawberries, agave nectar, lime, and basil. They’ve also spruced up the new $14 Martini menu with enticing concoctions like: Peppermint Patty, an adult chocolate milk bubbling with green crème de menthe; Elvis with Jam—nutliquor, raspberry liqueur and banana; or the light and breezy 10 Flowers–Tanqueray 10, St. Germain, cucumber, lime, lemon, and just a dash of simple syrup. The wine list is excellent, if dear, with an emphasis on fine French marques. Nibbles like soft salted pretzel nuggets dipped in Tillamook cheddar are tasty; even better, a scintillating skewer of iced fruit on a silver dish garnishes each cocktail as a palate-cleanser.

The room itself oozes sophistication, with modern touches like Mid-century lampshades with ever-changing lighting, floating candles and cascading waterfalls behind the bar that enhance the cheery character of the space. Once the lights go down after 9pm, the Living Room transforms into a stylish lounge where the elite mingle with the avant garde jet-set as DJs spin beats. Fashionistas hang out al fresco, staying cool on the elegantly landscaped patio with an epic desert view  It’s a boisterous, buzzing bar with elan yet everyone feels at home; it’s everything a good hotel bar should be.

W SCOTTSDALE
7277 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251