I just returned from a trip to Scottsdale – one of my top recommended Spring Break destinations for 2021.

Having traveled there about a dozen times in the last couple years, I wanted to share my suggestions for keeping your trip there a little more affordable.

Scottsdale, AZ

If you’re not familiar, Scottsdale is a gastronomic paradise located about 10 miles Northeast of Phoenix, Arizona in the Southwest region of the United States.

With over 800 restaurants in 184 square miles, you might think dining out would be relatively easy, but that is not the case.  Despite the high restaurant density, you typically need to make dinner reservations or you will have to wait for a table since locals AND tourists flood to restaurants here.

Additionally, Scottsdale has a bit of a reputation for those who want to see and be seen.  At one point, it was ranked #4 on the list of snobbiest cities in the US.  This doesn’t surprise me as I also heard it affectionately referred to as “snotsdale”!  😉

Given the combination of high demand for restaurant dining and the “Real Housewives of…” mentality, dining out here can be pretty expensive.

I’ve been told by several people that Scottsdale has some of the best Happy Hour specials in the country, so I am passing this information along to you today.

Below is a countdown of my 4 favorite restaurants with excellent specials, along with one honorable mention:

#4 – The Drunk Munk

After a few visits here, I feel like a regular at the Drunk Munk, a quaint tiki bar with a Polynesian vibe.

The Drunk Munk is high on my list because of its ambiance – most notably its great indoor and outdoor seating options.

Of course, I also appreciate their great Happy Hour specials.

Their Happy Hour is 7 days a week from 3:00-7:00 and all night on Sundays.

Specials include:  ½ priced apps and house sushi rolls, $4 house wine, well liquor, and draft beer, and $7 margaritas and pina coladas.

For food, I really like the pork pot stickers, coconut shrimp, and spicy teriyaki ribs.

AND…

They also have brunch on Saturdays and Sundays with $15 bottomless mimosas.  No-brainer, right?  😊

My only complaint with the Drunk Munk is the service can sometimes be spotty.  Fortunately, you will find it’s well worth the risk!

Check out their website or IG @thedrunkmunkaz

#3 – Giligin’s

Several Scottsdale locals told me about Giligin’s Happy Hour $5 pizza special, so I had to try it as I LOVE pizza.

Giligin’s pizza did NOT disappoint!

As I was walking in, I told myself NOT to forget to take a pic of the pizza in case it is good enough to make this list.  Of course, when the pizza arrived, we completely devoured it before I remembered to take the pic!

Of course since I’m so dedicated to my work and wanted that pic (job hazard or convenient excuse?!?), we ordered a second pizza.  Wouldn’t you know with one piece left, I remembered to take a pic?!? See above…

I guess you can say the pizza is just THAT good!!!  😊

Even though I spent most of my time inside, I like that they also have an outdoor patio with its own bar out front.  This is a great option when the evenings are nice in Arizona.

Giligin’s has Happy Hour every day from 4:00-7:00 with $7 pitchers of beer, $5 import & specialty pint beers, $3 pint beers and well drinks, and $5 one-topping pizzas.

Check out their website for more details and for their daily specials.

I couldn’t find an official IG account but found some pretty fun things when searching #giligins and the Giligin’s Bar location on IG.  It involves pizza roll and corn dog eating contests, Halloween costumes, and lots of other interesting stuff!

#2 – Geisha A Go Go

Do you like sushi?  If so, Geisha is THE place to go for affordable eats!  If not, Geisha is STILL the place to go for affordable eats!

They have Happy Hour every day 3:00-7:00 and all day on Sundays with specials on drinks, sushi, and non-sushi items.

The Happy Hour specials are: ½ priced apps, house maki rolls, specialty cocktails, flavored vodkas, infused sakes, and house wines.  They also have discounts on hot sake, Sapporo, and Kirin.

I feasted like a queen here on several occasions for about $20.

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had here but these are my favorites:

Spicy tuna rolls, spicy/steamed edamame, chicken lettuce wraps, Rock shrimp tempura, Teriyaki ribs, and pork gyoza.

For sake lovers, my favorite infused sake is the pomegranate one.  A carafe of infused sake is just $5 on Happy Hour!

Also, Geisha A Go Go has private karaoke rooms, but they are currently closed due to COVID.

Check out all the details on their website.

Also, follow them on IG: @Geisha.a.gogo.

#1 – Cien Agaves

My number one place in Scottsdale for affordable eats is Cien Agaves!

If you’re looking for a Mexican cantina vibe in Scottsdale, you must visit to Cien Agaves.

Here is a summary of their Happy Hour and Daily Specials:

1. Happy Hour – 7 days a week from 3:00-6:30 for $6 margaritas, ½ priced apps, $3 chicken tacos, $4 Dos Equis bottled beer, and $2 off any glass of wine
2. Daily Specials
   1. Margarita Mondays – ALL DAY $6 margaritas, $3 shrimp tacos, and $5 pineapple-infused tequila shots
   2. Taco Tuesdays – ALL DAY $3 Tecate beer, $2 shredded beef tacos, and $5 tequila shots

We stopped in on a Tuesday and REALLY enjoyed their $2 shredded beef tacos.

Along with the tacos, I had their prickly pear margarita and homemade guacamole.

All the food was SO delicious!

As a good friend of mine who lives nearby said, “You just can’t beat spending $10 on dinner for a couple beers and a couple great tacos.”

For more information, check out their website and follow them on IG: @cienagaves.

Honorable Mention – STK

STK is my honorable mention restaurant.

I’m including it in this list for those looking for a fine dining experience without the fine dining price tag.

They have a list of $2-8 appetizers, ½ priced cocktails, and discounted wine every day of the week from 3:00-6:30.

I can personally vouch for the spicy watermelon cocktails, the cold-water, raw oysters (FAVE!), beef tartare, and tuna tartare tacos!  All was SUPER delicious!

Also, the service you get at STK is impeccable, and they have one of the most beautiful outdoor patios!

STK is only honorable mention because I feel like it’s still kind of expensive even with Happy Hour prices.

For example, my spicy watermelon cocktail is regularly $20 so still $10 each with the Happy Hour pricing.

My friends and I concluded each Happy Hour visitor should probably expect to pay about $100 at Happy Hour there…  While this is cheaper than non-Happy Hour pricing, it’s still not the most affordable for a lot of people…

Check out their website for more details  and follow them on IG: @eatstk.

Conclusion

My last recommendation is to consider NOT renting a car if possible.  Here are a few reasons:

1. Ubers are affordable and readily available all over the Phoenix area.  For example, going to and from the Phoenix airport to Old Town Scottsdale is only about $15-20 depending on the time of day and year.  Also, rides within the Scottsdale area have always only been about $5-10.
2. Getting an Uber from the Phoenix airport is super easy and the ride sharing area is very well-marked right outside the baggage claim area. This is not always the case in other airports so I get a little excited when airports do help out the ride sharing companies.
3. There are tons of things to do and places within walking distance or a quick ride in a golf cart or Uber.
4. With all the great wine, delicious margaritas, and fantastic drink specials, it’s always better to leave the driving to someone else! 😊

I hope you find this information helpful, and you check out some (or all) of these places on your next visit to Scottsdale.

My question for you is: 

What other places in Scottsdale have good Daily and/or Happy Hour specials?