The Roosevelt

The Roosevelt, a tavern situated in a renovated house in the Evans-Churchill neighborhood at the north end of Downtown Phoenix, is under the same ownership as the popular Matt's Big Breakfast, just a few blocks away. The Roosevelt, which is a four-block walk from the Roosevelt / Central Avenue Station, resembles a classic tavern or pub. The emphasis is on beer, wine, and simple foods to accompany both. Trends such as $15 martinis, bottle service, and throbbing lounge music are nowhere in evidence at the Roosevelt. Instead, the atmosphere is casual and intimate, with the renovated house's myriad rooms providing numerous small places to gather.

The Roosevelt is a temple to good beer and features a dozen draft selections, all from craft breweries. Among the dozen on tap is a special house beer, a hoppy brew from Four Peaks in Tempe. There are also several more brews available in bottles and cans. The beer is served cold -- very cold; that tends to concern some beer purists, but seems an appropriate concession to Phoenix's hot climate. For those who prefer wine, daily selections by the glass are always noted on chalkboards throughout the tavern. The food at the Roosevelt is simple and straightforward. There are several sandwiches available for customers hungry for a full meal, but the Roosevelt is strongest with its artisanal versions of classic bar snacks. A hot pretzel, served with two mustards (right photo below), surpasses many of the best hot pretzels from New York street vendors.

The Roosevelt is open every day except Monday. Normal closing time is midnight, except for Friday and Saturday when the Roosevelt remains open until 2 AM. Because the layout is more pub than restaurant, there is no host station and no reservations are taken. Customers simply walk in and find a comfortable nook in which to sit or stand. The Roosevelt was reportedly a great challenge to open due to numerous issues associated with adapting an aging house for reuse and is an important part of the transformation of a formerly run-down residential area into an extension of Phoenix's rebounding Downtown.

816 N Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 254-2561

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AZ Central
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Java Magazine
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