Horse & Hyde brings a little bit of Nashville to Arcadia

With the success of his three Dapper & Stout Coffee, Cocktails & Eatery locations owner Aaron Lopo wanted his next concept to have a country bar vibe. Lopo recently opened Horse & Hyde Barroom Saloon along the restaurant friendly Indian School Rd. in Phoenix’s Arcadia Lite neighborhood. The Nashville- style country bar offers live music, cocktails with country kick and a simple menu.

“I’ve always all things country and I wanted to develop a concept that challenges the stigma of traditional country bars,” says Lopo, whose passion for and expertise in design and development is evident in every last detail of Horse & Hyde. “I love to build spaces and create something where people want to go every day. There is a lot of escapism coming into a restaurant. I like knowing that I get to be a part of our customers’ day and ensure they have the most memorable experience here.”

Food & drinks at Horse & Hyde

Lopo describes the menu as “simple Sonoran cowboy food” such as Wild West Nachos with your choice of open pit BBQ pulled pork or pulled chicken & toppings, a Hermosillo Dog with locally made chorizo and Braised Beef Panini. From the bar guests can enjoy classic cocktails, wines, beers on tap & in the can and hard seltzers. Signature cocktails include the Buckin’ Bronco with Maison Rouge cognac, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, demerara syrup and Dapper & Stout’s own Ensemble espresso and the City Slicker made with Whistle Pig six year rye, Antica sweet vermouth, Averna Amaro, orange and angostura bitters, barrel-aged with a hint of cacao.

Small in size at 1,200 square feet Horse & Hyde offers a lot with a stage, dance floor, bar, dining room and patio. A high quality sound system gives performers an easy plug & play set up with live music five nights a week and an open mic night on Wednesday’s.

Lopo already has his sights on opening other Horse & Hyde locations around the valley.

Horse & Hyde Barroom Saloon is open Tuesday – Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday at 1 p.m. The Saloon is at 3730 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix 85018. For more information visit their website.

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Rusty Spur Saloon celebrates its 70th anniversary with new owners

Walk through the swinging doors of Scottsdale’s Rusty Spur Saloon and you have an idea of what life was like in the good ‘ol days of early Arizona life. As the oldest bar in Scottsdale celebrates its 70th anniversary it also celebrates a new group of local owners to keep the legendary bar going the years ahead.

Housed in what was Farmer’s Bank of Scottsdale the building was built in 1921 and renovated in 1951 and has been given historic landmark status and the safe is no longer filled with money but beer and liquor. Its other claim to fame is it can be a stop for country music superstars when the pull into town. Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Post Malone and others have been known to stop in for a drink and to listen to some country music.

Former owner Susan Anderson wanted the new owners to be local and have the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it attitude”. She found that attitude in full- time Arizona resident and new owner Bill Toole, who also owns Red, White & Brew, 32 Shea, Bill’s Grill and Lakeside Bar & Grill. “Our company mantra is ‘Local Places, Happy Faces’ and the Rusty Spur Saloon embodies this to a tee. The previous owner, Susan, did a fantastic job honoring and elevating the legacy of the Rusty Spur Saloon over the past 19 years. We’re humbled by the opportunity to lead this historic business into the future,” said Toole.

The Rusty Spur Saloon serves lunch 7 days a week and live entertainment during the days and nights. The saloon is at 7245 Main St. Scottsdale 85251. For more information, to see the menu and hours visit their website.

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