Prepare to be swept into an era of glamour and intrigue as Tell Your Friends, a captivating underground cocktail and live music lounge, pulls back the velvet curtain on May 23 to reveal a sultry and opulent ambiance, curated craft cocktail program, elevated small bites and dynamic live music performances.
Unlike any other nightlife destination in Arizona, Tell Your Friends embodies Gatsby-era allure with rich maroon velvet drapes, mirrored walls, fanciful lighting and a captivating bar adorned with floor-to-ceiling lights that seamlessly trace their way across the ceiling, creating a dazzling connection to the adjacent stage. Open Thursday through Sunday, the lounge hosts nightly live performances featuring talented vocalists, musical acts and entertainers inspired by classic sounds with a modern edge.
As live music fills the intimate, moody space, guests enjoy a well-curated menu of upscale small bites by legendary Arizona Chef Beau MacMillan. Rediscovering his fine-dining roots, MacMillan adds luxurious touches to familiar favorites, creating a dining experience that balances sophistication with comfort. A few instant favorites are expected to include the TYF Korean Fried Chicken ($25), with kimchi honey, smoked bacon ranch and the optional addition of a premium caviar bump ($75) to top the tenders; Fire-Roasted Oysters ($30) with East Coast oysters, spinach, Chinese sausage, sesame and ginger; Vodka-Cured Salmon & Potato ‘Pizza’ ($26) with dill crème fraiche, beet horseradish, smoked salmon roe and chives; Dips & Chips ($19) with house-made potato chips and crackers, smoked white fish dip, caramelized onion dip and pimento cheese dip; and Caviar D’Aquitaine Ossetra ($220) with house accouterments, toasted parker house roll, crème fraiche and chilled vodka shots. Guests tempted by the acclaimed pasta, steak and seafood offerings upstairs at The Americano can indulge in these dishes at Tell Your Friends with special arrangements.
Led by one of the Valley’s most awarded bartenders Keifer Gilbert, the cocktail-driven menu takes a similar culinary approach and features approximately 20 cocktails. A few signatures include Friends with Benefits ($25), whiskey, bitters, sugar – bottled and cured in beeswax; One Time Thing ($26), cognac, banana, Montenegro, sherry, bitters; Hops to the Beat ($24), tequila, citra hops, serrano, pineapple, lime, salt; Money, Baby! ($20), whiskey, strawberry, coriander, lemon, ginger beer; Flapper Fizz ($24), vodka, apple, vanilla, amaro, lemon, champagne; and In the Mood for Love ($22), gin, raspberry, red bell pepper, Genepy, lemon. Classic cocktails (all priced at $20) round out the menu with favorites like an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Sazerac, Bitter Bee, Negroni and French 75 among them.
“At Tell Your Friends, we’re blending simple, snackable dishes with luxurious, memorable touches,” said Chef Beau. “Keifer and I collaborated closely to pair phenomenal cocktails with delightful bites that will inspire and excite our guests. Imagine enjoying a great martini with an amazing onion dip on homemade chips or indulging in fried chicken topped with caviar – there’s nothing better. Also, our talented staff embodies genuine hospitality, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and leaves feeling even better than when they arrived.”
Tell Your Friends is the debut collaboration between Creation Hospitality, owners of The Americano and Mora Italian, and Clive Collective, owners of Cala. Located underneath The Americano and accessed through a nondescript side door, the ultra-luxe, 52-seat venue opens to the public on Thursday, May 23 and will operate Thursday through Sunday from 5:00pm until late night. Reservations are highly recommended, as space is limited.
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