The Valley’s Newest Rooftop Bar Officially Opens in Tempe

Canopy by Hilton: Tempe, AZ photographed by Stephen Denton in June 2020

The newly opened Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown hotel announced today its full-service rooftop bar, Alibi, is now open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays offering an impressive craft cocktail program and global street food menu ideal for taking in the 180-degree panoramic views of Downtown Tempe.

Perched atop the 14th floor of the hotel, Alibi provides a playful everyday oasis featuring a pool, lounge seating, chic cabanas, a roaring fire pit, and retractable, climate-controlled glass walls for comfortable year-round entertaining. Guests will enjoy tropical touches at every turn, with staff dressed in casual Hawaiian wear and a rock-soul soundtrack that evokes a vibe of breezy relaxation.

“Downtown Tempe is long overdue for a gathering place that perfectly complements the distinctive vibrancy of the city, and our team has worked hard to ensure Alibi offers a scenic retreat that truly embodies the whimsical, ‘Wish You Were Here’ energy we envisioned for the space,” said Alan Klein, Chief Enthusiast and General Manager at Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown. “As the Valley’s newest rooftop bar, Alibi will thrive in that role with its elevated yet approachable menu and lively atmosphere.”

Along with the rooftop’s debut comes a unique street food menu curated by longtime Valley Chef Ken Arneson, influenced by his more than 13 years of worldly cooking experience where he learned to embrace flavors and techniques from all regions. The menu includes a Poki Sampler ($14) comprised of marinated ahi, pickled vegetables, avocado, spicy salmon belly, sushi rice and Furikake seasoning; Ohana Style Beef Tacos ($12) with slow-roasted sweet and sour beef, garnished with grilled pineapple salsa and spiked mayo; Sun Devil Short Rib Sliders ($12) with Hawaiian-style sweet bread and eight-hour braised short rib served with sweet and spicy sauce and cabbage slaw; and Filipino Style Empanadas ($12) with adobo-style pork, pickled vegetables and ginger plum sauce. The menu will also consist of shared plates like the Steamed Pork Buns ($8) topped with char siu pork, pickled red onion, Cotija cheese and chili mayo; and the House Fried Barbecue Potato Chips ($9) served with a side of lemongrass-infused jalapeno ranch.

Guests will also enjoy a selection of specialty craft cocktails made with fresh locally and regionally sourced ingredients, with standouts from the menu including the Mi-Tai Alibi ($12) with Mi Campo Blanco ancho reyes chili liqueur, Kula dark rum, pineapple juice, lime juice and cinnamon simple syrup; the Bluzu Lemonade ($12) with Effen yuzu vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice and simple syrup; and the Garden Party ($12) with cucumber vodka, Midori, St. Germain, lime juice and soda water.

Happy Hour will be offered on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with rotating drink and food discounts. Through the fall, DJs will be spinning poolside from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and a full calendar of programming coming soon. The rooftop pool at Canopy Tempe is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for hotel guests and those who have rented cabanas or purchased day passes available on ResortPass.

Labor Day weekend Alibi will host a multi-day celebration for hotel guests at Canopy Tempe featuring a specialty holiday food and drink menu and music from poolside DJs. A limited number of day passes are available to the public on Eventbrite and ResortPass starting at $35. For guests looking to turn the weekend into a full getaway, Canopy Tempe is offering a “Sunsation” stay package with rates starting from $129 per night, which will include a stay at the hotel and special access to the events at Alibi.

Until further notice, Alibi is open Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Alibi has implemented socially distanced seating, mask requirements for all staff and guests unless eating or drinking and Hilton’s newly-enforced CleanStay procedures.

As one of the Valley’s highest rooftop poolside bars, Alibi is a playful, everyday oasis that sets the standard for a sophisticated yet laid-back social scene, elevated 14 stories above Downtown Tempe atop the Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown hotel. Focused on delivering a menu inspired by street food from all across the world and a curated craft cocktail menu, Alibi is a tropical sanctuary for guests looking to cut loose and cool down while lounging by the pool or sitting at the terrace bar where a rock-soul soundtrack evokes a vibe of breezy relaxation. With 180-degree unobstructed panoramic views of the city, guests enjoy casual lounge seating, chic cabanas, a roaring fire pit and seating at the custom wrap-around bar that features retractable climate-controlled glass walls to accommodate the weather.

Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown is a contemporary hotel nestled in the heart of vibrant downtown Tempe. Striking the balance between its thriving city setting and the region’s historic cultural roots, the distinctive hotel offers 198 spacious guest rooms and suites with a modern aesthetic inspired by the spirit of the Southwest. Designed as a natural extension of the Tempe neighborhood, the hotel offers a local experience with a boutique hotel feel and is adorned with art curated by Arizona artists to highlight the vitality of the surrounding desert environment. Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown spans 14 floors and amenities include approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space, an expansive private fitness center with a wellness flex space and a rooftop pool deck including a terrace bar, cabanas and a fire pit. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Alter Ego, features modern American fusion cuisine crafted with locally-sourced ingredients and regional dishes. The 14th floor rooftop bar, Alibi, provides a scenic venue for gathering, tapas-style light bites and a curated local cocktail menu.