My boyfriend and I have been here twice ... both times with a restaurant.com coupon that we didn't actually pay for. As a Guinness fan, I was very happy to find they have it! The first time we came here we had the boneless wings, a quesadilla with steak and another item that I've since forgotten. The boneless wings were pretty good in their own right but didn't really make us think of wings. They were more like chicken nuggets albeit a class above fast food. I personally didn't like the flavor of the steak in my quesadilla but I did like the cheese and the crispiness of the tortilla. I would order a cheese quesadilla in the future. The restaurant.com deal we had was for $25 and we needed to spend $50+. After the food and two beers each we were still only at $40 something so we also had Jägermeister shots which put us over our minimum. I thought their pour was very generous for the shots. We just returned from our second time here. This time we had the regular wings. They have a mild and extreme sauce. We asked if they could do something in the medium range and they were able to accommodate us. We chose the blue cheese over the ranch option for sauce. We were happy with our wings. They had a spicy tangy flavor without being too hot. We shared the Big Boy burger (Just like Bob used to make only better! One patty and our secret sauce). We chose the double patty option and added cheddar. We also had the seasoned fries and onion rings. The onion rings were pretty good. The fries were a bit bland so I asked for more of the blue cheese as I despise catsup. That helped a lot. The burger was tasty and it actually reminded me of a Bob's Big Boy even though it's been many years since I've had one. When I was in Bisbee a couple of weeks ago we met a couple who were drinking Moscow Mules which I've never even heard of. Arena serves a Moscow Mule in a copper cup so I had to try it. It's pretty good. I can see it as more of a summer drink in the desert. This is a couple miles from my house so we'll be putting this into our walking rotation (we like to walk to restaurants that are within 2-3 miles of the house).
(4)
Lukas J.
I've been going to arena sports grill for years and have never been disappointed with the food nor service. Great sports bar and place to hang out to watch some Sunday night football.
(4)
Jennifer W.
I've visited Arena multiple times and each time I've received excellent quality of food, service, and drinks. The food is awesome (try the Mexican pizza)! The staff always has a smile on their face, is attentive, and efficient. The bar selection and drink specials keep me coming back. Definitely a great place to relax and have some drinks with friends!
(5)
J W.
The bar area is too dark. Bar rugs are out in the walkways, tripped when walked in. Patio is too small and dirty. Feels weird if you are not a regular. Needs to be modernized.
(2)
Kathy C.
I am most definitely NOT a Sports Bar patron. Would never have entered this restaurant except that I was here for an event. Dropped in early for an early dinner/late lunch. Not auspicious beginning--barely tasted or felt the effects of run in the rum & diet I ordered. The finish was awesome, however, when I dove into the Steak and Blue salad. OMG. So wonderful! Fabulous blue cheese dressing, fresh veggies (crisp lettuce, sweet red onion, ripe tomatoes) and the steak was chopped strips clearly marinated in a wonderful sauce with tons of crumbled blue cheese and crisp bacon it was amazing!!
(4)
Ellenne M.
I moved to North Scottsdale a little over a year ago and have been in search of a local bar, I finally found this place on Yelp probably 2 or 3 weeks earlier. I had been meaning to come in and check it out. Went in on a Sunday evening and I asked my waitress what she recommends eating since it's my first time in the establishment. She recommended I get the chili relleno, which was amazing. Then we went back on the following Tuesday, sat at the same table and got the same waitress who was awesome, she remembered the drinks we ordered from Sunday night and was kind and wrote down the daily specials for us. We went back last Sunday but earlier in the day and again had another great waitress, the waitress who normally helps us came in and had lunch with her family before starting her shift and she came to chat with us for a few minutes. I'm sad I didn't find Arena Sports Grill sooner, it's a great local area bar and on nights we just want to go out and grab a cocktail or beer we stop by.
(4)
Nicholas C.
I had some vouchers to use at specific establishments and just happened to be by the Arena Sports Bar which was one of the VCA approved restaurants. Going into the meal I knew it would be free so I did not have the highest expectations but used Yelp recommendations for what to order. We ordered two very simple items; the first was a soft pretzel with cheese. The pretzel itself was extremely greasy and left residue all over our hands, and the cheese that was served with it seemed as if it was just thrown in the microwave and taken to the table. In the end we did not even finish it as it was just terrible. We also ordered the boneless wings which were so over done that the chicken was 100% dry on the inside. Once again, my expectations were not high for bar food, but this was by far my worst experience of eating at a sports bar. To top things off when finishing the beer we ordered we were surprised to see a layer of black goo at the bottom of the glass. All in all it was a terrible experience and I would steer clear of this establishment even if you have the opportunity to eat there for free. The service also left much to be desired and from the get go it seemed as if the waitress took issue with the fact that we were using these vouchers as those who had used them before us had been 'difficult.'
(1)
Clint B.
Local dive bar that we didn't eat at. We were sent here by some neighbors as it was supposedly better than the 2 we mentioned to them. Small seating area, large bar area. Immediate turn-off was the 1/2 dozen kids running around and screaming, and playing Golden Tee. Just had a shot and a beer, and really wanted to leave because of the kids. Sure it was around 7 on a Saturday, but still......Don't like kids in a bar at all. I guess the kick was when we got our check. 1 large KiltLifter and 2 shots of Fireball, almost $20. Seemed very high for the type of place it was considering it's definitely a few $ cheaper at our closer local spots. These are prices I'd expect from from a more trendy sports bar with a nicer feel.
(2)
Amy H.
Fun local bar and grill. 2 Pool tables, off track betting, darts, beer, nice staff. (They have a var side and resturant side)I have sat in Lori 's section on the bar side for years and she greets you like a long list friend, remembers your drink and keeps them coming. Fave foods....irish nachos, fish sandwich, wings, and the cheesesteak. It's drinking food, but they always have options for the calorie conscious.
(4)
James B.
Off track betting in a neighborhood bar! Great happy hour deals and friendly staff. Bathroom was dirty and small. But no real complaints.
(4)
Melissa K.
The food here was not worth the wait, the pizza was soggy and underdone, without much flavor. It took a very long time to get our food, the service focus seemed to be at the bar. I would suggest coming here if you want to drink, but not for the restaurant aspect.
(2)
Brad W.
Taco tuesday is quite the deal at this local sports bar. I never expect much when things are on special, but Arena delivered three chicken tacos (loaded with meat and cheese, lettuce and tomato) for $1.25 each. A tasty salsa was also included on the side. They also have huge discounts on chile rellenos and enchilada's (about 2 bucks each) and two 7oz corona's were only $1.50 each. The place was pretty empty at about 9pm, except for a small pool tournament, and the two bartenders were friendly enough to a newcomer. Rest of menu is typical sports bar stuff, but Tuesday is the day to be there. UPdate: $2.50 chile Relleno looks good, but must be frozen and reheated and is stuffed with ground beef which is just too weird for this item. Pass on them.
(4)
Chris A.
So disappointed. I used to eat here regularly 10-15 years ago. They had great wings and burgers. In fact I never had a bad meal here back in the day. The Friday fish fry was one of the best in the area. Unfortunately, a lot has changed. The fried fish can now go down as the worst I've ever had. It was like rubber and very dry. Hard to cut with a fork. Not the great flaky cod that they used to serve. Everything was completely flavorless. I really can't say anything good about the food. Everyone in our party was disappointed with their meals. It wasn't anything close to decent. Sadly I will never go back. Used to be a great place. It's too bad it has gone so far downhill.
(1)
Joseph T.
This is one of my preferred sports bar hangouts during football season. Always great service, and good food. I enjoy the fact the feature a new beer on tap each month.
(4)
Todd A.
Went in with my girlfriend for food and drinks. Big bar and plenty of room for dining as well. There was a jukebox and pool tables as well as off track betting which seemed cool if you're into that sort of thing. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. We just moved to town and the staff made us feel like we were at home. We were looking for a friendly neighborhood bar and that's exactly what we got! Drinks were pretty reasonably priced and the chicken Philly that I ordered blew my mind. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Rachel D.
I love the Arena! It is our favorite place as they have Woodchuck cider on tap and we don't drink beer. Food is always good and the pizza is fabulous and wings too. Lori is always there with a smile to take your order and is the best server they have! However, their upkeep in general of the place leaves a bit to be desired. The bathroom doors haven't locked for months, the one toilet wobbles when you sit down and you feel like you will fall over, the sink faucet moves when you turn it on and many of the barstools are broken and splintered and could cause harm if you grab it wrong. I just feel like the owners should put a little more attention into fixing things for their customers.
(3)
W T.
Been here a few times over the last few years. Has kind of a Midwest feel to it. Good food. Good beer selection. Some really cute girls behind the bar. Very casual and unpretentious. Somewhat rare for scottsdale. Great for Sunday NFL. GREAT neighborhood joint. I'll be back.
(4)
Sara N.
Stoped into this spot because it was on our way home, and one of the only places open. Wasn't sure what to expect. The food was pretty good, I got some wings, which were bomb, and some 1.50 tacos, but they were a bit underwhelming. Oh well, they were only 1.50, what else could i expect? The service and drinks were even better!!! Our bartender,a hot blondie, Micky was super fun and makes a killer gummi bear shot, I'll deff be going back!
(4)
Andy S.
Pretty standard issue sports bar. The place is pretty large and spread out which is nice, but we went late on a weeknight and there weren't too many people around. Seems like the kind of place a locals have been going to for years. Little dark, a little divey but not dirty or unpleasant. Beer selection wasn't great but the wings made it worth the trip. The wings were great. I live in the area and I imagine I'll be back here sometime soon.
(3)
Candy A.
So I went here recently to meet up with friends to grab a bite to eat. Not only was their patio extremely dirty but the inside of the restaurant had this stench when you walked in. It is definitely a cheap sports bar. My boyfriend had a burger with fries and I had the chop salad. The burger was supposed to be cooked to a medium and it came out well done, we asked the server if they could remake it and she just gave us this look and rolled her eyes. It took about 20-25 minutes for the new burger. The French fries were obviously frozen, they had no flavor and were chewy. My chop salad on the other hand had barely any salad at all and was completely covered with slimey turkey lunch meat. After we had returned the burger I had hoped to catch the sever to tell her about the salad, but she didn't even acknowledge us until 20 minutes later when the new burger came out and my salad that I only took a bite of was mush. At that point we asked to get the food taken off . We still paid for our drinks and tipped the server well, but the manager never came by once to apologize about the food. After we left we went to 5guys to get some REAL burgers and fries.
(1)
Kathy J.
Save yourself the hassle and go somewhere else. Husband and I went there with a "Groupon" type certificate. Our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us. The food was just okay. The atmosphere was the worst of it. Maybe it was the OTB, maybe it was just the worn, dark look of the place...not sure, but I won't be going back.
(2)
Tony P.
Has to be the WORST place to watch sports in the Valley!!!! Went there to watch a Nebraska game and it was a horrible experience. First they play loud music before the game .. why not have one of the other college games on ... it is a sports bar, yes? Then when the game came on they turned the volume down and you couldn't hear anything. And then the worst thing is that as soon as the game was over they crank the country music up again and everyone runs for the doors. ITS A SPORTS BAR .. WHY NOT KEEP A GAME ON THE SPEAKERS?!?!?!? And you have the men's room which is basically one big toilet!!!! You have to see it to believe it. And the servers are not "attractive" and bitter. The food stinks (besides the pizza) and the drinks are watered down. I drank 7 vodka rocks .. anywhere else I'd be crawling out of the bar .. this place ... maybe a slight buzz. A complete waste of money. AND why have the "chucky cheese" side of the bar???
(1)
Rebecca W.
Arena is a great place for all ages. The restaurant side accommodates families with children well. The bar side is also nice because there are plenty of tables to sit down and eat. Lots of tv's in the place which is nice for watching sporting events. Service is always excellent and in the 6 years we have been going to Arena, we often see a lot of the same staff still working there and still happy to be there. The queso appetizer is really good and served in a edible chip bowl. My favorite meal is the buffalo chicken pasta. You cant go wrong with adding buffalo chicken and pasta together :) It's not your fancy Scottsdale sports bar, but thats what we like about it. You can come as you are and enjoy good food and great service.
(4)
Fatty A.
Cheap bar to watch Thursday night football. The only bad thing about this place was a long strand of hair in the fries. Freakin nasty.
(3)
Jonny G.
Just moved to the Scottsdale area from Las Vegas and this reminded me of my favorite local sports bar back home. Atmosphere: Definitely geared towards locals which is great. There is an area to just dine in as well as the bar plus patio. The bar area was great nice size bar to sit around with pool tables and nice mix of music. Plenty of tvs to watch any sporting event you might want. Bartenders /Waitress: This was the best part of my experience everyone was incredibly attentive and so friendly. Great senses of humor, welcoming, and top notch service. It was easily the best bar experience I've had since moving here. Food/drink: Food was great and prices were reasonable especially on a Saturday off happy hour. Without a doubt this will be my go to spot in the Scottsdale area from this point forward. Can't wait till i can stop by for a happy hour. You are missing out if you do not hit this place up.
(5)
Christina N.
Been here a few times after work with colleagues of mine. Not too shabby. The wait staff if pretty awesome and it's just a great spot to chat and drink and chill. Prices are cheap so there is no room for complaints.
(3)
Ebony K.
I went there today with some coworkers for lunch for the all you can eat fish special that they have on Friday's and it was very much worth it. Upon entering the bar/restaurant the first thing I noticed was how dark it was. The next was how big it was. There are two sides to this place and we opted to go to the side that had more lighting. I mean I don't know about you, but I want to actually be able to see what I am a eating. So after being seated and having our drink order taken, it took a minute for someone to actually come and take our order. It was kinda weird as it didn't seem to be that busy but who knows. In the end everyone ordered the fish and we all had it differently. Some had it fried, some had it baked, some had it blackened/cajun and we all either fries or onions rings. Let me just say that it was worth the wait. The fish was so moist and fried perfectly. I had a piece of the cajun as well and it was seasoned just right. Oh and the onion rings? Good lawd they were good. I am not sure what they did back there in the kitchen, but they most definitely made up for our wait. The bill came and we were pleasantly surprised. The all you can eat fish special pretty much included the drinks for only .25 cents. Cool huh? So $13 or so dollars per person, plus tip and a VERY full stomach later, we all hobbled out of there and went back to work fat and full. As a matter of fact its 10pm and I am still full from lunch today. Sad but true and I only had one plate of fish!!! The all you can eat fish fry is worth it if you like fish. Be patient because its worth the wait.
(4)
Michael F.
Went here using the 50% off coupon in the SavvyShopper flier. Good thing too, because I would have felt completely ripped off had I paid the menu prices. The 'chicken wings' are simply unbreaded chicken meat nuggets in buffalo sauce. That's not a chicken wing. They were a little tough. The Black n Blue burger was a bit dry and nothing special about the meat. It sure didn't look like 1/3 lb either. The service was competent and yes we did tip the waitress appropriately, including a tip for the discounted part of the bill. The only good thing I can say (other than the 50% off) is that it reminded me that it's time to go back to Havana Cafe again; it's right next door. I would not go back here.
(2)
Dave S.
I've experienced better, but for an outta-way bar it's okay, I would return. Now this place is Half restaurant, Half OTB (off track betting salon) with quite a few local families for dinner, and a few die-hard track betting happening at the bar on the farside. Now, I'm a bar rat. I enjoy sitting at the bar talking with the staff and meeting the regulars, (but I may of hit an off night) and I like to have dinner at the bar if I can. I am comfortable here, but they have too many bar stools crammed together to maneuver on and off (in and out). The evening I was here they had a trashcan fire out on the front stoop, possibly from the many discarded losing bet tickets thrown about, but mostly just from a careless smoker. Our two bartenders weren't on the same page, I ordered a round of drinks and the next round was a completely different price. Wasn't pleased, and in asking was kinda frown down upon, enough that it was time to leave and try friendlier joints.
(3)
Nancy P.
Great staff and food....my home away from home.
(5)
Bill A.
The Arena is a typical neighborhood sports bar but is definately showing its age. I have stopped in many times over the years since it was originally Senior Tobo's mexican joint. I have watched some memorable sports games there with friends. There are lots of TVs but the ones over the bar are too small for viewing easily from the table seating area. At least one of the bigger tvs keeps pixilating. Last year's addition of grey corrugated steel wall panels throughout is just awful and has given the place a much worse ambience like grandpa's old storage shed. A big Jack Daniels statute (looks like Colonal Sanders in western wear) is in the bar area and is plum out of place. An update of the worn out restroom areas are long overdue, especially the boys room. Food is typical grilled or fried bar fare with nothing outstanding. Arena has seen better days and a update is needed and has been needed for a long time. Other places have passed them by. There is a small off track betting counter squeezed in. There is separate restaruant area smaller than the bar and it is quieter. Friday fish dinner is popular there.
(2)
Hannah G.
There are better bars close by. I went to catch up with a friend and to have a few drinks. Food was disgusting (we took our waitresses suggestion) Service was ok (until we spoke up of our dislike of the food) We ordered the spinach dip and we got a lukewarm bowl of white velveta with bits of "spinach" (could easily have been dried parsley due to texture and taste). Our drinks were brought to the table where 1/2 of them were spilled out onto the table (the napkins consumed as much alcohol as I did). Needless to say I will not be returning anytime, ever.
(1)
Kristen H.
Great bar! Bartenders are awesome, cheap drinks, great happy hour, off track betting is fun too. Small smoking patio which is also a bonus! Great place to go have some drinks with friends and hang out!
(5)
Paul C.
This is another great little sports bar where you can feel very comfortable taking your kids. I always hesitate about "bar" restaurants, they are a risk for bad language and bad behavior, but NOT this place, they are awesome! Menu is very diverse from Mexican to Italian, from wings (really good too) to a fantastic beef dip! The girls that wait on you are attentive, beautiful and very good at what they do.... Go and enjoy.....
(5)
Jeff C.
Went on Sunday to watch Week 1 of the '09 NFL season, and was pleasantly surprised. I used a coupon from Restaurant.com , and saved $10 off my $25 check. (bevs not included) The food was good to excellent. Wings were fantastic, big and meaty, with great sauce, and were only about $6 and change for a dozen. The nachos were a giant pile of goodies, and could barely get through half of it. I didn't have any alcohol, as I had my 3 yr old with me, but I did feel totally comfortable with him there - great family atmosphere even though it was croweded. Everyone was good little boys and girls, and very friendly crowd. There are plenty of tvs surrounding both dining rooms, and there are plenty of teams represented, it's not one of those bars devoted to just one team. Again...friendly banter between different teams followers, no yelling, screaming, fighting or even arguing. Heck, I'm a Ravens fan and even chatted it up with (gasp!) a Pittsburgh fan! What's next, dogs and cats, sleeping together?? Good service, lots of waitresses flying around, and everyone seemed to be having a blast cheering on their teams.
(4)
Michael C.
DO NOT get the fish! We tried to visit a new fish shop near our home first, but it was "out of fish" per their hand-scribbled sign on the door - having always wanted to visit Arena we popped by, and when the menu "highly recommended" the fish plate I was thrilled - that was short lived though - when fish was served I realized that I had made a huge mistake. This looks like it might be fun for a burger, football game or late night of abusive drinking. Arena, you get one more try!
(3)
Jeff S.
I'd give this place 3.5 stars. Its a little corner bar, good food, reasonable beer prices, seems like the kind of place a lot of regulars would belly up to the bar. They have a lot of flatscreens around the bar. The environment though is pretty drab and dark. Needs to be redone really, its almost depressing in there.
(3)
Jen H.
Great sports bar! The place is huge and can be a little loud. There are TV's everywhere you look so there is no bad seat in the house. The service is incredible and the food is amazingly great! They have a thin crust pizza with a sauce that tastes just like Lou Malnati's in Chicago. Try the vodka pasta too. Never had a bad meal here. Ask for Lori - best server EVER!
(4)
Nicole M.
Arena gets the job done when you need some bar food and a drink. It's certainly nothing fancy. It's split into 2 parts. It's just a very large room with somewhat of a warehouse feel. The main section has a bunch of low tables, a few high tops, and a bar to the left side. I'm not sure what it is about the layout of this place that confuses me. Picture a school cafeteria. Lots of tables set up in rows. Good for groups because pushing them together is a cinch considering you are basically in the lap of the table next to you anyhow. If you need to get up to use the restroom, it feels like you end up rubbing your ass on the head of the person behind you trying to squeeze by. The side area has some booths and more cramped seating and seems more "family appropriate". They do show music videos, which is pretty awesome considering some of the tunes people choose. Some real old school gems are thrown in that provide some entertainment. They also have darts and a Big Buck Hunter. TVs are scattered about. The menu is big and diverse. Typical bar food (wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads) even pasta as well as Mexican food. Something for everyone! Service is friendly and fast. I usually have Lori, who is terrific. I would up the rating if it wasn't such an odd seating arrangement. I'm not in middle school anymore and prefer to keep those days behind me. *Happy hour has some good drink specials. *The water tastes like dirt from a pond, so spring for a bottle if you are in the need for some re-hydration. *There is no patio or outside seating here.
(3)
Andrew F.
i love this place for their wings! that and off track betting. downfall is that i feel like i'm being a bad person drinking and smoking near a preschool. plus it's really dark. i love the place, i try to go there a few times a month. great staff, great food, good people!
(4)
Champagne B.
Average food. The waitress was pretty rude and gave us problems with the Groupon we had.
(2)
Tyler L.
One of the great spots in Scottsdale/N. Phoenix to watch a sports event. The staff is quick and friendly which keeps things moving along. I go there to watch all of the Football games. If you're into Fantasy sports, this is the place to go in Scottsdale. The food is OK. I stick to the basics and survive but anything creative seems to fall flat. The burgers and potato skins are my favorites.
(3)
Brad f.
Just left the Arena Sorts Grill. I give it one star as the service was excellent. Very attentive ladies behind the bar. However, that it where it stops. The food was absolutely awful. The place smelled of bleach from wipng down the bar area and tables,there has to be something different that can be used. The bathrooms are far from what you expect in a North Scottsdale place of business. Like I said, the bartenders did a great job but that is where it stopped. Never again would we go to this place.
(1)
Istvan K.
Great local sports hangout! For a sports bar, I give Arena 4 stars; as a restaurant it would be 3 stars. So I went there as a group of 6 to watch NHL playoffs. For some reason I thought this was a newer place, but turns out it's a rather old local neighborhood hangout, and features an OTB. The bar/otb section was pretty dark and very loud (it was Thursday night), so we opted for the dining room. Our server was VERY friendly and accommodating - she got us a big table, and switched the TV to the Blues-Wild game for us - which is why we were there. As far as a place to watch the game, the dining room was just ok - decent view of tv, but no sound at all. The atmosphere in that room was more for dinner than watching a sports game, but since its a sports bar we didn't feel awkward cheering for our team out loud. The OTB half of the place is much better suited to games etc, but on that night we wanted a little peace to be able to focus on the game. We ended up ordering a few beers, potato skins, a hamburger, 1lb of wings in secret sauce, and 2 large pepperoni pizzas. My friend had the burger and said it was good; I was able to try everything else. Gotta say, the potato skins may be the best I have EVER had. They were nice and crispy all around, and covered in lots of bacon - most places barely put a few bacon bits and serve the skins rather mushy, but not Arena. Their skins were AMAZING. I would definitely order them again. The wings were decent - typical sportsbar chicken wings; about 10 pieces made up a 1lb order. They were nice and crispy and the "secret sauce" was actually really good - not too spicy or sweet, just perfectly balanced. The pizza was good too, but my main gripe was the use of cornmeal on the bottom. I HATE it when pizzerias use cornmeal - that is pizza blasphemy! most places do it just so the pizza comes out of the oven easier - that is just lazy pizza skills. I've never thought that cornmeal adds a good taste to pizza, and it makes it messy. Without the cornmeal, I'd say the pizza was a good thin crust foldable NY style.... but as is, the pizza is average and just a hair above mediocre, because of the cornmeal. uggh. So, for a sports bar where one would go to watch games like NHL playoffs, or bet on horses, or play bar trivia with the DJ - Arena is a good local hangout, nothing special, but effectively fulfills expectations (which should never be too high with sports bars). With lots of TVs, and games like billiards and darts etc... Arena is a fun place where you can go with friends or even just go alone if you're bored at home. It's pretty divey, but has a local neighborhood vibe that keeps it friendly. The food is not the best, but a cut-above-average for a bar - the potato skins are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and the wings and pizza are recommended, but with reservations. The service was excellent, and the prices were quite reasonable for the location and type of venue. You need a place to go and watch the game and devour some food? Arena is probably a very good bet - not fancy or gourmet, but local and friendly.
(4)
Joyce H.
Food was below average and the service was slow. Also the bartenders were in a foul mood for some reason.
(3)
Melissa B.
Fun local bar. Fish Fry Night is brag worthy!! Very good food & service on fish fry nights. The rest is typical bar: average customer service, average tasting bar food, LOUD with lots of sports fans. Pool and music playing adding to the television noise and sports fans. So when I say loud I mean you are competing to get heard if you have a conversation with your friends. I like this place over all just not enough to go there often.
(3)
Jessica S.
It Keeps getting better! I have been going here for many years , was never really the best spot , however, cheap drinks, low key and good location.But things are changing in the best way. Eats- Worlds best BLT! .Its pretty standard but for some reason the way it tastes is great, loaded with bacon on toasted bread, super fresh crispy lettuce. noms. I am a big fan of the Asian chicken salad and brownie for dessert. Drinks- Great happy hour prices,( pretty cheap even when its not), plus no matter what you drink or whatever flavor you like , I can bet they have it! I swear they have every flavor or vodka known to man! OJ and marshmallow vodka , YES PLEASE! Redo- Looks like they just remodeled , it used to be kinda dark but it seems quite a bit brighter and cleaner and more spacious, a much needed change. I think its now a place where me and my ladies will be going much more often. Especially with $4 dollar drink specials at night. Free wi-fi is a huge plus!! Staff- a little life and personality is behind the bar now! fresh friendly faces with drinks being made quick and with a smile. They do offer OTB, which has a friendly and helpful staff and is happy to show you how to bet for all the rookies out there. A happy little corner bar that is so much more! Cant wait to go back..More than likely tonight, see you there!
(5)
Sandra F.
Great for watching sports! Mass televisions and great bar food! Staff super friendly and great service!
(4)
Bill M.
Great place to watch football! Staff is on the ball at this place. The food is good and they have drink specials night of the week. I think I found my new place to watch Monday Night Football!
(4)
Scott S.
Great sports bar feel. Lots of TVs. If you are looking for a menu of perfect bar food, this is the place. From Burgers to Pizza and chicken fingers. And all the fried appetizer favorites. With the great sports bar feel on one side, they have a family friendly dining room also. The owners are hands on and greet everyone. And if watching the game gets boring, they offer off-track betting.
(4)
E Paul L.
All Vikings' fans unite...the Arena Sports Grill puts out the welcome mat on NFL Sunday's. We get priority seating in front of the best big screen. The servers are prompt, courteous and drop dead gorgeous. GREAT bar, FUN people, the "make your own" Bloody Mary bar...sensational...Pizza, Wings, Burgers...this place has it all !
(4)
Scott S.
Like the sister store, Upper Crust Pizza, the wings are VERY good. Very neighborhoody feel - a bit mroe downscale than what you'd expect 1 mile from Scottsdale Road in north Scottsdale... but if you can get over the ambiance, the wings were very good, among the best I've seen in Phoenix. It feels like the old pizza and wing bars back in Buffalo NY!
(3)
John H.
Never again... I brought my boys to catch some games and have some wings and burgers. The evening started badly, and ended worse. Although there were only four or five table filled, It took at least 10 minutes for a waitress to show up - no menus in hand - to see if we wanted a drink. We asked for menus, which took another five minutes. I prompted, on behalf of my 7 year old, "do you have a kids menu?". Of course they do, but it doesn't occur to her to bring one? She brings the drinks, we order wings to start... 20 minutes later she comes back with the wings, never bothering in the meantime to come back fro the rest of the order. The wings are OK, but not worth coming back for. The burgers, on the other hand, were quite simply the worst I've ever had. My teenagers (who eat everything!) couldn't get through more than half without feeling like they were going to get sick. The only upside was that we used a restaurant.com discount, so at least we didn't pay full price for an awful experience. We won't be back.
(1)
Bil Z.
Nice cozy sports bar. Didn't have the food here, the drinks are very reasonable. If you like Bass Ale (draft, of course), this is a very nice spot to have it...
(4)
David B.
I'm a regular here because it's close to home, not because of the food. Entirely hit or miss. However, the drinks are priced in nicely and the staff is competent. Seriously a neighborhood joint only...do not go out of your way, especially ifnyou find yourself closer to a zipps or blue 32, or even buffalo wild wings, or.........
(3)
Greg G.
Great sports bar with real good food! Just got a face-lift. Clean great service a must try for any one looking for a place to enjoy a game with a Bev and good eats
(4)
Donna O.
This place does not know how to cook fish! The fried fish tasted like it had been soaked in grease! In fact it made me sick to my stomach! The Cole slaw had no taste. FF were pretty good. Maybe their other entrees are good but fish is not one of them.
(2)
J G.
The quintessential old school, corner bar. Good food, great beer specials, and cheap wings on summer weekends. The wait staff is attentive but knows when to just fill a drink and let you watch the game in peace. Outstanding alternative to a corporate/cheesy "Hi, I'm Joel and I'll be taking care of you...care to try our jalap popper martini special?" sports bar. It seems like a little thing, but getting the channel changed is easy to watch the event you want. Applebee's (et al) always seems to involve at least 2 managers and takes so long you might miss a 7 game series. Family friendly with a few games on the bar side for kids.
(4)
Mat H.
Cool little sports bar. It's never really busy, but never empty.. kinda weird. They have great specials including a beer of the month- 2.50 a pint. This month (August) is Sierra Nevada. The food is surprisingly good. They have the 2nd best wings (oregano's being #1) and good deep dish pizza too. I was very surprised. Ambiance sucks tho. Don't expect too much. It embraces the look of a dive bar and kind of depressing setting. I still give it 5 stars cause it's a fun place to hang out with friends. -S.
(5)
Kenneth W.
Cool little neighborhood bar. I go once or twice a month for the food. Wings and burgers are very good and service is always nice and prompt. Specials during the week and beer of the month help keep it a good value.
(4)
Ken H.
Checked this place out today for lunch as a possible spot to watch NFL games. Took advantage of their lunch menu and got the sliders. I get my bill and $2.50 is added to my bill for a beverage. I was drinking water. Apparently, you have to buy a drink to take advantage of the lunch specials. I was not informed of this and was pissed. On top of that the sliders were mediocre at best. These specials that have these restrictions drive me crazy. A heads from the bartender about the beverage deal would have been nice. When I questioned the bill, the original bartender who took my drink order said, "she didn't tell you?" I'm not going back to this place.
(2)
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Address :6245 E Bell Rd,Ste 101
Scottsdale, AZ, 85254
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Wed, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Aly M.
My boyfriend and I have been here twice ... both times with a restaurant.com coupon that we didn't actually pay for. As a Guinness fan, I was very happy to find they have it! The first time we came here we had the boneless wings, a quesadilla with steak and another item that I've since forgotten. The boneless wings were pretty good in their own right but didn't really make us think of wings. They were more like chicken nuggets albeit a class above fast food. I personally didn't like the flavor of the steak in my quesadilla but I did like the cheese and the crispiness of the tortilla. I would order a cheese quesadilla in the future. The restaurant.com deal we had was for $25 and we needed to spend $50+. After the food and two beers each we were still only at $40 something so we also had Jägermeister shots which put us over our minimum. I thought their pour was very generous for the shots. We just returned from our second time here. This time we had the regular wings. They have a mild and extreme sauce. We asked if they could do something in the medium range and they were able to accommodate us. We chose the blue cheese over the ranch option for sauce. We were happy with our wings. They had a spicy tangy flavor without being too hot. We shared the Big Boy burger (Just like Bob used to make only better! One patty and our secret sauce). We chose the double patty option and added cheddar. We also had the seasoned fries and onion rings. The onion rings were pretty good. The fries were a bit bland so I asked for more of the blue cheese as I despise catsup. That helped a lot. The burger was tasty and it actually reminded me of a Bob's Big Boy even though it's been many years since I've had one. When I was in Bisbee a couple of weeks ago we met a couple who were drinking Moscow Mules which I've never even heard of. Arena serves a Moscow Mule in a copper cup so I had to try it. It's pretty good. I can see it as more of a summer drink in the desert. This is a couple miles from my house so we'll be putting this into our walking rotation (we like to walk to restaurants that are within 2-3 miles of the house).
(4)Lukas J.
I've been going to arena sports grill for years and have never been disappointed with the food nor service. Great sports bar and place to hang out to watch some Sunday night football.
(4)Jennifer W.
I've visited Arena multiple times and each time I've received excellent quality of food, service, and drinks. The food is awesome (try the Mexican pizza)! The staff always has a smile on their face, is attentive, and efficient. The bar selection and drink specials keep me coming back. Definitely a great place to relax and have some drinks with friends!
(5)J W.
The bar area is too dark. Bar rugs are out in the walkways, tripped when walked in. Patio is too small and dirty. Feels weird if you are not a regular. Needs to be modernized.
(2)Kathy C.
I am most definitely NOT a Sports Bar patron. Would never have entered this restaurant except that I was here for an event. Dropped in early for an early dinner/late lunch. Not auspicious beginning--barely tasted or felt the effects of run in the rum & diet I ordered. The finish was awesome, however, when I dove into the Steak and Blue salad. OMG. So wonderful! Fabulous blue cheese dressing, fresh veggies (crisp lettuce, sweet red onion, ripe tomatoes) and the steak was chopped strips clearly marinated in a wonderful sauce with tons of crumbled blue cheese and crisp bacon it was amazing!!
(4)Ellenne M.
I moved to North Scottsdale a little over a year ago and have been in search of a local bar, I finally found this place on Yelp probably 2 or 3 weeks earlier. I had been meaning to come in and check it out. Went in on a Sunday evening and I asked my waitress what she recommends eating since it's my first time in the establishment. She recommended I get the chili relleno, which was amazing. Then we went back on the following Tuesday, sat at the same table and got the same waitress who was awesome, she remembered the drinks we ordered from Sunday night and was kind and wrote down the daily specials for us. We went back last Sunday but earlier in the day and again had another great waitress, the waitress who normally helps us came in and had lunch with her family before starting her shift and she came to chat with us for a few minutes. I'm sad I didn't find Arena Sports Grill sooner, it's a great local area bar and on nights we just want to go out and grab a cocktail or beer we stop by.
(4)Nicholas C.
I had some vouchers to use at specific establishments and just happened to be by the Arena Sports Bar which was one of the VCA approved restaurants. Going into the meal I knew it would be free so I did not have the highest expectations but used Yelp recommendations for what to order. We ordered two very simple items; the first was a soft pretzel with cheese. The pretzel itself was extremely greasy and left residue all over our hands, and the cheese that was served with it seemed as if it was just thrown in the microwave and taken to the table. In the end we did not even finish it as it was just terrible. We also ordered the boneless wings which were so over done that the chicken was 100% dry on the inside. Once again, my expectations were not high for bar food, but this was by far my worst experience of eating at a sports bar. To top things off when finishing the beer we ordered we were surprised to see a layer of black goo at the bottom of the glass. All in all it was a terrible experience and I would steer clear of this establishment even if you have the opportunity to eat there for free. The service also left much to be desired and from the get go it seemed as if the waitress took issue with the fact that we were using these vouchers as those who had used them before us had been 'difficult.'
(1)Clint B.
Local dive bar that we didn't eat at. We were sent here by some neighbors as it was supposedly better than the 2 we mentioned to them. Small seating area, large bar area. Immediate turn-off was the 1/2 dozen kids running around and screaming, and playing Golden Tee. Just had a shot and a beer, and really wanted to leave because of the kids. Sure it was around 7 on a Saturday, but still......Don't like kids in a bar at all. I guess the kick was when we got our check. 1 large KiltLifter and 2 shots of Fireball, almost $20. Seemed very high for the type of place it was considering it's definitely a few $ cheaper at our closer local spots. These are prices I'd expect from from a more trendy sports bar with a nicer feel.
(2)Amy H.
Fun local bar and grill. 2 Pool tables, off track betting, darts, beer, nice staff. (They have a var side and resturant side)I have sat in Lori 's section on the bar side for years and she greets you like a long list friend, remembers your drink and keeps them coming. Fave foods....irish nachos, fish sandwich, wings, and the cheesesteak. It's drinking food, but they always have options for the calorie conscious.
(4)James B.
Off track betting in a neighborhood bar! Great happy hour deals and friendly staff. Bathroom was dirty and small. But no real complaints.
(4)Melissa K.
The food here was not worth the wait, the pizza was soggy and underdone, without much flavor. It took a very long time to get our food, the service focus seemed to be at the bar. I would suggest coming here if you want to drink, but not for the restaurant aspect.
(2)Brad W.
Taco tuesday is quite the deal at this local sports bar. I never expect much when things are on special, but Arena delivered three chicken tacos (loaded with meat and cheese, lettuce and tomato) for $1.25 each. A tasty salsa was also included on the side. They also have huge discounts on chile rellenos and enchilada's (about 2 bucks each) and two 7oz corona's were only $1.50 each. The place was pretty empty at about 9pm, except for a small pool tournament, and the two bartenders were friendly enough to a newcomer. Rest of menu is typical sports bar stuff, but Tuesday is the day to be there. UPdate: $2.50 chile Relleno looks good, but must be frozen and reheated and is stuffed with ground beef which is just too weird for this item. Pass on them.
(4)Chris A.
So disappointed. I used to eat here regularly 10-15 years ago. They had great wings and burgers. In fact I never had a bad meal here back in the day. The Friday fish fry was one of the best in the area. Unfortunately, a lot has changed. The fried fish can now go down as the worst I've ever had. It was like rubber and very dry. Hard to cut with a fork. Not the great flaky cod that they used to serve. Everything was completely flavorless. I really can't say anything good about the food. Everyone in our party was disappointed with their meals. It wasn't anything close to decent. Sadly I will never go back. Used to be a great place. It's too bad it has gone so far downhill.
(1)Joseph T.
This is one of my preferred sports bar hangouts during football season. Always great service, and good food. I enjoy the fact the feature a new beer on tap each month.
(4)Todd A.
Went in with my girlfriend for food and drinks. Big bar and plenty of room for dining as well. There was a jukebox and pool tables as well as off track betting which seemed cool if you're into that sort of thing. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. We just moved to town and the staff made us feel like we were at home. We were looking for a friendly neighborhood bar and that's exactly what we got! Drinks were pretty reasonably priced and the chicken Philly that I ordered blew my mind. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Rachel D.
I love the Arena! It is our favorite place as they have Woodchuck cider on tap and we don't drink beer. Food is always good and the pizza is fabulous and wings too. Lori is always there with a smile to take your order and is the best server they have! However, their upkeep in general of the place leaves a bit to be desired. The bathroom doors haven't locked for months, the one toilet wobbles when you sit down and you feel like you will fall over, the sink faucet moves when you turn it on and many of the barstools are broken and splintered and could cause harm if you grab it wrong. I just feel like the owners should put a little more attention into fixing things for their customers.
(3)W T.
Been here a few times over the last few years. Has kind of a Midwest feel to it. Good food. Good beer selection. Some really cute girls behind the bar. Very casual and unpretentious. Somewhat rare for scottsdale. Great for Sunday NFL. GREAT neighborhood joint. I'll be back.
(4)Sara N.
Stoped into this spot because it was on our way home, and one of the only places open. Wasn't sure what to expect. The food was pretty good, I got some wings, which were bomb, and some 1.50 tacos, but they were a bit underwhelming. Oh well, they were only 1.50, what else could i expect? The service and drinks were even better!!! Our bartender,a hot blondie, Micky was super fun and makes a killer gummi bear shot, I'll deff be going back!
(4)Andy S.
Pretty standard issue sports bar. The place is pretty large and spread out which is nice, but we went late on a weeknight and there weren't too many people around. Seems like the kind of place a locals have been going to for years. Little dark, a little divey but not dirty or unpleasant. Beer selection wasn't great but the wings made it worth the trip. The wings were great. I live in the area and I imagine I'll be back here sometime soon.
(3)Candy A.
So I went here recently to meet up with friends to grab a bite to eat. Not only was their patio extremely dirty but the inside of the restaurant had this stench when you walked in. It is definitely a cheap sports bar. My boyfriend had a burger with fries and I had the chop salad. The burger was supposed to be cooked to a medium and it came out well done, we asked the server if they could remake it and she just gave us this look and rolled her eyes. It took about 20-25 minutes for the new burger. The French fries were obviously frozen, they had no flavor and were chewy. My chop salad on the other hand had barely any salad at all and was completely covered with slimey turkey lunch meat. After we had returned the burger I had hoped to catch the sever to tell her about the salad, but she didn't even acknowledge us until 20 minutes later when the new burger came out and my salad that I only took a bite of was mush. At that point we asked to get the food taken off . We still paid for our drinks and tipped the server well, but the manager never came by once to apologize about the food. After we left we went to 5guys to get some REAL burgers and fries.
(1)Kathy J.
Save yourself the hassle and go somewhere else. Husband and I went there with a "Groupon" type certificate. Our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us. The food was just okay. The atmosphere was the worst of it. Maybe it was the OTB, maybe it was just the worn, dark look of the place...not sure, but I won't be going back.
(2)Tony P.
Has to be the WORST place to watch sports in the Valley!!!! Went there to watch a Nebraska game and it was a horrible experience. First they play loud music before the game .. why not have one of the other college games on ... it is a sports bar, yes? Then when the game came on they turned the volume down and you couldn't hear anything. And then the worst thing is that as soon as the game was over they crank the country music up again and everyone runs for the doors. ITS A SPORTS BAR .. WHY NOT KEEP A GAME ON THE SPEAKERS?!?!?!? And you have the men's room which is basically one big toilet!!!! You have to see it to believe it. And the servers are not "attractive" and bitter. The food stinks (besides the pizza) and the drinks are watered down. I drank 7 vodka rocks .. anywhere else I'd be crawling out of the bar .. this place ... maybe a slight buzz. A complete waste of money. AND why have the "chucky cheese" side of the bar???
(1)Rebecca W.
Arena is a great place for all ages. The restaurant side accommodates families with children well. The bar side is also nice because there are plenty of tables to sit down and eat. Lots of tv's in the place which is nice for watching sporting events. Service is always excellent and in the 6 years we have been going to Arena, we often see a lot of the same staff still working there and still happy to be there. The queso appetizer is really good and served in a edible chip bowl. My favorite meal is the buffalo chicken pasta. You cant go wrong with adding buffalo chicken and pasta together :) It's not your fancy Scottsdale sports bar, but thats what we like about it. You can come as you are and enjoy good food and great service.
(4)Fatty A.
Cheap bar to watch Thursday night football. The only bad thing about this place was a long strand of hair in the fries. Freakin nasty.
(3)Jonny G.
Just moved to the Scottsdale area from Las Vegas and this reminded me of my favorite local sports bar back home. Atmosphere: Definitely geared towards locals which is great. There is an area to just dine in as well as the bar plus patio. The bar area was great nice size bar to sit around with pool tables and nice mix of music. Plenty of tvs to watch any sporting event you might want. Bartenders /Waitress: This was the best part of my experience everyone was incredibly attentive and so friendly. Great senses of humor, welcoming, and top notch service. It was easily the best bar experience I've had since moving here. Food/drink: Food was great and prices were reasonable especially on a Saturday off happy hour. Without a doubt this will be my go to spot in the Scottsdale area from this point forward. Can't wait till i can stop by for a happy hour. You are missing out if you do not hit this place up.
(5)Christina N.
Been here a few times after work with colleagues of mine. Not too shabby. The wait staff if pretty awesome and it's just a great spot to chat and drink and chill. Prices are cheap so there is no room for complaints.
(3)Ebony K.
I went there today with some coworkers for lunch for the all you can eat fish special that they have on Friday's and it was very much worth it. Upon entering the bar/restaurant the first thing I noticed was how dark it was. The next was how big it was. There are two sides to this place and we opted to go to the side that had more lighting. I mean I don't know about you, but I want to actually be able to see what I am a eating. So after being seated and having our drink order taken, it took a minute for someone to actually come and take our order. It was kinda weird as it didn't seem to be that busy but who knows. In the end everyone ordered the fish and we all had it differently. Some had it fried, some had it baked, some had it blackened/cajun and we all either fries or onions rings. Let me just say that it was worth the wait. The fish was so moist and fried perfectly. I had a piece of the cajun as well and it was seasoned just right. Oh and the onion rings? Good lawd they were good. I am not sure what they did back there in the kitchen, but they most definitely made up for our wait. The bill came and we were pleasantly surprised. The all you can eat fish special pretty much included the drinks for only .25 cents. Cool huh? So $13 or so dollars per person, plus tip and a VERY full stomach later, we all hobbled out of there and went back to work fat and full. As a matter of fact its 10pm and I am still full from lunch today. Sad but true and I only had one plate of fish!!! The all you can eat fish fry is worth it if you like fish. Be patient because its worth the wait.
(4)Michael F.
Went here using the 50% off coupon in the SavvyShopper flier. Good thing too, because I would have felt completely ripped off had I paid the menu prices. The 'chicken wings' are simply unbreaded chicken meat nuggets in buffalo sauce. That's not a chicken wing. They were a little tough. The Black n Blue burger was a bit dry and nothing special about the meat. It sure didn't look like 1/3 lb either. The service was competent and yes we did tip the waitress appropriately, including a tip for the discounted part of the bill. The only good thing I can say (other than the 50% off) is that it reminded me that it's time to go back to Havana Cafe again; it's right next door. I would not go back here.
(2)Dave S.
I've experienced better, but for an outta-way bar it's okay, I would return. Now this place is Half restaurant, Half OTB (off track betting salon) with quite a few local families for dinner, and a few die-hard track betting happening at the bar on the farside. Now, I'm a bar rat. I enjoy sitting at the bar talking with the staff and meeting the regulars, (but I may of hit an off night) and I like to have dinner at the bar if I can. I am comfortable here, but they have too many bar stools crammed together to maneuver on and off (in and out). The evening I was here they had a trashcan fire out on the front stoop, possibly from the many discarded losing bet tickets thrown about, but mostly just from a careless smoker. Our two bartenders weren't on the same page, I ordered a round of drinks and the next round was a completely different price. Wasn't pleased, and in asking was kinda frown down upon, enough that it was time to leave and try friendlier joints.
(3)Nancy P.
Great staff and food....my home away from home.
(5)Bill A.
The Arena is a typical neighborhood sports bar but is definately showing its age. I have stopped in many times over the years since it was originally Senior Tobo's mexican joint. I have watched some memorable sports games there with friends. There are lots of TVs but the ones over the bar are too small for viewing easily from the table seating area. At least one of the bigger tvs keeps pixilating. Last year's addition of grey corrugated steel wall panels throughout is just awful and has given the place a much worse ambience like grandpa's old storage shed. A big Jack Daniels statute (looks like Colonal Sanders in western wear) is in the bar area and is plum out of place. An update of the worn out restroom areas are long overdue, especially the boys room. Food is typical grilled or fried bar fare with nothing outstanding. Arena has seen better days and a update is needed and has been needed for a long time. Other places have passed them by. There is a small off track betting counter squeezed in. There is separate restaruant area smaller than the bar and it is quieter. Friday fish dinner is popular there.
(2)Hannah G.
There are better bars close by. I went to catch up with a friend and to have a few drinks. Food was disgusting (we took our waitresses suggestion) Service was ok (until we spoke up of our dislike of the food) We ordered the spinach dip and we got a lukewarm bowl of white velveta with bits of "spinach" (could easily have been dried parsley due to texture and taste). Our drinks were brought to the table where 1/2 of them were spilled out onto the table (the napkins consumed as much alcohol as I did). Needless to say I will not be returning anytime, ever.
(1)Kristen H.
Great bar! Bartenders are awesome, cheap drinks, great happy hour, off track betting is fun too. Small smoking patio which is also a bonus! Great place to go have some drinks with friends and hang out!
(5)Paul C.
This is another great little sports bar where you can feel very comfortable taking your kids. I always hesitate about "bar" restaurants, they are a risk for bad language and bad behavior, but NOT this place, they are awesome! Menu is very diverse from Mexican to Italian, from wings (really good too) to a fantastic beef dip! The girls that wait on you are attentive, beautiful and very good at what they do.... Go and enjoy.....
(5)Jeff C.
Went on Sunday to watch Week 1 of the '09 NFL season, and was pleasantly surprised. I used a coupon from Restaurant.com , and saved $10 off my $25 check. (bevs not included) The food was good to excellent. Wings were fantastic, big and meaty, with great sauce, and were only about $6 and change for a dozen. The nachos were a giant pile of goodies, and could barely get through half of it. I didn't have any alcohol, as I had my 3 yr old with me, but I did feel totally comfortable with him there - great family atmosphere even though it was croweded. Everyone was good little boys and girls, and very friendly crowd. There are plenty of tvs surrounding both dining rooms, and there are plenty of teams represented, it's not one of those bars devoted to just one team. Again...friendly banter between different teams followers, no yelling, screaming, fighting or even arguing. Heck, I'm a Ravens fan and even chatted it up with (gasp!) a Pittsburgh fan! What's next, dogs and cats, sleeping together?? Good service, lots of waitresses flying around, and everyone seemed to be having a blast cheering on their teams.
(4)Michael C.
DO NOT get the fish! We tried to visit a new fish shop near our home first, but it was "out of fish" per their hand-scribbled sign on the door - having always wanted to visit Arena we popped by, and when the menu "highly recommended" the fish plate I was thrilled - that was short lived though - when fish was served I realized that I had made a huge mistake. This looks like it might be fun for a burger, football game or late night of abusive drinking. Arena, you get one more try!
(3)Jeff S.
I'd give this place 3.5 stars. Its a little corner bar, good food, reasonable beer prices, seems like the kind of place a lot of regulars would belly up to the bar. They have a lot of flatscreens around the bar. The environment though is pretty drab and dark. Needs to be redone really, its almost depressing in there.
(3)Jen H.
Great sports bar! The place is huge and can be a little loud. There are TV's everywhere you look so there is no bad seat in the house. The service is incredible and the food is amazingly great! They have a thin crust pizza with a sauce that tastes just like Lou Malnati's in Chicago. Try the vodka pasta too. Never had a bad meal here. Ask for Lori - best server EVER!
(4)Nicole M.
Arena gets the job done when you need some bar food and a drink. It's certainly nothing fancy. It's split into 2 parts. It's just a very large room with somewhat of a warehouse feel. The main section has a bunch of low tables, a few high tops, and a bar to the left side. I'm not sure what it is about the layout of this place that confuses me. Picture a school cafeteria. Lots of tables set up in rows. Good for groups because pushing them together is a cinch considering you are basically in the lap of the table next to you anyhow. If you need to get up to use the restroom, it feels like you end up rubbing your ass on the head of the person behind you trying to squeeze by. The side area has some booths and more cramped seating and seems more "family appropriate". They do show music videos, which is pretty awesome considering some of the tunes people choose. Some real old school gems are thrown in that provide some entertainment. They also have darts and a Big Buck Hunter. TVs are scattered about. The menu is big and diverse. Typical bar food (wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads) even pasta as well as Mexican food. Something for everyone! Service is friendly and fast. I usually have Lori, who is terrific. I would up the rating if it wasn't such an odd seating arrangement. I'm not in middle school anymore and prefer to keep those days behind me. *Happy hour has some good drink specials. *The water tastes like dirt from a pond, so spring for a bottle if you are in the need for some re-hydration. *There is no patio or outside seating here.
(3)Andrew F.
i love this place for their wings! that and off track betting. downfall is that i feel like i'm being a bad person drinking and smoking near a preschool. plus it's really dark. i love the place, i try to go there a few times a month. great staff, great food, good people!
(4)Champagne B.
Average food. The waitress was pretty rude and gave us problems with the Groupon we had.
(2)Tyler L.
One of the great spots in Scottsdale/N. Phoenix to watch a sports event. The staff is quick and friendly which keeps things moving along. I go there to watch all of the Football games. If you're into Fantasy sports, this is the place to go in Scottsdale. The food is OK. I stick to the basics and survive but anything creative seems to fall flat. The burgers and potato skins are my favorites.
(3)Brad f.
Just left the Arena Sorts Grill. I give it one star as the service was excellent. Very attentive ladies behind the bar. However, that it where it stops. The food was absolutely awful. The place smelled of bleach from wipng down the bar area and tables,there has to be something different that can be used. The bathrooms are far from what you expect in a North Scottsdale place of business. Like I said, the bartenders did a great job but that is where it stopped. Never again would we go to this place.
(1)Istvan K.
Great local sports hangout! For a sports bar, I give Arena 4 stars; as a restaurant it would be 3 stars. So I went there as a group of 6 to watch NHL playoffs. For some reason I thought this was a newer place, but turns out it's a rather old local neighborhood hangout, and features an OTB. The bar/otb section was pretty dark and very loud (it was Thursday night), so we opted for the dining room. Our server was VERY friendly and accommodating - she got us a big table, and switched the TV to the Blues-Wild game for us - which is why we were there. As far as a place to watch the game, the dining room was just ok - decent view of tv, but no sound at all. The atmosphere in that room was more for dinner than watching a sports game, but since its a sports bar we didn't feel awkward cheering for our team out loud. The OTB half of the place is much better suited to games etc, but on that night we wanted a little peace to be able to focus on the game. We ended up ordering a few beers, potato skins, a hamburger, 1lb of wings in secret sauce, and 2 large pepperoni pizzas. My friend had the burger and said it was good; I was able to try everything else. Gotta say, the potato skins may be the best I have EVER had. They were nice and crispy all around, and covered in lots of bacon - most places barely put a few bacon bits and serve the skins rather mushy, but not Arena. Their skins were AMAZING. I would definitely order them again. The wings were decent - typical sportsbar chicken wings; about 10 pieces made up a 1lb order. They were nice and crispy and the "secret sauce" was actually really good - not too spicy or sweet, just perfectly balanced. The pizza was good too, but my main gripe was the use of cornmeal on the bottom. I HATE it when pizzerias use cornmeal - that is pizza blasphemy! most places do it just so the pizza comes out of the oven easier - that is just lazy pizza skills. I've never thought that cornmeal adds a good taste to pizza, and it makes it messy. Without the cornmeal, I'd say the pizza was a good thin crust foldable NY style.... but as is, the pizza is average and just a hair above mediocre, because of the cornmeal. uggh. So, for a sports bar where one would go to watch games like NHL playoffs, or bet on horses, or play bar trivia with the DJ - Arena is a good local hangout, nothing special, but effectively fulfills expectations (which should never be too high with sports bars). With lots of TVs, and games like billiards and darts etc... Arena is a fun place where you can go with friends or even just go alone if you're bored at home. It's pretty divey, but has a local neighborhood vibe that keeps it friendly. The food is not the best, but a cut-above-average for a bar - the potato skins are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and the wings and pizza are recommended, but with reservations. The service was excellent, and the prices were quite reasonable for the location and type of venue. You need a place to go and watch the game and devour some food? Arena is probably a very good bet - not fancy or gourmet, but local and friendly.
(4)Joyce H.
Food was below average and the service was slow. Also the bartenders were in a foul mood for some reason.
(3)Melissa B.
Fun local bar. Fish Fry Night is brag worthy!! Very good food & service on fish fry nights. The rest is typical bar: average customer service, average tasting bar food, LOUD with lots of sports fans. Pool and music playing adding to the television noise and sports fans. So when I say loud I mean you are competing to get heard if you have a conversation with your friends. I like this place over all just not enough to go there often.
(3)Jessica S.
It Keeps getting better! I have been going here for many years , was never really the best spot , however, cheap drinks, low key and good location.But things are changing in the best way. Eats- Worlds best BLT! .Its pretty standard but for some reason the way it tastes is great, loaded with bacon on toasted bread, super fresh crispy lettuce. noms. I am a big fan of the Asian chicken salad and brownie for dessert. Drinks- Great happy hour prices,( pretty cheap even when its not), plus no matter what you drink or whatever flavor you like , I can bet they have it! I swear they have every flavor or vodka known to man! OJ and marshmallow vodka , YES PLEASE! Redo- Looks like they just remodeled , it used to be kinda dark but it seems quite a bit brighter and cleaner and more spacious, a much needed change. I think its now a place where me and my ladies will be going much more often. Especially with $4 dollar drink specials at night. Free wi-fi is a huge plus!! Staff- a little life and personality is behind the bar now! fresh friendly faces with drinks being made quick and with a smile. They do offer OTB, which has a friendly and helpful staff and is happy to show you how to bet for all the rookies out there. A happy little corner bar that is so much more! Cant wait to go back..More than likely tonight, see you there!
(5)Sandra F.
Great for watching sports! Mass televisions and great bar food! Staff super friendly and great service!
(4)Bill M.
Great place to watch football! Staff is on the ball at this place. The food is good and they have drink specials night of the week. I think I found my new place to watch Monday Night Football!
(4)Scott S.
Great sports bar feel. Lots of TVs. If you are looking for a menu of perfect bar food, this is the place. From Burgers to Pizza and chicken fingers. And all the fried appetizer favorites. With the great sports bar feel on one side, they have a family friendly dining room also. The owners are hands on and greet everyone. And if watching the game gets boring, they offer off-track betting.
(4)E Paul L.
All Vikings' fans unite...the Arena Sports Grill puts out the welcome mat on NFL Sunday's. We get priority seating in front of the best big screen. The servers are prompt, courteous and drop dead gorgeous. GREAT bar, FUN people, the "make your own" Bloody Mary bar...sensational...Pizza, Wings, Burgers...this place has it all !
(4)Scott S.
Like the sister store, Upper Crust Pizza, the wings are VERY good. Very neighborhoody feel - a bit mroe downscale than what you'd expect 1 mile from Scottsdale Road in north Scottsdale... but if you can get over the ambiance, the wings were very good, among the best I've seen in Phoenix. It feels like the old pizza and wing bars back in Buffalo NY!
(3)John H.
Never again... I brought my boys to catch some games and have some wings and burgers. The evening started badly, and ended worse. Although there were only four or five table filled, It took at least 10 minutes for a waitress to show up - no menus in hand - to see if we wanted a drink. We asked for menus, which took another five minutes. I prompted, on behalf of my 7 year old, "do you have a kids menu?". Of course they do, but it doesn't occur to her to bring one? She brings the drinks, we order wings to start... 20 minutes later she comes back with the wings, never bothering in the meantime to come back fro the rest of the order. The wings are OK, but not worth coming back for. The burgers, on the other hand, were quite simply the worst I've ever had. My teenagers (who eat everything!) couldn't get through more than half without feeling like they were going to get sick. The only upside was that we used a restaurant.com discount, so at least we didn't pay full price for an awful experience. We won't be back.
(1)Bil Z.
Nice cozy sports bar. Didn't have the food here, the drinks are very reasonable. If you like Bass Ale (draft, of course), this is a very nice spot to have it...
(4)David B.
I'm a regular here because it's close to home, not because of the food. Entirely hit or miss. However, the drinks are priced in nicely and the staff is competent. Seriously a neighborhood joint only...do not go out of your way, especially ifnyou find yourself closer to a zipps or blue 32, or even buffalo wild wings, or.........
(3)Greg G.
Great sports bar with real good food! Just got a face-lift. Clean great service a must try for any one looking for a place to enjoy a game with a Bev and good eats
(4)Donna O.
This place does not know how to cook fish! The fried fish tasted like it had been soaked in grease! In fact it made me sick to my stomach! The Cole slaw had no taste. FF were pretty good. Maybe their other entrees are good but fish is not one of them.
(2)J G.
The quintessential old school, corner bar. Good food, great beer specials, and cheap wings on summer weekends. The wait staff is attentive but knows when to just fill a drink and let you watch the game in peace. Outstanding alternative to a corporate/cheesy "Hi, I'm Joel and I'll be taking care of you...care to try our jalap popper martini special?" sports bar. It seems like a little thing, but getting the channel changed is easy to watch the event you want. Applebee's (et al) always seems to involve at least 2 managers and takes so long you might miss a 7 game series. Family friendly with a few games on the bar side for kids.
(4)Mat H.
Cool little sports bar. It's never really busy, but never empty.. kinda weird. They have great specials including a beer of the month- 2.50 a pint. This month (August) is Sierra Nevada. The food is surprisingly good. They have the 2nd best wings (oregano's being #1) and good deep dish pizza too. I was very surprised. Ambiance sucks tho. Don't expect too much. It embraces the look of a dive bar and kind of depressing setting. I still give it 5 stars cause it's a fun place to hang out with friends. -S.
(5)Kenneth W.
Cool little neighborhood bar. I go once or twice a month for the food. Wings and burgers are very good and service is always nice and prompt. Specials during the week and beer of the month help keep it a good value.
(4)Ken H.
Checked this place out today for lunch as a possible spot to watch NFL games. Took advantage of their lunch menu and got the sliders. I get my bill and $2.50 is added to my bill for a beverage. I was drinking water. Apparently, you have to buy a drink to take advantage of the lunch specials. I was not informed of this and was pissed. On top of that the sliders were mediocre at best. These specials that have these restrictions drive me crazy. A heads from the bartender about the beverage deal would have been nice. When I questioned the bill, the original bartender who took my drink order said, "she didn't tell you?" I'm not going back to this place.
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