OPEN FOR ALL
Food & Drink
Venues that go beyond lip service in the food service scene. By Alison Bailin Batz According to Erika Rode, being open for everyone means going the extra mile to offer a comfortable setting for everyone, including the staff. The Bitters Bar owner in South Scottsdale, who is a lesbian herself, strives to recruit, train and retain a staff that represents this diversity, which has included many from the community. “Erika is known for taking people from all walks of life that have little-to-no-experience, and growing them into talented cooks, bartenders and servers,” says Lisa Carrington, a cocktail creator and educator best known as @CocktailMaven online. “It’s not just a safe place to work, but a place where you can thrive and grow your career. This especially includes other lesbian women.” For those who have not been as of yet, Rode’s Bitters Bar offers high-end food and drinks meticulously curated from small farms, breweries and distilleries. “Her edible works of art could easily stand up to those served at the best bars in New York City, yet the atmosphere is as warm and welcoming as your best friend's couch,” says Carrington. “Bitters Bar is a slice of modern Phoenix that proudly supports, represents, and stands up for the LGBTQ community and all people, for that matter.” Bitters was notably among the first bars to sign the UNITY Pledge in support of fully inclusive non-discrimination policies in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations for all Arizonans, including individuals who are gay or transgender. Thankfully, they were not the last. The community also has a true ally in Upward Projects.
Credit: Four Peaks
Who are they, you ask?
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In 2001, a hip indoor-outdoor wine bar called Postino – named for the Italian word for postman as the venue was located in a vacant brick building that was a local post office once upon a time – opened in Arcadia. And while no longer a post office, the small-but-mighty location delivered night after night, growing a faithful following across the Valley. Its success led to the creation of Upward Projects by Lauren Bailey and Crag Demarco in 2008 with a vision to take vacant or historically relevant buildings in town and re-invent them into restaurants and bars. In the years since, Postino has grown to 15 locations across Arizona, Texas and Colorado. Today, Upward is also behind Windsor, Churn, Federal Pizza and Joyride Taco House in the Valley. July 2021
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