Reviewing the downtown bar scene

Madisen Staats

Abar crawl in downtown Flagstaff can be hit or miss. The Flagstaff bar scene can be overwhelming to new barhoppers. There are many bars to choose from, and bar crawls can dissolve if there is not proper planning.

The right people and the right bars are essential to a successful bar crawl. In planning a bar crawl, there are a few tips I’ve come to learn that will lead to a noteworthy night out.

Tip #1: You must pick the right drinking partners. If you have to basically force your friends to come with, the bar crawl will likely fizzle out by the second bar.

Tip #2: Plan your destinations beforehand. Downtown Flagstaff is divided by train tracks and a successful bar crawl does not typically cross the tracks multiple times.

My crawl destinations included Cornish Pasty Co., FORAM, The Corner Tavern, The Monte V and Collin’s Irish Pub & Grill. I chose Cornish and The Monte V because I have had many fun nights there, and FORAM, The Corner and Collin’s because they provide a more classic college bar experience.

Tip #3 (Possibly the most important): Pace yourself. Starting slow ensures you can make it all the way to the final destination and avoid an emergency Lyft.

I met my friends at Cornish Pasty Co. on a Friday night. Cornish is Flagstaff’s metal bar and a regular spot among our group.

Start of the night: Cornish Pasty Co.

In line with tip #3, I started the night with a Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boy. Cornish has an extensive seasonal cocktail list, including drinks like the Sleigh Ride Margarita and the Winter Limeade (my personal favorite).

They also have a large food menu, all made from scratch. They serve traditional English food, including pasties and Scotch eggs. It is important to eat food before a long night of drinking. I ordered the tomato soup and caesar salad to prepare me for the night ahead.

Cornish’s best features include the free pool tables, the fireplace on the patio and the hardcore music blasting from the speakers. This bar attracts a wide variety of people, bringing together restaurant industry workers, Greek life students and alternative music enjoyers.

The downfall of this bar is its popularity. I have been turned away at the door many times because they were over capacity. Getting a pool table was nearly impossible.

It was crowded the night of our crawl and we were anxious to go to the next bar.

The

new club: FORAM Bar Grill and Nightclub

Located right next door, FORAM opened its doors December 2022. FORAM is both a bar, grill and nightclub, with disco lights and a big dance floor. There are also two free pool tables and a good amount of seating. We were excited to visit FORAM because it is often busy and people inside seem to be having a good time.

It was a slow night, so the dance floor was empty. The small crowd was mostly college aged boys playing pool.

This bar was a bit of a letdown. There is usually a line outside the door when I pass it, so I expected a little more.

One positive of this bar was the drinks. They have an extensive list of specialty drinks. I had a raspberry pina colada slush, which was topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. Alcohol infused slushes are a rare drink to find in Flagstaff, and it is a tasty choice if you want a sweet drink.

Though we caught it on a bad night, we plan to return and can see it gaining popularity.

We stayed for about 30 minutes and decided it was time to move to the next bar. The worst part of a Flagstaff winter bar crawl is the walking. As we tried to shuffle to the next bar, the train blocked our passage for four freezing minutes.

We stopped in the closest bar when the train passed, The Corner Tavern, which is another recently-opened bar.

Crossing the tracks: The Corner Tavern

The Corner Tavern is located on the corner of East Route 66 and North San Francisco Street, which is prime real estate in downtown. The bar was incredibly packed.

I tend not to go to this bar because I’m not a fan of the music playing most nights — which is current Top 40 hits — and how the bar is set up. Yet, it seems to be a favorite for many college students. The bar is usually filled with people, creating a large line outside. Luckily, there was no line when we got there.

There is a poor use of space, with bar top tables jutting out into the dance floor. The bright lighting is another downfall.

When we arrived, the patrons were singing karaoke. I am usually a fan of karaoke, but the host refused to let me sing “The Metro” by Berlin, so we left shortly after.

I didn’t stay long enough to get a drink, but they are famous for their Mega Mules. You must have at least two people to order a Mega Mule which is served in a comically large copper mug.

As we were leaving, “Mr. Brightside” played, so we were obligated to dance before exiting. Once the song finished, we headed to one of my favorite Flagstaff bars.

The historic: The Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge

The Monte V is located in the basement of the Hotel Monte Vista. It was the first speakeasy in Flagstaff and served bootleg alcohol until it was raided in 1931. Nowadays, it provides karaoke singers and local bands a stage.

Immediately after entering, a white board states the daily specials. There is a different special every night and it has encouraged me to try many new drinks, including a Long Beach Iced Tea and many local Flagstaff brews.

The main attraction at The Monte V is the live music. On Tuesday and Thursday they host karaoke, but on Friday DJ Kip Killagain was spinning classic hip-hop vinyl.

The venue was more than halfway full, and most people were dancing. At one point, Killagain encouraged everyone to turn to their friends and tell them you love them.

2 a.m. was quickly approaching, so we eventually moved to our last destination.

The classic college bar: Collin’s Irish Pub & Grill

Collin’s was the only bar where we encountered a line. Yet, we were still able to get in within a reasonable amount of time.

I have a love-hate relationship with Collin’s; I am not a fan of the music they play, but I can still have fun dancing with my friends.

Collin’s is a large bar with an arcade, two different areas to order drinks and a big dance floor. The arcade games are pay-to-play, including the pool tables.

The best part of Collin’s is the $10 Irish Trashcan, which is vodka, gin, rum, blue curacao, triple sec and peach schnapps in a 32 ounce mug, topped with a Red Bull. This is a low-cost drink but people should be aware of its high alcohol content and drink responsibly.

Bar crawls are meant to be fun, but there will always be danger associated with drinking alcohol. Many bars, like Collin’s, The Corner and Monte V offer an angel shot, which is ordered by someone that doesn’t feel safe and needs help. Bartenders and other staff will do what they can to get a person ordering an angel shot home safe.

The night ended with chicken tacos from Collin’s late night food stand outside. They are the best chicken tacos I have had in Flagstaff.

Everyone in my group had been drinking, so we ordered a Lyft to take us home, which was only $7, a low price to pay for a safe way home.

The final tip for a bar crawl is do not drink and drive. There is always another way to get home.

Overall, the best places of the night were The Monte V and Collin’s, but each bar has its strong suit, depending on the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for. Cornish, FORAM and Rendezvous are good for a chill night with friends, but if you want the experience of a high-energy bar with a dance floor, I’d recommend The Corner, The Monte V and Collin’s.