UnderTow

SUCH a great bar. That great, uplifting, crafty Tiki experience which is all that you want from a tiki space, plus an apothecary-esque vibe which centers around a great bar. Menu is a whole storyline, space is TINY but packed, located underneath probably the only busy bar in PHX. Seemed the city was dead aside from this place. Took a whole hour to get in! Good sign.

Wow---what an experience. It took a while to find the place (There was no signage. I didn't realize it was inside of another bar.) It was crowded and cramped--but it was an amazing adventure. You can read about it (and all of the other tiki bars in the Phoenix area--with lots of photos-- in my blog here: https://monsterago-go.blogspot.com/2019/01/im-freaky-for-tiki-18-by-time-i-get-to.html

This place is not to be missed if you are anywhere near Phoenix. Try to sit next to a porthole, if you can. There's no stagnant image there. You can literally watch as the ship you are supposed to be in sails along an uncharted island. Wow! Great detail.

Decor is fantastic, music is fantastic, drinks are fantastic. One of the best I’ve been to outside of SF. Jealous I don’t live here so I can’t come all of the time. Came on a Tuesday night by myself and got a seat at the bar immediately. Love the portholes with the moving scenery and the music so much.

Make sure you make a reservation before going. Time is limited to a max of 90 mins

The rating should tell you everything you need to know.

It's decor is awesome, the bartenders are slinging fantastic drinks. What's to say other than "wow!"?

It was pretty packed when I went. I was flying solo the night I went, and was able to get a seat at the bar. I would recommend reservations for parties larger than 1, haha!

Also, keep in mind, there's a 90 minute limit to your time there (a smart move, this allows them to rotate in new guests all night long)...so don't get too comfortable! Time flies!

Undertow was my 9th Tiki Bar in 2019. Hands down one of the top Tiki Bars I've been to, evefrthig I enjoy about a Tiki Bar was here; music, theme, drinks and bartenders were all in perfect harmony. It’s small, only room for 34. But it gave it a very intimate vibe, even if you didn’t know any others. I was busy, without being loud and overwhelming. I can have trouble hearing conversations in a large busy bar, but I had no issues here at all.

The theming inside was amazingly well done, very interactive and fun. The attention to detail was felt throughout the entire bar. The “live” Port windows added to being in the bowels of a ship floating down the amazon, or some remote river. I can’t stress how well the attention to detail was carried throughout, even the last act of the evening, the paying of the bill, was great. But I will let you experience that for yourself.

The drinks were spot on. I had the Never Drink from a Skull first and found it to be outstanding, the bartender helped narrow down my choice and I wanted to try one of the local drinks. My second was the Zombie, hands down it was the best Zombie I've ever had. The flavor profile was amazing, it was not a muddled mess, but just the way a great Tiki drink should be, each sip gave me a slash of different tastes, I was able to pick out the three rums, lime, grenadine and tiki bitters. It was a strong drink but not overpowering. I could drink their Zombie’s all night, and only regret it in the morning.

We had a seat on the right side of the bar so we could watch the bar tender mix his magic. He interacted with us the whole time, pausing to concentrate on his drinks. Clearly he knew his craft. At one point while mixing 4 drinks he paused, unsure if he’d measured the right amount then did the right thing and started over, a true professional that was not going to serve an inferior drink. Major kudos for that.

The only downside was the lack of available mugs for purchase, but honestly for the experience that we had I was more then happy to not let that negatively impact my evening. If I was close I would be one of the regulars there.

I have to say....Never drink from a skull. Easily beat cocktail I've had in a year.

Being from Phoenix originally means that anytime my wife and I fly home to visit family we get to stop into UnderTow; it gets better every visit.

As mentioned, you won’t see a sign for UnderTow on the road or even the outside of the building. It is in the building that houses Sip, a laid back but hip restaurant in what used to be an auto service station. When you enter Sip, the stairs leading down to UnderTow, which occupies the former motor pool of the service station, are in the center of the restaurant. As soon as you step in to the tiny bar (it seats approximately 35 guests) you are transported to the hold of a ship sailing uncharted seas. There are porthole “windows” showing waves, storms, tropical islands, and even pirate attack’s and the bar’s lighting flickers with every lightning strike and cannon shot. It’s probably the most immersive experience outside of Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Bar/Grog Grotto.

They have a fairly expansive menu which they switch up every year or so (they will debut their third menu, or “voyage” in their parlance, Sept. 10, 2018). The front half consists of their own original cocktails, many of which utilizing typical southwest ingredients like agave and mezcal in creative ways which really offers some interesting flavors that you don’t always get at a tiki bar while still being very much tiki cocktails. The back couple of pages in the menu are where you will find classic cocktails. Typically i will try one of their originals (the Smuggled Goods is very tasty) and then switch to classics to see their interpretations (their Pi-Yi was decent; their Zombie is top notch). Overall they are excellent, strong, well-made drinks that taste fantastic.

UnderTow has a decent amount of swag you can purchase, which is nice. Their mugs, all crafted in limited editions by Tiki Diablo, are beautiful but pricey (then again, 80.00 for a limited run Tiki Diablo mug beats 75.00 for a mass produced Tiki Farm Three Dots and a Dash Mug). The canon mug is fantastic and awesome in person and I will forever covet the Cactus Bob mug which is the classic Tiki Bob mug shaped like a saguaro cactus. Because the mugs are limited editions they are routinely out of stock on all of them so be prepared for disappointment if you’re planning on picking up a mug. My main criticism is that it would be nice if they offered a lower priced, open edition version of at least their original signature mug so they both have a mug they can keep in stock and also have a mug that someone who can’t afford $80 for a mug could buy.

Beyond mugs, though, they also offer very slick looking Mai-Tai glasses which can be had for 12.00 when you purchase certain drinks. Their first Mai-Tai glasses had a desert scene with their captain/dodo bird mascot (characters in the bars rich, imaginative back story highlighted in the menu and on their website) and came in three colors: green, blue, and I believe orange/red. These were fine but they may not carry them anymore. Their new Mai-Tai glasses are designed by Tiki Diablo and have three gold leaf with a color accent tiki masks around them. They have issued a couple different color schemes since debuting them in early 2018, with the first run being black and gold, the next run in white and gold, and the newest in teal and gold. They are really nice looking glasses and definitely worth picking up.

They also have a couple t-shirt options. One design just says “UnderTow” across the chest while the second design has a surly looking octopus with a rum bottle in one tentacle (based off a tiki diablo image carved into the bottom of one of the decorative rum barrels behind the bar). Each design comes in either a black shirt with white text/graphic or white shirt with black text/graphic and cost 20.00.

Really the only bad thing about UnderTow is the size. It’s great in the sense that it fosters a really intimate atmosphere, perfect for an excellent tiki experience, but it can also cause issues. They offer reservations until a certain time most nights and this is absolutely the way to go, but be aware that your reservation is for exactly one and a half hours and your bartender/server will let you know about a half hour before the end of it so you can order one last drink. In general this is enough time to leisurely drink three cocktails, but if you want more than that it might mean having to down fairly strong drinks faster than ideally recommended. The size of the bar also makes visiting in groups of more than about 4 people difficult. They have one large-ish corner booth, but other than that it’s high top tables with two stools each around the walls. I visited with a group of 8 once and was given two of these tables and the four stools along the bar nearest them, so it worked, but it was a little cramped. The next time i went was a group of four and we were split between two of the tables along he wall, which was fine but meant that we were a bit spread out from each other (basically in a straight line so the first and last person didn’t get to talk to each other that easily). On my most recent visit it was just my wife and I and it was ideal. Also, if you’re tall please watch your head on the beams along the wall.

In all, UnderTow is an excellent, immersive experience. The ambiance is perfect, the drinks are delicious, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Highly recommend putting it at the top of your to-visit list.

Being from Phoenix originally means that anytime my wife and I fly home to visit family we get to stop into UnderTow; it gets better every visit.

As mentioned, you won’t see a sign for UnderTow on the road or even the outside of the building. It is in the building that houses Sip, a laid back but hip restaurant in what used to be an auto service station. When you enter Sip, the stairs leading down to UnderTow, which occupies the former motor pool of the service station, are in the center of the restaurant. As soon as you step in to the tiny bar (it seats approximately 35 guests) you are transported to the hold of a ship sailing uncharted seas. There are porthole “windows” showing waves, storms, tropical islands, and even pirate attack’s and the bar’s lighting flickers with every lightning strike and cannon shot. It’s probably the most immersive experience outside of Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Bar/Grog Grotto.

They have a fairly expansive menu which they switch up every year or so (they will debut their third menu, or “voyage” in their parlance, Sept. 10, 2018). The front half consists of their own original cocktails, many of which utilizing typical southwest ingredients like agave and mezcal in creative ways which really offers some interesting flavors that you don’t always get at a tiki bar while still being very much tiki cocktails. The back couple of pages in the menu are where you will find classic cocktails. Typically i will try one of their originals (the Smuggled Goods is very tasty) and then switch to classics to see their interpretations (their Pi-Yi was decent; their Zombie is top notch). Overall they are excellent, strong, well-made drinks that taste fantastic.

UnderTow has a decent amount of swag you can purchase, which is nice. Their mugs, all crafted in limited editions by Tiki Diablo, are beautiful but pricey (then again, 80.00 for a limited run Tiki Diablo mug beats 75.00 for a mass produced Tiki Farm Three Dots and a Dash Mug). The canon mug is fantastic and awesome in person and I will forever covet the Cactus Bob mug which is the classic Tiki Bob mug shaped like a saguaro cactus. Because the mugs are limited editions they are routinely out of stock on all of them so be prepared for disappointment if you’re planning on picking up a mug. My main criticism is that it would be nice if they offered a lower priced, open edition version of at least their original signature mug so they both have a mug they can keep in stock and also have a mug that someone who can’t afford $80 for a mug could buy.

Beyond mugs, though, they also offer very slick looking Mai-Tai glasses which can be had for 12.00 when you purchase certain drinks. Their first Mai-Tai glasses had a desert scene with their captain/dodo bird mascot (characters in the bars rich, imaginative back story highlighted in the menu and on their website) and came in three colors: green, blue, and I believe orange/red. These were fine but they may not carry them anymore. Their new Mai-Tai glasses are designed by Tiki Diablo and have three gold leaf with a color accent tiki masks around them. They have issued a couple different color schemes since debuting them in early 2018, with the first run being black and gold, the next run in white and gold, and the newest in teal and gold. They are really nice looking glasses and definitely worth picking up.

They also have a couple t-shirt options. One design just says “UnderTow” across the chest while the second design has a surly looking octopus with a rum bottle in one tentacle (based off a tiki diablo image carved into the bottom of one of the decorative rum barrels behind the bar). Each design comes in either a black shirt with white text/graphic or white shirt with black text/graphic and cost 20.00.

Really the only bad thing about UnderTow is the size. It’s great in the sense that it fosters a really intimate atmosphere, perfect for an excellent tiki experience, but it can also cause issues. They offer reservations until a certain time most nights and this is absolutely the way to go, but be aware that your reservation is for exactly one and a half hours and your bartender/server will let you know about a half hour before the end of it so you can order one last drink. In general this is enough time to leisurely drink three cocktails, but if you want more than that it might mean having to down fairly strong drinks faster than ideally recommended. The size of the bar also makes visiting in groups of more than about 4 people difficult. They have one large-ish corner booth, but other than that it’s high top tables with two stools each around the walls. I visited with a group of 8 once and was given two of these tables and the four stools along the bar nearest them, so it worked, but it was a little cramped. The next time i went was a group of four and we were split between two of the tables along he wall, which was fine but meant that we were a bit spread out from each other (basically in a straight line so the first and last person didn’t get to talk to each other that easily). On my most recent visit it was just my wife and I and it was ideal. Also, if you’re tall please watch your head on the beams along the wall.

In all, UnderTow is an excellent, immersive experience. The ambiance is perfect, the drinks are delicious, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Highly recommend putting it at the top of your to-visit list.

Not only is this the best tiki bar I’ve personally been to, it’s arguably the best bar I’ve ever been to.

UnderTow nails every single component of a tiki bar perfectly. From the moment you walk in you’re fully immersed in the world of tiki. It’s like being in the bow of a pirate ship and it’s awesome. The light, art, decoration, feel, vibe, music, and drinks were absolute perfection.

Service was great, and I loved the port holes with the ocean and ship battles. The drinks were delicious and made correctly, the menus looked awesome, and the selection was impressive.

I would honestly visit Phoenix again just to see this bar again. So impressed!

Perfect illusion of being in a ship's hold/bar. The drinks are of exceptional quality, as are the bartenders. Great hideaway!

Amazing all around! The smoking cannon is a must try!

A great use of the space! Bartenders very friendly and we were impressed with all the original cocktails. The hostess was surprisingly rude and incredibly restrictive about where we could sit at the bar. They stick to a strict 90 min reservation window.

Great drinks and cool bartenders! Great place.

This hidden, subterranean grotto is very small & very marvelous! Their freshly crafted, exotic cocktails are top-notch and a real treat to savor. Classic tiki done right, through & through. Fun to look out the (video) portholes while you sip (shades of Trader Sam's).

Neither of us ordered the Smoking Cannon, but someone did, and it made the entire space fill with a wonderful fragrance of the oriental spice trade--fitting given the backstory presented on the menu. My girlfriend ordered the Smuggled Goods and raved (I tried it and understand why). I had a Zombie and it was spot-on according to my taste buds.

We went early on a Sunday afternoon and had the place to ourselves for a minute (even got to chat with one of the owners, Jason Asher), but it fills up quickly...so book ahead. Hard to say what the experience would have been like if they were operating full tilt, but the staff seems shipshape. My only complaint is the beautiful classic exotica music was a little too loud for such a small space.

If you're a tikiphile, tiki curious, or just want to experience some amazing freakin' drinks, you should hove to the Undertow! This must be a fantastic retreat in the heat of the Phoenix summer too.

Very nice Tiki bar with a nautical theme. Had the Zombie,
was special! Impressive drink selection and the bartenders
were outstanding. Would have to rate as a top notch tiki
bar and would highly recommend.

Very small space that is decorated expertly! Love the portholes and the effects that go along with them. I wouldn’t say this place is incredibly “tiki” as it seems more nautical than tiki due to the decorations (it really does feel like you’re on a ship!). The drinks were not what you typically expect from a tiki bar. I asked what the sweet drinks were on the menu and was given a drink with vodka (not my thing at all) which was honestly not that sweet. I’ll have to see if they can make something off menu next time I go. The bartender was nice and helpful. The patrons seemed more on the “hipster” side of things, rather than tiki enthusiasts. I would recommend a reservation as this place is super tiny.

Anyone else find the flat, low bar stools with no backs uncomfortable?

Nicely appointed small space with knowledgeable staff and great drinks. This place is worthy of repeat visits to enjoy the extensive drink menu and immersive decor. It’s not as tropical as some tiki bars, but the music is carefully selected and it’s a nicely nautical respite from the real world.

This place got it right! It's small and the drinks are fantastic. There's something to look at in every corner of this place... Plus, ladies - if you want to feel included and get a tank top for yourself that is not unisex - They have one! Love that.
You definitely need reservations or wait for a few hours after 8:30 on the weekends.
I will definitely be back with my friends who live in Phoenix when I visit. BTW - they loved it so much, they don't want any of their friends to interrupt their date night there every month.

While this is yet another in the trend of small joints, the folks here have found a solution. They keep track of how many are inside, and when the seats are full, that's it. You get to wait.

Unlike False Idol over in Dan Diego, where they keep packing people in until there isn't room to have a long thought.

Thoroughly enjoyed the decorations. A nice break from the Same think place after place.

This will be a regular stop when we come through the area.

Tonight was my 2nd time at UnderTow, and it was even better than the last time I was here. The lightning is phenomenal! With the low ceilings, you really feel like you are in ship’s hull or at least what one would think an old ships hull would look like in pirate time. If you read their forward in their bar menu, you can see they have a little story they try to stick to via their portal video and occasional lightning and thunder theatrics, similar to Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The Tropical Itch drink was our favorite of the night. Excellent balance of of sweet, sour and alcohol. Of all the tiki bars I have been to, this one is by far my favorite. The ambiance is excellent from the the lighting to the aromatics of the smoking clove and cinnamon drinks. Not many tiki bars can add aromatics to their bar descriptors! Plus, for us looking for souvenirs, they have plenty if swag with their logo from mugs to shirts to back scratchers! Once again, Undertow is a Must for those looking for an all encompassing tiki experience. Can’t wait for my next visit!

UPDATE! Undertow has revised hours and are now open daily. Drink menu has been revised, with the top 5 traditional and specialty mixes remaining. The new drinks continue the Undertow quality with incredible flavors. Complex, delicious and while not the least expensive, are the finest cocktails I have ever had. Bravo Undertow Staff! The ship sets sail to new waters!

I love UnderTow!!!! The space is immersive. The drinks are top notch. The 'special effects' are improving with each visit. And the mixture of wood, rum and smoke is a delightful smell. The bar staff is mad talented and really nice/easy going. On our last visit, when I told the bartenders (Libby, Mitch and Lindsay) that it was my husband's birthday, they put a flaming lime in our Rum Keg as a candle. Such a lovely treat.

So, this summer, my wife and I did a "Tour de Tiki" that included Tiki Ti, Don the Beachcombers', and Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar (our first and favorite tiki bar-to give you a frame of reference). We have also been to the Tonga Hut and Bootlegger Tiki in Palm Springs. In our humble opinions, Under Tow has the best bartenders and quality of drinks/drink menu out of all of those bars. FWIW. Trader Sam's is still our favorite, but Under Tow's space/ambiance is MARVELOUS, and the quality of their drinks and likeability of their bartenders is truly special!

I would like to reiterate the review from Tikipike. My experience at UnderTow was very similar so no need to repeat. Also went on a Thursday night. Didn't need a res. It was busy but not crowded, which was perfect. The drinks were some of the best tiki drinks I have had and I have been to a lot of tiki bars. Well balanced, exotic and unique ingredients. My favorite was the Bridge of 2 Cultures. UnderTow is a must see (and taste) for tiki fans! Arizona is lucky to have such a good bar. They did have a white version of their mug too that I was lucky enough to get my hands on. Will post a pic.

Stuck in Phx overnight and checked out UnderTow. Wow, what a gem. Bartenders were slinging it and the overall vibe was tip top... ran into Martin Cate as well who was there for a Plantation tasting. It's small but a great spot

Stuck in Phx overnight and checked out UnderTow. Wow, what a gem. Bartenders were slinging it and the overall vibe was tip top... ran into Martin Cate as well who was there for a Plantation tasting. It's small but a great spot

This place is AMAZING! A fully immersive experience with ambiance that transports you to another time. The drinks are amazing. I love it more each visit. A must see!

Tough to find the first time. Small but awesome, great decor, awesome drinks, great service. Sold me a menu for 5.00, but were out of mugs. Must see if in town.

Sorry...those drinks are strong! Let me try again this morning. You can't see this place from the street. It's in the basement of a place called Sip. This is a very small place. It's actually hard to sit at the bar. It's one of the best decorated tiki bars on the level of a Disney production. The drink menu is extensive and even starts with an expert from a novel. They have souvenir mugs that are pricey but that comes with the territory. They play exotica music. Very well done . This place is a must see.

Beware...this place is hidden like 3 dots and a dash. You won't see a sign on the road. It's in the basement of a coffee bar named Sip. Follow Google maps and ask. It's downstairs . Decor is awesome. Menu is awesome.. it's. Novel. I'm drunk. Little small... Lott sap....looks a great

I had a hard time finding UnderTow. The flower-filled outrigger hanging from the ceiling made me think I was already in it...but then, why are all these people drinking coffee, and why is the band playing acoustic Pink Floyd covers?

After questioning the bartender, turns out I was in "Sip", the upstairs coffee bar. Follow the stairs under said outrigger and you'll find an exceptionally designed tiki bar, with decor that's beautifully restrained, yet as rich and atmospheric as anything I've experienced. Themed like a ship's hold—but featuring intricate tiki carvings in the timbers—it's a motif I've never seen before, avoiding "nautical" cliches while creating something unique and intimate. I didn't want to leave.

My one drink—a Navy Grog—was a bit too sweet, I'd say. But the careful work put into it gives me confidence that other drinks would be better. Fantastic music (Les Baxter and similar), subtle but dramatic lighting effects... drink caveat aside, this has real potential to be my very favorite tiki bar.

If you're interested in watching us design and build UnderTow, check out Blue Collar Backers on Discovery Channel. It's either episode 3 or 4. Had a wonderful time designing and building this bar with Danny Gallardo. I've recently updated the porthole effects and added several more effects to the back bar. Also we've resolved an issue we were having with music volume. Check back as we plan to keep updating and adding effects and special touches.
In designing the bar we wanted to tell the story of tiki cture in America. The back story is that you've walked below deck of a late 19th century sailing ship. The crew has sailed all over the world, but fell in love with the South Pacific. They pushed the cargo into the back of the hold and carved their own tiki bar into the very bones of the ship. This way they can take it with them wherever they may sail!
There are hidden details and nods to tiki in every corner of the bar.

I love this place. What they have done with the space is so creative and immersive! We love the drink selection-a marvelous selection of classic and modern recipes that my wife will enjoy until they or we pass on. Best of all, we have really enjoyed our interactions with the bar tenders who are not only nice people, but professionals who have provided us with education that has helped improve our enjoyment of tiki drinks.

Absolutely loved my recent visit to the undertow! Bartender blew me away with her "level 3" rendition of the Painkiller. Later met one of the owners at his other bar, Counter Intuitive , had such a great chat with him. He even sent us home with a partial bottle of OFTD rum!

Upstairs, a brightly lit hipster haven for beer, coffee, food and conversation. Downstairs, a dimly lit hold of the tall ship UnderTow. Just a splash of imagineering to the decor and this ship sets sail every 50mins. Not Disney, not kitschy, it's classy classic Tiki.

While the space is small, just 35 patrons, the cocktails are on point! Fresh squeezed ingredients, infused spirits, quality and correct pours. I sampled six of their creations, starting with the Mai Tai...not too sweet, super fresh ingredients, balanced acidity, and ended with the cold brew "Ain't no Bali Hai Enough" a refreshing blend of coffee, rums, spices, I want this in my tumbler to get me through the day!

Weekends are supposed to be non stop turns with a reservation required. We went on a Thursday night and on arrival the bar was half full. Staff was friendly, I didn't order a specific drink, I wanted to sample many. Pricing was right on, maybe even undervalued for the quality of each drink.

Most patrons are not lovers of the tiki and it's lifestyle like members of this site. They've probably never subscribed to Tiki Magazine, and that's fine, because those are the people that keep these places open, while we are the ones that keep them honest. This place has an honest Tiki adventure feel and maybe the best drinks I've had anywhere.

Tiki lovers give this place a try, and tell the staff you are a Tiki Lover!

While I am new to the world of tiki, I think this place is awesome! The decor is marvelous, and while the space is small, it is very immersive and I would say the quality of the fixtures is amazing. Then you have the drinks-WOW. These are some of the best cocktails I've had. While I have gravitated towards their classic recipes, my wife has tried several of their original drinks and all of them have been marvelous. Be advised, they are quite popular right now and you want to make reservations several days in advance to avoid a long wait or getting turned away.

It's a tiny place but it's done right. Super active décor, wonderful drinks (both classic and signature), and love the vibe. The music is low (which I love!) giving the place a more intimate feel. You can talk with your friends, the bartenders, or with those around you without having to shout.

I didn't rate the music higher because I can hardly ever hear it when I'm in there. However, the selection of music that I have heard was top notch!