I can't tell you how much I love visiting southeastern Arizona.
The cities, the towns, the people, the food, and more ~ all fabulous.
We started our long weekend in Tucson, staying in a sweet little Air BnB near the University.
I love finding cute little guest homes on this website (www.airbnb.com).
This place was actually an older property, maybe an office building of sorts.
It was converted and re-decorated with groovy 70's decor.
And this charming frig magnet!
Dinner had to be tacos and we loved Street Tacos & Beer on Congress Avenue in downtown Tucson.
Our late night pub crawl took us to four very different spaces in Tucson.
First up ~
Owls Club (www.owlsclubwest.com)
a great converted church or assembly space with wonderful cocktails and nice music.
Great vibe here, actually.
Then we were off to
Tough Luck Club, located below Reilly Craft Pizza (www.reillypizza.com)
for some inventive cocktails. The menu is in itself a great read!
Next stop - The Hut (www.huttucson.com) on 4th Avenue
This student-focused Tiki-style bar is huge! They are serving beach-bums of all ages with some potent rum drinks and bottles of iced cold beer. If you can't have a good time here, well...
Last stop - The Buffet, located on 9th Avenue just away from the hustle of 4th Avenue.
This long-time standard dive bar used to serve crock-pot boiled hot dogs, but alas - no more.
They still serve any thirsty soul bottles of beer, jello shots, and mixed drinks.
The 'Happy Minute' still lives on here at 11pm.
I would hit up any one of these bars on a return trip to Tucson,
but have listed them in order of my personal preference.
Breakfast in Tucson - You cannot beat Baja Cafe (www.bajacafeoftucson).
We chose the Broadway location and though we waited for an hour - it was totally worth it!
Fresh, delicious hangover food - both savory and sweet for whatever ails ya.
I'm 100% positive that this will become my every-time-I-go-to-Tucson breakfast from now on.
On our way to Bisbee, Arizona.
I love this artist's enclave and uber-hippie old mining town.
But on the way we stopped at both the Lavender Pit and the historic town of Lowell.
I had no idea this little place even existed,
or that people placed their vehicles here for your entertainment.
So yeah, stroll down Erie Street in historic downtown Lowell for a piece of the past.
In Bisbee we stayed at the Copper Queen Motel (www.copperqueen.com).
We've stayed here before and it's historic. There are probably other choices in Bisbee, and I know for a fact that there are some Bed & Breakfast choices as well.
But the Copper Queen is centrally located, historic, value-priced, and comfortable.
Wandering the streets - loads of little shops, bars, and friendly people.
Lunch at Santiago's (www.santiagosmexican.com) and a quartet of delicious margaritas.
Every one of their beverages was on point - flavorful and icy-cold.
We stopped into the Room 4 Bar at the Silver King Hotel (www.silverkinghotel-bisbee.com) and were greeted with friendly service and sturdy adult beverages.
Dinner though... I have been waiting and waiting and waiting to get to
Cafe Roka (www.caferoka.com)!
This place - oh my land. So good.
Service - great. Menu - unbelievably delicious. Ambiance - cozy & warm.
This seasonally sourced space delighted us all.
Your entree choices include a soup and salad of the day with some warm soft bread.
We feasted on sea bass with jumbo shrimp, lamb meatballs, risotto fritters, and meaty short ribs.
Dessert looked good, but we just couldn't get there, sorry.
Our third day took us to a variety of small wineries throughout the Sonoita & Elgin areas.
Arizona Hops & Vines (www.azhopsandvines.com)
Outdoor koi pond in Arizona!!
Gorgeous blooms as we enter summer!
And yes, women owned and operated. Friendly, tasty, and such a great vibe.
I can't wait to visit this winery next time I'm through this area.
And I'll be bringing friends!!!
Dos Cabezas (www.doscabezas.com)
Loved the copper bar and the intelligent efficient pouring.
Thanks for letting us spread all our snacks all over the counter on an early Sunday afternoon.
I hope I cleaned up all the goat cheese & pepperoni!
We also stopped into Rune (www.runewines.com) where we were served by the loveliest sommelier under the shade sails overlooking a gorgeous desert. Great conversation with a few locals here!!!
And then on to Callaghan Vineyards (www.callaghanvineyards.com) which is one of the mainstays of this area. Good wine, good people, and a darling Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.
And this... Our annual winery trip with our son and his fiance, so fabulous!
More fun times ahead, I am so sure.
:) Until next trip ~ Deb
