Photo courtesy of Barter & Shake
Barter & Shake, from the creators behind Century Grand, which houses Grey Hen Rx, Platform 18, and UnderTow, have launched their latest venture: Sunny’s Lounge Say Less. Located in Arcadia, this cozy neighborhood haunt is a fresh addition to Phoenix’s vibrant lounge scene.
“Sunny’s operates by a simple mantra—Drink More, Say Less,” says Barter & Shake Partner/Owner Jason Asher. “Say less really just means we’ve got this; we’ll exceed expectations, and we’ll make sure it’s perfect.”
Sunny’s will celebrate its first anniversary in September, but its most chatty regular, a ghost named Loretta, has been a presence for three decades. According to legend, Loretta’s husband, Sgt. Persimmon, returned home from war only to pass away shortly after. Since then, Loretta has made Sunny’s Lounge her eternal haunt, rattling doors on windless days and occasionally dropping glassware from sturdy places.
“She can be a bit spicy; we’ve seen her throw glasses off shelves, toss the ice buckets around, and pop open the cash drawer,” says Vice President of Operations Mat Snapp. “I think she’s lonely, so say hello when you arrive and say goodbye when you leave—that’s what we do, anyway.”
Feeling anxious? No worries. Drown any fears with one of Sunny’s signature cocktails. Try the For Love or Money, made with Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Overproof Jamaican rum, amaro, guava, lime, and absinthe; or perhaps the Magazine Cover, featuring vodka, pineapple, black currant, cranberry, orange, jalapeno, and lime. The UnderTow Mai Tai, a mix of Rhum JM Vo Aged Agricole Rhum, Smith and Cross Aged Jamaica rum, Pierre Ferrand Curacao, orgeat, and lime, is also a popular choice. For a unique blend, opt for the Vintage Sass, which combines rye whiskey, St. Lucian spiced rum, amaro, green chartreuse, root beer, aromatic bitters, and orange oils. Another favorite is When Doves Cry, a blend of Blanco tequila, Italian aperitivo, hibiscus, passion fruit, grapefruit, cordial, and lime.
For those seeking shots, Sunny’s offers Fancy Pants Jello Shots in constantly changing flavors. While they might look like something from a college party, the ingredients are far more sophisticated. Flavors include Mary’s Berries (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry), Eternal Sunshine (ginger, orange, tequila, mezcal), and Man Overboard (pineapple, coconut, and lime in ocean blue Jello).
“Jello shots are making a comeback thanks to the nostalgia those little concoctions evoke, so it’s only natural that we play with unique flavor combinations,” says Sunny’s Lounge General Manager Jordan Daniels. “We’ll always have something fun on hand.”
Sunny’s also pays tribute to the hospitality industry’s unsung heroes, providing a sanctuary after pulling a dreaded open-cloven. The lounge shines a spotlight on them through “Bartender Takeovers,” where Arizona’s most talented bartenders shake things up to raise money for their favorite local charity.
“Whether you’re looking for a phenomenal cocktail, are curious about the supernatural, or unwinding after a long shift, there’s a spot for you at Sunny’s,” says Barter & Shake’s Director of Operations Cortnie Cozeck. “We love live local music—one of our team members even tours in a band called the Breakup Shoes. We love having local food on site, great local bands—we want to be your home away from home.”
Sunny’s Lounge Say Less is located at 2701 E. Indian School Rd., in Phoenix. For more information, visit drinkmoresayless.com.
