Downtown Phoenix wine and beer enthusiasts now have a new neighborhood hangout to grab a pint, sip some wine, and chow down on a gooey grilled cheese.
Located at 201 E. Washington Street, The Whining Pig recently opened on the ground floor of the Collier Center, offering a vast selection of craft beers and wine, and a small menu of scrumptious grilled sandwiches and meats.
Positioned beneath the west staircase leading to the Collier Center’s second level, The Whining Pig’s downtown locale fills a retail space that has been vacant since the center opened 17 years ago.
While it’s new to downtown, this isn’t The Whining Pig’s first rodeo. Owners Matt Fulton, Katy Arnold and Dan Caprario opened the original location in 2013, and it quickly became a beloved neighborhood hangout and one of the Valley’s best-kept secrets.
Fast-forward four years, and the new downtown drinking hole marks the fourth location — in the Whining Pig family. In addition to its original spot at 16th Street and Bethany Home Road, you’ll also find one in Gilbert as well as Arcadia.

Downtown is leaning towards urban living… it’s becoming a neighborhood. —Matt Fulton, owner of The Whining Pig

Those familiar with the other Whining Pigs will feel right at home in the new downtown location. At roughly 1,400 square feet — triple that of the original space on Bethany Home Road — it still has the same friendly and relaxed vibe with the signature ‘penny’ bar top, Edison bulbs and the massive green chalkboard listing the near-hundreds of beers and wines.
And, of course, you can count on the classic games (think Connect Four, Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee) and random superhero figurines that make for fun conversation.
Beer lovers can look forward to 37 beers on draft, 125 bottles and cans, and anywhere between 50-60 wines depending on the day. Novices need not be intimidated by the long list of booze; the Pig’s staff are super knowledgeable and can help you find something you like no matter what you like.
“It’s a great place for a first date,” said owner/operator Dan Caprario. “There’s no awkward silences.”
Already popular among downtowners is the Pig’s happy hour which runs from 1-8 p.m. Specials include $2 off all drafts, $1-2 off all cans and bottles, and $3 off most glasses of wine. The grilled cheese menu has five options all at $6. Fillings range from fig spread, prosciutto and goat cheese to pepperoni, Sriracha and Italian cheese. 
The team worked with RED Development, also behind CityScape Phoenix and the future downtown Fry’s grocery, to secure the Collier Center spot which can now be identified by the huge hand-hammered copper sign affixed above its door.
The Whining Pig is one of several new establishments to open at the Collier Center in the past year including Mancuso’s Restaurant (formerly Kincaid’s) and The Park Street Food Bar (previously Stoudemire’s).
If you go
The Whining Pig
201 E. Washington Street, Unit 104
Hours: Monday-Wednesday from 1 p.m.-midnight; Thursday-Saturday 1 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday from 1-10 p.m.