Small businesses are the life and blood of the city, and we’re lucky to have a whole slew of new ones.
From an arcade bar to a co-working space–check out what’s new (and coming soon) to Downtown Phoenix.

The Department co-working space was designed with entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors and creatives in mind, featuring several conference rooms, an abundance of different work spaces, and three membership levels ranging from private offices to a monthly drop-in. (Photo: Brandi Porter)

This is where entrepreneurs, creatives and investors get *expletive* done. This carefully designed collaborative workspace features private offices, reserved desks, lounge areas, standing desks, conference rooms, a community kitchen and (beautiful) custom-built furniture by Urban Plough Arts. Located on the sixth-floor of the Marketplace 1 building, The Department co-working space hopes to foster a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem by creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and creatives to connect. Membership options include private offices, reserved desks or a monthly flexible.

The Kettle Black
Your new neighborhood bar lies just behind two beautifully bright red doors. Featuring community tables, a great patio, a gorgeously designed bar and a so far excellent menu of Irish grub–The Kettle Black is just a few weeks into its soft opening, but is proving to be an excellent addition to the downtown bar scene. The gastropub officially opens and will launch its full menu the weekend of Feb. 12-14. You’re officially invited.

Antique Sugar
The vintage clothing boutique relocated to a renovated office complex in downtown last June, and with the recent addition of Cobra Arcade Bar, the corner of Second and McKinley streets is now in constant activity. From tweed blazers to 1920s-era dresses to bell bottom pants–Antique Sugar offers a finely curated selection of vintage clothing for both men and women.
ACME Prints
This local, custom screen-printing shop moved last year into a renovated warehouse on Seventh Avenue and McKinley Street. Whether you need t-shirts, posters or stickers, ACME Prints has just what you need and just happens to be eco-friendly, too.

Melinda’s Alley
Downtown seems to be going underground these days. A new bar called Melinda’s Alley–named in homage of the alley it’s located in–now operates out of a basement exit shaft under the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The speakeasy-esque bar features a rotating menu of craft cocktails, exposed concrete walls and vintage-looking furniture. The bar is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm-2am. (Look for the red light in the alley off of Central Avenue and Monroe Street.)
Unexpected art gallery
Part art gallery, part creative workspace–the new venue opened in November last year presenting a collection of eclectic, even rare, antiques and works of art. The space features a large gallery space in the front, a “Back Alley” with a stage and lots of outdoor event space, a second-floor mezzanine, and an interactive light sculpture designed by artists Karina Niño de Rivera and Devin Fleenor that graces the facade of the building. Stay tuned for regular gallery hours, but until then, make sure to check out their First Friday events.

Palabra y Futuro
Palabra art gallery and hair salon opened in 2012 to provide a venue for all forms of art and creativity to intersect. Last month, the art collective relocated to a new space on First and Garfield Streets, where each and every detail was artfully designed–from the building to the coffee bar to the custom hairdressing sinks. Also new to the collective: Futuro, a coffee shop inside the salon featuring craft coffee from 49th Parallel Coffee Roaster out of Vancouver and a coffee cherry tea called cascara (it’s delicious). The coffee shop is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Notions and Clotherie at the Roose Parlour and Spa
Getting your hair and shopping done just got a lot easier. Just a few bungalows away from GrowOp boutique, the Roose Parlour and Spa recently began curating a women’s clothing boutique, Notions and Clotherie. The intimate space carries a rotating selection of scarves, dresses, blouses, candles, jewelry, bags and more–all at reasonable prices.
Palabras Libreria y Biblioteca
Currently being used as an event and workshop space–the nonprofit bookstore and library launched in late November on Grand Avenue near Fillmore Street. Though its founders are in the process of building an inventory of books and resources–Palabras aims to help people learn Spanish or English and about other cultures through literature, events and activities. They are currently accepting donations of books in both Spanish and English, and you can like them on Facebook to learn about upcoming events.
Cobra Arcade Bar
The much-anticipated Cobra Arcade Bar is a game changer. The first arcade bar to open in Phoenix, the new locale features murals inside and out, over 40 vintage arcade games–restored by owner Ariel Bracamonte and custom-painted by dozens of local artists–and a full bar with game-inspired cocktails. From NBA Champ to Tron to Galaga, you can get your game on Monday through Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.