I Had Drinks at a Former Department Store in Phoenix and It Was Surprisingly Chic

I have a friend who is in the know of any and all of the coolest places in Phoenix. Recently, she asked to have a girls' night during the week, and I knew she would pick someplace great. Hanny's in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, was a place I hadn't been to yet, and I was excited to try it. What I didn't anticipate was how incredibly chic it is. To top it off, it occupies a space that was once a department store. Between the cocktails, the historic ambiance, and the fascinating artwork, Hanny's may just be my favorite new cocktail lounge in Phoenix!

Designed by Royal Lescher and Leslie Mahoney, two local architects at the height of their careers, the Hanny's Building first opened its doors for business in 1947. Its modern appearance was known as International Style and its facade was something to be revered during the time it was constructed. Hanny's Department Store opened on Nov. 22, 1947, and thousands of people came to check out the architectural wonder it resided in.

Hanny's was quite a modern store during its time and where Arizonans would come to shop for high-end fashion. The store was in business for nearly 40 years when it closed for good in 1986. After its closure, it was used as a city firefighter training facility. However, in 2005, it was purchased by restauranteur, Karl Kopp who also owns AZ88 in Scottsdale.

When the building was being transformed into a restaurant and bar, the owner kept many of the original features that make this historic space so unique. You will see original signage, logos, and even a mural as you look around the large space of this department store-turned-bar in Phoenix. I love seeing historical elements that have been maintained as a nod to the building's original purpose.

As my friend and I sat at the bar enjoying our cocktails and taking in the ambiance, it was hard not to keep looking around to marvel at the high ceilings and the signage. My friend and I chatted about the architecture and she told me all about the history of the Hanny's Building as I sipped on a Moscow Mule and she had a cocktail called the Paper Plane. Her cocktail was made with American whiskey, Aperol, Bigallett Amaro, and lemon juice, and she enjoyed it.

My second cocktail was a variation of an espresso martini but made with Kahlua. Aside from the taste, I enjoyed the presentation of the martini topped with coffee beans.

One thing you must do when at Hanny's is see the art installations around the space. For example, there's an old freight elevator shaft that was turned into a kaleidoscope work of art that's a must-see. Head upstairs, and the restrooms are an experience in themselves with mirrors and bright pink lighting—it's utterly surreal!

There's also an intriguing humanlike figure, a mannequin, behind glass. She is covered in a variety of materials like beads and doll heads, and there's a pair of antlers on her head. And downstairs in the basement is the best (or perhaps creepiest) of all the art installations: a large group of vintage dolls standing around a table covered in coins. Maybe toss a coin on the table for good luck? To be honest, this scene was like that of a horror movie to me and I couldn't wait to get back upstairs!

If you haven't dined or had cocktails at Hanny's yet, I highly suggest you make plans to go! Have you been to Hanny's yet? To learn more about the location and to see a menu at my favorite new cocktail lounge in Phoenix, visit the Hanny's website.

How about an overnight stay in downtown Phoenix? There are so many amazing hotels to choose from, but if you want something a bit different, spend a night at the FOUNDRE Phoenix located close to Roosevelt Row.