Looking for the best bars in Prescott. This 2025 guide shows where to drink and what to expect. We cover historic Whiskey Row saloons, modern breweries, and taprooms. You will also see City Tavern at Founding Fathers Collective, Arizona’s largest self serve taproom with 65 taps, and how the self pour system works.
Prescott Nightlife Overview: From Historic Saloons to Modern Taprooms
Prescott’s nightlife strikes a balance between Old West charm and new-age craft beer culture. In the late 1800s, Whiskey Row famously boasted dozens of saloons (at one point about 40 on one block), and many of those historic watering holes still thrive today. These century-old saloons have kept their vintage facades while updating their interiors and drink menus. It’s not uncommon to find live country or rock music in a corner bar on Whiskey Row, keeping the old-time spirit alive after dark.
Beyond Whiskey Row’s wooden bar tops and cowpoke history, Prescott has embraced craft beer and modern taprooms. This town has long been a “beer town,” with local brews quenching thirsts since territorial days. In recent years, new venues have popped up just a few blocks from downtown’s main strip, including cozy lounges, brewery taprooms, and even a self-pour beer bar. You can walk Whiskey Row, then head a few blocks to some of the best bars in Prescott serving local IPAs. Whether you’re sipping a whiskey where Wyatt Earp once drank or sampling a flight of local microbrews, Prescott’s nightlife offers a little something for everyone.
Top 5 Best Bars in Prescott for Craft Beer and Cocktails (2025 List)
Based on local favorites and unique offerings, here are five top bars to visit in Prescott in 2025:
- City Tavern at Founding Fathers Collective – This is Prescott’s must-visit taproom and Arizona’s largest self-serve beer bar. City Tavern features a 65-tap self-pour wall, allowing you to sample a vast variety of craft beer (plus ciders, wines, and cocktails) at your own pace. You receive a wristband linked to your card, then scan and pour whatever you like, from hoppy IPAs to crisp ciders, paying by the ounce. With its industrial-chic vibe and frequent events (trivia nights, live music, etc.), City Tavern combines a fun atmosphere with an unbeatable selection of brews.
- The Palace Restaurant & Saloon – Stepping into The Palace is like traveling back to the 1880s. As the most famous historic saloon in Arizona, The Palace on Whiskey Row is where legends like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp once wet their whistles. Today it’s equal parts museum and bar, complete with swinging doors, a long hardwood bar, and bartenders in period attire. Grab a local whiskey or a cold pint of Prescott-brewed beer and soak in the living history. (Don’t miss the antique portraits and bullet holes said to be in the walls!) This saloon also serves food, making it a great starting point for a night out on Whiskey Row.
- The Point Bar & Lounge – Tucked just off Whiskey Row, The Point is Prescott’s craft cocktail hideaway. This speakeasy-style lounge offers a refined atmosphere, featuring dark wood, comfortable leather seating, and a staggering wall of spirits. They pride themselves on classic and creative cocktails, along with a rotating selection of craft beers. Try their famous Key Lime Pie Martini or a local Arizona whiskey neat. It’s a perfect spot if you’re seeking a break from the louder saloons; you’ll get an expertly mixed drink in a classy setting. Despite the upscale vibe, The Point remains friendly and unpretentious, drawing locals and visitors alike for evening cocktails.
- Lazy G Brewhouse – Lazy G is Prescott’s flagship craft brewery and brewpub, renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and exceptional beer. Located a short hop from downtown, this family-owned brewery pours a range of house-made beers, from crisp blond ales to hoppy IPAs. In fact, Lazy G leads Prescott’s craft beer scene in the wake of others closing, and its brews have earned national accolades (their Sunshine Blonde Ale won a World Beer Cup Gold in 2022). The spacious brewpub features a patio along Granite Creek and even an old travel-trailer-turned-beer-tap outside on busy days. With a full kitchen serving burgers and tacos, you can settle in for dinner and a pint or two. Beer aficionados will appreciate the brewery tour vibe, while casual drinkers will enjoy the friendly and upbeat atmosphere.
- Jersey Lilly Saloon – Perched upstairs in a historic building on Whiskey Row, Jersey Lilly Saloon is famous for its balcony overlooking Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza. Snag a spot on that narrow balcony for fantastic front-row views of the downtown action – it’s the perfect place to people-watch with a cold beer in hand. Inside, Jersey Lilly is an old-school saloon through and through: walls covered in vintage memorabilia, a no-frills bar, and often a live band cranking out country or rock on weekends. They serve all the classics (strong cocktails, cold brews, including their own house-label beer), and the vibe is always welcoming. Just take it easy on the way out – locals joke about the steep staircase after you’ve had a few. For an authentic Prescott night, the Lilly (as locals call it) is a slice of Wild West charm and camaraderie.
Inside City Tavern | Prescott’s Self-Serve Taproom at Founding Fathers
A look inside City Tavern at Founding Fathers Collective, Arizona’s largest self-serve taproom with 65 taps.
City Tavern is not your typical bar; it’s a self-serve taproom that puts you in control of your tasting experience. Located at the Founding Fathers Collective (218 N. Granite Street), City Tavern boasts a wall of 65 taps, offering a diverse selection of premium beer, wine, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic options. This innovative taproom is actually the largest self-pour tapwall in Arizona. The concept is simple and fun: when you arrive, you check in and receive an RFID wristband or card linked to your credit card. You’re then free to wander the tap wall, which is like a beer lover’s buffet, scan your wristband at any tap, pour as little or as much as you want, and sample to your heart’s content. Want just a 2-ounce taste of a local IPA or a half pint of hard cider? Go for it. You pay by the ounce, so you can try a dozen different brews in small pours or settle in with a full pint of your favorite.
The selection at City Tavern is carefully curated and constantly rotating. You’ll find a lot of Arizona craft breweries represented on the tap list, from local Prescott ales to popular Phoenix and Flagstaff brewers. There are also ciders, a few wines, and even specialty cocktails on tap (imagine a draft margarita or cold brew coffee cocktail ready to pour). It’s a great way to discover new drinks; the staff (called “Hopheads”) are on hand to offer suggestions if you’re overwhelmed by the choices. Founding Fathers Collective has really created a community hangout here. The taproom area features ample seating, a relaxed industrial ambiance, and a large dog-friendly patio outside, where you can enjoy your drinks in the sunshine. In fact, enjoying a brew on their shaded patio is a local favorite in nice weather.
City Tavern isn’t just about self-pour drinks; it’s also a social hub with events and entertainment. The venue hosts live music on many weekends, trivia nights on Tuesdays, open-mic nights, and other fun weekly happenings. For example, you might catch a local acoustic duo playing on a Friday night, or join in on a lively trivia contest on Tuesday where teams compete over pints. Founding Fathers Collective often has food trucks on-site as well (and there are usually tasty food vendors parked just outside to grab a bite). If you love Happy Hour, City Tavern offers one of Prescott’s best: 20% off all taps Monday through Friday, 3–7 PM (and all-day Happy Hour on Thursdays). That’s a great deal to sample some high-end craft brews at a discount.
Overall, City Tavern provides a one-of-a-kind bar experience in Prescott. It blends technology with tradition; the self-serve system is high-tech, but the goal of bringing people together over drinks is as old-fashioned as it gets. Founding Fathers Collective as a whole is a unique destination (it also houses a coffee shop, barbershop, gym, and more in the same building), but City Tavern is the crown jewel for nightlife. If you’re exploring Prescott’s bar scene, City Tavern is a can’t-miss stop for its sheer variety and novelty.
Local Breweries to Visit in Prescott (Craft Beer Highlights)
Despite its smaller size, Prescott boasts a growing craft beer scene with several noteworthy breweries and beer-centric destinations. Here are some local breweries and craft beverage spots to put on your list:
- Lazy G Brewhouse – As mentioned above, Lazy G is Prescott’s hometown brewery and a local favorite. Since opening in 2019, it has become a cornerstone of the craft beer community. The brewery produces a rotating lineup of beers on-site, from malty amber ales to award-winning blonde ales. The taproom is family-friendly and often bustling, and you can pair your beer with pub fare from their kitchen. If you appreciate fresh craft beer brewed right in Prescott, Lazy G is a must-visit. (Fun fact: Lazy G’s “Sunshine Blonde” Golden Ale won gold at the World Beer Cup in 2022, putting Prescott on the beer map!)
- Wren House Brewing – The Prairie Patio – Phoenix-based Wren House Brewing opened a satellite brewery on the outskirts of Prescott, complete with a quaint outdoor beer garden known as the Prairie Patio. It’s essentially a small taproom where they serve Wren House’s acclaimed beers straight from the source. Picnic tables, a vintage trailer-turned-bar, and views of the surrounding prairie give it a relaxed, rustic feel. The Prairie Patio is typically open Friday through Sunday afternoons, making it a great weekend stop to taste some excellent Arizona craft beers in a laid-back setting.
- Superstition Meadery – For something a little different than beer, visit Superstition Meadery in downtown Prescott. Superstition Meadery is not a brewery but a mead producer, and one of the top meaderies in the world, renowned for its honey-based fermented beverages. Their cellar tasting room (located below the historic courthouse plaza) offers an array of meads to sample, from dry, white-wine-like meads to sweet fruit-infused dessert meads. If you’ve never tried mead, this is the place to do it. Superstition has won international awards and put Prescott on the map for craft mead. The staff will guide you through a tasting flight, and you can even purchase bottles of limited-edition meads to go. It’s a unique experience that highlights Prescott’s innovative craft beverage scene.
- Coppertop Alehouse – Opened in recent years, Coppertop Alehouse brings European brewing tradition to Prescott. This microbrewery and pub specializes in malt-forward ales and lagers – think rich Irish Reds, robust Russian stouts, and other Old World beer styles. They brew on site in small batches, and often the brewer is around to chat about the beers. Coppertop’s atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious, with a family-friendly vibe (kids welcome) and even a no-tipping policy; they want you to relax and enjoy the beer. It’s located just south of Courthouse Square, making it easy to include on a downtown brewery crawl.
Visit Founding Fathers Collective in Prescott, AZ
Experience Prescott’s favorite local hangout. Founding Fathers Collective is more than a bar; it’s a community hub with something for everyone. Pour your own pint at City Tavern, Arizona’s largest self-serve taproom. Sip on craft espresso at Merchant Coffee, get a fresh cut at John Hancock Barbershop, or break a sweat at Founders Gym, all under one roof. We also host live music, trivia nights, and other local events every week.
Plan your visit: Check out our visit info page for hours, directions, and details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best bars in Prescott, AZ?
Popular spots include The Palace Saloon on Whiskey Row (historic saloon with old-west charm), The Point Bar & Lounge (craft cocktails in an upscale setting), and City Tavern at Founding Fathers Collective (a taproom with 65 self-serve beers on tap). Each offers a unique nightlife experience in Prescott’s downtown.
2. What are the best breweries in Prescott, AZ?
Top brewery destinations in Prescott include Lazy G Brewhouse (a local brewpub known for award-winning craft beers), Wren House Brewing’s Prairie Patio (a small beer garden featuring Wren House craft beers), and Superstition Meadery (famed for its world-class mead and a must-try for craft beverage fans). These spots showcase the best of Prescott’s craft brewing scene.
3. What is City Tavern at Founding Fathers Collective?
City Tavern is Arizona’s largest self-serve taproom, located at the Founding Fathers Collective in Prescott. It features over 65 taps of beer, wine, and cocktails that you can pour at your own leisure. You receive a wristband to activate the taps and pay by the ounce, allowing you to sample a wide variety of drinks in one visit.
4. What is Prescott’s nightlife like?
Prescott’s nightlife is a blend of historic and modern elements. The Whiskey Row area downtown is lined with historic saloons (some over a century old) that often have live music and dancing. Just beyond Whiskey Row, you’ll find modern bars and brewery taprooms with craft beers and cocktails. The scene is friendly and casual; you can catch a live band at a saloon, then walk to a taproom for a craft IPA. Events and seasonal celebrations add extra energy throughout the year, so there’s usually something fun going on after dark.
5. Are there any self-serve beer taprooms in Prescott?
Yes, City Tavern at Founding Fathers Collective is a self-serve beer taproom in Prescott. It has a wall of 65 self-pour taps, making it easy to try different beers. You scan a provided wristband at the tap of your choice and pour as much as you want. This interactive pour-your-own setup is unique in Prescott’s bar scene and ideal for craft beer enthusiasts who want to sample a variety of brews.
