Bitter Sweet: New Bar to Open at SkySong Oct. 14

SkySong, Arizona State University’s development at Scottsdale and McDowell Roads, will welcome Bitters, a brand new craft cocktail and beer concept in October. The bar is the creation of Erika Rode, who comes to the hospitality industry from the commercial liquor industry. Bitters will take up 2,700 square feet at 1455 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 and will be open Tuesday – Sunday.

Rode will use her expertise gained in the beverage industry, and has partnered with Ehren Litzenberger, formerly of BLD and The Biltmore, to concept the menu and lead the kitchen. Aside from craft cocktails and food, Bitters will offer mocktails, cold brew, craft sodas, small batch green and black teas, and house-made lemonade.

Each handmade craft cocktail has the word ‘bitter’ in the name, and is accompanied with a pithy quote. All cocktails are made to order from freshly squeezed juices and artisan mixers. There will be no batch or premixed cocktails. A few of the standouts are:

· Bitter at the Top – Roca Patron anejo, sweet vermouth, ancho reyes, Balotin Chocolate Bourbon, poured over chocolate on a pour-over tower

· Bitters White Negroni – St. George Terroir Gin, Dolin Genepi, Carpano dry vermouth, Chareau aloe liqueur, celery shrub bitters, lemon oils

· Bitters Arizona Sour – Grand Canyon Whiskey, lemon, cream, egg white, sparkling Lambrusco, raspberry powder

The menu will feature 12 signature small plate gourmet dishes like beef satay, rock shrimp, farro risotto and others. All dishes are made with fresh ingredients with a local focus, some of which will be sourced from neighboring Agriscaping and Utopian Harvest. Aside from the signature dishes, there also will be salads and artisan flavored popcorn.

Craft beer will be a staple at Bitters. Craft brew taps will rotate, and feature limited release, hard to find or highly rated craft beers. The following will be available when Bitters opens:

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion, New Belgium Citradelic, Dogfish 90 Minute, Cider Boys Fresh Press, Breakside Passionfruit Sour, Founders Porter, Mother Earth's California Creamin' Nitro, Elysian Night Owl, OHSO Popsicle Blonde, Huss Coffee Kolsh.

Bitters also will offer a unique personalized locker program, called The Bitter Enthusiast Club. A rarity in the Valley, up to 30 members are able to store their favorite bottle of whiskey in their own private space at Bitters.