The masterminds behind Stand-Up Live, Joel Bashcroft and Ryan Handelsman, are going to ring in the New Year with their soft opening of Copper Blues (CB) Live, a full-scale restaurant and comedy club located in Desert Ridge Marketplace.
Understanding that many guests often look for a gathering place before and after a show, and are oftentimes met with basic well drinks and mediocre show time food, CB Live hopes to be an encompassing rock pub concept that delivers culinary freshness and memorable entertainment in an inviting atmosphere.
“Traditional venues require a 2 drink minimum and are limited to fried, quick-service food because of the need to seat guests within 15 minutes before a show,” said Handelsman.
CB Live aims to revolutionize this stagnant part of the industry with a dual stage concept. This will include a restaurant with adjacent stage and retractable wall dividing the dinning room. This will provide guests who buy tickets to see a show with a more intimate dining experience while enjoying their selected entertainment.
Handelsman says, “With Phoenix being a foodie market, we are trying to step away from the fryer and prepare food that is so good that we don’t have to require a two drink minimum.”
Think nachos loaded with chicken, jalapenos, and pico, a “claim-to-fame” dish, as Handelsman describes, as well as grilled chicken wings, pizza with house made dough, and a veggie burger with black beans and sweet potatoes.
Dessert will include decadent treats such as a brownie with buttercream frosting topped with Butterfingers, and a season chocolate and peppermint cookie sandwiching creamy vanilla and strawberry ice cream.
On the contrary, drinks will ensure freshness without sweet additives. Many cocktails will be on draft, including a Moscow Mule, made with Whiskey Smash bourbon, lemon, mint and honey, and a CB Live original, Strawberry Fields with Kettle One vodka and candy cordial. The restaurant and bar will also have over 30 draft beers from local breweries such as OSHO, Huss, Santan and Four Peaks.
While enjoying quality cuisine, guests are invited to experience the sounds of local acoustic bands playing cover music or performing studio sessions, which will showcase original creations. Be sure to muster up some courage for karaoke on Wednesdays or look forward to low-key country night on Thursdays. DJs will be spinning on Fridays and Saturdays, and an adults-only brunch party with an ever-changing theme will be hosted on Sundays.
Ticketed shows will welcome comedians, including Jeremy Piven and Damon Wayans, musical parodies, vaudeville performances, cabaret and even podcasters.
Handelsman says, “It will be a come as you are vibe. It’s meant to make people feel good, relieve stress, celebrate, get away or just have a great time.”
CB Live will be ringing in the new year and featuring one of their first guests, comedian Whitney Cummings, on December 31st at 7pm. For additional information regarding future performers, show times, and ticket sales, see: https://phxevents.cblive.com/events.
