This Restaurant in Arizona Has an Interesting Past You Should Know About

Your Arizona culinary experience isn’t just limited to a restaurant that’s 200-feet below the ground or one with charming lakefront views. There are still so many good finds you need to discover. For instance, Hanny’s Restaurant in Arizona is famous for its stylish and trendy atmosphere and delicious American fare. Now, before you dig into their wonderful offerings, how about a bit of history?

This Restaurant Was Once a Department Store!

Source: Hanny’s

It was 1947 when the 3-storey Hanny’s Building first saw its construction, complete with a basement and a mezzanine level. The Hanny’s Department Store opened during the same year – a beautiful place that men can go to for clothes and other items. But here’s the thing: as far as popularity goes, the architecture of the building was probably just as well-loved as its fashion finds. It was heralded as “an architectural divergence” for Downtown Phoenix as well as for bringing a new “look” to the city.

The international-style facade embraced a beautiful and modern look, and Hanny’s was recognized for having the “Best International Style” in Phoenix and possibly in Arizona. It was the Valley’s go-to place for all things “men’s fashion” until it finally got closed in 1986. After the short vacancy, the city purchased the building and used it as a training ground for the city firefighters.

It underwent a three-year restoration process before opening its doors once more in 2008, not as a department store, but as a unique place to eat and be merry. It still has the feel of a good, upscale department store. But of course, it’s made more amazing with the delicious eats you can try.

Spoiler Alert: Hanny’s Restaurant in Arizona Will Be Your New Favorite Place Downtown!

Source: Facebook

Nothing could be more amazing than Hanny’s Restaurant in Arizona marrying the past and the present. Today, the restaurant and bar is any resident’s favorite trendy spot. It may be an old building with a different history, but it brings something new and delightful to the table! 

Source: Facebook

You can just embrace the dressy casual vibe and enjoy the DJ playing awesome music while eating their delicious pizza with your friends. 

Source: Facebook

Yep, it’s one of the best food in their menu. You better try it before wandering around and exploring Hanny’s Restaurant in Arizona!

Source: Facebook

They have a well-maintained old elevator shaft that is covered in plexiglass. If you ask us, it can be pretty fun to walk over. Not all restaurants have this, right? Once you’re done exploring, you can proceed to the bar in the middle where you will be overjoyed by the street life and happenings. The atmosphere sets the mood for a great day!

Source: Facebook

This huge bar was where the counter and registers once sat. Isn’t that interesting?

Source: Facebook

To beat the heat, or if you need a quick fix, try their classic martinis. It’s tasty and not too expensive. Other creative combos are also available. The George, Jim, and Hanny’s with one of the four absinthe bottles is also perfect!

The place is almost always busy – proof that people here really love what they have to offer. A great company loves a great place. Of course, they’ve got everything covered from the upscale feel and cool music to the open architecture and wonderful food and drinks.

Here’s what you should try:

Source: Facebook

From the kitchen

• Italian Salad
• Hanny’s Bar Plate
• Cauliflower Calabrese
• Crisp Thin Crust Pizza
• Tuscan Steak
• Hanny’s Steak
• Adams Street Chop
• Chocolate Mousse
• Hanny’s Pork Milanese

From the bar

• Classic Martini
• Classic Manhattan
• Absent Minded
• English Garden
• Wine (they have options of six decades of Napa Valley)

Hanny’s Restaurant in Arizona Also Has a Quirky (or Scary?) Side

Source: Facebook

We’ll paint you a picture.

Imagine walking down a twisting staircase and finding several dolls lined up around a table. The dark room is lit only by a singular bulb with such a faint brightness. You look over to the dolls and it feels as if they are looking at you directly in the eye. Questions pour in: Why are they here? Why do I feel like they are waiting for me? Are they going to haunt me?

It’s hard to imagine that the same upscale restaurant and bar is also home to this creepy basement. According to Kark Kopp, Hanny’s Restaurant in Arizona owner, the dolls were put in the basement for a short art installation. These dolls were personally sought out by the owner, brought in by employees, or dropped off by customers. It became a hit so they didn’t bother removing it.

To this day, the dolls have become a permanent fixture for the restaurant. Some are creeped out by this so they just stay at the bar. But if you want to see the dolls, you can just take the staircase on the right immediately after entering the building.

Location: 40 N 1st St, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Contact No.: (602) 252-2285
Website: http://www.hannys.net/index.html

Here are other cool restaurants located in Phoenix: Dine Next to a Waterfall at This Beautiful Restaurant in Phoenix and This Volkswagen Van Means You’re at the Hippest Restaurant in Phoenix. If you have other restaurants in mind, feel free to comment it down below.