Roses By The Stairs, Phoenix, AZ
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
FAST FACTS:
Address: 509 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Hours:
Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
Mon - Fri 3 pm - 10 pm
Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Phone: (602) 680-6582
Dog-friendly: Unclear
Parking: Free parking
Last visited: 3/26/2026
For some reason, the name Roses by the Stairs gave me pretty high expectations going in.
It sounds creative, a little artsy, maybe even a bit funky - a place you expect to walk into and feel like you’ve discovered something unique. I was picturing something fun, trendy, maybe even a little quirky.
To be fair, the story behind the brewery does lean in that direction.
Roses by the Stairs is a craft brewery in downtown Phoenix that focuses on farmhouse-style beers and experiments often with local, seasonal ingredients. Their concept is built around creativity and sustainability - that's evident in the building itself - they took over a historic building that was once a costume shop and turned it into a brewery. Their goal was to create something different from the typical brewery experience...that wasn't quite the case in my experience.
Instead, for me it felt more like a basic hangout spot. Nothing wrong with that if you’re just looking for a place to sit and have a drink, but it didn’t really match the vibe I had hoped for.
What's On Tap?
The beer list had a decent variety of options, but unfortunately, the sour I tried was a miss for me.
I didn’t even end up writing down the name - which is usually a sign - and I didn’t finish it either. It just didn’t have the flavor or balance I’m searching for in a sour.
If I had to rate it, I’d give it about a 2 and honestly that’s me being a little generous.
That said, based on other reviews and the rotating of their tap list, it seems like experiences here can vary depending on what they're pouring. Some people seem to enjoy their lineup more than I did, so it might be worth checking what’s currently available before stopping in
Drink Score: 2/5
Food Finds
Food options here are minimal. You're limited to basic bar snacks, so this isn’t really a place to plan a meal around. If you’re hungry, you’ll probably want to grab food somewhere else before or after your visit, or bring your own along to pair with your drink of choice.
Food Score: 1.5
The Vibe Inside & Out
The atmosphere was probably the most mixed part of the experience.
It’s definitely a place where you can hang out - there’s plenty of seating. But overall, the space felt pretty simple with concrete floors and a more stripped-down setup.
That said, one thing I did enjoy was the artwork on the walls. There were some really unique paintings throughout the brewery that caught my attention. It was actually fun to walk around and take a closer look at them - definitely the most interesting part of the space.
From what I’ve seen in other online reviews, this seems to be a bit more of a hangout spot for locals, and people who come in regularly probably enjoy it for that reason, not so much the case for visitors like me.
Vibe Score: /5
Dog Friendly Details:
It was hard to get a read on the dog-friendliness during my visit since there weren’t any dogs there at the time. You may want to check ahead if you’re planning to bring your pup.
Score: 1/5
Insider Info
This is more of a casual hangout spot than a destination brewery.
Check the tap list ahead of time - especially if you’re going for sour beers.
Plan food elsewhere- not many options on site.
Take a look at the artwork - it’s the most interesting aspect of the space.
Tapped In Takeaway
Roses by the Stairs Brewing ended up being a bit of a letdown compared to what I was expecting. While it’s a perfectly fine place to sit and have a drink, there wasn’t enough that stood out to make me want to go out of my way to return. Between the underwhelming sour and the bland setup, I’d probably put this one on my - "no need to visit" list.
That said, if you’re really close by and just looking for a slow place to hang out, it could be worth your time - just go in with realistic expectations.
Final Score: 2/5
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