You’re driving down Central Avenue in Phoenix, dodging the light rail and the heat, and suddenly you see it—a splash of deep navy blue and a sign that looks like it belongs in a rainy alley in Manchester. That's the George and Dragon Phoenix. It isn't just a bar; it’s a survivor. In a city that loves to tear down anything older than a decade to build "luxury" lofts, this place is a stubborn, wood-paneled middle finger to the march of progress. Honestly, it’s probably one of the only places in the Valley where you can get a proper pint of Boddingtons without someone trying to explain the "tasting notes" of a craft IPA.
Most people know it for the trivia or the footy matches. Others remember it from that one time Jon Taffer showed up with a film crew and a lot of anger. But the real story is much more grounded in the grit of central Phoenix life.
The Bar Rescue Ghost and the Real David Wimberley
If you Google the George and Dragon Phoenix, you're going to see a lot of clips from 2016. That’s when Bar Rescue aired its episode about the pub. It was dramatic. It was messy. Jon Taffer yelled about the kitchen being dirty and David Wimberley, the owner, being more interested in playing poker than running a business. Taffer even claimed the pub was $700,000 in debt.
It made for great TV. But here’s the thing about reality shows: they love a caricature.
David Wimberley isn't a TV character. He’s a guy who moved from across the pond with his mother, Anne, and opened this place on February 15, 1995. For nearly 31 years now, he’s been the face of the establishment. When Anne passed away, the heart of the pub took a hit, and that’s a nuance the cameras didn’t always capture perfectly. Today, the "Rescue" is mostly a memory. The navy blue exterior remains, but the soul of the place has reverted back to its original, slightly dingy, immensely comfortable self. You've got to respect a guy who can survive a televised roasting and just keep pouring Guinness.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Menu
People go to British pubs for the Fish and Chips. That’s a given. At the George and Dragon Phoenix, the fish is beer-battered cod, and it's solid. It's flaky. It's exactly what you want on a Sunday afternoon.
But the real secret? The curry.
England’s national dish isn't actually bangers and mash; it’s Tikka Masala. The George and Dragon leans into this hard. Their Indian Chicken Curry is arguably the best thing on the menu. It’s rich, slightly sweet, and served over a mountain of rice with pita bread. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can get the curry stuffed inside a pastie. It’s a carb-on-carb crime that tastes like heaven after two or three Smithwick's.
A Quick Look at the Staples
- The Shepherd’s Pie: It’s seasoned ground beef, not lamb (which technically makes it a Cottage Pie, but let's not be pedantic), topped with handmade mashed potatoes. It’s heavy. It’s salty. It’s perfect.
- Bangers and Mash: English pork sausages and caramelized onions. Simple.
- The Sunday Roast: You have to show up on Sundays for this. It’s slow-roasted beef with Yorkshire pudding. It feels like a hug from a British grandmother you never had.
Why the Atmosphere Can Be Polarizing
If you’re looking for a polished, sterile environment with white marble countertops, don’t come here. Seriously. You’ll be disappointed.
The George and Dragon Phoenix is a dive in the best sense of the word. The walls are covered in soccer scarves, photos of the Royals, and Buckingham Palace ephemera. It’s dark inside, even when the Arizona sun is trying to melt the sidewalk outside. This is a place where people actually talk to each other. You might sit next to a local lawyer, a construction worker, and a British expat who hasn't been home in twenty years.
The service can be... authentic. Sometimes the bartenders are busy. Sometimes they’re chatty. It isn't the hyper-caffeinated corporate service of a chain restaurant. It’s a pub. You’re there to hang out, not to be rushed through a three-course meal in forty minutes.
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The Trivia and the Community
Thursday nights at 8 pm are when things get serious. This isn't your "name that celebrity" trivia. David Wimberley usually hosts it himself, and he doesn't go easy. It’s 40 questions of competitive, often obscure knowledge. The prizes are cool, but the bragging rights are what keep the regulars coming back week after week.
Then there’s the footy. If there’s a major match happening in the UK, the George and Dragon is opening early. They don't care if it's 5 am. If the fans are there, the beer is flowing. It’s one of the few places in Phoenix where you can find a room full of people wearing Liverpool or Arsenal jerseys at an hour when most of the city is still asleep.
What Really Matters in 2026
The George and Dragon Phoenix just celebrated its 30th anniversary in February 2025. Think about that. In the restaurant industry, 30 years is an eternity. It has survived economic crashes, light rail construction that killed half the businesses on Central, a global pandemic, and Jon Taffer.
It stays relevant because it doesn't try to be anything else. It isn't "fusion." It isn't "reimagined." It’s a British pub in the middle of a desert.
Actionable Tips for Your First Visit
- Park in the back: The lot on Central is tiny and a nightmare. Use the back entrance.
- Check the specials: They have a "Taco Tuesday" (because it’s Phoenix, after all) with $2 tacos, but the real gems are the daily British specials.
- Bring cash for the jukebox: Or just enjoy whatever the vibe is that night.
- Order a "Black and Tan": It’s a classic for a reason, and they pour them correctly here.
- Talk to David: If the owner is around, ask him about the history of the building. He’s seen it all.
Don't expect a five-star culinary experience. Expect a $15 meal that fills you up and a pint that makes you forget about the traffic on I-10. The George and Dragon Phoenix is a local treasure precisely because it refuses to change. In a world of fleeting trends, that’s a rare thing.
To get the most out of your visit, aim for a Thursday night trivia session or a Sunday afternoon roast. Check their social media for early morning opening times if you're looking to catch a specific Premier League match. If you're coming for the food, prioritize the chicken curry over the standard burger options—it’s where the kitchen actually shines.