You’ve seen the faded peach paint. If you’ve spent any time in downtown Phoenix, specifically hanging around the 7th Avenue and McKinley stretch, you’ve probably walked past that beat-up black door a dozen times. From the outside, it looks like a place where you’d go to get your taxes filed—which, honestly, makes sense since it used to be an actual tax office. But inside? It’s a whole different vibe.
Gracie’s Tax Bar menu isn't trying to win a Michelin star. It’s trying to save your soul at 1:00 AM after a few too many cheap beers.
Owned by Grace Perry—who some of you might remember as the powerhouse vocalist for the local metal band Landmine Marathon—this place has successfully dodged the "pretentious cocktail bar" trap that’s swallowed up half of downtown. It’s a "neo-dive." That basically means it has the soul of a basement bar from 1978 but the hygiene standards of people who actually care.
The Food: Greasy, Salty, and Surprisingly Intentional
Most people walk into Gracie's thinking they'll just get a bag of chips. Then they smell the fryer.
The menu is short. It’s focused. It’s designed to line your stomach so you don't regret your life choices the next morning.
The Chopped Cheese (The Unlikely Hero)
If you aren't from New York, you might not know what a chopped cheese is. Think of it as the gritty, delicious cousin of a Philly cheesesteak. They take ground beef, onions, and melted cheese, chop it all up on the griddle until it's a messy, glorious heap, and shove it into a hero roll. It’s salty. It’s greasy. It’s exactly what you want when the jukebox is playing something loud and fast.
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They even have a vegan version. Honestly, in a city where "vegan options" often mean a sad salad, having a plant-based chopped cheese that actually tastes like bar food is a massive win.
Fried Everything
You can't talk about the menu without mentioning the snacks. We’re talking:
- Cheese Curds: These are the real deal. Squeaky, salty, and breaded just enough to give you a crunch without losing the molten center.
- Tater Tots: They are a staple here. You can get a massive basket of them, and they stay crispy way longer than you’d expect.
- Fried Pickle Spears: Not slices. Spears. There’s a difference. The ratio of brine to breading is a delicate science, and they’ve mostly nailed it.
- Onion Rings: Thick-cut and golden.
The Hot Nuts Machine
This is a bit of a local legend. There is a literal hot nuts machine—the kind you’d see in a bowling alley in the 90s—dispensing warm, salted snacks. It’s a small detail, but it’s one of those things that makes Gracie’s feel like it has a history, even though it only opened its doors in 2017.
The Drink Menu: No-Bullshit Booze
Don't come here asking for a drink with "elderflower foam" or a "smoke-infused garnish." You’ll probably just get a blank stare. The Gracie’s Tax Bar menu for drinks is built on the philosophy of "Good Times and Cheap Booze."
The Mini Pitchers
This is the move. You can grab a $6 mini pitcher of "Gracie’s Tax Beer" during happy hour. It’s the perfect size—too big to be a pint, small enough that it doesn't get warm before you finish it.
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The Wells and Crafts
Happy hour runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM every single day. Yeah, even weekends. You’re looking at:
- $5 Well drinks
- $7 to $9 Mini Pitchers
- A surprisingly solid selection of local cans and drafts
If you’re feeling fancy (by dive bar standards), they do have cocktails. But they’re classic. Think more along the lines of a solid Margarita or a Gin and Tonic that actually has enough gin in it. People also swear by the sangria pitchers when the Phoenix heat is sitting at 110 degrees and you’re hiding out on the patio under the ivy.
The Vibe (Which is Basically a Secret Ingredient)
You can't separate the food from the room. The lighting is dim and red. There are pressboard walls and acoustic ceiling tiles that scream "government office from the Cold War."
Then there’s the jukebox.
Grace Perry personally curates it. It’s not one of those digital "TouchTunes" things where someone can pay $5 to skip your song and play Nickelback. It’s a real-deal CD jukebox. You’ll hear everything from Prince and Johnny Cash to My Bloody Valentine and the Beach Boys. It’s $1 for three plays. That’s probably the best deal in the city.
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The Patio
The outside area is a chaotic collection of mismatched lawn furniture. It feels like your cool older brother’s backyard. There are pass-through windows so you can grab your cheese curds without having to navigate the crowd inside. It’s dog-friendly, human-friendly, and generally the place where the best conversations happen.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head down, here’s the reality of the situation:
- Parking is actually okay. They have two lots behind the building and next door at Acme. Plus, street parking on 7th Ave isn't impossible if you’re lucky.
- They serve food late. We’re talking 1:00 AM on weekdays and 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. In a city where kitchens often close at 10:00 PM, this is a literal lifesaver.
- It gets crowded. Especially on weekends when they have DJs or art markets. If you want a booth to play one of the board games from their shelf (yes, they have Scrabble and D&D stuff), get there early.
- Bring quarters. You’re going to want to use the jukebox. Trust me.
Gracie’s Tax Bar is one of those rare spots that managed to become a "community hub" without feeling forced. It’s where local artists, musicians, and people just getting off a shift at the hospital all end up sitting at the same bar.
Your Next Step
Next time you’re in downtown Phoenix and the sun starts to set, skip the $18 cocktail lounge. Head to 7th Avenue, look for the peach building, and order the chopped cheese. If you’re there during happy hour, grab that $6 mini pitcher. Put a dollar in the jukebox, pick something by The Descendents, and just soak in the red light.
Pro tip: Check their Instagram or the physical calendar by the door before you go. They host everything from "D&D nights" to local restaurant takeovers where guest chefs run the kitchen for a night. You never really know what you’re going to get, but it’s usually exactly what you needed.