Craving a juicy burger and a cold brew in Mesa right now? We’ve got your back. Our updated list of the 16 best bar & grill spots in Mesa serves up the perfect blend of sizzling steaks, craft beers, and laid-back vibes—whether you’re after game-day wings or a family-friendly patio feast.
The Monastery
$ | (480) 474-4477 | WEBSITE
The Monastery is a lively bar and grill from the folks who know how to create a great local hangout, serving the kind of food and atmosphere that makes Mesa special: everything from grilled Thai chili wings to crispy tater tots to family-friendly fun. It’s also just a generally enjoyable place to spend time, and is perfect for everything from an early evening with the kids to catching live music with friends after dark.
Gabby’s Sports Bar and Grill
$ | (480) 827-9776 | WEBSITE
Gabby’s Sports Bar and Grill serves an important purpose in Mesa, and that purpose is a reliable drink or very casual hangout. There aren’t a ton of spots suitable for that as you go beyond the ordinary.
Cactus Kitchen + Bar
$ | (480) 964-7000 | WEBSITE
Whether it’s for a casual dinner, a group gathering, or just to enjoy a good glass of wine, Cactus Kitchen + Bar is one of our go-to spots. The food is consistently tasty and fresh, the staff is friendly, and most importantly, it’s pleasant and easy. Grab a seat and do your best not to skip the Asparagus Ravioli.
Simpleton’s Restaurant and Bar
$ | (480) 890-8800 | WEBSITE
This spot gets their burgers grilled fresh daily, and it’s easily some of the best in Mesa. Surprisingly, it’s also reasonably priced. Their juicy hamburgers and homemade potato chips are relative bargains, and they have a few exceptional karaoke nights that you should consider checking out. So stop in when you feel like having a casual meal last-minute. The food is great, but you won’t get laughed at when you try to grab a table (or sit at the bar) without a reservation.
Lucky Lou’s
$ | (480) 985-8259 | WEBSITE
This cozy hangout in Mesa serves some of the best bar food around. Upscale pub grub, friendly staff, and a laid-back Cheers vibe. What more do you want in life?
Mesa Drummer
$ | (480) 410-4970 | WEBSITE
You can’t have a conversation about the best soul food Sundays in Mesa and not mention Mesa Drummer. This place gets packed during the evening rush, but by 10pm it’s mellow. Grab an early dinner to secure a good spot.
R.T. O’Sullivans Sports Grill
$ | (480) 396-9933 | WEBSITE
There are many places we would send you for a sports bar experience. Some of those places would be excellent. But none would be quite like R.T. O’Sullivans. Open for years with the same lively Irish pub atmosphere, always serving the same comfort classics, R.T. O’Sullivans is the quintessential place for the quintessential Mesa sports tradition. Show up prepared for the noise along with everyone else, grab a seat at the bar, and fight for a view of the big screen.
On The Green Sports Grill
$ | (480) 584-6196 | WEBSITE
On The Green Sports Grill is like a giant patio of fun, and if that doesn’t sound like something you want to be part of immediately, we don’t have much else to say. When you want good food and cold beer, but you also want a place that feels decidedly different from your living room, you come to On The Green Sports Grill in Mesa. You’re going to encounter a crowd, especially during bingo nights, but it’s worth it. We promise.
The Trough
$ | (480) 986-1119 | WEBSITE
The spot that has a lot to do with not just Mesa nightlife as we know it today, but Arizona bar culture as the state knows it today. Housed in a (definitely lively) grill space, The Trough has, from the start, been all about straightforward, satisfying food and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re probably at the most fun hangout in town. You have to try the wings at least once, but you really can’t go wrong here.
Cactus Ranch Grill
$ | (480) 324-8343 | WEBSITE
Cactus Ranch Grill is a surprisingly fun, surprisingly decent poolside bar and grill in Mesa. You can actually enjoy many things other than just burgers here, including the weekly dinner specials and live music. It’s great for dancing, too.
Starz American Bar and Grill
$ | (480) 597-4127 | WEBSITE
A relaxed neighborhood bar and grill that’s been a local favorite for years, this has long been one of our go-to spots in Mesa. With classic American fare that’s perfect for sharing, Starz is a great restaurant for a casual night out with friends. Assuming your friends are into things like the popular STARZ Burger and very good beef sliders.
September’s Bar & Grill
$ | (480) 969-5373 | WEBSITE
Another one of those friendly Mesa spots that regulars love to think of as “their place.” And we don’t blame them: this bar & grill is lively, welcoming, and offers decent takes on the usuals (burgers, wings, nachos, et al.) that don’t cost too much.
Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap – Greenfield
$ | (480) 256-1415 | WEBSITE
Get burgers here already. If you like burgers, and you haven’t had these burgers, you should eat these burgers. Burgers. Eat theirs. This is a spot in Mesa that tends to be busy, because a lot of people have heard that they might be the best burgers in the city. Maybe they heard it from us.
The Hub Grill and Bar
$ | (480) 494-2699 | WEBSITE
Looking for a solid bar and grill in Mesa is like looking for a cactus in the desert – it’s not hard. And they’re probably all fine. The Hub Grill and Bar doesn’t get talked about quite as much as others, like some flashier spots nearby, and it’s on the low-key side. That’s why we like it so much. Plan to roll up to the bar and order some of the best dry rub wings in town along with a whole lot of cold beer, and don’t skip the celiac-safe fish and chips – they’re a rare find.
The TVs could use an upgrade for game days, but the friendly service from folks like Kayla and manager Sara makes you feel right at home, whether you’re grabbing a seat inside or having food brought out to your car.
O’Kelley’s Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (480) 756-6069 | WEBSITE
In a city packed with sports bars, it’s tough for one to stand out as truly memorable. But over in Mesa, O’Kelley’s has been serving up the good times long before anyone thought to call this place a destination. This spot isn’t trying to be fancy, nor is it chasing trends. There’s no pretentious “scene” here, and you won’t find it hyped on every food blog (except maybe this list).
But this is straightforward, satisfying bar food at its most reliable, and one of the most genuinely fun atmospheres you can grab a beer and a bite in.
Point 22 Tavern
$ | (480) 912-5033 | WEBSITE
Point 22 Tavern isn’t the flashiest spot in Mesa, but it’s one of those reliable neighborhood joints: a bar and grill that’s perfect for a casual weeknight meal, or a patio lunch where you can bring your dog without fuss. We recommend the pulled pork sandwich, the fish and chips, and the bacon burger.