What a great concept for a cocktail experience--a 1920s Pullman train transformed into a swanky bar. When we visited, the theme was 1960s Harlem, with jazz music from the era playing in the background and images of Harlem passing by the train windows, creating the illusion that you were traveling through the neighborhood. The cocktails were excellent, especially the dirty martini, which came with their house-marinated olives that were absolutely delicious. It's no surprise this place has been voted one of the 50 Best Bars in the World for two years in a row. If you're in the area, this is definitely a must-try. read more

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This was a fun and unique experience! The bar is set up like a train in the 1920s and all the decor makes it believable. The "windows" change scenery as if you're really driving by in a train. I ordered the non-alcoholic Son of a Beecher and really enjoyed it. Our waiter was very friendly. I wish they had more food and non-alcoholic options. This was a fun experience to try but I don't know if I would come back regularly - you should try it once though at least! read more

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A must try in Phoenix. Decorated as a Pullman train car; they really put their all into the experience. Jay was our bartender and took great care. Taught about the drinks and had extensive knowledge of the menu and recommendations. The drinks are good and mixed well. The lobster toast is necessary. Great for family or a date night. Check it out. read more

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Last night we took a trip to 1925 Manhattan and never left Phoenix. This was our second visit to the unique bar experience that is Platform 18. It is one of 3 themed bars at this location. This one is a recreation of a train traveling through changing scenery. This trip was 1925 Manhattan including the old For Model T trains that are showing on the screens that act as windows outside the train car moving by as if you were traveling including the sounds of the engine and whistle. The drinks are very creative. As I have been staying away from Alcohol lately, the even had Non Alcohol drinks like my Son of a Beecher made with Dutch East India Trading Spiced Gin, Cynar, Yuzu, Ginger, Strawberry, Pineapple, Lemon, Sanpellegrino Prickly Pear zero abv. It was a fantastic drink that you could enjoy slowly as my other 3 guest were thrilled with their Adult beverages. My Associate which is a Bourbon Old Fashion. You get a glass with a large cube but empty. Shortly after an "Associate" comes by and takes a container out of their pocket to provide the banned alcohol of prohibition era. This theater creates a lot of fun. Another is the Paparazzi which is complete with an old fashion bulb camera going off as they appear to be taking a star's picture. The menu changes periodically as does the accompanying theater but it is a very intimate environment and a very clever spot for a date or just getting together with come friends for a different experience. It is reservation only and you get a limited amount of time but our 90 minutes flew by and was time for 3 drinks (and maybe some ice cream). Our previous trip was a winter in CO scenery. The service, atmosphere and creativity makes this a great experience. read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - The bar Train Car - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Take a step in old town New York Train station at Platform 18... Tip top service. Exquisite ambience and delicious side treats with your drinks. If you like era ambiences, come check out all sides of Century Grand...but this particular review is Platform 18. Great bar and table seating. A cocktail spot you must try out.... Thank you Century Grand and all future visits... read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - The Fortune Teller - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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We visited Platform 18 back in August (2025). My friend made a reservation for us. It's $12/person and the deposit is used towards the bill. Upon entering, we were transported to the Roaring 20s and it felt like we were actually riding on a train. We were seated at the bar which is where I prefer to sit. Our bartender for the evening was Remington. The menu is pretty extensive. Remington explained the layout of the menu and was great at making suggestions based on our preferences. Some of the drinks we ordered came with snacks which let me know that our selections were more spirit forward. The snacks of course complimented the flavors of the cocktails very well. I started with Beware the Papparazzi. It's a vodka based cocktail that had a sweet, tart, yet balanced taste. It also came with a surprise that I won't spoil. I also had The Film Star which is essentially a Vesper. It was good, but extremely boozy! It came with caramel popcorn. The sweet and saltiness of the popcorn complimented the drink well. Great drinks and a great vibe! Platform 18 was one of my favorite bars that I visited during my trip and I will definitely be back the next time I visit Phoenix. read more

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I've been eyeing this place up for quite some time & had a friend visiting so it was the perfect time to experience Platform 18. I booked us a reservation a couple weeks out for 9pm on a Saturday night, it did require a deposit of around $15 pp to be take off our final bill. We arrived about 10 minutes early and seating got a bit tight as others started to also wait & grab drinks at Grey Hen. We didn't have to wait too long after our reservation time before being let in. Once inside it truly felt magical and like a real life train ride. The windows took us through New York City and it did feel a bit shaky like we were actually moving. The drinks were very creative & delicious. I enjoyed their take on an espresso martini & how each cocktail came with a fun treat. The only downside was the amount of space, it's definitely close quarters to those around you. Overall it was still a great time & I'd come back again. A great spot to show visitors for sure! read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Loved this place and loved the drinks. Unfortunately, we didn't get there early enough to check out the other bars that are part of Century Grand, but I'd definitely come back if I'm ever in the area again. Our server, Raquel (hope I'm spelling that right), was awesome. She was super patient and really listened to what my partner and I liked and didn't like so we wouldn't end up ordering something we didn't enjoy. Her recommendations were spot on and made the whole experience even better. Overall, definitely worth checking out. You won't regret it. read more

Fun experience. Very unassuming on the outside. Very authentic, classy old train car feel inside. The servers are fabulous. And they clearly love playing the role in their jobs. The drinks are eh. I feel like they need to narrow their menu, have more classics and do them up well. I do love that some of their drinks have experiences that come with them. They need more options for snack foods as well. Fun little adult field trip. read more

What we ordered: Drinks: Sparkling wine The magician The musician The Oracle (cold one) Banana pudding 21 hours to Louisville Food: Sundays in June (ice cream) George Washington carver (ice cream) First timer here what a great vibe decor is very nice with a elegant feel and I was shocked how spacious it actually was especially the back area for large groups like us, service a tad slow but super friendly staff and helpful, creative drinks and handmade ice cream is done here the ice cream is super yummy you really can tell it is hand made super soft and flavorful and wasn't aware it was spiked till my friend mentioned it dope, gotta mention how soft the seats here are as well the couches are niceee def will come again read more

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My husband and I went to Platform 18 for our anniversary and had such a great experience. The entire concept is so unique and immersive. From the moving scenery outside the windows to the lighting, music, and vintage train theme. It really feels like you're traveling somewhere else for a little while. The drinks were also really good and well made. I'm not normally a big hard alcohol person, but the cocktails were smooth, creative, and easy to enjoy. The staff was friendly and the whole atmosphere made for such a fun night out. Definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time because it's popular for a reason. Such a cool spot for a date night or special occasion in Phoenix! read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Beware of the paparazzi - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Overall the experience was ok. However, you are getting a one star review for the BS 4% staff benefit charge you add on and then force customers to ask to take off. How about you just adjust the price of items. Never coming back. read more

We had a wonderful time at Platform 18. It was an unforgettable experience and I highly recommend it. Reservations are required and the time allotted is 90 minutes. We arrived a few minutes early and were guided to the train car. There was a lot to take in in te most positive way. We were seated at the bar and I was not disappointed because it gave us the opportunity to chat with the bartender. The drink menu is extensive, but she asked us what we liked , what kind of cocktail we liked and if we like sweet, sour etc. and her recommendations were spot on. The train ride is to New York in the 1920's. I started with the Accapella - a gin drink with peach and hibiscus served with cotton candy. It was a blend of botanical gin combined with peach. My husband started with the 21 hours to Louisville - buffalo trace with mint. Next was the Beware of Paparazzi - which came with paparazzi snapping photos of us !!! The drink was a strawberry, lemon vodka drink with a touch of paprika, another great choice. My husband had the Associate . I ended with the Coffee Con Cubana a coffee drink accompanied with a chocolate cigar. They do have a few snack selections. This was such a fun experience, the 90 minutes flew by and all of the drinks were excellent. read more

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This place is gorgeous. While waiting, you'll be seated (transported even) into a Chinatown style bar scene. Food in the window, dine lit lamps, trees, lanterns... It's amazing. It's called M. E. Lee's and is next to the train (which will sound it's horn so be aware of that as it's quite loud. Once on the train, it's a tight fit. But the Christmas decor was very cute. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and described most of the menu to us. Each drink seems to come with some fun twist or garnish, and I appreciate that more than the drinks themselves sometimes haha. But don't worry, the drinks were excellent. A lot of themed bars have weird combos, but we had 8 drinks and they were all delicious. As much as I'd love to spoil some of the cool drinks, I think it's better left for your own experience. Please check it out!! read more

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Went out for drinks before dinner and this is a neat place to go because it's almost like a little too easy inside of a restaurant. It's designed like you're on a train and I happen to love trains. The theme on this train trip was Harlem in the 1920s. The bartenders we talked to were really friendly and helped us on drink decisions. They did a great job recommending drinks based on our preferences. We also got some snackable appetizers. read more

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Such a cute spot to start the night but don't come hungry it's drinks and gelato lol but the service was great and it was a fun experience read more

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Made reservations and was sat at the crowded bar, I could hear other tables getting some history & info on the very basic digital scenery, but we were basically all ignored once we ordered our drinks. Not worth the hype in my opinion. Too bad because the concept could have been better. read more

From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for something special. The atmosphere instantly transported me. It was like stepping into a story told through planes, trains, and automobiles (minus the planes, but the adventure energy is real). We grabbed seats at the bar, and that's where the magic really began. Our mixologist was incredible, passionate, knowledgeable, and clearly an artist in her craft. She not only crafted our drinks with precision but also shared the inspiration behind the menu and gave us a sneak peek of what's coming for the holiday season. Every sip had a story, every detail had purpose. The experience is timed. Ours was an hour since we walked in without a reservation, but trust me, the time flies. I'd recommend booking ahead for the full 90-minute experience so you can truly soak it all in. When it ended, I didn't want to leave. It's the kind of place that lingers with you long after you've gone. The mood, the drinks, the conversation, the vibe and the mixologist. This was my first visit, but definitely not my last. I'm already counting down the days until I can return. read more

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Called last night to book a table last minute, and has the best service on the phone! We were running late and knew we wouldn't have as much time, but then they called me back (which they didn't need to but went out of the way) to tell me there was an opening later, which worked out perfectly!! Each bar has its own unique theme with wonderful drinks and I've always had attentive servers! 10/10 read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Undertow - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Came here because I was visiting a friend who moved in the area. This place is amazeballs!!! The ambience inside transport you from the desert landscape of phoenix to either the ally ways of prohibition china town, in a pirate ship or 1920s train on New York. The cocktails and their related concoctions are immaculately thought out from presentation to flavor. This is a must place to stop by when visiting phoenix. Make sure you make a reservation for the platform, that reservation allows possible access to the other bars. Service attentive and we had an amazing time. We ordered many cocktails and the handcraft ice cream. They change their menu, cocktails and their visual theme (windows) seasonally. I am not going to list all the cocktails I had , it's best to come here and experience. I am also impressed they even stamp their logo on their ice cube on certain drinks. I really appreciate the experience here. Will come back if I ever come to visit Phoenix again! read more

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Ordered: The Oracle (~$21): Laird's Apple Brandy, Rittenhouse Rye, Giffard Pêche, Black Tea, Lavender Cigarette + Tarot Card That Up-Tempo Swing (~$21): Nolet's Gin, Grey Goose Vodka, Vanilla, Peach, Sage Tincture, Hibiscus, Wildflower Honey, Earl Grey Cotton Candy Aya's take: Coming in at #48 on North America's 50 Best Bars in 2023 and located inside Century Grand, a multi-concept cocktail bar in Phoenix, we knew we were in for a treat. Upon entering Platform 18, we were transported to a 1920s NYC train car! As a born and raised New Yorker, I loved the atmosphere, the train sounds, and the visuals that made it even more immersive. We didn't have a reservation but luckily only waited ~5 minutes on a Thursday around 9:30pm. They have so many cocktails to choose from that it was almost overwhelming. We went with The Oracle and That Up-Tempo Swing. The Oracle is presented beautifully. We got it cold which I was super delightful and enjoyable. It's not overly sweet, light, and I love that it was served in a tea cup. The fact that it came with a lavender cigarette (that you can actually smoke) and a tarot card (we got the Lovers card) made this so playful & memorable. Secret hack: you can exchange the tarot card for some shots at one of the other bars. That Up-Tempo Swing was soft, tangy, and slightly herby from the honey & hibiscus. This one came with a tiny cotton candy cone which was super cute but I didn't get any taste of earl grey. High-end cocktail program that changes every year or so; worth a visit if you're in AZ! read more

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I love this place!!!!! Ambience 10/10 Service 10/10 Drinks/ bites 10/10 This place is unbelievably cool!!!! read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Drinks!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We visited Arizona for memorial weekend and made a reservation to try this place. It was a cute set up. It's like you're on a train and takes you back to NY in 1920s. Our server was nice and gave us a quick lecture on the menu cause each page had different drinks. Our group had the two gun girl and the fortune teller for our drinks. It was cute and all that but would I go for a second round? No. We also got the little snack and the popcorns were extremely hot and was burning our mouth. The space felt a little cramped and loud that we couldn't hear each other. It was cute to see and experience but would I go back? Most definitely no. Btw the parking lot was very scary and shady. Be careful and don't park too far. read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Very cool experience at Platform 18! Soon as you walk in, the vibes gave vintage train ride. We were greeted by a very nice & fun conductor. Cocktails were great. Ambience was great. Wish I had one of these in my hometown. Great gem in Phoenix! Also- afterwards stopped at the Century Grand bar for a Hot Toddy. read more

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The 5 star rating here isn't by accident. They understand their craft very well. If you look at the drink prices and are uncomfortable with $16+ that's normal. Just know that here it's worth it. I am tired of going to bars that serve mules or manhattans at $15 or so. Here when you pay for a drink you are getting something rare, unique, and bold. That isn't to even cover the experience and service. Far and away this experience is one of a kind and doesn't really break the bank. We were kindly greeted and welcomed into Platform 18. Our server was Raquel, and she was amazing. Here interest in knowing what things you liked drinking, and giving a couple recommendations. She steered me towards a few tequila drinks that I love, whereas my wife loving the Banana Pudding drink. Also do not sleep on their rich "wicked city" ice cream. One of the most deeply chocolatey ice creams Ive ever had. read more

What an amazing night of fun drinks, great conversation, and wonderful ambiance! We had only recently heard of Platform 18 but once we heard where all the "cool kids" were going we had to try it!! Marti was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, answered any question we had and made the evening so fun! What a joy!! And Parker was our bar assistant for the evening and he was spot on with his service, looked incredibly dapper , and was always willing to help! We will be back but we may have to try out one of the other areas!! read more

Fun experience, but something I'd probably only do once. Very well done up and actually feels like you're on a train car. We had a group of 4 and were seated at the bar, though, which was disappointing, so it was hard to talk to each other. It wasn't clear what the seating was going to be like, so we expected a table. The drinks were very good, and the bartender was super nice, but in my opinion, everything was overpriced. What really got me was that we had to leave a deposit which ended up not being 100% applied toward the bill. There was about $3 per person that they held back for some service fee. Additionally, they automatically add a partial tip for the staff in the back which I've never experienced. The auto-tip amounts printed on the receipts were wrong, too, and would have caused us to leave an even bigger tip relative to the percentage of the bill. These all come across as shady to me. Expensive drinks are one thing, especially if you know what you're getting into, but to also add a bunch of strange billing practices around it is too much for me. I will say, though, that the drinks were so good and our experience talking to the bartender was so great that it prevented a worse review from me. read more

What a fun experience! A little off the beaten path, and watch out for Waymo trying to cut you off turning into the parking lot (!) but worth the detour. They have clearly invested in the train car experience: I appreciated that the scenery goes across all the windows like you're really looking outside. It's a small space, ahem, train car, and we took seats at the bar. The "conductors" were helpful with the menu, which changes seasonally. Not much food here, so plan accordingly! Drinks were delicious and very creative. Loved it! read more

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Such a great experience to come with friends and have some fun. This months theme was a train ride to New York In the 20's. The specialty drinks are to die for. Theres a small appetizer plates but this was really for an intimate small party setting. The service was excellent and he knew his drinks and was able to recommend drinks that aligned to our palettes. There's also a bar outside of the train theme which was also fantastic! read more

Great food!!!! Amazing service, verry clean, best if u have 3 friends with ya!!!

Blaze was amazing. NA bubbly option was delish! Love the ambiance here. Only not great part was there was a burlesque show that blocked the path to the bathroom so we were sent next door which was inconvenient. read more

Had a great experience here where we didn't know what to expect and were happily surprised. The train and space where you wait were so realistic and teased your senses as to where you actually were. The drinks were fun and had great variety. We highly recommend the charcuterie and nut sampler too. read more

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A fun experience. Great drinks. It feels like you're really riding a train in New York. The service is excellent! read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We went for my birthday and had such a good time. Our bartender was super friendly and made amazing drinks. The theming of this place was out of this world. The attention to detail was exquisite. The acappella was probably my favorite drink. And we absolutely loved the snack trio. read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Sisters not twins - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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As we were in town visiting good friends, they knew when we were coming in and made a reservation for us to spend some time at Platform 18 before dinner. Platform 18 is identified as one of the top 50 North America's bars, but looking at the outside, it didn't give the impression of anything special. It was so hot the day we went but as we stepped inside, we stepped into a train platform. It was cool to see that the station had an apothecary on one side and train car on the other. Initially I thought it was my imagination when we stepped inside, but there was an actual breezing, which was wild. Looking up you could see stars in "the sky". Once we got escorted inside the train, the view opened up to a simulation of a vintage carriage in motion. Although the scrolling scenery was fake rolling by the windows, it felt great, like I was on an adventure. I myself don't do cocktails, but hey, when in Rome, do it Roman style. I started out with The Gibson Girl (Grey Goose Vodka, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Sōtō Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Orange Bitters, Lemon Oils, Stirred with extra Onions). This was made to perfection, and I mean that. They were very accommodating about giving me the extra onions, which was my snack. After that, I switched over the G.H. Mumm for the rest of the trip on the train. I finished off the experience with The Mae West (Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Cacao, Branca Menta, Ice Cream, Fernet Cookie & Chocolate Sauce). This was sweeter than I normally do, but I finished every bite cause it was goooood! The Queen got these two cocktails: Texas & Her Mob (Don Fulano Blanco, Seabuckthorn, Grapefruit, Carbonated, Passion Fruit White Chocolate) and Texas and Her Mob (Haku Vodka, Bergamot, Aperol, Prickly Pear, Carbonated). She said they were "dreamy". She finished with the Conjuring Valentino (Ketel One Vodka, Espresso, Hazelnut, Ice Cream, Reàl Hazelnut & Roger's Salted Caramel) and said it was wonderful. Our friends did get the olives, popcorn and parmesan cheese to snack on. I would have preferred a slider myself, but que sera sera. The Doctor is not a cocktail drinker but had a shot of bourbon and then beer to follow. Overall this was a very good time and one of the few places in Phoenix , AZ that could make me go back, just to go here again. But maybe I could sneak in some pate, cheese and bread *hint, hint* read more

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I've been itching to hop aboard Platform 18 since it opened and was excited for their family Christmas experience! It was like a holiday miracle, transforming the adults-only bar into a winter wonderland. For a prepaid $34 ticket, you get custom hot cocoa and holiday sugar cookies. Adults have the option to make their hot cocoa boozy for $6.50 (with peppermint, Bailey's or hazelnut liqueur) As we "coasted" through the snowy Colorado mountains, my son thought we were headed straight for a sledding adventure, not just a train ride. Santa made a cameo to collect wish lists, and the staff were so generous they tossed in a cocoa refill and extra marshmallows for my son--because who doesn't need more fluff? Just a heads-up: if you're prone to motion sickness, staring at the LCD screen might have you feeling like you're on a rollercoaster. As you head out, make sure to see Santa again in the Barrel room! My son had a few curious questions about his reindeer and how he's able to eat all the cookies in the world. He also left us with a very punny joke. -Why did all the letters of the alphabet get coal, except for E? Because they were all included on the 'Not-E' list!" -Ho ho ho! All in all, it's a charming way to kick off the holiday season! read more

I love this place. The excellent customer service. The vibes. The cocktail drinks. I like to stop here for a drink before I go out partying. Great place to woosaaa and loosen up. read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Came here for the Christmas/winter vibes and the place didn't disappoint! The winter scene was going through Colorado and really felt like you were on a train. The bartenders were super friendly and had great recommendations for what to order. The only thing about this is you can't really order any drinks that aren't on the menu. They still had great options but limited if you just want a classic cocktail. The other bars were also cutely decorated and I would be excited to go back and try the other two options. read more

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So Platform 18 wasn't quite what we expected but was still enjoyable. My impression is that it's a speakeasy. They have 3 themed rooms. We were in one that posed as a train back in maybe the 20s or 30s through NYC. I loved the seating. No real food except you can purchase a small tray of snacks which consisted of marinated olives, popcorn and parmesan cheese to have along with drinks. The drinks were on the high end of cost but they were unique and feel it's part of the atmosphere that they created. Before leaving we did peek at one of the other rooms which was smaller and had a nautical theme. Service was great! Our server checked on us routinely and gave recommendations. Cute place overall. read more

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Very cool speak easy one on this early 1900 trolley train. We came after dinner to grab a drink or two! Good size menu but not overwhelming. Some snacks are available, boozy ice cream and some non alcoholic drinks as well! Very cool atmosphere, all the staff were kind and knowledgeable read more

Platform 18 at Century Grand - La Condessa Roma - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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