đ Don Woodsâ Say When â A Rooftop Gem with Room to Grow
Perched atop the Rise Hotel in Uptown Phoenix, Don Woodsâ Say When is a visual love letter to the city skyline. The view alone is worth the visitâan expansive, cinematic sweep of Phoenix that feels both intimate and grand. Itâs the kind of backdrop that makes you linger longer, sip slower, and savor the moment.
đ¸ Drinks That Dazzle The cocktail program is inventive and well-executed. The Whiskey Tart, in particular, is a standoutâbold, balanced, and just the right amount of unexpected. Their mixology leans into retro flair with modern precision, and itâs clear the bar team knows how to craft a memorable drink.
đ˝ď¸ Food & Service â A Work in Progress While the food shows promise, the overall experience is held back by inconsistencies in service and operations. Wait times, attentiveness, and coordination could use refinement. Thereâs a sense that the kitchen and floor staff arenât always in sync, which detracts from what could be a seamless rooftop experience.
đ A Pillar of Uptown Phoenix Despite the hiccups, Don Woodsâ Say When is more than just a barâitâs part of the community fabric. It brings energy, style, and a sense of place to Uptown. With a stronger focus on outcomes and consistency, it has the potential to become a true destination, not just a detour.
If they tighten up the execution, theyâll be unstoppable. For now, go for the view, stay for the drinks, and keep your fingers crossed for smoother service next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Monarch Studios
Daniel was amazing! You could tell he was working to make sure everyone enjoyed each thing we ordered
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Timothy McCloud
Very poor service- particularly the waitress was not nice. We ordered 1 glass of wine and 1 cocktail it took over 30 minutes and I found our drinks just sitting on the server ledge in which I had to walk up and get our drinks myself to bring to our table. The wine and cocktail was very bad disgusting. Also, for some reason, they decided to turn off the air water misters and it was apparent that more people were coming to the patio area. This was not our first time going to Say When. However, this was the first time we experienced such horrible service. I really felt bad that I left the waitress a tip because she did nothing to serve us! I donât know her name but she seemed to be very moody and unapologetic. My check# 35 dated 7/26/25 at 10:24p. This place is usually at the top of our list when deciding where to go out and have a drinkâŚ.this place has now been removed from our list altogether!! Get yourâŚ.together Say When we were very shocked and appalled!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
al mason (Mason)
Very nice looking bar. Although be prepared to spend a lot of $$$. While drinks are good, they are really overpriced. And the menu isn't anything to write home about, and you guessed it. Totally overpriced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Gian-Franco Demano
**HIGHLY RECOMMEND** â When I say that Don Woods' Say When is one of the best establishments in the PHX area, I truly mean it! Hosted an engagement party there in April 2025 and it was a massive successâmuch due to them and their staff. Besides the beautiful rooftop setup and bar, their bar staff was exceptionalâgoing above and beyond for our group of 30+ and extra for myself and my fiancĂŠe. While I was booking the space and food & drinks, there was a little bit of a miscommunication and inconvenience, however, their team and staff took care of us and really made up for it tenfold. From Jordan on the events team, to Daniel as the bar manager, it was truly an unforgettable experience and helped add to the best day of me & my fiancĂŠes lives! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place for group parties and events, but also, has the food and drink quality + vibe to just pull up and have a drink, dinner or nightcap. Thanks to this whole RISE and DWSW teamâappreciate them and can't wait to run it back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claudia Leon
I've been here a few times and although the waiters/waitress are super kind and awesome and the ambience is nice, it doesn't really matter when you never know if they're actually open. I've come when they've been closed although it says open online and their website says they should be open, another when I got here at 1105 and they said last call was at at 11 which is fine but then to come today and no lights doors closed and when going back down the stairs we see that it says they're closed for a private event although no one was on the rooftop and on Instagram their was no post saying they were gonna be closed which is just a shame that each time we try to go they're not open
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
L C
First Time Here and I Loved It⌠Great views and pleasant staff. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erica Rietmann
Such a fun environment and great view of the mountains! The servers Trae and Louis were great! I gave a 4 on the food cause they were a little bit of smaller portions than expected and they were out of the pizza. The cocktail culture was AMAZING!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Moodie Black
My guess is that the original team behind the great cocktails is no longer here. Smaller, weaker cocktail menu, a martini made with sweet vermouth, just not the same. Very odd.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Paul Cassell
We went on a Thursday night and we're dazzled by the quality of the drinks, the food, and the attentive wait staff. It's a truly beautiful place for a drink and a bite to eat. The folks working there take great pride in their establishment.
This rooftop bar is the perfect chill spot! The fireplace was a lifesaver on a cold night, and Luis was an amazing, attentive waiter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vanesa Salinas Comuzzi
Great chill rooftop bar! The fireplace was so nice on a chilly night. Luis was a great waiter and was very attentive to us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Minor
Such a great spot with amazing views and 10/10 service! They also have an amazing happy hour you canât beat! Louis was a great server and they have nice gas fire pits to sit by in the cold weather
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Kahn
Great place & great service Luis was awesome !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cali Picc
Great view and vibes!! Will definitely be back. The service is next level.
đ Don Woodsâ Say When â A Rooftop Gem with Room to Grow
Perched atop the Rise Hotel in Uptown Phoenix, Don Woodsâ Say When is a visual love letter to the city skyline. The view alone is worth the visitâan expansive, cinematic sweep of Phoenix that feels both intimate and grand. Itâs the kind of backdrop that makes you linger longer, sip slower, and savor the moment.
đ¸ Drinks That Dazzle
The cocktail program is inventive and well-executed. The Whiskey Tart, in particular, is a standoutâbold, balanced, and just the right amount of unexpected. Their mixology leans into retro flair with modern precision, and itâs clear the bar team knows how to craft a memorable drink.
đ˝ď¸ Food & Service â A Work in Progress
While the food shows promise, the overall experience is held back by inconsistencies in service and operations. Wait times, attentiveness, and coordination could use refinement. Thereâs a sense that the kitchen and floor staff arenât always in sync, which detracts from what could be a seamless rooftop experience.
đ A Pillar of Uptown Phoenix
Despite the hiccups, Don Woodsâ Say When is more than just a barâitâs part of the community fabric. It brings energy, style, and a sense of place to Uptown. With a stronger focus on outcomes and consistency, it has the potential to become a true destination, not just a detour.
If they tighten up the execution, theyâll be unstoppable. For now, go for the view, stay for the drinks, and keep your fingers crossed for smoother service next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Daniel was amazing! You could tell he was working to make sure everyone enjoyed each thing we ordered
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very poor service- particularly the waitress was not nice. We ordered 1 glass of wine and 1 cocktail it took over 30 minutes and I found our drinks just sitting on the server ledge in which I had to walk up and get our drinks myself to bring to our table. The wine and cocktail was very bad disgusting. Also, for some reason, they decided to turn off the air water misters and it was apparent that more people were coming to the patio area. This was not our first time going to Say When. However, this was the first time we experienced such horrible service. I really felt bad that I left the waitress a tip because she did nothing to serve us! I donât know her name but she seemed to be very moody and unapologetic. My check# 35 dated 7/26/25 at 10:24p. This place is usually at the top of our list when deciding where to go out and have a drinkâŚ.this place has now been removed from our list altogether!! Get yourâŚ.together Say When we were very shocked and appalled!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Very nice looking bar. Although be prepared to spend a lot of $$$. While drinks are good, they are really overpriced. And the menu isn't anything to write home about, and you guessed it. Totally overpriced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
**HIGHLY RECOMMEND** â When I say that Don Woods' Say When is one of the best establishments in the PHX area, I truly mean it! Hosted an engagement party there in April 2025 and it was a massive successâmuch due to them and their staff. Besides the beautiful rooftop setup and bar, their bar staff was exceptionalâgoing above and beyond for our group of 30+ and extra for myself and my fiancĂŠe. While I was booking the space and food & drinks, there was a little bit of a miscommunication and inconvenience, however, their team and staff took care of us and really made up for it tenfold. From Jordan on the events team, to Daniel as the bar manager, it was truly an unforgettable experience and helped add to the best day of me & my fiancĂŠes lives! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place for group parties and events, but also, has the food and drink quality + vibe to just pull up and have a drink, dinner or nightcap. Thanks to this whole RISE and DWSW teamâappreciate them and can't wait to run it back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been here a few times and although the waiters/waitress are super kind and awesome and the ambience is nice, it doesn't really matter when you never know if they're actually open. I've come when they've been closed although it says open online and their website says they should be open, another when I got here at 1105 and they said last call was at at 11 which is fine but then to come today and no lights doors closed and when going back down the stairs we see that it says they're closed for a private event although no one was on the rooftop and on Instagram their was no post saying they were gonna be closed which is just a shame that each time we try to go they're not open
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
First Time Here and I Loved It⌠Great views and pleasant staff. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a fun environment and great view of the mountains! The servers Trae and Louis were great! I gave a 4 on the food cause they were a little bit of smaller portions than expected and they were out of the pizza. The cocktail culture was AMAZING!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
My guess is that the original team behind the great cocktails is no longer here. Smaller, weaker cocktail menu, a martini made with sweet vermouth, just not the same. Very odd.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
We went on a Thursday night and we're dazzled by the quality of the drinks, the food, and the attentive wait staff. It's a truly beautiful place for a drink and a bite to eat. The folks working there take great pride in their establishment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This rooftop bar is the perfect chill spot! The fireplace was a lifesaver on a cold night, and Luis was an amazing, attentive waiter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great chill rooftop bar! The fireplace was so nice on a chilly night. Luis was a great waiter and was very attentive to us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a great spot with amazing views and 10/10 service! They also have an amazing happy hour you canât beat! Louis was a great server and they have nice gas fire pits to sit by in the cold weather
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place & great service Luis was awesome !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great view and vibes!! Will definitely be back. The service is next level.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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