Going to a Suns game? Here's a guide to fan-favorite restaurants near Footprint Center

Arizona Republic

Win or lose, if you're heading to a Suns game, you've got a great excuse to check out the bars and restaurants near Footprint Center (formerly the Phoenix Suns Arena). And downtown Phoenix has more food options than ever.

Narrowing down your choices can be tough, so we asked the fans for their favorite spots within a 10-minute walk of the arena.

Grab some pizza at Pizzeria Bianco, get pumped for the game at Majerle's Sports Bar or sip like a VIP in the swanky cocktail bar Little Rituals. Here's your guide to the best restaurants and bars for a pregame bite or afterparty near Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.

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Restaurants and bars 5 minutes walking from Footprint Center

The Ainsworth

With locations in Nashville and New York City, this lavish spot is a gourmet take on the American sports bar. It's located in the old Hard Rock Cafe space just across the street from the Phoenix Suns Arena. Menu items include 24-karat gold chicken wings, for the real ballers, and indulgent pub grub like mac and cheese fries.

Details: 3 S. Second St., #117, Phoenix. 602-296-7976, theainsworthphx.com.

Chico Malo

Located at CityScape, Chico Malo's claim to fame is a cool, industrial vibe and made-from-scratch Mexican food. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Some popular menu items are pozole, smoked birria and duck breast al pastor. Mezcal and tequila drinks, cocktails, wine and beer are also available.

Details: 50 W. Jefferson St., Suite 100, Phoenix. 602-603-9363, chicomalo.com/phoenix.

Hanny's

Now a hip bar, Hanny's started as a department store in 1947. When the owner Karl Kopp purchased the building in 2005, he decided to preserve bits of its history. So, when you visit, keep an eye out for the sidewalk inlays, the sign on the awning and a mural on the back of the building, plus a creepy surprise in the stairway that leads to the basement. The most popular menu items are the cracker thin crust pizza and creative martinis. Creative bar food and craft cocktails before a game? Why not?

Details: 40 N. First St., Phoenix. 602-252-2285, hannys.net and @hannysbar on Instagram

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Little Rituals

Located on the fourth floor of the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriot, Little Rituals was among the top four hotel bars in the country this year. The swanky seating area offers an unobstructed view of Footprint Center across the street. The drinks menu offers pages and pages of options from cocktails to wine, beer and spirits — bourbon, Scotch, Japanese and Irish whiskey, rye, vermouth and sherry, but the bar is known for its creative, well-balanced cocktails, which landed them on the semi-finalist list for James Beard Foundation's best bar in the country in 2020. The bar also serves food, such as claypot wings, burgers, Thai mussels plus dessert, like plum crumble.

Details: Fourth floor, Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Downtown, 132 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-603-2050, littleritualsbar.com.

Willie's Taco Joint

Open since 2016, this Mexican cantina is ready to feed hungry fans nachos, tacos, burritos and enchiladas to go with their cocktails, beer and other spirits, like rum, vodka and whiskey.

Details: 333 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. (602) 559-4059, williestacojoint.com.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina

Fill up on chips and guac, tacos or cheese crisps in the main dining room or on the laid-back patio. Those Suns need energetic crowds to cheer them on, so maybe add a couple of margaritas for better moves for the arena dance cams.

Details: 123 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-899-8102, blancococinacantina.com.

Cornish Pasty

A delicious filling inside a hand-held pie crust makes a Cornish pasty. Think of a large empanada or calzone, but with stuffing like steak and potato, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, even chicken tikka masala and vegetables. The name comes from the miners of Cornwall, England, whose wives prepared the easy-to-carry meals for them. The pasties are ready to grab and go or you can sit at the restaurant and enjoy them with a beer. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available.

Details: 7 W. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-374-8500, cornishpastyco.com.

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Restaurants and bars a 10-minute walk from Footprint Center

Arrogant Butcher

With something for every appetite, options are the name of the game at Arrogant Butcher. The menu includes everything from bar snacks to burgers, steaks, stews and seafood. For drinks, they have everything from beer to wine to craft cocktails. See? Options.

Details: 2 E. Jefferson St., Suite 150, Phoenix. 602-324-8502, thearrogantbutcher.com.

The Kettle Black Kitchen & Pub

Guinness braised beef short ribs? Yes, please. The Irish pub offers fish and chips, bangers and mash plus burgers and other pub food. The drink menu includes cocktails, craft beer, spirits and whiskies. Some fans have fond memories of watching the Suns finals there.

Details: 1 N. First St., Suite 108, Phoenix. 602-651-1185, thekettleblackpub.com.

Majerle's Sports Grill

Phoenix Suns fans celebrate as the Suns score during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers at Majerle's Sports Grill in Phoenix on June 24, 2021. Majerle's, the oldest bar in downtown Phoenix, is owned by former Phoenix Suns player Dan Majerle, who opened it in 1992.

Named after Dan Majerle, aka "Thunder Dan," this is another historic piece of Phoenix. The building dates back to 1885 and now people gather there to watch their teams make history on the many large-screen TVs or to pregame in person. Fan fuel is on the menu with nachos, wings and mozzarella sticks, sandwiches and half-pound burgers, and half-baked chocolate chip cookies and ice cream for dessert. Okay, there's a salad section, too, but who eats a salad on game day? Order a mojito, martini, beer or wine to wash it down.

Details: 24 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-253-0118 majerles.com.

Monroe's Hot Chicken

Monroe's has one of the best Nashville hot chicken sandwiches in town, with different levels of heat to suit every taste bud. Spice level ranges from none, or Southern Style, to five, or What Da Cluck, for which you have to sign a waiver.

If you're lucky, you might bump into Larry Fitzgerald or DeAndre Ayton, though, probably not on game day.

Details: 45 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-872-7100, monroeshotchicken.com.

Pizzeria Bianco

No name is more synonymous with the Phoenix dining scene than Chris Bianco, a titanic figure in changing Americans’ perceptions of pizza from cheap delivery or a greasy late-night slice to carefully crafted cuisine.

Chris Bianco, a James Beard Award winner and star of "Chef's Table Pizza," has perfected the signature six pizzas at his famed pizzeria. Every choice is right, but for pistachio and parmesan lovers, Pizza Rosa is a must-try. On a non-game day, watch the first episode of Netflix's "Chef's Table Pizza" for a behind-the-scenes look at Bianco's path to pizza. Make sure to check the restaurant's opening times as they have changed recently.

Details: 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300, pizzeriabianco.com.

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Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

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