Local Favorite Opening New Restaurant & Cafe In Phoenix

Enjoy coffee the way you like it.Photo byJayden SimonUnsplash

The Garden Bar in downtown Phoenix managed to nestle its way into the hearts of many locals. The homey feel of the restaurant made for a great destination for anyone that wanted to feel like they were walking through the front door of an old friend’s home as they curled up on a leather sofa and sipped an enjoyable drink and picked at finger foods. However, as has been the case for so many food and drink establishments around the Valley, it closed before its time. It managed three years of operation, but served its final call July 9. The space has sat quiet since, but that will all change in the coming months, as a familiar face will be moving in. 

The cozy downtown space, which was technically a house, though (thankfully) due to its age and historical designation it has not been torn down and replaced by mid-rise condos or the copy/paste buildings coming up everywhere else. It brings with it a unique atmosphere that can’t be replicated through any of the new-build architecture. It also creates a rather interesting flow, as there are individual rooms. This makes it easier to sit down and have a conversation with friends or to sip a cup of coffee and read a book. That is exactly what First Place Coffee is hoping locals will fall in love with when it officially moves in. 

First Place Coffee started as an adorable coffee truck in 2018. In terms of space, a coffee truck makes perfect sense as it is able to produce just about anything a coffee drinker might need. However, owner Devon McConville wanted to spread her wings and move into a physical space. As is obvious with how she renovated the classic 1970 Chevy P10 which currently serves as the coffee truck, she has an eye for detail and won’t skimp out when a job needs to be done right (and look good in the process). 

While the truck has done well and, thanks to both its look and the cups of joe being served, it has developed a nice following, and the new location at 822 North Sixth Avenue will feature what she hasn’t been able to offer in the truck: music. There will be curated playlists running throughout the day and there will be finger foods, like sandwiches. Cocktails will also be offered (the property is licensed for liquor, after all). 

As for the coffee, you’ll still be able to order some of your favorites at the new First Place Coffee, including express, Americano, cortado, cappuccino, at latte, as well as signature drinks like the Honeycomb, Diablo, and L.E.O.

The new space will take some time to fully renovate, so expect First Place Coffee’s physical location to open early 2025.