Bar Louie Tempe mixologist receives national recognition

Bar Louie in Tempe unveiled its revamped menu featuring a new drink, created by its nationally recognized bartender.

Now available systemwide, the updated menu features new beverages including the Spicy Watermelon Fresca and the refreshing Wake Up Call Martini, which was created by Elyse Perez who was named Phoenix’s Most Valuable Bartender of 2023, according to a press release.

Perez joined the brand in 2015 as a server in Pennsylvania, climbing up the rankings and later transferring to Tempe. In 2023 she was chosen to represent the region in the MVB program where she competed against seven bartenders from across the country for the ultimate title.

Her creativity, flavor, presentation and ability to articulate her cocktail's ingredients set her apart, winning her the cocktail portion and securing the overall win, the release detailed. Perez’s achievement highlights the importance of the MVB program to Bar Louie, aligning with the brand's "bar first" mentality critical to its culture.

Additional new menu items include signature martinis, cocktails, a sangria, a nonalcoholic margarita, several bar bites, wing flavors, a main plate, burgers, scratch-built sandwiches and a flatbread.

“Bar Louie is dedicated to providing our guests with compelling reasons to return time and time again.” Bar Louie’s Vice President of Culinary & Corporate Executive Chef Joel Reynders stated in the release. “With our latest menu featuring an array of chef-driven dishes and creatively crafted drinks, this expansion marks one of our most significant menu overhauls to date!”

For information on Bar Louie, visit www.barlouie.com.