Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

What Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour does

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is a privately held craft cocktail bar and restaurant operating a single venue in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, since 2014. The venue functions as a seated, 21+ establishment with a capacity of approximately 200 guests, offering an award-winning cocktail program (core spirits $16–$19 per drink, shots $8–$10), a scratch kitchen food menu ($6–$30 per plate), a premium cigar patio, and late-night food service. The proprietary technical core is the cocktail program itself: house-made large-format ice produced from scratch since day one, and stewardship of the original US Pornstar Martini recipe sourced from LAB Bar London circa 2004 (house-infused vanilla Grey Goose vodka, fresh passion fruit, and Passoã passion fruit liqueur). The bar has produced 10+ thematic cocktail menu editions, each functioning as both a product refresh and a collectible merchandise item.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer hospitality model with multiple revenue streams: primary food and beverage sales on-premise, online pickup ordering via Upserve, a merchandise e-commerce store (apparel, cocktail menu books, gift cards), The Bartender's Table cocktail classes ($125 per person, led by Head Bartender Sam Babalola), and private/semi-private event hosting (up to 200 guests) booked through TripleSEAT. Distribution is reservation-and-walk-in-based via Tock, with a non-public happy hour Tuesday–Friday 4–6pm and a 22% automatic gratuity on parties of 6+. There is no disclosed revenue, no external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries; the entity is structured as Bitter & Twisted Concepts at Luhrs LLC, an Arizona LLC.

The two primary customer segments are (1) cocktail enthusiasts and nightlife seekers — local Phoenix residents and visitors seeking elevated drink experiences — and (2) private event planners booking corporate or celebration events. The business leverages earned media (Forbes, Food & Wine, Thrillist, The Guardian, VinePair, Liquor.com, Whisky Advocate) and a decade of consistent industry awards (2 Pins 'OUTSTANDING' on The Pinnacle Guide, #44 in North America's 50 Best Bars 2022, multiple Top 10 placements in Tales of the Cocktail 'World's Best Cocktail Menu' 2017–2024) as its primary demand-generation engine.

Name

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

Legal name

Bitter & Twisted Concepts at Luhrs LLC

Website

https://bitterandtwistedaz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is a privately held, award-winning craft cocktail bar and scratch-kitchen restaurant operating a single 200-seat venue in the historic Luhrs Building, downtown Phoenix, serving cocktail enthusiasts and private event clients since 2014.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cocktail Bar and Restaurant

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cocktail Experiences (Mixology Classes, Cocktail Tours) (THAJAGAG), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Craft cocktail bar
• Bar food service
• Mixology classes
• Private event hosting
• Branded merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling craft cocktails, premium spirits, wine, beer, and bar bites. Cocktails range from $8-$19, with most priced at $16-$19. Food items range from $6-$30.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online store sells branded merchandise including t-shirts ($32), hoodies ($49.99), cocktail menu editions ($17.99-$24.99), pins, and gift cards starting at $25.
3. Cocktail Classes: The Bartender's Table offers hands-on cocktail workshops led by Head Bartender Sam Babalola. Two-hour sessions teach three iconic cocktails, techniques, and behind-the-scenes stories. Tickets priced at $125 per person.
4. Private Events: Venue available for private and semi-private events including full venue buyouts for up to 200 guests, with customized food and drink selection and dedicated staffing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour operates a seated cocktail bar and scratch-kitchen restaurant in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix, serving an award-winning craft cocktail program (including the original US Pornstar Martini since 2014), a bar food menu featuring bold global flavors, on-site cocktail classes, and full venue private event buyouts. The venue also sells branded merchandise, gift cards, and collectible cocktail menu books online.

Product overview

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is an award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant located in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix. The core offering is an innovative craft cocktail program featuring signature drinks like the Pornstar Martini (original US location since 2014), alongside a food menu of bold global bar fare. The business extends its brand through a merchandise store selling branded apparel and collectible cocktail menu books, while The Bartender's Table provides immersive cocktail education classes. Additional revenue streams include private event hosting (up to 200 guests), a premium cigar program on the outdoor patio, and The Cocktail Club membership program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cocktail Program Award-winning craft cocktail menu of innovative signature drinks, classic cocktails, and rotating editions, priced $8-$19, served to walk-in and reserved guests at the Phoenix bar.
• Food Menu Bar fare prepared from scratch featuring bar bites, shareable plates, and entrees (Korean nachos, fish and chips, shrimp tacos, barbacoa tacos), priced $6-$30, including dietary accommodations (gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan).
• The Bartender's Table Cocktail Class A two-hour hands-on cocktail workshop where participants learn to make three iconic cocktails from Head Bartender Sam Babalola, priced at $125 per person via Tock.
• Private Events Private and semi-private event hosting including full venue buyouts for up to 200 guests, with customized food and drink selection and dedicated staffing, booked via TripleSEAT.
• Branded Merchandise Store Online e-commerce store selling branded apparel and bar merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, caps, and pins.
• Cocktail Menu Books Collectible printed editions of each cocktail menu iteration since 2014, available for purchase through the online store at $17.99-$24.99 per edition.
• Gift Cards Gift cards redeemable at the venue, sold online in denominations from $25 up to $200.
• Cigar Program Premium cigar selection served on the outdoor patio, featuring brands including Alec Bradley, Ashton, Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel, Punch, and My Father.
• The Cocktail Club Membership/loyalty program providing exclusive benefits to regular patrons of the cocktail bar.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recognized globally with 2 Pins 'OUTSTANDING' on The Pinnacle Guide
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Tock (Explore Tock)coreTechnology or IntegrationReservation management platform used for booking tables and cocktail class tickets. Walk-ins welcomed with waitlist functionality via Tock apps for iOS and Android.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Aviary: Chicago fine-dining cocktail bar led by Grant Achatz's team; directly comparable for premium cocktail pricing, narrative-driven menu presentations (editions), and craft-ice/cocktail innovation.
• Bar Agricole: San Francisco bar/restaurant focused on craft cocktails, seasonal ingredients, and scratch kitchen; comparable for combining award-winning cocktail program with thoughtful bar food—a model closely matching Bitter & Twisted's craft + food dual focus.
• Death & Co: Award-winning craft cocktail bar originating in NYC with multiple locations and a globally recognized cocktail program; the closest direct comp in terms of brand prestige, menu depth, and award pedigree (multiple World's 50 Best Bars rankings).
• Pouring Ribbons: NYC cocktail bar recognized on North America's 50 Best lists; directly comparable for premium cocktail innovation, brand-driven menu storytelling, and small-format cocktail bar economics.
• Employees Only: West Village cocktail bar consistently ranked among the world's best; comparable for its seated cocktail experience, proprietary recipes, acclaimed bar team, and global industry recognition.
• Raised by Wolves: Multi-unit craft cocktail bar concept (San Diego, Seattle) recognized on World's 50 Best lists; comparable for premium cocktail positioning, branded merchandise, and curated spirit programs.
• PDT (Please Don't Tell): NYC speakeasy-style cocktail bar known for reservations-only access and an iconic cocktail program; comparable for seated, intimate cocktail experience and globally awarded status.
• The Whistler: Chicago neighborhood cocktail bar known for creative menus, live music programming, and acclaimed bar team; comparable seated-cocktail-bar model with strong craft identity and award recognition.
• Trick Dog: San Francisco craft cocktail bar known for themed, collectible cocktail menus and awards from Tales of the Cocktail; the most direct comp for the themed-edition cocktail menu book model and progressive bar food program.

Regional players

• The Rowland: Phoenix-area craft cocktail bar in the same local market; competes for the same downtown/cocktail-enthusiast customer base and provides a useful read on Phoenix cocktail-scene competitive dynamics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/bitterandtwisted_az
• YouTubeinstagram.com/bitterandtwisted_az
• Instagraminstagram.com/bitterandtwisted_az
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bitter-&-twisted-cocktail-parlour

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour