A new immersive cocktail bar is coming to the West Valley as EMERSA prepares to open at Verrado Marketplace in Buckeye in late 2026. Founded by Josh Katz, founder of 36 Below, and Randy and April Simmers, EMERSA will offer guests a cocktail-focused experience designed to transport them into constantly evolving environments, combining hospitality, immersive technology and experiential design in a space that changes throughout the visit.
EMERSA was born from a simple idea: What if a bar could feel like discovery? Inspired by the wonder of observatories and the power of immersive technology, EMERSA will take guests on a journey through ever-shifting worlds, from celestial skies and deep oceans to imagined realms beyond this planet. From a single space, guests can find themselves transported somewhere entirely new as 4K VR displays, projection mapping, dynamic lighting, sound and atmospheric design work together to transform the environment around them. The experience is designed to encourage discovery, with the room, visuals and atmosphere evolving throughout a guest’s visit.
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Located at 1503 N. Verrado Way, Suite 101 in Buckeye, the approximately 1,400-square-foot concept is the latest venture from Katz and the Simmers, who bring together experience in hospitality, operations and experiential storytelling. The name EMERSA is inspired by the word “emerge” — to rise, awaken and transform — reflecting the founders’ vision for a space where guests can step into a different environment and experience something new with each visit. EMERSA worked with interior design firm House of Form and general contractor BPR Companies to bring the concept to life.
“Being an Arizona native and growing up on the West Side, I’ve always felt a connection to this part of the Valley and have watched it continue to grow and evolve,” said Katz. “There’s a real thirst for more nightlife and places where people can gather, have a great cocktail and experience something different without having to head into central Phoenix. With EMERSA, we wanted to create something special for the community, a place where one door can open the way to infinite worlds, and where every visit can feel fresh and unexpected.”
“At its heart, EMERSA is about exceptional hospitality and the anticipation of what comes next,” said co-owners April and Randy Simmers. “We wanted to create a luxury, immersive experience that goes beyond the traditional night out, where elevated cocktails and cuisine come together with light, sound and atmosphere. The surroundings change, the experience evolves and there’s always something new to discover. Our hope is that guests leave already looking forward to what they’ll experience the next time they walk through the door.”
At the center of the concept will be a cocktail program that pairs familiar cocktail styles with unexpected ingredients, modern techniques and creative visual elements. Among the offerings is Halley’s Comet ($19), a modern, tropical-leaning take on an Old Fashioned made with coconut-washed Buffalo Trace, white cacao, forest cherry, Church Music IPA cordial and toasted spices. Spacetime Odyssey ($17) puts a distinctive spin on the classic Cosmopolitan, combining vodka, soju, Cointreau, pomegranate and beet cordial, lime and Sakura bitters in a yogurt-clarified cocktail with earthy, fruit-forward notes. Opalite ($18) is a colorful, sparkling POG-inspired spritz made with butterfly pea-infused white rum, nigori sake, passionfruit, Aperol, guava, lime and Prosecco, finished with edible boba.
The food menu will complement the cocktail program with a concise selection of shareable dishes featuring unexpected flavor combinations and playful presentations. Nebula Bianca ($18)is a light and airy Mediterranean-inspired ricotta dip topped with olives, cucumber, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and drops of riboflavin, served with warm toasted sourdough. The Umbra ($16) pairs deep squid ink focaccia with roasted banana, miso and sesame butter for a rich combination of nutty and umami flavors. Sunfall Salmon Bites ($22) feature baked salmon served over crispy sushi rice with airy avocado foam and a mango, passionfruit and yuzu coulis. Blue Hour Bites ($20)combine smoked steak with toasted scalloped potato and fresh blueberry compote for a balance of smoky, savory and bright flavors. For dessert, Astral Pearl ($18) is a creamy no-bake dragonfruit and prickly pear cheesecake layered over a graham cracker crust, finished with lime zest and white chocolate.
EMERSA is currently under development at Verrado Marketplace, located at 1503 N. Verrado Way, Suite 101, Buckeye, Arizona 85396. The bar is expected to open in late 2026, with additional details about the opening date, reservations and guest experience to be announced.
For updates and opening announcements, visit emersa.bar or follow @emersa.bar on Instagram.
