The Grammy-winning country artist Dierks Bentley has made a name for himself in the music industry, but in the restaurant industry too! After a successful run in Scottsdale the valley native is now expanding his culinary reach with the second location of Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row opening its doors on Tempe’s Mill Avenue.
The popular bar is true American country bar, with appropriate decor and music playing in the background, but has the fresh look of sports bar. Whiskey Row is a open concept that showcases Dierks persona as a brand himself, said Ryan Hibbert, CEO of Riot Hospitality Group, the company that manages Whiskey Row.
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row is set to open its second location on 6th Street and Mill Avenue just behind the popular bar El Hefe Super Macho Taqueria also managed by Riot Hospitality Group, on Sept. 24. with a live performance by Nashville-based country rockers, Parmalee.
“Whiskey Row has the nightlife energy of Hefe, but the culture is different from a music standpoint,” said Hibbert. Dierks is all about the country music culture, but to have the energy of a regular nightlife establishment, Hibbert added.
On the weekends at night the back patios of the two connect and patrons will be able to go back and forth between the two. The two demographically compliment each other, Hibbert said.
“It is like having a good neighbor that always has what you need,” said Mike Troyan president of Riot Hospitality Group.
Even with a great nightlife atmosphere Whisky Row is restaurant first, Hibbert said. The country concept serves up a self-described “gastropub” menu with country-style dishes, include the Whiskey Burger with honey roasted jalapeños giving the dish a smoky flavor, crispy bacon and melted cheddar. But, what really makes this the restaurant’s top selling burger and something worth coming back for is the Whiskey BBQ sauce! And then lastly it is paired with house cut fries.
“I like to come up with stuff people associate with American food and country food, but take it one step further,” said Head Chef Samantha Roberts.
Whiskey Row’s Chicken and Waffles definitely goes one step further. It has a unique twist on the traditional dish that offers a different flavor mixture that works and makes this dish something that isn’t overly sweet. The fried chicken breast is served with a white cheddar and green tomato cornmeal waffle, drizzled with a bacon honey topped with pickled jalapeños.
The menu also features a turkey pretzel melt, an oven roasted turkey with melted white cheddar and hand cut cow slaw, but the best part of this dish without a doubt is the house made thousand island mustard. You will want to dip your fries in it because it is so good!
The bar has 50 beers on tap,a unique selection of signature cocktails on tap and wine on tap. Along with food and cocktails, the Tempe location will be serving up live music, country DJs and a back-porch featuring corn hole, ping pong, foosball, beer pong, shuffleboard and 55 televisions.
Whiskey Row was never intended to be a solo operation in Scottsdale, the Tempe location will be the second to open its doors, but Riot Hospitality plans to expand the concept nationwide. Currently they have two projects in the works to open in Gilbert and Chicago as well as they are in the early stages scouting out location in Las Vegas, Nashville, and Dallas.
