The Reef

I’m not a fan of all the new hires I wish all the old people would or could come back they were way more sociable and fun with regulars, the new staff are uptight and treat you poorly unless you’re an old perverted man that’s basically tipping them… they have no sense of humor and it’s sad to see that its reflecting on some of the old bartenders as well, my husband and I have been coming there for over 12 years on party nights on regular days for lunch etc in the last two years I’ve been there maybe 3 or 4 times and my husband’s gone every few months and we have almost always had an issue with one of the waitresses. I’m drawing the straw I’m never going again since last Friday we went and I was joking with the waitress not to give my husband cheese fries because he’s on a diet and she decided to get uptight about it tell the bartender day which then he ended up calling me a b**** and then the next thing I know I’m getting kicked out because she thought I was being rude to her. Last time I checked you’re in a bar where people are going to joke and kid around and have fun and maybe you shouldn’t hire such sensitive young girls that can’t handle it. BTW the waitress was ashley.

Hung out at The Reef! Enjoyed awesome Coconut Lime wings with a side of veggie sticks! Yum Yum! Friendly staff and service! Go in and try some grub!

I go here all the time. The place has a really good atmosphere and great wings, even though, like a lot of reviewers have mentioned, it is a dive bar. The prices are good. There’s a good selection on the jux box and it plays loud. Its a good place to have a drink and unwind without having to worry about what your wearing. Only thing is that I don’t drink draft beer here. Something about it always gives me a hangover. None of my friends have that problem though.

Holy crap. From all the reviews I read I thought I was headed to real hole. But there was a live band at 2 in the afternoon on Saturday (fourth of July), and some food and drink specials, so I thought I’d wander over.
The beer came in a mug the size of a pitcher, with a couple limes, and ice sliding down the side as I drank. A welcome treat on this hot day. The a/​c is nice and cool, and the room is huge. There’s upwards of 20 tvs, off track betting, and the cute as a button waitress was handling her business with the 40 or so patrons there at the time.
The wings were good, so was the burger.
So here’s a bar that has good food, ice cold beer, friendly and adorable staff, and a live blues jam with a coordinator smart enough to promote it.
If that doesn’t do it for ya, go fight the crowds and overpriced drinks in old town Scottsdale, I heard they’ve got some fancy places up there.

This is a dive bar people!
If you consider yourself a respectable human being, you may not enjoy this place.
Get over it, its a dive bar.
The wings are great, they serve cheap shitty beer, and unless you want to wake up with a splitting headache, don’t drink from the taps.
If you love wings, and are picky, order them to go, because you will not enjoy the ‘ambiance’.
ITS A DIVE BAR!!!

So came here one Friday evening and found out they had «the hottest wings in Arizona» according to their menu. That was what they said about their «donkey hot» wings. Not sure what the waitress was referring to when she said that the statement referred to the «competition version» of the sauce. Whatever the case I tried the wings — they went down ok but I felt the burn in my stomach as it churned hours later. I wanna say it’s at the level of Teakwoods but I had lunch at an Asian place earlier that already gave me a kick in the gut (so to speak) so maybe it was the wrong night to do a challenge like that anyway. Came again for their Monday Night Karaōke. I saw the sign advertising it in the bar on Friday and it sounded like a blast. Not many places around here do an actual Karaōke show on Monday and this one was lots of fun — an energetic crowd clapping along. Had the Monday Night special which was the French Dip sandwich — it was good. Some folks I was with swear by the garlic fries — will have to investigate in the future. They have both Summer Shandy and Blue Moon on tap so they have that going for them. Place also has Off Track Betting, darts, a bunch of pool tables, and poker. On the weekends they sometimes have live bands and it becomes a hip hop club after 9pm. A little something for everyone. A little divey but that’s part of the charm. Will definitely return. Lots of parking as it shares the retro 70’s Vegas cheesy neon light looking Palm Court Centre with a number of other businesses like Hoosier Café, International Minute Press, Phở VIetnam, Hookah Lounge, Farmer’s Insurance, Jimmy Nails Spa, Drastic Changes Tattoo Studio, Massage 90 210, Up In Smoke Shop, Papa Joe’s Barber Shop, Desert Spinal Care, and Cuts For Pups.

Used to be great food and service. Beer bottle smelled like fish, wasn’t cold. Food was terrible and waitress was high or drunk. Not surprising place only had 5 other people there and the bar/​restaurant across Warner was packed.
You were not packed when we were there. I definitely do not work in a bar. Anything kept in a dirty, warm cooler will have a bad smell.

My last comments Were Removed
I have Been to this Business
It’s run Down Loud
The food might be Good
But Unsafe!
The management is Rude!

Not sure why there are so many huge ratings for this place. Let me sum it up for y’all.
Atmosphere — I came here on a Sunday to watch the Packers and Seahawks in the NFC Championship. I sit at the bar and some dbag is screaming at the tv and talking loud as shit about the Undertaker. This was 2 minutes into the 1^st quarter. Then, I saw him walk into the kitchen. Apparently he works here. In fact, most of the patrons to this place were employees. All trash.
Food — I got a plate of wings and garlic parm fries. Not bad, but the wings were not 5 star worthy. The sauce was good and the wings were big, but the damn bones were breaking in my mouth. Again, the sauce was great. The fries were Ok. I was starving so I ate it all. Filled me up.
Staff — I sat at the bar. The bartender was not particularly friendly. And why the hell is the phone ringer so loud? Unreal. Sounds like a fire alarm.
The tv situation is OK. Again, not great.
Prices were cheap, especially the wings. I’m sure that’s why the clientele was so sketchy.
Bottom line, don’t think I’ll be back, especially not for football games.

Amazing wings and their Tuesday night wing specials are 50 cents a piece. Saturday’s there is a DJ. This place overall comes off a bit shady to me… The customers… I don’t let that stop me from enjoying good food!

I walked through the door at The Reef last night and felt it instantly. You know what I mean. That thing that a lot of bars don’t have. And it’s all quite simple, my friends. The staff at The Reef LIKE their customers. Hell, they might even LOVE their customers.
L & I met L’s cuz at The Reef for a little poker fun and loved how we were made to feel part of the family. Free Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments were taking place at most of the tables and yes, I said free. No cover charge, no minimum required purchase, just lots of fun. L was quickly welcomed in to the game while I played spectator/​fan/​cheering squad/​student.
Shot specials abound and the wings are killer. We tried the Hot and I believe the Spicy Ranch (dry rub?). After finishing off a dozen of the Hot L and I said to each other, «Great but could be hotter. Let’s try Donkey Hot.» Stupider words were never spoken! Actually, the Donkey Hot is really tasty but really hot. L only managed to get one down before breaking out in a sweat. Cuz had to beat that and eat two. Guess who smoked them both? That’s right… this girl! I ate six before calling it quits but only because I was full. Seriously. For reals. Um, actually going back to the stupider words were never spoken comment… be careful the next day because that donkey will kick you in the ass!
As for the staff at The Reef, those girls are amazing. They are on top of things, they run their butts off, they joke with customers, they keep orders straight and all while seemingly enjoying their job! Thanks for a fun night, guys!

Really simple order and they were way off simple fries w/​garlic Parmesan missed by a mile!!! To little to say about a bad thing! Beer taste old!!! Wow people rate this bar way to high
Less really if you want to know overall my true experience you should call me! I’ve reviewed many restaurants and bars and my reviews always start with «I’m looking for success!» My experience doesn’t bias me it actually the honest feed back that you get from me that the CUSTOMERS THAT WALK OUT TO NEVER COME BACK!

I go to The reef two times a month on Friday nights. The parmesan garlic wings are my favorite and the fish fry is a good choice as well. The staff is always friendly and on top of things. The live music on Friday nights is real good too. Not too loud and a fun mix of old & new rock blues & Motown.

**This review is for Saturday nights only. Any other day is like your typical dive bar**
Haven’t been here in 2 years. Nothing has really changed. Went last Saturday, the wings were decent not like they use to be though. Maybe because they were overly fried.
Same Saturday crowd as I remember. If you’re uncomfortable around a lot of «hood» people I use that term loosely on a Saturday night stay away.
If you don’t like
1. Rap music being played loudly
2. Being at a place with no dress code
3. Around more urban people (being politically correct here)
Stay away it’s pointless for you to come just so you can complain.
Drinks are cheap they have drink specials all night. Kitchen is open until 1am.
They have a dance floor and people usually dance and have a good time. They don’t start charging at the door until 9pm. So if you get there before 9pm no cover and they give you a band so you can leave and then come if you want.
I don’t know what the waitress name was but she’s been there since I’ve first went there 3 years ago. (she’s the thicker one w/​brown hair) if you get her please give her a nice tip she’s the best one there.
Otherwise I already know I’ll be back no time soon though lol I might see how it is during football season on a Sunday they have plenty tv’s there.

I took my other half here for fathers day to try the wings, I ordered a grilled chicken salad. It was the worst salad EVER! I couldn’t even eat the chicken on it. If thats what it was. It had grill marks on it but tasted boiled, microwaved, dry, and absolutely no taste for $ 8 bucks. I let the waitress know that the chicken needed improvement as she took my full un-​eaten plate away. She laughed and said that’s why she orders the breaded. Really? Won’t go outta my way to eat there again. BTW the wings were about a ⁷⁄₁₀. Since we had other plans, I went hungry the rest of the afternoon.

This place is a dive, and it’s dank, and it’s dark, and I don’t care. It’s called The Reef and I’m glad they changed the name because «Draft House» would imply that they had a great selection of draft beers (they don’t).
All of that, and still 4 stars? Well you see, their wings are stellar. This isn’t a recommendation from some schlub who thinks all wings are just the best… you all know that guy… he eats a dozen wings that look cold and slimy and says «They’re not bad!». No, I’m a wing connoisseur, having traveled far and wide to find the best wings in the city, and I can safely say these are Top 3 Wings.
Better than Native’s mediocre dreck. Better than Buffalo Wild Wing’s garbage. Better than most of your sports bars that have won awards (looking at you, Half Moon). Better than ATL Wings across the street? …ehhhh probably not. But still, stellar, big, well-​cooked wings with a GREAT hot sauce. And try the Donkey Sauce, it’ll kick the shit out of you.

My wife and I used to go there all the time in the early afternoon when it was the Draft House, always got great service. Then it really went hip hop and ghetto. Would never think of going at night. Even in the day we had to sit and listen to the Juke box play itself every 5 minutes with hip hop trash.
Got so we couldn’t take it so we stopped going, even though the bartender mgr if she is still there is very special to us. Have not been there in some time. Hip hop ruined what was supposed to be a sports bar.
The wings were great, and the fish tacos, thus the 2 stars.

The Donkey Hot wings are AMAZING. Yes they are hot. Yes, every single server will warn you ‘do NOT order them.’ But they’re worth getting! Hottest sauce I’ve found in Phoenix but won’t kill you.
The wasabi teriyaki wing sauce is good too. They have a lot of good wing sauces.
Other food is good too. Could use more salad options.
Wish they had bigger TVs and better TV sound. But food is good staff is friendly and drinks are strong and cheap!
Bathrooms leave a lot to be desired.
Local dive bar that I hope makes it!

I went to see my friend’s band play — Bench Warrant. I used to go to the draft house a lot after work, and always liked it. I walked in, found a seat, and was promptly greeted and had a delicious beer in my hand within a few short minutes. I decided to order a snack, and ordered the mix of onion rings, carrots, cheese sticks, etc. It was delicious — especially the onion rings! I do miss the beef tacos they used to have on the menu — with homemade salsa. Maybe the new owners will bring those back. This is still a great place to hear music and sit with friends.

What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon belly up to the bar.
Wings are amazing… you can mix wings and drums or just wings or just drums… then there is a smorgasboard of flavors!
Two thumbs up for Spricy Ranch!
Kudos to Shelly the local mixologist — we shall return.