What happens when a pair of visionary Phoenix mixologists look at a vacant former pizza parlor and see a grand 1920s train station? You get Century Grand — one of the most imaginative, fully immersive cocktail destinations in the entire country. Under one roof, you’ll find three uniquely themed cocktail bar concepts — Platform 18, Grey Hen Rx, and Undertow — each serving specialty craft cocktails and offering a highly imaginative hospitality experience.
Platform 18 opened its doors in October 2019 as part of Barter & Shake’s Century Grand complex, which reinvigorated a Phoenix strip-mall into a hotspot for themed cocktail bars. Inspired by the art deco glamour of both the Orient Express and the Roaring Twenties, founders Jason Asher and Rich Furnari aimed to create immersive experiences beyond standard nightlife — a vision sparked by a London subterranean bar. The result is something people commonly describe as “adult Disneyland,” and honestly, the comparison is well earned.
What’s Inside: Three Worlds, One Building
The Platform 18 experience begins with guests booking a ticket — essentially, making a reservation — before entering a fully immersive bar universe designed by a former Disney Imagineer. Each guest’s 90-minute curated “journey” begins at the platform, decorated by moss-covered oak trees, before voyaging into a 36-seat replica presidential Pullman train carriage decked in stained wood furnishings, gold embellishments, and “windows” showing the view of the Deep South flying past. In those windows, a 90-minute film loops through an actual train ride shot on the Silverton line through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The attention to detail is genuinely staggering.
When guests arrive at Platform 18, they’re immediately transported onto an ultra-glamorous, 36-seat Presidential Pullman Company-inspired train car from the 20th century. While aboard, each traveler embarks on an immersive and unforgettable 90-minute journey that follows the concept’s fictitious hero, Hollis Cottley Pennington, a railroad tycoon and bootlegger, as he conducts business in the bayous of Louisiana. The rotating themed menus evolve the story with every visit, so repeat guests are always treated to something fresh.
Grey Hen Rx takes guests to New Orleans in the mid-1800s, drawing inspiration from the early apothecaries that operated as a “first port-of-call” for medical advice and cure-alls. Its beverage menu features original and classic cocktails, whiskey flights, and non-alcoholic drinks. Grey Hen stocks over 500 bottles of whiskey, 80 of which are single barrel selections from around the country. It’s a quieter, more intimate bar — and a dream destination for serious whiskey lovers.
Undertow, meanwhile, recalls a spice trader’s turn-of-the-century clipper ship, exudes a tiki vibe, and concentrates on rum-based cocktails. Moody, atmospheric, and tucked away like a true speakeasy, it rounds out the trio with its own distinct personality and flavor profile. Exploring all three in one night makes for an unforgettable progressive cocktail experience.
The Cocktails Themselves
The cocktails at Century Grand are thoughtful and expertly balanced, widely considered among the best in the city. The current Platform 18 cocktail menu draws inspiration from immigration to New York City and the emergence of the boroughs against the backdrop of 1924, with flavors inspired by iconic dishes associated with various ethnic groups — crafted to tell a tale of Prohibition. Every drink is a narrative in a glass.
Platform 18 gained national attention, earning a spot in North America’s “50 Best Bars” in 2023, and has continued to evolve with rotating themes and menus rooted in era-specific storytelling and artisan mixology. The experience is more than just a gimmick — behind the bar’s serious drinks program, the team uses an onsite lab to craft a stellar drinks list. Non-alcoholic cocktails are also available across the venues, so no one gets left out of the fun.
Atmosphere & Décor
When eyeing Phoenix real estate for their next bar project, Jason Asher and Rich Furnari of Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality took a giant leap of faith by choosing a 4,000-square-foot former pizza parlor as the site of the new space. The experience begins in the main bar area, modeled after an art deco 1920s-era train station, where bold, geometric concrete walls, patterned ceiling tiles, and glitzy glass chandeliers set an opulent tone from the get-go.
Platform 18’s core attraction is its beautifully crafted replica of a Presidential Pullman-style train car — complete with polished wood paneling, leather-upholstered seats, art deco lighting, and vintage details. Every corner of the space is meticulously considered, with small railway-themed details tucked into nooks and crannies throughout. It feels like stepping onto a film set — one you can actually drink in.
Grey Hen is designed to feel like a vintage tasting room. With modest wood-driven decor and a stately ambiance, the understated room puts the focus on the spirit without distraction. The contrast between Grey Hen’s hushed intimacy and Platform 18’s theatrical grandeur is part of what makes a full Century Grand visit so compelling — each room is a completely different world.
Other Considerations
Do I need a reservation? Platform 18 books up to 30 days in advance and fills up pretty quickly. Booking early is strongly recommended, especially for weekends. Grey Hen Rx takes no reservations, as it is a very small bar, which adds to its walk-in, hidden-gem charm — but be prepared to wait if it’s a busy night.
What about pricing? Century Grand sits firmly in the upscale category. Cocktails are crafted with premium, artisan ingredients and the immersive Platform 18 experience commands a ticket reservation that goes toward your drinks. Think of it less as a bar tab and more as an evening experience — the kind worth budgeting for on a special night out.
When is the best time to visit? To avoid weekend crowds and booking fees, consider going on an early weekday before 5:30 p.m. as a walk-in. That said, the full electric atmosphere of a packed Friday or Saturday night adds to the theatrical energy of the place, so if you can snag a weekend reservation, it’s worth the extra effort.
Is it good for special occasions? Absolutely. Century Grand is a go-to destination for date nights, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and anniversary celebrations. As a completely immersive cocktail experience, it’s a masterpiece in attention to detail that whisks guests away to another time and place. Few places in Phoenix — or anywhere in the Southwest — come close to matching its theatrical ambition.
What should I know before I go? It’s worth checking the drink menus of each of the three bars before making a reservation, as the selections are limited and vary by venue. Century Grand is an adults-only experience, so leave the little ones at home and come ready to be genuinely surprised by what’s waiting behind those doors.
Century Grand
📍 3626 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Website: https://centurygrandphx.com
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