Gilbert UnderTow, the Valley's premier underground cocktail lounge, joins its Phoenix sister ship in bidding farewell to one epic adventure as it launches a new saga this month that takes guests on an electrifying expedition through the mysterious 1560s Yucatan Peninsula.
This new escapade offers a sensory roller coaster ride, complete with new music, video scenes and a vessel that’s as spectacular as buried treasure. The cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), play an intricate role in the all-encompassing adventure that transports guests to another time and place.
“This isn’t just a menu change; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in a world of wonder,” said Mat Snapp, executive vice president of operations for Phoenix-based Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment. "With each sip and every detail, we're bringing the captivating history of the Yucatan Peninsula to life for a tale of mystery and treasure-hunting on the high seas like never before.”
In the decades from 1510-1540, Spanish conquests ousted the indigenous Aztec communities and colonized the area, but legend and rumor of a “Golden City” continued to circulate and entice visitors, treasure hunters and colonists in the area. Without giving away too many secrets, the new menu revolves around the enigmatic Ysabel Seville Tozi, Lost Daughter of the Yucatan, Keeper of the Cradle and Key, Pirate Mistress of the Western Seas.
“Our heroine is a female pirate with tangled lineage, but her purpose is divine: she is the living key to the real city of gold,” explained Jason Asher, owner/operator of Barter & Shake. “Only she and her crew can navigate the mazes of the underground waterways to unearth the Lost City of Gold and the overall ride to get there is wild.”
UnderTow's new drink menu, said to be a culmination of years of creativity, incorporates innovative techniques and exotic ingredients inspired by the Yucatan Peninsula. Highlights include the tantalizing "Lai Lani Volcano," the enchanting "Under the Harvest Moon" and the communal experience of "Gathering of Souls," among others.
"UnderTow has always been about pushing the boundaries of cocktail experiences,” noted Cortnie Cozeck, assistant director of operations of Barter & Shake. "This new saga reinforces our commitment to delivering immersive and unforgettable moments for our guests."
The Gilbert UnderTow is located in the new Epicenter Agritopia, near Queen Creek, at 3150 E. Ray Road, Suite 184. UnderTow Gilbert is closed on Mondays, but open from 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 2:30 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and from 2:30 to 10 p.m. on Sundays, with happy hour each opening day from 4 to 6 p.m.
This Yucatan Peninsula adventure officially set sail on June 4 and reservations are recommended to secure a place on board as UnderTow charts a new course. For more information and to make reservations, visit drinkundertow.com and follow @undertowphx on social media.
