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| - We live close to Pier 54 and visit it occasionally for a drink or light dinner. It's a nice change to be able to sit outside in Arizona when the weather allows, and the weekend live music is pleasant and not overwhelming.
Pros:
Food. Really good and at a reasonable price. Not too fancy, but a cut above the usual bar food you'd expect from this kind of place. The sandwiches and flatbreads are nicely prepared.
View: Situated on Tempe's Lakes development, Pier 54 offers a nice view with plenty of seating when the lower level (lakeside) is open. And the misting system is much better than other outside bars in the summer, if sometimes a bit too "wet".
Dog friendly: Dogs are welcome, and we enjoy this feature.
Entertainment: Subtle guitar players on weekends. Not too loud to drown out conversation.
Cons:
Service: We'd give it a higher rating if it wasn't for the spotty service. If the bar is over half full, service is dicey, particularly on weekends. If you're sitting at the bar, it's quite efficient, but Pier 54 needs to work on their staffing needs. We've regularly waited ten minutes for our first contact with a server, almost to the point of walking out. Either hire enough servers or schedule more at heavy traffic times. That said, all the wait staff we've had were friendly and pleasant.
Decor: Pier 54 could use a facelift. The tables and bar are old and dingy, and the overall decor looks like it was slapped together by college kids. While cleanliness is average, the place is is serious need of a makeover.
Summary: With the nicely appointed and great food offered by Waterhouse next door, Pier 54 faces some stiff competition, but it's nice for what it offers. I'd recommend weekday nights until they figure out how to properly staff the restaurant. Nice little neighborhood pub.
Note: This is a bar that permits smoking as it's all "outdoor".
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