My wife and i recently moved back to PHX after 5 years in the OC. We have a lot of new restaurants to try out and we decided to try Buck & Rider because we heard they have a good happy hour. We are big fans of LGO, Chelsea's Kitchen and looked forward to trying their new concept. Evidently so do others others because it was PACKED and the host was taking names for a table in the bar area. We stood up outside the bar the reception area and ordered some drinks and some happy hour food items while waiting about 30 minutes to sit down.
Positives - the food was good and the staff was helpful and polite, in spite of being overwhelmed by the large crowd. The sunset few of Camelback Mountain was awesome. Valet parking was free.
Negatives - it took some explanation from the staff and nearby patrons to figure out what was or was not included in the happy hour. The happy hour was only available at the inside bar - the outside bar was full price. The NOISE inside was excruciating, especially once we moved back to the bar table. My wife and I had to scream across the table to hear each other, which evidently is what the rest of the bar was doing. It was so LOUD that i used the noise meter on my iPhone to see it was 90+ decibels - borderline red zone. The noise was equivalent to an emergency vehicle. Not relaxing at all. Finally, the tab for two people (2 beers, 1 gin & tonic, 1 glass of wine, 3 small plates) for happy hour, with tip was $100.
Bottom line - we will go to Hillstones or Chelsea's Kitchen or keep searching for a another good happy hour venue. We will try the Buck & Rider reverse happy hour after a movie some day.