Recreo, a new restaurant and bar for Chandler residents and visitors, recently opened in historic downtown Chandler. The playground-themed concept, located at 28 S. San Marcos Pl., will feature live outdoor entertainment, an edible garden, specialty cocktails and international cuisine.
Recreo, created as a space for a youthful memory of a lighter time in the schoolyard, has elaborate design elements like a bus art installation, a bar swing and twinkling lights. Its unique live music stage was created from a shipping container suspended in the restaurant’s back patio. The menu follows a “foodventurous” theme, taking guests through a journey from takeoff to landing. Signature menu items include charcuterie boards (The Patio Board and The Garden Board), the Buddha Bowl, fresh ceviche, sugar-crusted ahi, and The Amazing Mushroom. Desserts include pancakes and “That’ll Do, Fig.”
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Cocktails on the menu align with the playful recreation trend, including “elementary cocktails,” such as The Mean Dog On The Other Side Of The Fence (Greyhound) and The After-School Special (White Wine Spritzer). Recreo also offers signature cocktails, including the Second Star to the Right and the Hot Pink! Yolo Whip is an on-menu frozen drink that includes miso-rubbed charred pineapple, Spring44 Honey Vodka, iichiko Saiten barley shochu, Damiana flower liqueur and Heirloom Pineapple Amaro.
“Recreo brings a fresh, youthful atmosphere to downtown Chandler,” said Henry Malachowski, General Manager of Recreo. “We are delighted to provide fresh local ingredients, an inviting indoor/outdoor garden ambiance and unique cocktails that will have you dreaming on your next visit.”
The area where Recreo is currently located is an important part of Chandler’s rich downtown history. The building was constructed over 100 years ago and sits one floor below the office of the city’s famous founder, Dr. AJ Chandler. With imaginative use of this centuries-old historic space, Recreo celebrates Arizona.
“From the moment we discovered the site, we were immediately dedicated to recreating the space to honor our great state, its ‘melting pot’ culture, and also creating new experiences as a community,” said Chris Field, founder of Allium Hospitality, the development company behind Recreo. “Recreo celebrates Chandler’s history, while looking forward to its vibrant and vibrant future.”
Recreo has approximately 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining space and seats 242 people. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Recreo will extend its opening hours in the future for “Recreo After Dark”.
For more information about Recreo, visit recreoaz.com or connect via social media at Facebook and instagram.
