On our quick trip to Tucson with Alaska Airlines, our friend Erik recommended Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink, and it’s hot downstairs bar, the Tough Luck Club. It was one of our first stops after we landed, and our experience definitely didn’t disappoint. Were actually surprised by the number of Italian and pizza restaurants in this town so close to the Mexico border.
The main bar menu features cocktails based on premium Italian amaros and liqueurs. The Nonino Collins is made with Amaro Nonino Quintessentia, Aperol, lemon juice, and mineral water (check out one of our other favorite Amaro Nonino cocktails here). The Dimmi cocktail was our favorite, made with Dimmi Liquore di Milano (an Italian grapefruit liqueur), Cocchi Americano Bianco, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, and rosemary tincture. We also tried the Cappellett Spritz, made with Aperitivo Cappelletti, cucumber syrup, Prosecco, lemon juice, Bittermens Orange Citrate Bitters, and mineral water. These creative cocktails were among the best we had in Tucson and are not to be missed!
The food at Reilly’s was equally good. We made sure to try the truffle fries, with Grana Padano, and aioli on our bartender Giovanni’s recommendation, and the toast with local goat cheese and Calabrian Chile honey. The pizza with Calabrian salami, sauce, mozzarella, and fontina reminded us of something we’d get in Italy.
Reilly’s Craft Pizza offers three unique venues within one property. The vintage building is impeccably designed, with chic couches and crystal chandeliers, and features an outdoor beer garden in the back and the Tough Luck Club cocktail bar downstairs.
If this place was ever a secret, the secret’s out now. We couldn’t believe how busy it was all night. We were talking about this phenomenon with a bartender at another restaurant; he attributed Reilly’s popularity to the fact that they have three distinct spaces and experiences, so there’s something for everyone. Stay tuned for more of more of the best places to eat and drink in Tucson.
Thank you to Alaska Airlines for sponsoring this post.