Old Town Tavern Expansion Hits Pause ... by AZ Family News.
- Old Town Tavern
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Old Town Scottsdale has always been a hotspot for nightlife. Now, one of its longtime staples is trying to grow, but city concerns are slowing things down.
Old Town Tavern, a bar that has been part of the area for about four decades, is working to relocate just next door and expand its space. The plan already cleared Scottsdale’s Planning Commission with unanimous approval. But when it reached City Council, things got complicated.
The issue? Parking.
City officials raised concerns that the expansion could make an already tight parking situation even worse. Under current zoning rules, the new location would require 58 parking spaces. The owner’s plan relied heavily on “in-lieu” parking payments, a system where businesses pay the city instead of providing all required spaces on-site.
That solution did not sit well with everyone.
One councilmember described the plan as a “phantom solution,” questioning whether those paid-for spaces truly solve the real-world parking crunch in Old Town.
The plan already cleared Scottsdale’s Planning Commission with unanimous approval. But when it reached City Council, things got complicated.
From the owner’s perspective, the project is more about survival than expansion. After losing the lease at the original location, he purchased a nearby property and began working toward reopening the tavern with a larger footprint and live entertainment.
But delays are costly.
With approvals stalled, the business is now paying rent on a space that is not yet generating revenue. After already spending months in the approval process, the owner is now revising the plan and starting again.
The new proposal may split the operation into two separate businesses with different liquor licenses. That move could dramatically reduce the number of required parking spaces, though it would also come with stricter operating rules.
Not everyone on the council is opposed. Some argue the city should not be deciding whether Old Town needs another bar, especially one that has already been part of the district for decades. Others point out that many customers rely on ride-sharing instead of driving, and that future parking garages are already in the works.
For now, the project remains in limbo.
The goal hasn’t changed though. The owner says he’s not trying to build a nightclub. He just wants to keep the identity of Old Town Tavern alive in a new space, with live music and a familiar atmosphere.
Until the parking debate is resolved, that next chapter will have to wait.
Source & Credit:This story is based on reporting by AZ Family (KTVK/KPHO).Read the original coverage here: https://www.azfamily.com/2026/03/21/old-town-taverns-next-door-encore-stalls-scottsdale-debates-parking/
Video content courtesy of AZ Family via their Youtube page.
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