Talk about sophisticated nightlife.
For those in the know — and now you are one of them — there’s a speakeasy below ground, a beautiful, cozy space where the mixologists can sling the drinks with the best of them while a sultry singer provides the music.
Look for a glowing green light, not the traffic light, in front of the double doors near the corner of Stone Avenue and Congress Street. That’s the signal that tells the public Emerald 29 is open for business.
A doorman inside lets guests in and escorts them to the elevator. Press B for basement, follow the signs and be amazed by the atmospheric lounge, decorated in the building’s original art deco style. Find seating at the bar, on one of the velvet sofas or in any of the cubbies in what used to be the bank’s vaults. The magnificent doors are still there.
It is a luscious space.
“Emerald 29 is what happens when a building has this much history and you decide to lean into it rather than paper over it,” said Daniel Scordato, chef and owner of Treasury 1929 and Vivace Restaurant. “We wanted a cocktail lounge that felt like a discovery and a place that rewards the people who find it.”
The lounge is in the basement of Treasury 1929, the event space Scordato opened in a building that once housed a couple of banks and later offices. The space retains much of its beautiful original art deco decor, and that holds true down to the basement where the lounge is located.
The cocktail program is easily as sophisticated as the surroundings. Consider the Sandia Fria, a chili-infused Hornitos Silver with watermelon liqueur, lime and a tajín rim, or the Seaport, a composed pour of mezcal, green chartreuse, lemon and orange bitters. The Speakeasy Sangria gives a nod to the Latin influence of the Old Pueblo — red wine, brandy, peach liqueur and muddled cherry and orange.
Guests do not have to imbibe to enjoy the space, however. Nearly every cocktail on the menu is available in a nonalcoholic version.
There is also Emerald 29’s zero-proof program — not a substitute menu but a lineup of cocktails that stand on their own. The N.A. Groni, built on Empress nonalcohoilc gin, Giffard aperitif and nonacoholic sweet vermouth, is as composed as anything on the full bar. The Learning to Fly, a bright pour of Empress nonacoholic gin, blueberry syrup and lemon, and the Milano-Torino, a bittersweet aperitivo-style sipper, round out a program designed for sipping.
Should guests feel the need for nibbles, there is a small bites menu prepared by Scordato and his team.
The crispy artichoke confit with lemon aioli ($13.50) and the hummus with grilled eggplant, herb tomato and Parmigiano croutons ($9.50) offer lighter options. The chicken meatballs with baked ricotta and tomato sauce ($12.50) and the toasted Italian pinza with Italian meats, giardiniera and stracciatella ($14.95) offer more substantial options. All are designed to complement a long, unhurried evening.
But what would an evening out be without live entertainment? Emerald 29 has it covered.
All performances begin at 8 p.m. with no cover charge unless otherwise noted:
Thursday, June 11, Trey Bryant and Freddy Jay: Two of Tucson’s most wide-ranging musicians jam together. Bryant plays saxophone across jazz, R&B and hip-hop. Freddy Jay Walker, the 2024 Tucson Hip Hop Awards R&B Artist of the Year, plays guitar and bass. No cover.
Friday, June 12, Coast vs. Cascade — A Pinot Noir Tasting Experience: Two regions, one grape — from the Willamette Valley and the Russian River Valley. Dynamic Dos Suenos provides music. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., guided tasting runs 6 to 8 p.m. Light bites included. $87 per guest, tax included.
Saturday, June 13, Blue Dream Duo: Guitarist Joshua Rhoads and vocalist Chelsee Hicks work through a repertoire built on vintage jazz and pop, including “Cry Me a River,” “Fever” and “The Girl from Ipanema.” No cover.
Thursday, June 18, Annamarie Smith-Butz: Nearly five decades of performance spanning jazz, Broadway and the Great American Songbook. No cover.
Thursday, June 25, Bibire Harmony: Jazz, blues, neo-soul and R&B from an acclaimed vocalist who has performed across the U.S. and around the world for 15 years. No cover.
Friday, June 26, Erin Anderson: Tucson vocalist and actress swings through jazz standards. No cover.
AvanThursday July 9, Aria Ratcliff: Berklee College of Music student and Tucson singer-songwriter drawing from jazz, Motown, R&B and neo-soul. No cover.
Emerald 29
WHEN: 8 p.m. to midnight, Thursday through Saturday
WHERE: 2 E. Congress Street
INFO: For ages 21 and older only. The lounge is occasionally closed, so check its Facebook page before planning an evening: bit.ly/49LGWiK
