Global Running Day & A New Rooftop Spot Coming to Old Town

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great..

Update, we just launched our pink Scottsdale hats here! If you want to snag one and rep our amazing city, use the code SCOOP for 15% off.

Lace up, Scottsdale. Global Running Day x Arizona is hitting Scottsdale Civic Center next week on Wednesday, June 3 from 6–9:30pm, and it’s shaping up to be one big community-powered sweat session.

Hosted by lululemon in partnership with Phoenix Run Club, Scottsdale Run Club, and BlkAZRun, this isn’t just a “show up and jog” situation. You’ve got three distance options, 2 miles, 3 miles, or 5 miles, and you can run, jog, or walk it. Totally your pace.

The energy keeps going after you cross the finish line. Revival Wellness is throwing a full post-run party with games, icy plunges, and brand activations. Vendors include Sky MD, The Original ChopShop, CocoLove, Yerba Madre, RESET Mind & Body, Shokz, Spooner Physical Therapy and more. Expect music on the move, run club flags waving, and a whole lot of Scottsdale pride.

You do need to RSVP to lock in your spot. I've been making a conscious effort to run more, so this has been on my radar and it looks fun!

A quick heads up for homeowners and business owners. Scottsdale City Council approved new rate hikes for water and sewer services.

According to Patch, water rates will increase by 4.5% starting November 1, and sewer rates will rise 3.5% beginning July 1. Solid waste rates are going up as well, with a 2% increase for residential customers and 4% for commercial customers.

City officials say the increases will help cover rising electricity costs, aging infrastructure upgrades, and long-term water supply efforts. About one percentage point of the water increase is earmarked for finding new water sources, which matters in a city that receives roughly 70% of its water from the Colorado River.

Not the most exciting news, I know. Still, it’s helpful to be aware of what’s coming so there are no surprises on your next utility bill.

A new luxury rental community just broke ground near 64th and Oak streets.

Avala, developed by MODUS Companies, will bring 94 single-family build-to-rent residences to Scottsdale. It’s the first single-family rental community in the city to earn the Net Zero Energy Ready designation, with homes designed to potentially reduce energy costs by 50% to 70% compared to traditional builds.

Residences will offer one- and two-bedroom layouts, with rents expected to average around $3,000. Amenities include a fitness center, Pilates studio, pool and spa, private workspaces, and a second-story lounge with views of Camelback Mountain and Papago. There’s even access to shared office space, conference rooms, and podcast studios for a true live-work setup.

Completion is anticipated in fall 2027, so we’ve got some time. Still, it’s another sign that Scottsdale’s housing scene keeps evolving, especially for people who want flexibility without sacrificing style.

Old Town’s skyline is getting an upgrade this summer.

Above All Else is set to debut as a 6,000-square-foot rooftop retreat blending indoor and outdoor space with panoramic desert views.

The vibe leans into Art Deco curves, jewel tones, sculptural chandeliers, and intimate booths. By day, it’s golden-hour cocktails. By night, it shifts into a high-energy rooftop scene.

The menu focuses on modern American cuisine with global influences and is crafted entirely without seed oils. Think wagyu tartare, lobster tostada, grilled peach salad, and seared scallops. The cocktail program includes playful options like the Wanderlust with dill-infused vodka and a tableside old-fashioned cart with seasonal variations.

They plan to open Tuesday through Sunday, and if the renderings are any indication, this one’s going to be a hot reservation. I’ll keep you posted as we get closer to opening day.

I wanted to put SeatJunky on your radar because it's one of those "how did I not know about this?" discoveries. The concept is simple: when venues have seats available, they partner with SeatJunky to give those tickets to members for free.

Everything from live performances to sporting events and comedy shows can be fiound. The catch? You have to act fast because tickets go on a first come, first served basis. But if you're the type who's always down to check out something new on a random Tuesday night, this membership pays for itself pretty quickly.

SeatJunky has given away over $30 million worth of tickets to their members so far, and the reviews from people who've used it speak for themselves. One member said they scored seats to a show and the special guest alone made it worth it.

If you love staying busy with fun outings (and saving money while doing it), this one's a no-brainer.

PS - Save 50% on a 2 ticket yearly membership ( unlimited tickets all year long) by using the code: “SCOOP” at checkout

Check out what's available here.

If you’ve walked through Old Town Scottsdale, you’ve probably passed Bischoff's Shades of the West on Main Street and Brown Ave. It’s one of those shops that’s been part of the iconic Old Town look for decades, offering a mix of Western wear, boots, jewelry, and Southwest-inspired goods.

What makes it stand out is the range. You’ll find everything from cowboy boots and silver with turquoise accents to hot sauces, prickly pear honey, and colorful blankets. I love the feeling of “Arizona” I get when I walk in!

Next time you’re wandering Old Town or showing visitors Scottsdale, step inside and see why this spot has remained a go-to for locals and visitors alike.

I took my mom here recently and I forgot how good this place is. The experience was something special from start to finish.

Roka Akor sits in Scottsdale's Resort Corridor and does Japanese steakhouse in a way that feels both upscale and genuinely welcoming. Their signature robata grill is the star, and you can watch the chefs work from the counter seating if you're into that sort of thing.

The pork belly was out of this world. That was hands down the favorite between me and my mom. We also tried the Yuzu Miso Marinated Black Cod and it was to die for. From the sushi to plates off the robata, and everything hit. The waiter was so helpful in suggesting dishes after hearing what we were in the mood for, which made the whole experience feel more personal.

If you're looking for a date night spot that impresses, this is it. They've got happy hour in the bar and lounge from 4-6pm daily, and the patio is perfect for evenings when you want to linger a little longer.

Wednesday, May 27

🍷 Wine Tasting Series: France | Jamie Bottle Shop | 6:00 PM

Friday, May 29

😂 Devon Walker | Desert Ridge Improv | Showtimes vary (multiple days)

🎨 Mystery in the Museum @SMoCA: Brushstrokes and Buried Secrets Encore Presentation | Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art | 6:30 PM

Saturday, May 30

🍷 Saturday Wine Dinner (05/30/26) | Classic Cooking Academy | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🎬 AANHPI Film Festival 2026 | Harkins Shea 14 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

🧘♀️ Adzenture Retreats Scottsdale Sunset Yoga Pop Up | Mountain Shadows Resort (Camelback Outlook) | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

🧘 Saturday Sweat Series | Caesars Republic Scottsdale | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday, May 31

✨ Swiftie Liftie Club Workout | St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix | 8:45 AM

🐴 NRCHA Derby | WestWorld of Scottsdale | Event hours vary (family-friendly, multiple days)

🍷 Meet The Maker: Dos Cabezas | The Wine Collective of Scottsdale | Time varies

If you're a golfer in Arizona, you need to know about The Cactus Club. It's a player-powered golf community built by Terence Daniels for competitive amateurs, weekend money game specialists, and anyone who cares about golf culture as much as scorecards.

What started as a newsletter has grown into one of the strongest local golf audiences in the state. Thousands of golfers are reading, sharing tee times, joining games, and turning internet conversations into actual friendships on the course.

Their first flagship event, the Cactus Shootout, is happening next Saturday, June 6th at Talking Stick Golf Club. It's a 40-player shotgun with 2-player team competition, closest-to-the-pin contests, side games, giveaways, and post-round hangs. If your group chat talks more trash than actual life updates, this one was probably made for you.

The whole vibe is built around the idea that the best part about golf has never really been golf. It's the stories afterward. The random pairing that turns into a future business relationship. The birdie on 18 your friends bring up for the next six months.

Check out the Cactus Shootout and grab your spot here.

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $5.2M! Silverleaf neighborhood with beautiful black accents in the interior.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John