Scottsdale Scoop Happy Hour & Donation Drive Tomorrow!

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.

It’s the last day to register for our happy hour that takes place tomorrow! There’s also a line up of really cool festivals coming up that you won’t want to miss!

Let’s get into it.

We’re one day away from our very first, in-person happy hour tomorrow and I’d love for everyone to join us! Really appreciate everyone that’s registered so far, I couldn’t be more happy for the turnout. Thank you for the support!

It’s going to be casual, social, and a good excuse to get off the couch and meet your fellow Scottsdale neighbors. We’ll be doing raffles prizes thanks to our sponsor, Husband & Wife Law Team and a donation drive for Foster Arizona. There’s limited space for this event so sign up before we’re full.

Snag your ticket here that gets you a free drink plus entry into the raffle.

Putting this here, not sure if it’s a huge interest for everyone or not but I just had some friends asking about SBA loans and thought why not? I’ve been wanting to do more content/events focused on small business anyways.

Columbia Bank is hosting an event/presentation on SBA lending at Civic Center Library on 10/8. Looks like the event is free! If you’re unfamiliar with Columbia Bank, it used to be Umpqua Bank before the rebrand. I’ll probably swing by and check it out!

The Italian Association of Arizona is pulling out all the stops for their 10th Annual Italian Festival on October 25-26 at Scottsdale Waterfront. Salvatore Ferragamo Jr., grandson of the legendary designer, will make a special appearance on Sunday, Oct. 26. That’s pretty cool!

The two-day celebration features more than 30 Italian wines, new Valley vendors like Luna by Giada and Elephante, plus returning favorites including Pomo Pizzeria and Marcellino Ristorante. Entertainment includes 15 flag twirlers flying in from Asti, Italy, cooking demos, and live music across two waterfront stages. Saturday runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Panda Fest comes to Scottsdale November 21-23 at Salt River Fields, wrapping up a multi-city tour that’s stopped everywhere from New York to Seattle. The festival will showcase more than 120 Asian food vendors, artisans, and performers celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures.

Beyond the food, you’ll find activity stations for sugar painting, calligraphy, and paper cutting, plus a 15-foot inflatable panda that’s impossible to miss on your feed. Early bird tickets are $10 and go on sale today, Wednesday, Sept. 24. After Sept. 28, they increase to $14. Each ticket includes entry and two complimentary gifts, while VIP tickets are $35. Grab them early if you want the best deal.

JOJO Coffeehouse is one of Old Town’s underrated gems. This locally owned spot on Scottsdale Rd has mastered the art of all-day breakfast and brunch with a coffeehouse vibe that actually feels authentic. I stopped in here last week and really enjoyed it!

What sets them apart is their JOJO Coffee Flight. You get to sample their signature blend in five different ways: latte, mocha, caramel macchiato, cold brew, and white mocha. It’s a fun way to taste your way through their menu and maybe discover a new favorite. Plus, there’s an October themed flight right now!

The menu covers everything from burritos to traditional plates, and they serve mimosas and craft cocktails to round out the brunch experience. On weekends they even have live music!

The Cactus Club is an amazing community and newsletter if you like golf, specifically in Arizona. Written by a former GCU player, Terence Daniels, it’s packed with local turf wars, spicy takes, and exclusive events across the Valley. Desert golf deserves its voice. This is it. Subscribe for free here.

Soko Skin Med Spa has a lineup of summer specials they’re still promoting so you can get exceptional Korean skincare services at a discount. One of the bigger specials is 20% off a Soko Skin Special. Check them all out here.

Dreamy Draw Music Fest just opened up its ticket sales for their November show at Scottsdale Civic Center and it looks so fun! It’ll be a weekend full of music, art and community. Get your tickets here.

Want to spread the good word about your business, a fun concept you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hello to 8,000 locals?

Roka Akor is one of my favorite spots for a date night. It’s more on the quiet side of things and look at that exterior, it almost reminds me of a castle.

The menu is built for sharing, with everything from prime steak and rare Wagyu to fresh sushi and seafood. The robata grill adds a fun element too, since you can watch the chefs at work while you eat. If you’re a steak fan, the Wagyu is worth trying, and the sushi rolls are always a hit.

The space gives you options depending on the mood. You can sit at the counter near the grill, grab a table in the dining room, or head out to the patio for those cooler Arizona nights. Their happy hour runs daily from 4–6pm in the bar and lounge, which makes it a great choice for an earlier date.

Right now they’re also offering a 3-course Arizona Restaurant Week menu for $55 per person, which is a nice way to sample some of their signature dishes without going all in on the full menu.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just local businesses I wanted to highlight. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Wednesday, September 25

🎲 BINGO | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Thursday, September 25

🎵 Music Bingo | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

👩 Mom's Night Out | Puttshack Scottsdale Quarter | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎸 Emo Night | Rockbar | 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

😂 Chris Franjola | Desert Ridge Improv | 7:30 PM

Friday, September 26

🏠 The Fall Maricopa County Home & Garden Show | WestWorld of Scottsdale | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (multiple days)

😂 Jonathan Kite | Desert Ridge Improv | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

🎃 Pumpkin Fest at the Princess | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Ongoing, September 13 to October 2 (multiple days)

Saturday, September 27

🎪 FREE Family Fun Action & Adventure Festival | Arizona Boardwalk | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

🧁 Pastry Class – Classic Soufflés | Classic Cooking Academy | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Sunday, September 28

🍺 National Drink Beer Day | Brat Haus | 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

🐾 Yappy Hour | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎭 4 Lads from Liverpool | Casino Arizona | 7:30 PM

Beautiful waterfront property in Scottsdale Ranch with walking path access! It’s fully remodeled with a beautiful kitchen and open floor room.

Looking to find your dream home? Our preferred realtor, Megan Keruskin, is here to help. She’s THE Scottsdale expert and regularly help clients compare and choose between areas like McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch, Troon North, DC Ranch, and the Shea Corridor, depending on their lifestyle, price point, and access to golf, hiking, or shopping.

Megan is hyper-local, knows the market and neighborhoods extremely well and is great to work with.

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