The Whining Pig [December 2019]

How totally awesome is it to find out that in a shopping center [Desert Ridge Marketplace] where we [Shawn and I] have been going for years, has an almost hidden underground wine bar!? I don’t even remember how I found out about it, a friend or coworker? Maybe from an article about the shopping center? Possibly seeing the sign when I was walking around the marketplace? Who knows, [and honestly who cares!? LOL] the most important part is that I found it!! This is a place where happy hour means that there are “more happy hours then unhappy hours!!” Yesss!! I don't know about you, but this photo [below] makes me pretty happy!!

I am pretty sure I drug [as in dragged along with me, not like sedated with medication or anything like that.. Hahahaha] Shawn with me the first time I went, and you know the saying… “find a penny, pick it up; all day long, you’ll have good luck”?? Well, how about finding 478 pennies!? That is how many pennies you will find interlaid within the bars glossy surface!! [see below] Each of the Whining Pig locations has a different "penny" design in their bar top, it's so interesting!! This particular photo of the “penny pig” in the bar top, is actually in the downtown Arcadia Whining Pig location. [or so Nate says.. haha!!] I have been to two of the four Whining Pig Wine Bars. It may now be my mission to visit the other two locations when we get back to Phoenix this fall!!    

After quitting his job as a bankruptcy attorney, Greg Malkin stopped by a wine bar in Santa Barbara. He noticed how everyone was having fun, including the owner. This led him to the idea of starting up his own place where people could meet up and have that feeling of community. He came up with the "Whining Pig" name because he has a fondness for pigs, and of course for wine. [hence the wine bar.. hehe] In 2013, Greg Malkin opened the first Whining Pig in Arcadia. [nicknamed the baby pig.. so cute!!] Then in 2016, he opened the Gilbert location. Next came the Pig in downtown Phoenix in 2017, and the very next year [2018 for the mathematically challenged] he opened the Pig at the Dessert Ridge Marketplace. This is the one I found out about first!!

After years of visiting the Desert Ridge Whining Pig, a few co-workers from Abrazo Central, wanted to meet up for dranks after work one evening. Since they all lived closer to the downtown area, we decided to meet up at the Whining Pig in their Arcadia location. You can see [pictured above] from the looks on our bright and shining faces that Teresa, Nate, me, and Hayley [my work daughter] had a grand ole' time!! Let me just say WOW.. what difference in the layout and bar space this place has compared to the Desert Ridge location. It was small and incredibly cozy!! People often erased the chalkboard with their backside while navigating to a seat in the cramped bar area. It kinda forces one to make friends!! [mission accomplished!! HA!!]

What puts The Whining Pig "over the top" [other than the yummy charcuterie and grilled cheese sandwiches] is what Greg [the owner] felt in Santa Barbara. Community. The floor-plan is set up to focus on The Whining Pig motto... "the best memories in life are shared." There are no individual tables or booths-only community tables and the giant u-shaped bar. Then they place a collection of classic games all over the place, like retro-inspired table games that encourage interaction. Trust me, it works!! Teresa, Nate, and I became engaged in a hot and heavy triangle competition of Connect Four to the death!! Haha!! Conveniently, I do not recall who won, but I remember it was a lot of fun!!

It took years, and multiple visits to The Whining Pig [by myself, with Shawn or friends and/or co-workers] at Desert Ridge to discover that there was a speakeasy attached to the Pig!! It is called Pig Tails and it’s a beautiful little cocktail bar!! They do serve some appetizers and small bites. So, the only way to get to Pig Tails is walking through The Whining Pig and take a left to the back hall. From there it's on the left [past the bathrooms] and the exit is so very cool as you can see above in the photo with my Thunderbird hospital girlfriends Katrina and Lauren!!

Next week Wine with Wixy will be heading to another wine festival. The Arizona Wine Festival @ Heritage Square!! Over the years this is the one I always try to attend, as it is prolly my favorite AZ wine festival!! Tune in next week to see why!!

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!