Mesa Riverview’s latest addition, The Revelry, is much more than a restaurant. It’s an entertainment destination.
The 20,000-square-foot business celebrated phase one on November 20, with phase two following this spring.
“It’s magic,” says Emily Roberts, director of marketing and public relations. “We have so many concepts here that appeal to so many different audiences, and we are only continuing to grow into something greater.”
Under one roof, customers can choose their entertainment type. First, there’s the Box Bar, where sports fans can reserve private booths with black leather wrap-around couches to watch the game. Moving through the venue, customers can find Modern Round, the virtual gaming and sports.
Going outside, guests can enjoy the Tiki Bar, watch live music or play Next Links, The Revelry’s golf concept. At night, people can sit around a bonfire in colorful, cabin-style furniture.
Other events include open-air markets and yoga. Eventually, when state restrictions lift, guests can take part in Pop Culture, a vintage-style arcade with games and activities.
This is only part one of the destination. Phase two will include the K9 Cantina, a dog-friendly restaurant, and The Rev. Brewing Company, The Revelry’s on-site brewery.
“We wanted to create a place where people could come and laugh, connect and have fun together but (that) would also be attractive to anybody and everybody,” says Ellie Greene, vice president of marketing. “Having multiple concepts under one roof creates this one destination for anyone to come out and enjoy.”
This concept is the brainchild of Chris Castille, chief operating officer of That’s Eatertainment Corp., which owns The Revelry. Greene says he started with Modern Round in Peoria but wanted something more. Mesa Riverview was the perfect space.
In the beginning there was a battle with the board of directors, but “he got it right and he pivoted the company into this broader concept. It’s been amazing ever since,” Greene says.
Along with fun comes safety. Greene emphasizes that The Revelry has followed 50% capacity state regulations, along with mask requirements for all its customers until they sit down. Employees have their temperature checked prior to their shift and logged into The Revelry’s system, and tables are spread apart at a safe distance.
Having a big space has been a major benefit for opening, Greene says. The entertainment options inside, Box Bar and Modern Round, already are designed for personal parties.
“Ironically, that wasn’t structured that way because of COVID; that just happened to work in this climate already. They’re separate areas for about six to eight people,” Greene says.
The Revelry’s final step was placing hand sanitizer bottles at every table and at every entrance and exit of the destination.
After sanitizing their hands, customers can sit down and look at the menu.
A personal favorite: cheese curds. Made with Wisconsin cheese, these bad boys can make any Midwesterner feel like they’re back home at a state fair. Their deep-fried texture is the perfect amount of crisp along with the melted cheese, making it easy for hands to keep reaching for the plate and eating until they’re gone.
It’s not just sports bar food.
“It’s a culinary collective that consists of all the concepts that we have and that will be added to that in phase two. … Everybody has different taste, different nutritional or dietary restrictions. This is something that caters to everyone,” Roberts says.
As someone who’s striving to eat healthy, she says this is a great place to be because of its variety. Instead of cheese curds, for example, someone could lean toward the Brussels sprouts, which are charred and covered in a balsamic glaze. They melt in your mouth and taste like chips rather than vegetables.
Entrees range from salads and quinoa bowls to tacos and classic burgers that all come out hot and fresh. The staff moves fast and caters to customers’ needs. As more concepts come together through the two phases, more food will be added to the menu to complement the environment.
Where would food be without a little cocktail? The cocktail menu offerings will look good on any social media post.
The Last Man Standing is a tequila-inspired cocktail that is mixed with jalapeño-mango syrup and a dried lime slice on top. The jalapeño taste begins at the first sip, but the mango contrasts the spice, letting it go down smoothly, leaving a refreshing taste behind.
To enjoy all of the perks, customers can become members. Visitors can select to become a member with a monthly fee of $4.95, $6.95 or $9.95 where they can get 10% off food and drinks as well as build credits that can be used at different visits, Roberts says.
Members get perks such as first pick of booths for football games, gift cards, private parties, events and free food all while contributing to the philanthropic side of the business.
“For every member we have, we donate $1 to the United Food Bank. Our goal is to serve 5,000 meals to the United Food Bank. We really want our patrons, our guests, to really be members of this destination, and it’s an opportunity to build into the community as well. We’re doing this together,” Roberts says.
The Revelry, 1065 E. Dobson Road, Mesa, 602.612.3020, therevelry.com.
