Citizen Public House is an upscale New American restaurant and cocktail bar at 7111 E. 5th Avenue, Suite E, in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America. Opened in 2011, it combines chef Bernie Kantak’s inventive comfort food with a serious drinks program. Travelers come for the Original Chopped Salad, coffee-rubbed short ribs, and an evening that can move comfortably from bar snacks to a full celebratory dinner.
What to Expect at Citizen Public House
The stainless-steel bar gives the room a contemporary public-house identity: this is a restaurant where cocktails are central, rather than an afterthought. Citizen helped establish Scottsdale’s cocktail-focused dining scene when it opened, pairing elevated New American cooking with imaginative variations on classic drinks. Choose bar seating for a drinks-led evening or reserve a dining table when conversation and several courses are the priority.
The Original Chopped Salad is the defining order. Smoked salmon, couscous, arugula, dried sweet corn, marinated tomatoes, and a seed-and-fruit trail mix meet buttermilk-herb dressing, creating contrasting textures rather than another conventional green salad. The richer side of the kitchen appears in pork belly pastrami with rye spaetzle, Brussels sprout sauerkraut, and mustard jus. Fair Trade Short Ribs bring coffee-rubbed beef, parsnip purée, greens, and tart cherry barbecue sauce.
- Original Chopped Salad: The signature smoked-salmon-and-couscous combination is substantial enough to anchor a lighter dinner.
- Bacon Fat Heirloom Popcorn: A distinctive opening snack for drinks and sharing.
- Pork Belly Pastrami: A rich starter that reworks familiar deli flavors.
- Bernie’s Mac ‘N Cheese: Cavatappi, three cheeses, panko, and chilled tomato relish provide a comfort-food counterpoint.
- Daily Social Hour: The restaurant advertises this early-evening service from 4–6 p.m.
Citizen Public House at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 7111 E. 5th Avenue, Suite E, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Old Town Scottsdale, Fifth Avenue area |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 4–10 p.m.; Social Hour, 4–6 p.m., including Thursdays |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No regular admission ticket; food and drinks are purchased separately. Special events may require tickets. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5–2.5 hours for dinner |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Look for street parking around Fifth Avenue; follow posted restrictions and ask about the closest accessible space. |
| Official Website / Phone | Citizen Public House; 480-398-4208 |
The restaurant’s published schedule is daily evening service, not a Thursday closure. Check its website before holiday visits or ticketed cocktail dinners.
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book around 4 p.m. to combine an unhurried start with Social Hour; choose a later reservation when dinner is the evening’s main event. Reserve through OpenTable or telephone the restaurant, especially for groups and celebration meals. Ordinary dinner reservations are different from the restaurant’s separately ticketed pairing events. Check the official website for current menus before budgeting, and leave room beyond menu prices for drinks, tax, and gratuity.
Use the Suite E address for arrival rather than searching only by restaurant name. The entrance is listed as wheelchair accessible; request a standard-height table rather than bar seating, and discuss restroom clearance or stroller storage by phone. For a short outing before dinner, browse the surrounding Fifth Avenue shops, then walk toward the Arizona Canal and Soleri Bridge and Plaza. These nearby stops make a practical roughly 5–15-minute walking circuit, depending on your route and browsing time. In hot weather, keep the outdoor portion short and make dinner the indoor anchor of the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when should I arrive?
Citizen Public House opens daily from 4–10 p.m. Arrive between 4 and 6 p.m. for Social Hour, or reserve later for a dedicated dinner. Verify holiday schedules directly.
Do I need tickets or a reservation?
Regular dining does not require an admission ticket; you pay for your order. Reserve a table for a planned dinner. Special cocktail-pairing events can have separate ticket requirements and pricing.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for drinks, starters, a main course, and dessert. If you have a performance or another reservation afterward, tell your server your departure time when ordering.
Is it suitable for families and wheelchair users?
For families, an early table and shareable dishes such as Bernie’s Mac ‘N Cheese offer a practical approach. The entrance is listed as wheelchair accessible; call ahead to arrange suitable seating and discuss specific mobility needs.
When planning your Scottsdale travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Scottsdale, pair this stop with standout local spots including Andreoli Italian Grocer, Brat Haus, Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, and FnB Restaurant (nearby).
