Jalapeño Popper Burger at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Playground reveals its new menu of cocktails & shareable dishes (PHOTOS)


May 9, 2023
By Matt Sterner

The downtown restaurant is supplying "the party fuel" in these new dishes.

The team at Playground Bar & Lounge is excited to share its new menu of shareable dishes, innovative drinks, and all-around flavorful recipes.

Pesto Caprese Flatbread at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

With a new executive chef in the kitchen, there’s a new direction with this menu and it’s to “highlight the playful and social aspects of enjoying a night out with friends by providing vibrant, fun drinks and a variety of plates that can be shared.”

“Above all, we really want this menu to be a celebration of what Playground is all about — having fun with friends,” said David Bishow, executive chef at Playground. “Whether you stop in early for lunch or Happy Hour, eat dinner before the party starts, or share a plate with friends while dancing that night away, our kitchen and bar are ready to provide the party fuel at Playground.”

The menu is available now, as a matter of fact, and the kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Happy Hour is currently available from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday – Friday and includes $2 off all drinks, $2 off dips, and $4 off all other food.

Now, let’s take a scroll through some pretty photos.

New Food Highlights

Wing-aholic ($14)

Choose from Guajillo hot, cheesy chili lime, or Whiskey Del Bac and served with fries (available in Cauliflower Bites)
Wing-aholic at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Loaded Fries ($13)

Waffle fries, poblano cheese sauce, pico, pickled onion, seared black beans, fresco, manchego, guacamole, chipotle crema (add chicken or birria for a total of $17)
Loaded Fries at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Pesto Caprese Flatbread ($13)

Basil pesto, heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, balsamic reduction, greens (add chicken for $13 or beef for $17)
Pesto Caprese Flatbread at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Fig and Goat Cheese Flatbread ($15)

Caramelized onions, roasted figs, goat cheese, greens
Fig & Goat Cheese Flatbread at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Simple Greens ($14)

Radish, orange, red onion, grilled goat cheese, toasted pepitas, fig, white balsamic vinaigrette
Simple Greens at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Fried Chicken Sliders ($16)

Beer cheese, greens, pickles, pub mustard, bacon
Fried Chicken Sliders at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

Jalapeño Popper Burger ($18)

Two chorizo smash burgers, bacon-wrapped cheddar stuffed jalapenos, American cheese, cheese sauce, lettuce, shaved onion
Jalapeño Popper Burger at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

More Dishes on the New Menu

  • Guacamole and Chips ($7)
  • Beer Cheese and Chips ($8)
  • Pretzel Bite and Beer Cheese ($11) – Pretzel bites tossed in butter and salt, beer cheese, pub mustard
  • Jumbo Prawn Cocktail ($16) – Citrus marinated and grilled jumbo prawns, kiwi cilantro sauce, radish, charred limes, smoked basil salt
  • Corn and Poblano Fried Chorizo Meatballs ($15) – Corn and poblano batter chorizo meatballs, black bean salsa avocado crema, tequila spiced tomato spice
  • Chicken and Waffle Fries ($14) – Fried chicken, waffle fries, sriracha honey, greens
  • Backyard Burger ($17) – 1/2 pound brisket burger, lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese, house sauce. Add bacon ($18)
  • Bully Burger ($18) – half-pound brisket burger, peppered bacon jam, sharp cheddar, pub mustard, crispy onions
  • Black Bean Burger ($16) – Black bean patty, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, onion
  • Bahn Mi-nis ($16) – Crispy pork belly sliders, pineapple gochujang, cider slaw, jalapeño, cilantro, chili lime cucumbers, pickled onion
  • Quesabirria ($16) – Braised beef birria, manchego quesadilla

New Cocktail Highlight

Espress Yourself ($13)

Waffle cone-infused Titos, Espresso Liquor, Frangelico, and Amaretto Cream
Espress Yourself cocktail at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

More Cocktails on the New Menu

  • Guavesito ($12) -Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Guava, Grapefruit, Lime
  • Play Nice ($11) – Bacardi, Coconut, Orange Juice, Pineapple, Lime
  • Mang On Fire ($13) – Don Julio, Mango, Watermelon, and Some Heat!
  • Berry Fresh ($13) – Whistle Pig, Berries, Lemon, Mint
  • Red Passion Sangria ($10) – Berries and Booze!
  • I’ll Be Bac ($14) – Del Bac Dorado, House Bitters, Demarrara, Amarena
  • Wrecking Ball ($14, or to share $30) – D’usse Cognac, Malibu, Black Razz, and Fresh Juice
New cocktails at Playground (Photo by SWOON Media)

To keep up with the latest news and information about Playground Bar & Lounge, visit playgroundtucson.com. Playground Bar & Lounge is a part of Tucson-based Loveblock Partners. Other Loveblock businesses include AC Hotel by Marriott Tucson Downtown, Good Oak Bar, HUB Ice Cream, HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery, Little Love Burger, and more.

Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.

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