On Thursday, June 11, Tucson chef Daniel Scordato unveils Emerald 29, a hidden speakeasy tucked beneath The Treasury 1929 at 2 E. Congress St. The lounge opens from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. Admission is 21 and older, with select events requiring a door cover.
Guests who spot a green light glowing from the Congress Street entrance have found it. On select nights, the doors go dark entirely. Scordato encourages guests to check social media before making the trip.
A Room Built for Secrets
Painted floor to ceiling in deep emerald and lit for intimacy, the 80-seat lounge draws on nearly a century of history. Secret alcoves, cubbyholes, and sultry banquettes fill the space. At the center sits a restored vault that once held hundreds of original safe-deposit boxes.
The building has stood intact since 1929, and Scordato leaned into that legacy deliberately.
“Emerald 29 is what happens when a building has this much history and you decide to lean into it rather than paper over it,” he said. “We wanted a cocktail lounge that felt like a discovery and a place that rewards the people who find it.”
The room draws cinematic comparisons, evoking Bergman-Bogart’s Casablanca and the grit of the Sonoran Desert. Together, the design and history make Emerald 29 one of the more distinct additions to Tucson’s growing cocktail lounge scene.
Cocktails Rooted in Southern Arizona
The cocktail program places regional flavors front and center. Each drink draws on bold ingredients and a strong sense of place. The menu spans the Sonoran Desert, the Baja coast, and Latin tradition.
- The Sandia Fria pairs chili-infused Hornitos Silver with watermelon liquor, lime, and a tajín rim.
- The Seaport combines mezcal, green Chartreuse, lemon, and orange bitters in an ode to the Baja.
- The Speakeasy Sangria blends red wine, brandy, peach liquor, and muddled cherry and orange.
Nearly every cocktail on the menu also comes in a non-alcoholic version. Still, the zero-proof program stands on its own. The N.A. Groni uses Empress NA gin, Giffard aperitif, and NA sweet vermouth. The Learning to Fly brings Empress NA gin, blueberry syrup, and lemon. The Milano-Torino rounds out the lineup as a bittersweet aperitivo-style sipper.
Small Bites for a Long Evening
The food menu matches the cocktail program in intention and care. Emerald 29 offers lighter grazing options alongside more substantial plates. All dishes are designed for an unhurried night.
- Crispy Artichoke Confit with Lemon Aioli ($13.50)
- Hummus with Grilled Eggplant, Herb Tomato, and Parmigiano Croutons ($9.50)
- Chicken Meatballs with Baked Ricotta and Tomato Sauce ($12.50)
- Toasted Italian Pinza with Italian Meats, Giardiniera, and Stracciatella ($14.95)
Scordato’s culinary reputation in Tucson runs deep. He has led Vivace Restaurant since 1993, building one of the city’s most enduring fine-dining institutions. That same standard of execution carries into Emerald 29’s kitchen.
A Summer of Live Music
Emerald 29 launches with a full calendar of live performances. All shows begin at 8 p.m. with no cover unless noted.
- 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 11: Trey Bryant and Freddy Jay, two of Tucson’s most versatile musicians, bring saxophone, guitar, and bass across jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. No cover. Bryant plays saxophone. Freddy Jay Walker, the 2024 Tucson Hip Hop Awards R&B Artist of the Year, handles guitar and bass.
- 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12: Coast vs. Cascade, a guided Pinot Noir tasting comparing Willamette Valley and Russian River Valley. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the guided tasting running 6 to 8 p.m. Light bites included. $87 per guest, tax included. Dynamic Dos Suenos provides music.
- 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 13: Blue Dream Duo, with guitarist Joshua Rhoads and vocalist Chelsee Hicks, performing vintage jazz and pop standards. No cover.
- 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 18: Annamarie Smith-Butz performs jazz, Broadway, and the Great American Songbook. No cover.
- 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 25: Bibire Harmony brings jazz, blues, neo-soul, and R&B. No cover.
- 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26: Erin Anderson swings through jazz standards. No cover.
- 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 9: Aria Ratcliff, a Berklee College of Music student and Tucson singer-songwriter, draws from jazz, Motown, R&B, and neo-soul. No cover.
Plan Your Visit
Emerald 29 sits inside The Treasury 1929, a 16,000-square-foot historic venue spanning three floors of a restored 1929 bank building in downtown Tucson. The lounge opens to the public Thursday through Saturday. Private event bookings are also available.
Follow Emerald 29 on Instagram for updates on programming and door status. Visit thetreasury1929.com for full event details.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
