Root beer floats are a treasure — a fizzy and creamy combination that’s just as fun to slurp as it is to burp. I made a beer float once but it just wasn’t the same. Root beer floats are the perfect way to bring out your inner child, transporting you back to simpler days, when your biggest worry was a brain freeze. It’s also not as easy as it used to be to find a Root beer float, but here’s a list of a few of our favorites in Tucson.
Also, if you’re looking for more local ice cream shops in Tucson (Root Beer Floats or not), check out our other cool guide.
Bella’s Gelato Shop is known for its artisanal gelato, made fresh daily with locally sourced ingredients. They also make a bodacious root beer float. If you’re looking for dairy-free, get it with one of their vegan gelatos and vegan whipped cream.
Hey, even actor John Lithgow loves Bella’s.
It’s argued that the best seat in the house is right at the counter/bar. It’s the perfect opportunity to spark up a conversation with the staff, to catch a whiff of whatever’s being made on the griddle, and to sip on a classic root beer float. It’s found in the “Desserts” section of the menu (as it should be) and pairs nicely with a slice of pie.
You have the option of root beer or cream soda! Pick ’em both and show your friends how wild you are. The shop also has a rotating menu of at least eight soft-serve frozen yogurts, nearly 10 Thrifty brand ice creams, milkshakes, malts, smoothies, sundaes, and stuffed cookies!
Stroll down the winding path, and you’ll likely encounter hummingbirds, lizards, and the occasional butterfly. Then, about midway through the Gardens and before you reach The Great Garden Express, a chilly root beer float is waiting for you at Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill — made with a good old-fashioned IBC Root Beer.
From Big Bopper Milkshakes to banana splits and the epic Wipe Out Sundae, Little Anthony’s Diner is a dessert hub here in Tucson. A lot of folks get a root beer float at the diner when it’s their birthday but it isn’t required — any day with a root beer float is a special occasion.
Over the years, the Marana Stockyards has had a cafe located inside of the building named The Feedlot Cafe and Cattleman’s Cafe. Now, Luna Cafe has taken over and you better believe they have a root beer float on the menu! It’s under $5, too.
The steakhouse has its own draft rootin’ tootin’ root beer on tap. Throw it on top of some vanilla ice cream and call it a float! Oh, and just don’t wear a tie to the restaurant. If you do it’ll be snipped and hung from the ceiling, alongside the thousands of others they’ve collected over the years.
A decade ago, RoadHouse Cinemas opened its doors in Tucson, redefining the movie-going experience with its blend of comfort, in-theater dining, and entertainment. You’re able to order food and beverages to your seat in the theater, including root beer floats. If you’re not a fan of root beer, you can add any other soda they have on tap.
With multiple locations in Tucson (2545 E. Speedway Blvd., 250 E. Congress St., 50 S. Houghton Rd., and 5920 Arizona Pavilions Dr.), it’s pretty easy to snag a root beer float when you’re craving one! The Screamery often has deals on their floats, too, like on Father’s Day.
Vanilla bean ice cream with Barq’s Root Beer! It sounds like a sweet combination when you gather around a board game with some of your favorite friends.
Zinburger offers two types of floats — the beloved root beer float and then an Orange Dream float. Just imagine a creamsicle in a mug. It’s a great way to end a post-burger chomp-down session.
