The Thirsty Lion, a Portland-based chain of gastropubs, opens its third Valley location Tuesday at SanTan Village shopping in Gilbert.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, with the restaurant opening at 11 a.m. It’s located between Gordon Biersch and Famous Dave’s, a block north of Total Wine.
At nearly 7,000 square feet, Thirsty Lion SanTan includes a 32-seat bar, an open-air kitchen, and a hearth-baked pizza oven. Outside, a 1,500-square-foot patio has two large fire pits and three flat-screen TVs.
The bar is limited to 24 beers on draft – far fewer than other locations (such as the 52 in Tempe) – because of nearby World of Beer.
Thirsty Lion made its Arizona debut by taking over the former Maria Maria at Tempe Marketplace in 2011. It added a Scottsdale location last year.
