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EL CHORRO LODGE HONORED WITH ‘LEED’ GREEN CERTIFICATION
February 19, 2011
El Chorro Lodge became the first restaurant in Arizona to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Gold Certification. The designation is the only universally recognized green-building pedigree, with the Gold Certification being the second-highest level attainable.

As part of the renovation of the historic facilities, El Chorro Lodge incorporated a number of green-building features, including a solar-energy heating system that reduces the restaurant’s energy use by more than 50 percent. It also features eco-friendly insulation made of recycled blue jeans. More than 75 percent of the materials used in the redesign were salvaged from the original restaurant, including 80+ of the original plants.

Best Phoenix Bars 2011 – Al Fresco
Phoenix Magazine – March 2011

From cool crowds to hot happy hours, buzzing social scenes to laidback lounges, the Valley’s bar scene is booming. Here are our favorite places to kick it with a cocktail.

El Chorro Lodge
Few places in the Valley have such a rich history and ideal setting as El Chorro Lodge, originally built in 1934 as the Judson School for Girls. So it was a nail-biter when the place was sold and revamped in 2009. Thankfully, the new owners did nothing but improve upon a classic, including expanding the patio – the restaurant’s main focal point upon entering – to add more lounge seating and fire features. For stunning views of Camelback Mountain, arrive early while there’s still light. As the evening wears on, the band kicks up (mostly on weekends), and cooler nights make for perfect dancing weather. The drink list changes seasonally, so look for spicier, warmer beverages in the fall and winter, and fruitier, icier specialties come spring and summer.