The pub’s owners are Phil Migliano and Jason Rose. Phil brought the culinary experience and management background to the business. He is a graduate of Florida International University and of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y. He had worked at Don and Charlie’s and for the Lettuce Entertain You Corporation, as a manager of a high-volume restaurant in Chicago called Food Life, prior to opening up this, his first restaurant.

    Migliano’s wife, Griselda, helps him run and operate the eatery. Migliano is a bit of a political buff who believes Arizona has a rich political history, which he has tapped into. He takes an active role in hospitality organizations, serving on the board of directors of the Arizona Restaurant Association and the Arizona Tourism Alliance. Partner Jason, co-founder of the successful Rose and Allyn Public Relations firm in Scottsdale, brings his savvy marketing background to the eatery.

    The restaurant seats 80 people but has hosted fundraisers and other political events over the years to nearly 150 guests. In the past, Nixon’s has been the site for gatherings for former President George Bush and wife Barbara and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and for a Support Our Troop rally. Don’t be surprised to find yourself dining or hanging out beside local politicos such as Gov. Janet Napolitano or members of the state’s legislature, when they are in session, on any given Friday night.

    It’s also a popular late-night place for visiting sports teams and visitors at the nearby Ritz Carlton-Phoenix.

    “We’ve been really successful over the years and have had many national and local political figures visit with us. We filled a niche in the market for political stuff that no one was doing,” explains Migliano.

    He added, “There are plenty of bars that focus on sports in town, but until we opened Nixon’s, there wasn’t really a political place to hang out in Phoenix.”

    Migliano says the location has been a real plus for them. The restaurant not only benefits from theatergoers (it’s located at the base of the escalators leading up to the movie theater), it gets many customers from the newly built condominiums in the area, who are seeking an urban lifestyle.

    As you enter this political pub, you’ll find a bar area with white and black checkerboard square tiles and an open seating area. This is a two-story space, with simple wood tables on both levels. Covering the walls are tongue-and-cheek political quotes, posters, framed magazine covers, paintings and other memorabilia, as one might expect of a restaurant with a political theme.

    The menu, which is available for eat-in or take-out, is inviting yet simple, with choices for lunch or dinner, or that after-movie snack. It’s an American grille with salads and sandwiches. The signature dish and top seller is the grilled flatbread. This is a lavosh pizza that comes with crab, chicken or asparagus. If you just want to snack, try the wings, sliders or red pepper goat cheese dip.

    There are no daily specials but customers seem to enjoy the steak sandwich, chicken sandwiches and hamburgers. Sandwiches come with fries and run from $7.50 to $11.50, as do the salads. For those preferring greens, the grilled steak salad and the chicken Caesar are popular.

    Nixon’s has a happy hour with special rates on wine and beer from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pub hours are Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and the restaurant is closed on Sundays.

    Nixon’s Restaurant & Bar is located at 2501 E. Camelback Road. Phone is 602-852-0900.

    For more information, visit www.nixonsbar.com.