EMERSA, an immersive, observatory-inspired cocktail bar, is preparing for liftoff at Verrado Marketplace in December 2026. Created by Josh Katz, founder of 36 Below, and Randy and April Simmers, the ambitious new concept promises to transport guests through ever-changing worlds without ever leaving their barstools. Forget the ordinary night out. EMERSA is aiming for another galaxy entirely.
Inspired by celestial observatories and immersive technology, EMERSA will whisk guests through shifting environments, from star-filled skies and mysterious ocean depths to fantastical worlds beyond Earth.
The approximately 1,400-square-foot space will use 4K VR displays, projection mapping, dynamic lighting, sound, and atmospheric effects to continuously transform its surroundings. One moment, guests might be gazing into the cosmos. The next, exploring an entirely different universe.
The name EMERSA draws inspiration from “emerge,” reflecting the idea of awakening, transformation, and discovery. The founders partnered with interior design firm House of Form and general contractor BPR Companies to bring their futuristic vision down to Earth.
“At its heart, EMERSA is about exceptional hospitality and the anticipation of what comes next,” co-owners April and Randy Simmers say. “We wanted to create a luxury, immersive experience that goes beyond the traditional night out, where elevated cocktails and cuisine come together with light, sound and atmosphere. The surroundings change, the experience evolves and there’s always something new to discover. Our hope is that guests leave already looking forward to what they’ll experience the next time they walk through the door.”
A Cocktail Menu With Serious Star Power
EMERSA’s cocktail program will give familiar favorites a cosmic makeover, pairing inventive ingredients with modern techniques and eye-catching presentations.
Spacetime Odyssey launches the Cosmopolitan into unfamiliar territory, blending vodka, soju, Cointreau, pomegranate and beet cordial, lime, and Sakura bitters. Yogurt clarification creates a smooth, fruit-forward cocktail with earthy undertones.
Opalite delivers a colorful, sparkling POG-inspired spritz featuring butterfly pea-infused white rum, nigori sake, passionfruit, Aperol, guava, lime, and Prosecco, topped with edible boba.
Small Plates. Galactic Ambitions.
The food menu is equally adventurous, offering shareable bites with unexpected flavor combinations, playful presentations and out-of-this-world flavors.
Nebula Bianca features a Mediterranean-inspired ricotta dip with olives, cucumber, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and drops of riboflavin, accompanied by warm toasted sourdough.
Sunfall Salmon Bites pair baked salmon with crispy sushi rice, airy avocado foam, and a mango, passionfruit, and yuzu coulis.
Blue Hour Bites combine smoked steak, toasted scalloped potato, and fresh blueberry compote, bringing sweet, smoky, and savory flavors into delicious orbit.
For a sweet finale, Astral Pearl delivers a creamy, no-bake dragonfruit and prickly pear cheesecake over a graham cracker crust, finished with lime zest and white chocolate.
The West Valley’s Next Frontier
Located at 1503 N. Verrado Way, Suite 101, in Buckeye, EMERSA represents a bold addition to the West Valley’s evolving hospitality scene.
One thing is certain: Buckeye’s next cocktail destination isn’t thinking outside the box. It’s thinking outside the stratosphere.
EMERSA is expected to open December 2026, with its official launch date, reservation details, and additional guest experiences to be announced soon.
Five Insider Takeaways
- From Scratch to the Stratosphere: EMERSA wasn’t in the original plan. Three West Valley natives ditched the predictable and dreamed up an entirely new cocktail universe.
- A Bar With a Split Personality: One minute, guests are gazing at celestial skies. The next, they’re exploring ocean depths. Thanks to immersive technology, the scenery never stays put.
- Cocktails With Cosmic Swagger: Forget ordinary martinis. EMERSA’s Spacetime Odyssey and Opalite promise inventive ingredients, futuristic flair, and serious star power.
- Houston, We Have a Food Situation: From salmon bites with avocado foam to dragonfruit cheesecake, EMERSA’s menu is taking taste buds on an intergalactic joyride.
- Buckeye’s Ready for Liftoff: Opening is planned for December 2026 at Verrado Marketplace. Who needs a spaceship when the West Valley has a cocktail bar with galactic ambitions?
For updates and opening announcements, visit emersa.bar or follow @emersa.bar on Instagram.
