Desert Soul Lounge is coming to 711 S. Central Avenue, the former Plush Kitchen location, according to a liquor license application submitted to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
Owner Jeff Sheard told What Now Phoenix he plans a soft opening in late November 2026, followed by a grand opening in the first weeks of December. Exact dates have not been set.
Sheard has spent 20 years in hospitality, owning restaurants in Chicago, managing bars, and hosting parties. He had wanted the space before Plush moved in and decided to try again when he learned the restaurant had closed.
For the menu, Sheard plans to draw from Caribbean cooking and soul food. “I like to call it Caribbean soul,” he said.
His plans include jerk chicken and oxtails alongside fried chicken and fish, with sides such as cabbage, yams, and mac and cheese. Lamb chops are also planned.
Music will be part of the experience, with live R&B and house music nights featuring guest DJs and bands. Sheard also wants to include old-school R&B, neo-soul, and Afrobeats.
“I’m just excited about coming to Phoenix and bringing this kind of vibe and culture that I feel is missing from the Valley,” he added.
The floor plan submitted with the application shows a stage, a bar, and patio seating. Sheard also plans valet parking to supplement the property’s limited spaces.
“It’s going to be a place that you don’t want to leave and that you’ll want to come back to on a regular basis. That’s what we are planning,” he said.
