Here at SPM, we just can’t get enough of the light rail. And we think our readers should love the light rail, too. If the light rail guide in issue one wasn’t enough, here’s round two of awesome places to stop near the light rail.

Get off at Central Avenue and Roosevelt Road:

Matt’s Big Breakfast
81 N. 1st St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-1074

Start off this light rail excursion with a full tummy. Located on First and Mckinley Street, this small breakfast spot sports big bites. Try hash browns made from scratch, griddlecakes (otherwise known as pancakes) or some fresh squeezed orange juice (not for the pulp-weary). Matt’s decor is retro and simplistic, but the food is big and delicious. The eggs are all cage-free, and the produce and meat are organic and of best quality. Just keep in mind for a breakfast this big, there might be a big wait.

Get off at Central Avenue and Camelback Road:

Halo’s Precision Piercing
10 W. Camelback
Phoenix, AZ 85013
602-230-0044

Make the light rail into an adventure. Do something exhilarating, like get a piercing. Halo’s employees are the best. They are experienced and well-educated in the piercing curriculum. Halo has a massive selection of jewelry that’s of the highest quality, including organic pieces. There is also a display case dedicated to ancient cultures and artifacts. It’s a good place to find that perfect piece. The staff is extremely friendly and will gladly give after-care advice. Just make sure to show up well-fed, hydrated and alcohol-free, otherwise that piercing will have to wait.

Get off at Central Avenue and Indian School Road:

George and Dragon English Restaurant and Pub
4240 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-241-0018

The best thing to do after getting a piercing, take a shot. And there’s no better place to do it then the George and Dragon, an English pub. And if Matt’s wasn’t enough, the George and Dragon has a full menu of British delicacies, including good ol’ fish and chips.

Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and all drinks are a dollar off. George’s has a huge selection of whiskey and over 20 beers (mostly English) on tap. There’s also a pool table, darts and other fun games and events.

Football, that’s soccer in America, is the passion of the George and Dragon. “If you come during the world cup or something, there will be 500 people in here. You won’t be able to get a seat,” John Ashton, a friendly server with a flirtatious English accent says.

Ashton claims that the staff is full of other Englishmen and women, so for students that find English accents sexy, this is the spot. For students feeling lucky, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are poker nights

Stuff
4206 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-266-1967

Entering Joe Weaver’s antique store, Stuff, with a buzz, might feel like crossing over to another time or realm. Lighting, slot machines and unique trinkets are everywhere. Joe Weaver is an antique guru and has an eye for special pieces. He specializes in lighting and old-fashioned slot machines. Weaver was even a part of legalizing slot-machines for home use back in 1981.

“I’ve been in the business so long that I’m starting to see stuff I sold a long time ago,” says Weaver, who has friends and employees around the country looking for special antiques to sell in his shop. Weaver has perfected the art of finding amazing pieces. “It’s like, girls that do sewing go into a material shop and can spot great material clear across the room. I can have it in my hands studying it and I can’t tell, but they can tell. It’s experience,” he explains.

Experience has paid off for Weaver, whose antique shop is full of marvelous trinkets and valuable novelties. It’s worth stopping for just a look, but students who are looking to buy should bring a truck, in case a small purchase turns into a big purchase. It’s worth the money when the pieces are one of a kind.

Get off at Central Avenue and Thomas Road:

The Pink Spot
49 W. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
602-265-3889

“It’s unique. It’s one of a kind. There are no other pink spots,” says Jessica Wiseman, barista at the Pink Spot Ice Cream Parlor. Wiseman is a big fan of the Pink Spot for lots of reasons. “The ice cream here is the highest-grade ice cream you can possibly get. Just like beverages — you got cheap wine, good wine; cheap beer, good beer. It’s the highest level gourmet you can go with ice cream,” she says.

The shop also recently added a gourmet coffee bar. They use a local roaster and quality beans. Wiseman, who has been a barista for over 15 years, says they only hire baristas with experience so that their coffee is the best.

They make shakes, floats, sundaes and cones in a variety of different flavors. So when in need of a cold, refreshing treat, remember, Pink is the new vanilla.

Get off At Central Avenue and Washington Street:

Bar Smith
130 E. Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-229-1265

Move on from pink walls to red at the Bar Smith. This bar is modern and a bit swanky, but has a minimalist approach that keeps it from being pretentious or glitzy. The red staircase leads to the rooftop bar and loft where Phoenix night owls dance and drink until closing time. There is a VIP room for special occasions, and the inside bar is a bit quieter for the mellower crowd. The menu is small and unique, but simple. Try the Guinness Burger or the Roasted Jerk Chicken without any guilt for the recession. Everything is under 15 bucks.

Phoenix is more than the First Fridays art walk and a few begging bums. It actually has a lot to offer. Hopefully that’s enough to get our readers indulging in the ways of the rail track. So get on the light rail and start exploring.

Reach the reporter at kahavens@asu.edu.