I've heard a lot of people complain that there's nothing to do in Tempe. That's it's an uncultured wasteland of corporate conformity and seedy strip malls.
OK, so replace "a lot of people" with "myself." And while I tend to agree with myself on most occasions, I couldn't help but notice that there are, in fact, people out doing things on a regular basis. And oddly enough, some of them even seem to be having fun.
At first I convinced myself that they were merely just as lost as I was, wondering around for something to do or see or listen to that was worth my time.
But – sigh – it seems that, in some areas at least, I may have been wrong. Myself will get a spanking later.
For now, use the following guide to find places to eat, drink, dance, shoot pool, listen to local musicians and take in some theater. Even if you're a freshman fearful of what lies beyond those sticky Manzanita stairways, this should help lessen the what-to-do-in-Tempe woes.
COFFEE HOUSES
Diedrich's Coffee Plantation
680 S. Mill Ave., 480-829-7878
Mill's End Espresso
310 S. Mill Ave., 480-829-0755
Starbucks
420 S. Mill Ave., 480-966-7228
DANCE CLUBS
Axis & Radius
7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480-970-1112
Featuring two nightclubs fused by an upper-level catwalk and lower level starlit entryway.
Club Freedom
919 E. Apache Blvd., 480-996-8004
Bar shuts down at 1 a.m., but the dance floor remains open until 4 a.m.
Club Rio
430 N Scottsdale Rd., 480-894-0533
Dueling DJs bust out Top 40, retro and old school on Fridays and Saturday nights, and alternative every Thursday night.
Have a Nice Day Cafe
410 S. Mill Ave., 480-921-3181
'70s, '80s Retro Bar with dance area and large, "Happy Bowl" drinks.
Level
411 S. Mill Ave., 480-966-2020
Caters to an 18 and over crowd on Fridays and Sundays.
Polly Esther's 70's Disco & Culture Club 80's Retro Dance Club
2040 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-970-4455
A nostalgic club for '70s and '80s dancing.
Sanctuary
7340 E Shoeman Ln, Scottsdale, 480-970-5000
VIP room, award-winning drinks, blow-torch martinis, high-energy house and trance beats.
SANDWICHES
College Street Deli
706 S. College Ave., 480-966-9254
East Coast Super Subs
505 S. Mill Ave., 480-894-0393
Hogi Yogi
112 E University Dr., 480-350-9929
In Season Deli
414 S. Mill Ave., Suite 112, 480-966-0334
Rinaldi's on Third Deli
51 W. Third St., 480-921-9344
Sub Factory
2155 E. University Dr., 480-968-6369, 930 W. Broadway, 480-967-7573
Beer specials on Saturdays.
LIVE MUSIC
Balboa Cafe
404 S. Mill Ave., 480-966-1300
Bash On Ash
230 W. 5th St., 480-966-5600, http://www.bashonash.com/
Beeloe's Cafe & Underground Bar
501 S. Mill Ave., Suite B101, 480-894-1230
Big Fish Pub
1954 E. University Dr., 480-966-5010
Boston's
910 N. McClintock, 480-921-7343
Club Rio
430 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-894-0533
The Green Room
560 S. College Ave., 480-968-9190
Hollywood Alley
2610 W. Baseline Rd., Mesa, 480-820-7117
Long Wong's
701 S. Mill Ave., 480-966-3147
Mason Jar
2303 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-954-0455
Mill Avenue Sport Rock Cafe
3231 S. Mill Ave., 480-303-0223
Minder Binder's
715 S. McClintock, 480-966-1911
Modified Arts
407 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, 602-462-5516
Mustang Sally's Bar & Grill
1212 E. Apache Blvd., 480-929-9755
Nile Theater
105 W. Main St., Mesa, 480-649-2766, http://www.nilesucks.com/
Nita's Hideaway
1816 E. Rio Salado, 480-966-7715, (call for relocation date), "a href="http://www.nitashideaway.com/"target="_blank">http://www.nitashideaway.com/
AT ASU
Grady Gammage Auditorium, 480-965-3434
Katzin Concert Hall, 480-965-8863
Organ Hall, 480-965-8863
Recital Hall, 480-965-8863
PIZZA
Mama's Pizzeria
106 E. University Dr., 480-894-6262. Known for their killer calzones.
Papa John's
NW corner of McClintock Dr. and Southern Avenue, 480-831-8500
SW corner of Rural Road and University Drive, 480-829-3434
Pizza Hut
ASU Campus, Memorial Union Basement
Pizzeria Uno
690 S. Mill Ave., Suite 101, 480-968-1300.
The original Chicago deep-dish pizza. Patio seating available.
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza
414 S. Mill Ave., 480-967-6444
Slices
11 E. Sixth St., 480-966-4681.
Huge, New York style slices of pizza.
Sunny's Pizza and Pasta
1301 E. University Dr., 480-968-6666
T.C. Luigi's
405. W. University Dr., 480-894-8424
POOL HALLS
Champion's
1825 E Apache Blvd., 480-966-2896
Clicks
3136 S McClintock Dr., 480-491-5030
Kolby's Corner Pocket
1301 E University Dr., 480-829-7344
New York West
2155 E University Dr., 480-350-9328
Patrick's
NE Corner 48th St. and Baseline Road, 480-414-0153
Pink E's
93 E. Southern Ave., 480-829-1822
Rack & Q
1328 E. Apache Blvd., 480-968-4346
THEATERS
Drama City (ASU)
480-965-9438
ASU's venue for performance work by the Institute for Studies in the Arts, located in the Tower Center on University Drive.
Paul V. Galvin Playhouse (ASU)
480-965-6447.
Located in the Nelson Fine Arts Center.
Grady Gammage Auditorium (ASU)
480-965-3434
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Amazing acoustics. Seats 3,000 for events ranging from operas to touring Broadway shows.
Lyceum Theatre (ASU)
480-965-3437
Campus landmark and home to many of ASU's dramatic presentations.
Lyric Opera Theatre (ASU)
480-965-3398
Operatic performances are featured at this ASU venue.
The Prism Theatre (ASU)
NW corner of Rural and Lemon, inside the Ritter Building.
Houses performances of the Student Production Board of ASU.
Tempe Little Theater
132 E. Sixth St., 480-350-8388
Tempe's volunteer theatre group that performs four productions a year.
Tempe Performing Arts Center
132 E. Sixth St., 480-350-8108
