Students sit listening to their peers perform live music within a small coffee shop, while others participate in discussions and connect through their similar interests.
This scene can be found in any one of downtown Phoenix’s businesses, which host events to better connect the city’s population, as well as ASU students. These businesses can ease the transition of making friends in a big city like downtown Phoenix.
"It's hard to meet people in the creative space if you're not in the creative space for your major," Corri DeFazio, a sophomore studying clinical exercise science, said.
They said exploring local businesses has provided an unexpected outlet for socializing that they felt they couldn't find on campus.
Songbird Coffee and Tea House hosts a variety of free events, focusing on activities that combine art with social interaction.
"(It’s) just finding ways to incorporate art into your daily life," DeFazio said. "I forced myself to go to that collage-making event ... and we ended up having such a good time."
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Elizabeth Gaxiola-Segura, a freshman studying medical studies, has visited Songbird twice for events. She said that it was really nice to see other University students participating in the Rock Painting Party, where customers decorated the cafe's patio.
Songbird has maintained a close relationship with the Downtown Phoenix campus since its opening in 2012.
"ASU is such a huge part of our business, and I feel like that's almost why a lot of our events have been centered around ASU students," Michelle Hedges, the social media manager of Songbird Coffee and Tea House, said.
Songbird connects students with resources to do the things they love, including yoga, painting, comedy and crafts.
An up-and-coming coffee shop, Cactus Cloud, was founded on the premise of "fostering connections."
"Having spaces where you do meet different people who think different things is really important," Quinlan Hamann, owner of Cactus Cloud, said.
Cactus Cloud opened its doors just last year, welcoming members of Phoenix to come create and share their art.
The coffee shop hosts Open Mic, book clubs, and one-off activities nestled away in their back room. With a makeshift stage, local art on the walls and string lights decorating the ceilings, the spot is suited for students to engage with each other.
Cactus Cloud has also provided a space for the University's music majors to perform.
"Everyone should be doing more creative stuff, no matter what it is," Hamann said. "It's fundamentally human to be creating. I think it connects people in ways that we are missing today."
Hamann’s goal for the new coffee shop is for it to serve as a safe place for young people and students in particular.
However, Cafes aren’t the only businesses bringing like-minded people together.
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs hosted its first PLUR night on Sept. 16, drawing in ravers from all over the Valley to make bracelets and listen to local DJs together.
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"It made my heart so warm ... watching everybody seem so happy about listening to the music and making bracelets of all things," Kaylee Schultz, marketing manager of Cheba Hut, said.
Kadrianna Smith, a freshman studying criminology and criminal justice, said she enjoyed getting to spend time with old friends as well as meeting other people in the rave community.
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"It's great that Cheba Hut is giving new artists a place to shine because I really did love every DJ set that was playing," Smith said.
PLUR night was the first of many, but Cheba Hut has a variety of events, such as a Halloween Market, Game Night and Boozy Bingo Night.
"It definitely gives artists and performers even a good place to come." Schultz said. "We don't have any requirements. We don't charge anyone to set up, so it's a free space to be yourself."
Edited by Kasturi Tale, George Headley and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at ajanusee@asu.edu and follow @lexijanusee on X.
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Lexi Janusee is in her first semester with the State Press. She is a freshman studying Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Theatre. Lexi also works for Blaze Radio, and is an on-air host for Open Mic.
