Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

Downtown Pub Crawl Saturday

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

We’re just four days from the greatest night you’ll never remember.

4thPubCrawlWEB The Fifth Annual Downtown Phoenix Pub Crawl happens this Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

For $12 online or $15 day-of, Crawlers can partake in drink deals at an unprecedented 20 bars, trolley service, beads, a post-Crawl breakfast/dance party at Steve’s Greenhouse Grill, plus cab and hotel discounts.

Because we don’t want our favorite people to miss out on any of the Pub Crawl shenanigans, we’re sweetening the deal by giving online purchasers an extra $2 off when they enter the promo code FB2.

(For math majors, that knocks the price down to an even $10.)

BREAKING PUB CRAWL NEWS: Should you complete your Pub Crawl mission and make it all the way to Steve’s Greenhouse Grill for breakfast and dancing, we’ll have some sweet giveaways waiting, including concert tickets, Flogging Molly pint glasses, CDs, DVDs, and jars of our homemade country mustard! HUGE thanks to our sponsor X103.9 FM!

You’ll find a complete list if bars, deals, official Pub Crawl map, cab and hotel deal information, and much more at our Pub Crawl home page.

See you Saturday!

** Tickets purchased online can be picked up beginning at 10 a.m. at the Downtown Ambassador Information Center (101 N. 1st Ave.)

Tags: bar smith, Bliss/ReBAR, Bread Fruit, Brick, carly's bistro, CityScape, Coach & Willie's, Copper Blues, crescent ballroom, downtown phoenix, friday's front row, Ghost Lounge, hooter's, Lucky Strike, Rose and Crown, seamus mccaffrey's, Tilted Kilt, Turf
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Business Development, Community Commentary, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | 1 Comment »

Downtown Street Party Friday

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

This Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Downtown Phoenix Partnership is closing down Adams Street between Central and First Avenue and throwing a huge Street Party.

Street_Party This FREE, family friendly event is a celebration of the Downtown experience and everyone is invited to attend.

Street Party-goers can look forward to

* Live music from Bad Lucy

* Food stands from Bistro 202, Baja Fresh, Tom’s Tavern, Spoonz, Courthouse Cafe, Karim’s Cobbler & Deli, Hard Rock Cafe, Thai’d Up, Matador Mexican Restaurant, Phoenix Public Market, Arrogant Butcher, ZPIZZA and Tilted Kilt, plus other great Downtown restaurants like Copper Blues, Downtown Deli, Kincaid’s, and Coach & Willie’s

* Information booths for the Fifth Annual Downtown Pub Crawl and Zombie Walk 3

* Sports and cultural destinations Valley Youth Theatre, Herberger Theater Center, Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Suns, Theatre League, Phoenix Symphony, Comerica Theatre, and Rosson House

*Health and Beauty businesses Shell Chiropractic, Lincoln Family YMCA, LifeStart, Downtown Salon Phoenix, Union Optical, Downtown Dental, Perry Monge Salon & Spa, Renaissance Chiropractic, Par Exsalonce, Youngblood Haircutters, CMG CareToday and Health Coach

* Downtown businesses and organizations Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, FedEx, MidFirst Bank, Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, Bike Force, Mutual of Omaha, AAMCO, US Bank

Food, music, games, giveaways, and more… come spend part of your Friday with us!

Tags: Bad Lucy, downtown phoenix, Street Party
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Business Development, Community Commentary, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | No Comments »

Support Valley of the Sunflowers

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

If you’re eager to see the field of sunflowers bloom at Valley of the Sunflowers (854 N. 6th Street) and want to be involved, check out their inspiring Kickstarter video. You can contribute $1 and up. If the full $15,000 is not raised by Tuesday, October 25 at 12:01 a.m. MST, the amount they have raised will be forfeited. All contributions are tax deductible.

The sunflowers are now sprouting! Help them maximize this project’s potential and fulfill their mission to:

1. Create a transformative educational experience for local students.
2. Reduce urban blight by temporarily activating & beautifying vacant land.
3. Provide a biofuel source for the Bioscience High School’s hybrid vehicle using sunflower oil.
4. Serve as an innovative catalyst for sustainable energy and transportation in Phoenix.
5. Bring excitement and inspiration to Downtown.

Tags: downtown, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix events, downtown phx, phoenix, phoenix art, phoenix events, Valley of the Sunflowers
Posted in Arts & Culture, Business Development, Community Commentary, Family, Featured | No Comments »

Crescent Ballroom Debuts

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Downtown Phoenix’s claim as Arizona’s No. 1 destination for live music was strengthened this week when Stateside Presents opened Crescent Ballroom, a mid-size venue already attracting big-time buzz.

Located at 308 N. 2nd Ave., in the early 19oos-era building formerly occupied by Bentley’s nightclub, Crescent artfully revamped the space into separate lounge and theater spaces. Benjamin Leatherman of Phoenix New Times described the venue this way after attending Monday’s Grand Opening featuring Blind Pilots (photo below taken by Ernie Rodriguez):

“Crescent Ballroom mixes all the best parts of other Downtown Phoenix venues both past and present into its milieu. There’s the exposed brick and wooden rafters look and intimate vibe of Modified Arts back when it hosted regular shows. Its centralized location and large stage evokes the feel of the bygone Brickhouse, while the arty drink selection and darkened ambiance of the lounge remind you of the Lost Leaf.”

crescent2 If Letherman’s wonderfully woven words don’t close the deal, foodies will be interested to learn that Crescent will soon open a kitchen, Cocina 10, run by all-star chefs Chris Bianco (Pizzeria Bianco) and Doug Robson (Gallo Blanco),which will open later this month.

Or, if you’re all about the music, take a gander at Crescent Ballroom’s full calendar, which offers a little bit of everything including local and regional up-and-comers (Black Carl, Dry River Yacht Club) DJs (Melo, Kismet), jazz, blues, and the hippests of hip indie rock (Blitzen Trapper, The Naked and the Famous, St. Vincent, Deer Tick).

The Crescent Ballroom lounge, one of 20 bars participating in the Oct. 22 Downtown Phoenix Pub Crawl, opens daily at 4 p.m.

Track the venue’s evolution on Facebook and Twitter.

Rock on.

Tags: bentley's, charlie levy, crescent ballroom, downtown phoenix, Downtown Phoenix Music, stateside presents
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Business Development, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | 3 Comments »

Mas Calaveras

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

The other day as we were driving over to see the Valley of the Sunflowers field, my companion said, “There’s a new mural.” I knew right away that it was done by Lalo Cota since it features his unmistakable calaveras which I have blogged about before. Here’s a collage I did last year featuring several of them, scattered about the Downtown Phoenix area.

Sometimes Lalo collaborates with Thomas Breeze and/or Pablo Luna. I was excited to see a new one on the front of Tacos de Juarez (authentic Mexican food at 1017 N. 7th Street) and I know there are a couple more around town, too, that I will blog about soon. It’s great to be photographing a few more murals again and we’re coming up on the best time of year to be walking around colorful Downtown Phoenix with a camera.

I didn’t see any signatures so I’m not sure if he did the rooster, too.

Stay tuned for some new and updated murals…

Tags: downtown, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix restaurants, downtown phx, Lalo Cota, Murals, phoenix, phoenix art, things to do
Posted in Arts & Culture, Community Commentary, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | No Comments »

Festivals Highlight Weekend Events

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Downtown Phoenix will host two dynamic festivals this weekend: Herberger Theater Center’s Second Annual Festival of the Arts and the Rainbows Festival.

20AnnHTCcolor [Converted] These two events promise to bring thousands of people into Downtown.

Festival of the Arts

The second annual Herberger Theater Center Festival of the Arts takes place Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1-5 p.m. and offers indoor/outdoor performances on four stages, wine tasting, children’s activities, short films, and culture for all ages and tastes. Tickets for Festival of the Arts ($5, free for kids 12-under) can be purchased the day of the event at the gates (Third Street and Monroe, Second Street and Monroe). There is free parking courtesy of Arizona Center (Fifth Street and Fillmore). Bring your parking ticket to the Festival to redeem.

Rainbows Festival

A Downtown tradition since 2002, Rainbows Festival & Street Fair is a FREE celebration of the diversity of the LGBT community and takes place at Heritage Square Park. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Rainbows Festival is one of the largest LGBT events in Arizona and offers a full weekend of activities, including music, dancing, a wide variety of food, drinks, and exhibitors.

Hope to see you this weekend in Downtown Phoenix!

Tags: Arizona Center, Festival of the arts, Herberger Theater Center, Heritage Square, Rainbows Festival
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Community Commentary, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | No Comments »

Heart of the City Phx Showcase Friday

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

The fourth monthly installment of Heart of the City: Phx will take place Friday, Sept. 30 at Coach & Willies in Downtown Phoenix.

The showcase will feature painters, DJs, poets, musical acts, fashion designers, and other special performances.

heart of city Doors open at 7 p.m. and the live show starts at 8 p.m. Attire is artistically authentic; cover is $10.

Heart of the City: Phx is a local grassroots event, directed by Reginald McKinley, that aims to promote the unification of the Arizona arts communities with the greater masses within Arizona as well as raise the platform for the premiered artists to be recognized within the US and abroad. By booking artists from all over the state (Payson, Yuma, Tucson, etc.) and national artists from Albuquerque and New York, Friday’s Heart of the City: Phx will redefine the expectations for live art demonstrations in the Valley.

The programming will start with live rotational figure models donning the premiered designers’ creations. This hour offers the audience the opportunity to sketch the models, look at the two-level hanging art gallery, order premium drinks and food, or just network with the artist while DJ Sac Fly, resident DJ of Heart of the City: Phx, spins the most eclectic and modern sounds. As time segues into the 8 o’clock hour the sun sets and the live show begins.

Friday’s showcase will premier Chelsea Ellison (painter), Niccolea Nance (painter/poet), Matt Crux (painter), John Garza (painter), Steve Caballero (painter), Cane (graffiti), Jack Ash Art (visual), Sammie Nichs (photographer), Herschel Walker (fashion designer), Think Positive Apparel (fashion line), Brenda Lisa (MUA), Jay Jordan (model), Candace Roberts (model), Tameka Bowen (acoustic singer), Ordained (gospel group), The Original Saku (hip hop), Jeary Sylves (poet), Tricia Moore (special performance), DJ 2 Drop & DJ Smooth (DJ team) with more surprise artists to be named.

What is Heart of the City Phx? Watch this video —> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV4E325amvg&feature=related

Like on Heart of the City Phx on Facebook —> http://www.facebook.com/heartofthecityphx

Hope to see you out for the showcase and remember… everything’s LIVE!

Tags: art, Coach & Willie's, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix events, phoenix art, Phoenix Arts & Culture, poetry, things to do
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Featured, Music & Events | No Comments »

Urban Wine Walk Saturday

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Join the throng of wine enthusiasts and urban adventurists who will be rating grapes during Saturday’s Urban Wine Walk.

This free event encourages Wine Walkers to ride METRO light rail (just $3.50 for a day pass) between three hubs–Downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Uptown–to get a taste of the emerging wine and dining scene in our Central City.

You’ll make the jump from novice to wine expert as you sample 2 oz pours on a diverse list of over 50 wines. From deep red Cabernets and Pinot Noirs to sweeter Chardonnays and Rieslings, the Urban Wine Walk has something for all tastes. Pours are priced between $2-$4 and restaurant hosts will provide Wine Walkers with tasty palate-cleansing snacks along the way.

Urban Wine Walk is scheduled to run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. but don’t be surprised if a thirsty mob arrives at Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery & Wine Bar early to claim the free gift bags being doled out while supplies last.

In all, 17 bars and restaurants will participate in this event, which is sponsored by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership and Mix 96.9 FM. Downtown restaurants include 1130, The Arrogant Butcher, Brick Pizzeria, ICON, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, Kincaid’s, Networks, Nobuo at Teeter House, Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery & Wine Bar, Province, Rose & Crown, Sam’s Café, and Steve’s Greenhouse Grill. Everything a Wine Walker needs, including a full list of participants, maps, plus wine and snack deets, is available at downtownphoenix.com/winewalk.

And while you’re bumping around the Interwebs check out other great events coming this fall to Downtown Phoenix at downtownphoenix.com/liveitup

See you Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tags: 1130, 96.9, Arrogant Butcher, Big Fat Greek Restaurant, Brick Pizzeria, clear channel, district american kitchen, downtown phoenix, Hulu's, ICON, kincaid's, Maizee's Cafe, Nobuo at Teeter House, phoenix public market, Province, Rose & Crown, Sam's Cafe, steve's greenhouse, Urban Wine Walk
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Business Development, Community Commentary, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | 1 Comment »

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Finally, football is back and Downtown Phoenix is the place to cheer for your favorite college (Go Devils!) and pro (Go Cardinals!) teams.

Ready? Set? Then take a short hike to one of Downtown’s great sports bars for football, food and fun with friends.

Coach & Willie’s

Winner of the Phoenix New Times’ Best Downtown Sports Bar in 2009 and 2010, Coach & Willie’s has been a mainstay for Downtown sports fans since opening in 2000. C&W offers plenty of indoor/outdoor seating, a wide array of TVs, and a stellar hangover menu featuring “The Kitchen Sink,” a mixture of eggs, potatoes, ham, bacon, red onions, green chilies, tomato, avocado, and cheese that is baked and served with toast or English muffin ($7).

Majerle’s

Don’t let this restaurant’s name trick you into thinking it’s only a basketball bar. Since 1992, former Phoenix Suns guard “Thunder” Dan Majerle’s sports bar and restaurant has been a headquarters for sports fans in search of cold drinks and hot wings. And if you head to Majerle’s for Monday Night Football you’ll be rewarded with $5 martinis!

The Rose & Crown

This Heritage Square pub caters to futball fans and football fans alike and on NFL Sundays offers a $3 breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon. This Sunday you can join the Rose & Crown lads for their Annual Pig Skin Pig Roast, with all you can eat pork, bag toss, horseshoes, drink specials, and televisions out on the porch.

Alice Cooper’stown

If you’re headed to the Diamondbacks/Padres game this Sunday make a pit stop at Cooper’stown to check the progress of your fantasy teams. While you’re there, take on the “Man vs Food”-approved Bases Loaded Big Unit, a full pound 22-inch Vienna beef hot dog loaded with chili, bacon, jalapenos, tomatos, kraut, sweet relish, cheese and a pile of French fries.

Hooters

Not only can you get great wings and cold beer at this scenery rich Arizona Center sports bar but on Sundays kids eat free!

Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery

Downtown’s newest sports bar and grill, CityScape’s Tilted Kilt, is the place where a cold beer never looked so good. In addition to the lovely Tilt Girls, the Kilt is a sports geek’s dream with dozens of TVs, a patio that looks out at US Airways Center and Chase Field, and a mouth-watering menu of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, Irish stew, fish n’ chips, and TK’s signature wings.

Networks

Huddle up around Networks large bar and cheer for your favorite teams over mouth-watering burgers and thirst-quenching cocktails.

Friday’s Front Row

Friday’s Front Row isn’t just for baseball fans. Get all of your TGIF favorites, including Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Pasta, Tornado Nachos, and Jack Daniel’s Grill shrimp, chicken and ribs.

So, are you ready for some football?

Tags: Coach & Willie's, downtown phoenix, hooter's, Lucky Strike Lanes, majerles, Rose and Crown, Tilted Kilt
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Business Development, Community Commentary, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | No Comments »

Go Far East Downtown

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Dining in Downtown Phoenix is hotter than Sriracha sauce and in no food genre is Downtown’s upward trending more apparent than Asian dining.

In the last year alone Downtown Phoenix has added five (!) Asian dining spots, with a sixth (Jimmy Carlin’s Asian chop house concept Silk Sushi) coming soon to the Kimpton Palomar hotel at CityScape.

Here’s a quick rundown of Asian dining options in Downtown Phoenix:

Sing High Chop Suey House

The elder statesman of Downtown Phoenix restaurants, Sing High Chop Suey House has been serving up classic Chinese dishes–from orange chicken and chow mein to the namesake chop suey–for over 80 years. History, delicious food, wallet-friendly prices, and free on-site parking. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Urban Wok

Located in Phoenix Convention Center’s Metro Marche, Urban Wok’s menu offers basic food court-style Asian fare, including Beef & Broccoli, General Tso or Sesame Chicken, and Sweet & Sour Pork. Hours are dependent on Convention Center events.

Yasda Bento

Open for lunch Monday-Friday, Yasda Bento is the place to go when you want a fast, filling and inexpensive meal. Located on Adams Street between First Avenue and Central, Yasda Bento is mostly known for Japanese-style rice bowls but also offers plates, soups, and salads.

Thai Elephant

Just a few steps from Yasda Bento you’ll find Thai Elephant, consistently one of the best-reviewed restaurants in Downtown. Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday, Thai Elephant’s menu includes over 100 dishes including everything from curry and noodles to grilled proteins and fried rice. Favorites include Hawaiian Lover, Pad Thai, Siamese Basil and Panang.

Hsin Cafe

Perfectly situated next to Taylor Place on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix, Hsin Cafe warms the bellies of students and workers alike with its healthy family recipes, including Beef & Mushrooms, Chow Mein, Beef Stew, and Curry Bowls. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Nobuo at Teeter House

Located in historic Heritage Square, James Beard Award-winning chef Nobuo Fukudu encourages patrons to leave behind familiar thoughts and expectations of sushi rolls or teriyaki to prepare for a entirely new Japanese cuisine experience. Notable: Nobuo received a rare five-star review from longtime Arizona Republic food critic Howard Seftel. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday.

Viet Kitchen

Part of the formidable cluster of Asian restaurants located between First Avenue and Central and Adams and Monroe, Viet Kitchen has incredible Pho noodle dishes, barbecued chicken, pork sandwiches, and some of the tastiest spring rolls you’ll find anywhere.

Thai Basil

A couple doors down from Viet Kitchen is Thai Basil, the favorite Asian dining brand known throughout the Valley and former winner of the Phoenix New Times’ “Best Thai Restaurant” award. Thai Basil offers flavorful curry and noodle dishes, as well as grilled and stir fry plates. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Thai’d Up

Located on Central and Adams, Thai’d Up brings the heat with its lunch and dinner specials, which include Drunken Noodles, Spicy Eggplant, Moo Dang, Spicy Green Bean, Pad Thai, Ginger Angel, plus Pho and curry dishes. Be sure to try the Coconut Soup, which will blow your mind and taste buds. Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

Kokoro Sushi & Noodle Bar

Located in Arizona Center, Kokoro is the place to go to get your sushi fix. What Kokoro lacks in square footage (it’s cozy) it more than makes up for with taste and value. Beyond classic sushi rolls, Kokoro’s menu features noodle dishes, salads and can’t miss lunch specials like chicken or beef and rice, alad, 4-piece California roll and 3-piece tempura all for $8.50. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Hopefully this list has made you extremely hungry and you’ll take your appetite to one of these excellent restaurants. Better yet, try them all!

Tags: Asian Dining, downtown phoenix, Kokoro Sushi, Sing High, Thai Basil, Thai Elephant, Thai'd Up, Urban Wok, Viet Kitchen, Yasdo Bento
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Business Development, Community Commentary, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | No Comments »