Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

The Yucca Tap Room recently expanded! A friend and I were trying to find a good laid back place to enjoy some music on a week night and noticed as we pulled up to the Yucca Tap Room there was an additional connected bar next door. Inside the main entrance, a DJ was on stage playing music with an artist working to the right of him. It was really neat to see how they both worked together simultaneously on stage; it was almost as if the painter was following his strokes with the music.

The new bar next to it is fully furnished with pool tables, music, and great drinks for everyone to enjoy! They have the whole back wall covered with a huge variety of bottled beers from all around the world as well as over eight draft beers (some of them including beers from our local Four Peaks Brewery in Tempe) to choose from. They had some really good unique tasting beers for a decent price, but don’t forget to bring cash because they do not accept debit/credit cards (There is an ATM is available). This dive bar is a nice place to come to; as soon as I walked into the Yucca Tap Room there was a great sense of atmosphere. Everyone was friendly, enjoying themselves and really excited about the new addition. Come check out the Yucca Tap Room and enjoy great live music any night of the week!

The following link has a list of their calendar of events: http://www.yuccatap.com/live.html

I have come to the conclusion that University Drive in Tempe Arizona needs to be recognized for its great dining options.  I have always stopped in once in a while to a few places, but I never really put it into the context of great food on one street.  So here I go. I’ll eat my way through University Drive!  First up, Thai Elephant near Hardy and University in Tempe.  YUM!  I am a fan of Thai food (you’ll see that in the coming weeks) and I was expecting a little hole-in-the-wall place with a few items on the menu. I was happy to find a array of options, some that I have not seen before. I had a beef noodle dish with an amazing peanut sauce.  There was so much food that I was very happy to eat the left overs the next day for lunch! I don’t do spicy, but my partner does.  He got the medium.  Beware! The medium was still really spicy – you could see the chili pepper all over his dish.  Those that love their food to be on fire, then go for it!  The prices are very reasonable and the space is large and pleasant with friendly staff to boot!  If you are looking for a great Thai food restaurant in Arizona with reasonable prices, then check out Thai Elephant.  http://www.letterse7en.com/TE/tempe.html

The Stray Cat Bar and Grill has an “Open Mic” every Monday night from 8:00 pm until Midnight. Local musician George Hughes is the host and he will make sure to furnish all musicians with acoustic guitar, bass, and percussions if needed.

For great food, awesome drink specials, and a casual atmosphere, the Stray Cat is the place to be. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive as well.

So gather the friends, come on down and show off your musical talent. The Stray Cat Bar & Grill is located at 2433 East University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281.

Is there anything finer than experiencing the first truly balmy October twilight that finally comes on the heels of so many sweltering summer nights? It happened to me last Thursday when a bunch of us met after work at the first Spiked event of the season at the Desert Botanical Garden.   The cool temps enjoyed in the gorgeous surroundings of the Desert Botanical Gardens would have been plenty for me.   But, my ticket to Spiked included delicious hors d’oeuvres and great live music, a blend of rock, jazz and funk.   The cash bar offered a nice variety of beverages including a tasty specialty cocktail inspired by the flavors of autumn.  I’m looking forward to more of these magical Thursday evenings, which will be repeated every Thursday through November 5.   

Have you checked out all the action on Thursday evenings in the Mill Avenue District?  First off, there’s Music on Mill every Thursday night from 5-9 p.m. with street musicians all along Mill Avenue.  Then there are all the MADCAP Theater events such as MAD Jazz Night and the Midnight Movie Mamacita selection of B movies that are pretty bad, but  good fun.  And starting on September 3, Mill Avenue will host “Market on Mill,” the first sustainable, carbon neutral farmer’s market in Arizona. It will be bring together an eclectic mix of local growers, area businesses, artisans, restaurants and chefs and local musicians.  The Market on Mill will take place every Thursday evening from 5-9 p.m. in the Plaza outside the MADCAP theaters.  There will also be sustainable living classes inside the theater.  Yep, Mill Avenue is all abuzz with activity on Thursday evenings.  It’s a great way to wind down the week and transition into the weekend.

Here’s a great opportunity. Emmy and Golden Globe nominated comedian David Spade will be making a special appearance at Tempe Center for the Arts on Saturday, September 12, 8:00 PM, as part of the Friends of the TCA Annual Gala.  The performance has been opened to the public for those who would like to see Spade, but may not go to the gala. Reserved seats in this intimate setting are available for $100 and the proceeds will benefit the Friends of the TCA in their effort to support programs at the Center for the Arts. It’s a great opportunity.  Seats are available at the TCA box office.  More information at www.tempe.gov/TCA.

Enjoy live music and entertainment at MADCAP Theaters, located on Mill Avenue! MADCAP Theaters are the newest entertainment venue on Mill Avenue and provide an affordable way to have fun! It makes for the perfect evening out – grab a delicious dinner on Mill Avenue and then head over to MADCAP to continue the fun! Right now MADCAP is offering their Summer Series with great entertainment happening every weekend. Check the calendar to see what bands/acts will be playing.

Tickets are between $6 and $8 and can be purchased in advance online or at the door. Doors open at 7:00 PM! 

From now until August 16, Gordon Biersch on Mill Avenue is offering summer happy hour prices from 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – close every day of the week. Specials include $3 Gordon Biersch Lagers, $2 off all wines by the glass and  $5 specialty drinks, plus a huge food selection that ranges from just $5 – $8.

I’m so excited about this because Gordon Biersch is probably one of my favorite bars on Mill Avenue, simply because they have a fantastic view from the second floor and a great menu to go along with their unique beer selection. Their outdoor patio is great for a relaxing night out, and it’s a nice way to end a fun night in Tempe.

Check out their site here for the full happy hour menu and to peruse their great selection of beer.

As the temperatures soar, there’s no need for spirits to plunge at the prospect of another summer of the dreary, dull, monotony that goes with being sequestered indoors,  avoiding the 100 + degree temperatures for months on end.  In Tempe, there is so much going on in the cool, air conditioned comfort of theatres, art galleries, museums, clubs and stores. I promise you’ll look forward to getting out to enjoy the many great plays, jazz, pop, alternative and classical musicians, comedians, author events, workshops, art exhibits and more.   

By now you’re probably wondering how best to find out what’s going on in Tempe.  The answer is by visiting www.TempeScene.com.  This on-line calendar provides the most comprehensive listing of all kinds of arts, cultural and entertainment events taking place from now through next spring in Tempe.  It’s updated regularly so keep checking. You’re sure to be rewarded with plenty of reasons to get out, brave the walk from cool air-conditioned car or light rail train and experience the fantastic entertainment experiences taking place in Tempe this summer.   

First off, I want to be clear. There is not a ghost hunting for kids at Monti’s.  That would be too creepy.  This is actually about a very fun and different summer event taking place at Monti’s La Casa Vieja this month.  I found it while perusing Monti’s website for some historical information on “The Old House.” By the way, did you know that original structure was built in 1871 as the home of Tempe Founder Charles Trumbull Hayden and it remains the oldest continuously occupied building in the entire Phoenix metropolitan area?

Along with a lot of interesting history, I came across information on this very cool goose bumpy summer activity. On the evening of June 20^th, the West Coast Ghost and Paranormal Society members will take parents and their kids on an exciting ghost hunt and tour of Monti’s.  I called for a little more information and was told that the West Coast Ghost and Paranormal Society people have been to Monti’s on other occasions and have actually found evidence of paranormal activity in the front, around the original structure.

The cost is just $22.00 per child including one adult plus $5.00 for each additional adult.  Each child receives a welcome gift.   For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, check out the website:  http://www.montis.com/events.php.  And, if there are ghosts, I’m sure they’re the friendly and gracious kind, because “The Old House” has always been a hub of hospitality.