PHX Insider: Live Music

March 13, 2015

If you love live music, then you'll love Phoenix. This month, the city is host to several music festivals featuring many different genres. This weekend, VIVA PHX features 80 acts at 20 different venues around downtown and the Pot of Gold musical festival is taking over Tempe Beach Park for four days. Later on in March, the McDowell Mountain Music Festival hits town as well.

While these special festivals will be great, Phoenix actually has great, affordable live music almost every night. From jazz to indie pop to electronic music, Phoenix has something for everyone.

Crescent Ballroom

Crescent truly has it all when it comes to live music and entertainment -- from indie rock shows to trivia nights to drag shows. All shows in the lounge area are free while most others are just $10 to $20. Crescent also has a full kitchen serving Mexican inspired dishes until midnight every night. The venue is located just a block west of the Van Buren light rail stop, making it easily accessible from the hostel by public transportation.

Third Space

This restaurant bar has free live music most Fridays and Saturdays. Located around an outdoor patio with a collection of other locally owned small businesses, Third Space serves brunch, lunch, and dinner as well as wine and beer. When the weather is nice (aka anytime but summer) shows are held on the outdoor patio, but when the rare rain storm or chilly night rolls in, shows are held inside among comfy couches and an exposed brick wall interior. Located on the corner of Grand Avenue and 11th Avenue, Third Space is about a 15 minute walk from the hostel.

Lost Leaf

There's no better kind of live music than FREE live music. Located in a revamped house on 5th Street, Lost Leaf has a free show every single night starting at 9 pm. Artists range from rock bands to indie acts to house DJs. The bar serves up a great selection of Arizona brews and features a back yard patio area to escape the sometimes cramped quarters of the 'stage' area. Lost Leaf is about a half hour walk from the hostel or a cheap uber or taxi ride.

The Nash

This is the prime destination for jazz music in Arizona. The Nash is an intimate club in the arts district on Roosevelt Row and has live jazz just about every day. Ranging from blues to big band to Latin style jazz, it's a great place for casual fans and jazz aficionados alike. Most shows range from $5 to $15 and there are usually tickets available for purchase at the door.

While there is a small selection of snacks and drinks for sale inside, you're best off visiting a neighboring bar for sustenance beforehand if you want a nice meal or more drink options. Short Leash, a bar/restaurant next door, serves gourmet hot dog dishes, homemade donuts, and has a huge selection of canned craft beers. They also have a few local Arizona wines on tap. Or you could check out Carly's just another block down the road for bistro plates and specialty cocktails. And all this is within a 25 minute walk of the hostel or a quick bike ride.

(Brought to you by Ally Thibault)

PHX Insider: Grand Avenue

March 6, 2015

*2023 Update ThirdSpace was replaced by Wayward Brewery, Bragg’s Factory Diner was replaced by Bacanora PHX, The Winnie was replaced by Trans Am Cafe.

March is a beautiful time in Phoenix, and not just because of the sunny skies and warm weather. This month features a ton of art and music festivals to celebrate the up and coming culture of the city. This weekend is Art Detour on Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue, where it is called the DeTour de Grand.

It features open studios and pop-up galleries on the streets to showcase the work local artists are doing. Since the hostel is close by to the art galleries and small businesses of Grand Ave, we decided to share a list of our favorite hang out spots there.

The Shops at Third Space

This collection of local businesses at the corner of Grand and 11th Ave has it all -- breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcohol, coffee roasted on-site, live music, an art gallery, a tattoo parlor, a barber shop, and even an eyeglass repair shop. And all with a weird-in-a-good-way vibe. The cute little cottage style buildings that surround the communal rustic patio area actually use to be part of an internment camp during World War II. While that's a pretty heavy thought, seeing how it has been transformed into a vibrant and welcoming community hang out spot really makes you appreciate what art and good people can do for a place.

Just a short walk or even shorter bike ride from the hostel, the shops at Third Space are the perfect place for an afternoon sipping espresso on the patio with new friends or catching up on work on your laptop in the sunshine. All the business owners are super down to earth and great to chat with about the arts scene in Phoenix. And at night, it's a great place to grab drinks and enjoy some local musicians.

Bragg's Factory Diner

Located in a strip of art galleries and studios across from Third Space, this small cafe is big on charm. Bragg's bakes fresh vegan dessert pies everyday -- everything from Fireball Whiskey Apple Pie to Cherry Cheesecake -- and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner pies as well. The cafe has a small town rural feel with its collection of old Arizona road maps, classic candies, and standard diner fare. Pie slices are about $3 - $5 each and the flavor options are endless.

Bikini Lounge

You probably think Tuesdays are just another boring weekday where there's nothing fun to do after dinner time, huh? Not in Phoenix! Just down the street from the hostel is a wonderful little tiki bar called Bikini Lounge, which hosts a free, funky dance party every Tuesday. Featuring a DJ spinning old vinyl records ranging from funk to cumbia and a cash bar with cheap well drinks and pitchers, it's arguably one of the best nights out in the area.

The party starts just after 10 pm on Tuesdays and gets pretty packed by 11 pm. Oh, and those late night munchies you'll get after a couple hours of dancing? Bikini's has you covered there too with a street food cart set up just outside the entrance serving Navajo fry bread smothered in your choice of either veggies and beans or powdered sugar.

The Winnie

If all your busy traveler activities are starting to take a toll on your mind and body, it's time for a relaxing yoga session at The Winnie. Right next door to Bikini, this dance studio offers $5 beginner and intermediate yoga classes. Sessions run on Saturdays at 10 am, Sundays at 11:30 am, and Mondays through Wednesdays at 6 pm.

(Brought to you by Ally Thibault)

PHX Insider: Arizona Cocktail Week

February 18, 2015

In honor of Arizona Cocktail Week -- happening now through Saturday the 21st -- we decided to round up a list of downtown spots with the best drinks and atmosphere Phoenix has to offer.

Phoenix doesn’t have one main street packed with rowdy bars like some other cities do -- but it doesn’t need one either. The drinking holes scattered through downtown offer everything from craft cocktails, creative late night food menus, and hip vibes… all minus the pretension.

If you’re in town during cocktail week and want to score the best deals, make your first stop at The Vig Fillmore to buy a cocktail week wristband for $10. Wearing this red bracelet at bars will get you half priced cocktails at several participating businesses. And it ends up paying for itself after only a couple drinks.

If you come after the week wraps up, don’t worry. You can still get good deals on drinks and food during happy hour! You can reach all these bars easily on public transportation from the hostel or take a little more time to walk to them with some fellow guests to explore Phoenix on your way.

The Vig Fillmore - (606 North 4th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85003)

Walking down the flagstone path into The Vig’s secluded patio feels like walking around a friend’s house to their backyard garden party. Totally fenced in by warm-colored wood paneling and strings of incandescent light bulbs, the outdoor lounge area has all the comforts of someone’s yard with a touch of urban sophistication -- and, of course, a fully stocked bar.

A square-shaped bar in the center of the outdoor area has TVs to catch a sports game, but the best seats in the house are the cushioned adirondack chairs clustered about coffee tables at the edges of the patio. There is also an area to play garden games like cornhole or bocce.

Enjoy the warm night air and chilled out electro-indie music as you sip on cocktails named after streets and neighborhoods in Phoenix and munch on late night favorites like sweet potato fries or nachos. The Moreland Marg is an especially good option: Your standard margarita jazzed up with habanero-infused tequila for an extra kick of spice. Only for those who enjoy hot and spicy flavors though, the first few sips will definitely make your eyes water.

Cocktails are normally $10 each, with a different one being featured for half off each night of cocktail week. If you’re curious about any new drinks, just ask the friendly, down-to-earth bartenders. Beers are all $5 or less and glasses of wine range from $7-13 each. Bottles of wine are always half off on Sundays, a great time to round up some new friends from the hostel and sip away a warm Phoenix evening!

The Arrogant Butcher - (2 East Jefferson Street #150 Phoenix, AZ 85004)

The bartender works on serving up the day's special cocktail: Butcher's Blood and Sand.

For a slightly more upscale option, hit up The Arrogant Butcher for drinks and small plates of fine cheeses and cured meats. Located just across the street from U.S. Airways Center, home of basketball’s Phoenix Suns, and Chase Field, home of baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks, this bar makes for a perfect pre- or post-game spot. Or even a nice place to watch the game if you couldn’t get tickets.

Try to grab a few seats at the bar, otherwise you could be in for a 20-30 minute wait for a table at this popular dinner destination. But even a moderate wait would be worth taking in the Victorian meets modern vibe of the space. Sleek, simple furniture is accented with touches of leather and lace while mixologists in bow-ties shake up quality libations.

Feel like a connoisseur of fine provisions by asking the bartender about the various cheese and meat platter appetizer options. Be warned though, when they say ‘small plates’ they mean very small. If there’s more than two of you or you’re feeling hungry, order a few different plates to snack off of. At $5-8 each, it’s fun to mix and match a few, call it a light dinner and share with a friend.

Cocktails are all about $10, with one being featured for half off every night of cocktail week. Go during happy hour any week of the year (Monday through Saturday from 3-6pm) and you can get select cocktails for only $4! Same goes for happy hour beers, wines, and a few small plates.

Phoenix Public Market Cafe - (14 East Pierce Street Phoenix, AZ 85004)

Okay, saved my favorite spot for last, and although it’s not technically a part of cocktail week this year, they have affordable drinks every night of the year during their 3pm to 10pm happy hour. The cafe is located right next door to the public market that rolls in on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, so many of the foods served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are sourced from the local sellers at the market.

Feel instantly a part of the community as you feast on healthy-yet-tasty fresh food at wooden cafe tables with mini cactus centerpieces. The half open air bar has part indoor seating and part outdoor seating, so no matter where you sit you can catch the gentle desert breeze as you snack and sip your time away. Besides the endless local food options, this is also a good place to try locally roasted coffee, a few Arizona wines, and some beers from Arizona breweries.

While there is a definite hipster vibe with many tattooed and pierced servers and customers, everyone is genuinely friendly with none of the typical hipster pretension or snobbery. And there is still a diversity of customers that come in to complete the community feel, from older couples relaxing with mid-morning espresso to children and families having lunch and bakery treats. There is also community night on Sundays and Mondays from 5pm to 10pm where you can get a three course dinner for only $13 -- a total steal for the quality here.

Cocktails are normally $8, beers are $4, and all glasses of wine are under $9. During happy hour, you can get a pitcher of beer for $5 (yes, you read that right), some wines for $5 or $6, and select cocktails for only $5. The entire wait staff is really friendly and loves to chat about local Phoenix happenings with customers.