Rock-N-Roll Fingers

If the last time you enjoyed fried chicken fingers was when you were in grade school, then you haven’t been to Rock-N-Roll Fingers. The bland staple of every kids’ menu has graduated to become a meal that would make any adult happy at this Tempe restaurant. The all-white chicken fingers are fresh, breaded by hand, […]

Rooftop Lounge & Patio

Located on the top level of the Mill Avenue building that houses Hooters and The Big Bang, the Rooftop Lounge sports a sprawling bar stocked with plenty of high-end libations, a huge dance floor, and spectacular views of downtown Tempe. A pair of posh lounge areas are also available, with the outdoor version offering white […]

Royal Taj Indian Cuisine

Indian food just tastes better when it feels like you’re on the enchanted subcontinent. Take a trip in without leaving the Valley by stepping past the threshold at Royal Taj. The interior is decorated with elegant Indian furnishings and d

Rula Bula

Situated inside the Victorian-era Andre building, Rula Bula is an authentic-looking pub that’s steeped in history. It’s housed in an old Mill Avenue saddle shop that dates back to the 1880s, while its walls are lined with vintage Irish relics that were imported from Ireland by owner Steven Goumas. The menu also offers a few […]

Sail Inn

The Sail Inn may be known for its devotion to jam bands and generally hippie-friendly vibe, but recent years have seen the selection of music there expand. Any given night you may find DJs rocking beats, indie rockers doing their thing, or any of the characteristically “love, peace, and chicken grease” type acts. The Sail […]

Salut Kitchen Bar

This easygoing wine bar, about two miles away from Mill Avenue, is a comfortable place to escape Tempe’s more chaotic main drag. But although its selection of over fifty kinds of Old and New World wines, as well as craft brews and cocktails, satisfies, its offerings in the way of familiar American and Mediterranean-inspired eats […]

San Diego Bay Restaurant

San Diego Bay Restaurant is all about seafood, whether it’s tostadas stacked with octopus, calamari, and shrimp, or marlin tacos. Walls decked with shark jaws and plastic fish create a family-friendly environment.

San Felipe’s Cantina

You know you’re at a Mexican restaurant that’s more party than fine dining destination when folks recommend the Sonoran Chicken Sandwich: You’ll find it among the items on Felipe’s “Gringo Grub” list. The good news: The scene is always lively at this Tempe Marketplace bar/restaurant, conveniently overlooking the outdoor music/performance stage.

School of Rock

This Mill Ave. nightspot has quickly established itself as the place to shake it in Tempe, combining rock ‘n’ roll trappings with heavy electronic sounds. The walls are lined with glittering bottles of booze; stars hang from the ceiling and neon-lit stripper poles dot the upstairs lounge. The rock ‘n’ roll vibe extends to the […]