We’re sweetening our fundraiser: Happy hour is on New Times

The old adage that if you’re not mad, you’re not paying attention needs an update in 2026. This year, if you’ve been paying attention in the least, you could probably use a bar night.

You of course know Phoenix New Times as the good-times outlet where you read about police shootings, lawmakers’ naked power grabs, your food-insecure neighbors and — you know what, come to think of it, we also did that story about cows outrunning the cops in South Phoenix. It ain’t all doom and/or gloom in your independent local news source.

But on balance this has been a heavy few months. Americans this year have grappled with war-on-a-whim chaos and government agents assaulting people in the streets. At times, you may have felt like ducking the news. Fair enough. We get it. Nonetheless, here we are — still standing, still holding power to account, still bringing you oh shit stories alongside the arts, music, restaurants and inadvertent comedy that makes life in the Valley a unique trip. 

So, in honor of our attention-paying: Let’s do that bar night.

New Times is in the home stretch of our spring fundraiser (hence the money-thermometer graphics all over the site). A couple of times a year, we invite readers like you to chip in to help us afford aggressive reporters and to keep our articles free for everyone to read. And, hey! Our readers are stepping up to become members! We love to see it! We’re going to toast those members — including you, maybe? — on Tuesday, April 28, starting at 6 p.m. in a space where we expect everyone to feel at home: Gracie’s Tax Bar, a bastion of inclusivity and chopped cheese sandwiches alike.

The first 25 members to RSVP will get a complimentary drink. (Don’t worry; the happy hour specials are straggler-friendly.) We’ll also be delivering swag to people who give at swag-worthy levels. If you’d rather just arrive at the bar with a credit card and a dream, we’ll hook you up with a custom shirt or tote bag. As usual, we’re employing a talented local artist — the inestimable Ryan Liebe, in this case — for our original, limited-edition designs.

Since 1970, Phoenix wouldn’t be Phoenix without New Times. And New Times wouldn’t be working for the entire Valley without the support of our readers. Can’t wait to hoist a glass and celebrate the next 50-plus years of giving as good as we get.