The Salted KnotIf you feel like getting twisted, The Salted Knot has you covered. Sure, “getting twisted” could be defined in many ways, but in this case, it means you have a hankering for a soft, hot, buttery pretzel. This Tempe-based business was founded during the pandemic by Maria Vassett and Chad Day for a couple of […]
Bagelfeld'sBagelfeld’s has officially put Phoenix on the bagel map. Started by Charles Blonkenfeld as a pandemic pivot, the Brooklyn-born chef grew up on bagels, but it wasn’t until 2020 that he started making them. The process takes three days and uses old-world traditions like slow-fermenting, hand-rolling, boiling in malt syrup and honey water, and baking […]
Johnny ChuJohnny Chu has spent decades creating, preparing, and serving tasty Asian cuisine, earning him a Valley-wide following. His roster of eateries includes Lucky Dragon, Fate, and Red Thai. That last one felt the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Chu had to close the doors of the chic-meets-casual north Phoenix restaurant. Earlier in 2022, Chu […]
The StorylineFlash back a few years before the pandemic, and you couldn’t go a week in Phoenix without tripping over a live storytelling event. Storytelling series and open mics sprouted up faster than weeds. Time, the most patient and merciless of gardeners, has yanked most of them out by their roots. But some plants are hardier […]
'Chaos Theory'For more than two decades, the “Chaos Theory” exhibition has been one of Phoenix’s best-loved arts traditions, in part because it brings together a stellar lineup of some of the Valley’s most renowned artists for a night of not just artwork, but also vibrant conversations and pop-up music performances. It’s typically held on First Friday […]
The Nile TheaterThe Nile Theater in Mesa is one of the Valley’s most versatile venues, easily hosting great concerts by bands in a variety of genres, from pop and punk to electronic dance music. Where the place really shines, though, is as a metal venue. And since the pandemic, it’s become the biggest hot spot for heshers […]
DarkstarIt’s been a rough couple of years for downtown Tempe nightlife. First, the pandemic wiped out a number of DJ-friendly spots along Mill Avenue. Then, popular electronic dance music hub Shady Park went dark earlier this year after losing a legal battle over noise issues with neighboring senior adult community Mirabella at ASU. So when […]
Phoenix Fan FusionSome folks attend Phoenix Fan Fusion to geek out. Others go for the chance to meet pop-culture icons and collect autographs. We’re there for the unrivaled people-watching opportunities. Roam the Phoenix Convention Center during the three-day event, and you’ll encounter a nonstop parade of interesting characters, fictional and otherwise. Nerds wearing T-shirts with snarky sayings […]
Mirabella at ASUMirabella at ASU in Tempe touts its residents as an “intergenerational community fueled by lifelong learning and collegiate energy.” You might as well add “unrelenting party-poopers” to the description, since they helped snuff out a thriving electronic dance music venue nearby. The senior-living apartment building, which is owned by Arizona State University, debuted in late […]
