SPM Best of: Lifestyle

 published on Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Sam Nalven / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

Best bar on Mill: The Big Bang

Chelsea Kent / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

Best movie theatre: Harkins Camelview

Best place to hang out for under 21: Tempe Marketplace

Bettina Hansen / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

Best haircut: The Carsten Institute

Best bar on Mill
Big Bang
501 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-557-5595

The Big Bang offers not only a great show with your drink, but also a genuinely less-skeezy-than-usual bar atmosphere to pick people up in. Nothing joins two souls together more quickly than alcohol and nostalgic renditions of Oasis' "Wonderwall." With decent drink specials and prices, and only the occasional cover charge, The Big Bang doesn't break the budget while still providing a decent buzz. Things can get crowded in its less than generous space, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in entertainment. It's impossible to not have fun with two pianos jamming away old favorites, frequent on-stage antics and the occasional dance number performed by the staff. If you have sensitive ears, you may want to avoid the bar, because loud is its only volume. But then again, if you have sensitive ears, you may want to avoid all bars.

Reach the reporter at: lana.burke@asu.edu


Best place to picnic (Staff Pick)
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 602-276-6360

It's obviously going to be a bit of a drive for a moderately secluded picnic. It's the best place because it's a little getaway to a small farm just outside the city. At The Farm at South Mountain, visitors can bring their own picnic or buy food at the small restaurants. Guests sit outside at picnic tables, bring blankets to sit on, or sit at the shaded tables provided just outside the shops. Any sound of traffic is muted by the sounds of birds chirping and young children playing. The quaint little farm serves fresh, locally grown foods and meal prices are around $10. It offers freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups, baked goods and more. There's nothing like a fresh flaky-crusted mini apple pie to make a picnic complete. The Farm has three restaurants: Morning Glory Café, The Farm Kitchen and Quiessence. Each serves food for different hours of the day. It can become busy even on a weekday, especially when the weather is lovely. Just park your car in one of the lots provided or on the right side of the drive where giant pecan trees line the property.

Reach the reporter at: jvanzale@asu.edu


Best gay bar
Amsterdam
718 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602-258-6122

Located in the heart of central Phoenix, Amsterdam is a fabulous place to spend the night dancing away — whether you're gay or straight. Sure, it is primarily a gay bar, but people of all orientations come to lounge and drink cocktails. There is a moderately-sized dance floor located in a separate room. It has intense lighting and all inhibitions can be lost in the trance music. Step outside onto the spacious back patio for a breath of fresh air or a quick smoke break. There are convenient after hours on Friday and Saturday until 4 a.m., which provide a great place to end the night (since most bars close at 2 a.m.). There are no go-go boy dancers at this club. The ritzy and exquisite exterior provides a great setting for a classy night. No need to fly to Europe for a fun and wild escape — Amsterdam is just a 25-minute drive from the Tempe campus.

Reach the reporter at: valerie.gueco@asu.edu



Best jukebox
Palo Verde Lounge
1015 W. Broadway Road, Tempe, 480-968-9221

It may be small, but it more than gets the job done. Palo Verde looks a little dingy, a little off-putting, and a little dank, in a good way. In the truest form, Palo Verde Lounge is a bar. There are no frills. But patrons still have a great time. The best way to have a great time, aside from the $1 PBRs on Wednesday nights, is the jukebox. It's a classic, through and through. With iconic bands such as Zeppelin, Skynard, Steve Miller Band, Bowie and The Jam, good times are bountiful. These bands are good for the first four to five beers. After that, MC5 is a must, along with The Clash or, on a more mellow night, some Dylan or Neil Young. At three songs for a dollar, the best bet is to head straight for the jukebox, as the line of people is usually two to three deep. It may be tucked away in the corner, but it's shiny enough and big enough that it will catch even the drunkest of drunkards' eye. As small as it may be, Palo Verde Lounge will not disappoint. Unlike your boyfriend.

Reach the reporter at: mel.flores@asu.edu


Best bar off Mill (Staff Pick)
Monkey Pants
3223 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-377-8100

Everyone knows the Valley has its fair share of bars. Scottsdale is the neighborhood for getting glammed up and dancing the night away, and Mill Avenue has the quintessential friendly-college-bar scene. But when rocking a sombrero or racing a goldfish sound like perfect activities to include in a night of drinking, Monkey Pants is the place to go. Monkey Pants has drink specials almost every day — but it takes a little effort on the patron's part to snag them. On Mondays, patrons sporting a mustache can get $1.50 domestic drafts and $2.25 domestic bottles and wells. Same goes for those wearing a wig on Wednesdays or a sombrero on Sundays. The bar has goldfish racing on Thursdays with prizes for the winners and drink specials after 8 p.m. And while taking off your shirt will get you kicked out of most bars, doing it at Monkey Pants on any morning at 1 a.m. will earn you a 1-cent shot. Make no mistake — this isn't a high-class bar. Few people are dressed to impress here. But the jukebox kicks ass and gives drinkers a chance to choose a few theme songs for the night. Pool tables and stacks of board games are there for those who like to engage in a little competition while they drink. There's no designated space for dancing, but it's been done on tables, around the circular bar and in front of the big-screen TV that, for some reason, always has an image of a blazing fire on it.

Reach the reporter at: nicole.m.stewart@asu.edu


Best fortune teller
Mrs. Rita
115 W. University Drive, Tempe, 480-894-2602

Some go for fun. Others go seeking answers to questions they can't answer themselves. Whatever the reason, people have been visiting Mrs. Rita for palm readings since 1969. Mrs. Rita offers three basic services. She can do a palm reading for $30, a psychic reading for $40 or a tarot card reading for $50. Mrs. Rita says the duration of each reading relies solely on the person she's reading. She's close to campus, which has made her a popular attraction. Even though $30 may be spent more wisely on the Wendy's Value menu, the answers she gives may prove to be worth more than a Crispy Chicken Sandwich, or those delicious little nuggets. Set up an appointment or walk in, and discover anything from "Why can't I get a date?" to "Will I graduate?" The more important questions work just fine, too: "How long will I live?" or "Will I ever get to see Hannah Montana live?"

Reach the reporter at: mel.flores@asu.edu


Best movie theatre
Harkins Camelview
7001 E. Highland Ave., Scottsdale, 480-947-8778

Movie fanatics and critics alike should head to Harkins Camelview 5 Theatre. It offers only the best in independent, foreign and award winning films. Though it's owned by Harkins, it doesn't have the feeling of a large corporate theatre. The box office outside is just big enough for a couple of ticket attendants and the snack counter takes up most of the small lobby. Usually it's not too busy, unless a crew of old folks wants to see the movie with the most Oscar buzz. Here you can be the first to see films like "Juno" and "There Will Be Blood" long before other theatres show them. This theatre shows fascinating films to provide conversation material for any movie elitist. Movies shown here are usually intellectual films that offer more to the viewers than a few cheap laughs. Sure, the snacks are a little expensive, but it's worth it once you sink down into the comfortable reclining chairs. Consider this theatre next time you go out to a movie and you'll never again get sucked into seeing movies like "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

Reach the reporter at: jvanzale@asu.edu


Best place to feel like a kid
Dave and Busters
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480-281-4856

College is a time of transition. It is a time when students learn how to be independent and responsible adults — most of the time. There are moments when nothing sounds better than to go to an arcade and let loose on arcade games and win tickets. The biggest problem is how to be a kid without enduring time with actual children and their blood-curling screams. Dave and Busters, located in the Tempe Marketplace, solves both of these problems. There is a full arcade complete with arcade classics, air hockey and ticket games. They even have a ticket reclaim center with prizes such as Frisbees and shot glasses. A great feature about D&B is the bar attached to the arcade with a great beer selection. Patrons can even take drinks into the gaming area. You can score fast with an air-hockey mallet in one hand while holding a Kiltlifter in the other. D&B also has a restaurant that serves great food. D&B is for adults only, and it's awesome. You have to be 18 years old to get inside, so you won't have any tykes hogging Dance Dance Revolution when you want to impress some blonde you met at the bar.

Reach the reporter at: gralbovs@asu.edu


Best hookah
King Tut and Oasis
1125 E. Apache Blvd. and 1310 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, 480-921-1670 and 480-966-6388

Though these are two different businesses, they might as well be considered as one. Located almost across the street from one another, King Tut and Oasis each have their own style and perks to at least not be considered the same place. King Tut is a great place to lounge — literally — while smoking hookah. Much of King Tut is open seating with pillows scattered across the ground. It's a great place to go with a small group; there is plenty of room for people to gather in a circle and not be confined to chairs or couches. The Oasis has some different perks. First, it has a couple of private booths. Parties are able to get some VIP treatment, or at least feel like they're badass. Oasis is also known for their belly dancers who put on a seductive performance. It's a great place to get some entertainment as well as some great hookah.

Reach the reporter at: gralbovs@asu.edu


Best place to be a pretentious scenester
First Fridays

The artsy gathering in downtown Phoenix on the first Friday of every month, also known as First Friday, is the perfect place to scope local talent and cool haircuts. First Friday is known for its hipster appeal as it features all that is cool: art, music and kids in skinny jeans. Strap on your Chuck Taylors, black hoodies and pretentious attitudes — SPM readers have deemed First Friday as the best place to be a pretentious scenester. The event is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is organized by ArtLink, a nonprofit organization. ArtLink is dedicated to bringing together the Phoenix community to appreciate and promote the local art scene, according to the organization's official Web site, ArtLinkPhoenix.com. The self-guided walk through open art galleries features local art and is free to the public.

Reach the reporter at: megan.pantak@asu.edu


Best place to hangout for under 21
Tempe Marketplace
2000 Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe

Oh, the triumphs and tribulations of being underage and fake-IDless in Tempe. Some nights, it seems like the only place for law-abiding, under-21 Tempeans to spend Saturday evening involve either leaving Tempe, or going in search of a backyard kegger. So, Vestar came in and saved North Tempe from a retailless existence with the Tempe Marketplace, giving those underage a place to spend alcohol-less weekend nights! The District at Tempe Marketplace is the place to spend those nights, unless Target or OfficeMax particularly excite you. The District is anchored by a Harkins Theatre, featuring the Valley's second Cine Capri screen, restaurants from Chipotle to Cadillac Ranch and shopping that rivals other malls in the Southeast Valley. Movies, dinner and people watching are key activities for the under-21 crowd at Tempe Marketplace, except on the third Thursday of every month. Then, local radio station the Edge 103.9 FM sponsors a free concert for the 18 and over (or young-and-chaperoned) crowd in the center of the District. Weekend nights also feature DJs and laser shows in this location, juxtaposed by Dave and Busters, San Felipe Cantina, Cadillac Ranch, California Pizza Kitchen and Victoria's Secret. Drunks, tacos, pizzas, music and lingerie: It's really one-stop entertainment at its absolute best.

Reach the reporter at: brittany.mccall@asu.edu


Best art gallery
Modified
407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-462-5516

When it's not hosting the Valley's best indie-rock shows, this downtown Phoenix gallery is host to the hippest art on Roosevelt Street. The space is open to the public most nights after 6 p.m., featuring artwork from Valley artists like James Angel, Rachel Bess and Fausto Fernandez as well as national exhibitors. The gallery is open most days after 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. Plus it's one of the best places to use the restroom during First Fridays – a rare find on the packed strip.

Reach the reporter at: sam.gavin@asu.edu


Best place for slam poetry
Mills End Café and The Willow House
310 S Mill. Avenue and 1722 W. Van Buren, 480-829-0755 and 602-252-0272

An artier, more rhythmic version of show and tell, poetry slams offer intellectual as well as introspective entertainment. It's always questionable who will show up — will they flow, will they recite a haiku, will they cross their legs and repeat the same phrase for 15 minutes? It's also questionable what mood is going to come across, but not matter what there is always something to discuss. Arizona offers two venues. Each has a slightly different feel, but both promise true spoken art. The slam outside the Mills End Cafe brings in the usual mixed bag of Mill characters, like the incense-soaked chill hippie or the woman ranting about her rights. This slam has the bonus of being outside, so passers-by can stop for a quick listen. There's also hookah on the side as well as the best chai tea in town from the café. Slams start at around 8 p.m. every Friday. Willow House — at its new location on Van Buren — serves up practiced and amateur poets. There is also a full menu of snacks and strong coffee, and nooks and crannies to stake a spot in to sip while hearing a few good words. Poetry at Willow House is at 8 p.m. every Thursday.

Reach the reporter at: rebecca.washington@asu.edu


Best haircut (Staff Pick)
The Carsten Institute
3345 S. Rural Road, Tempe, 480-491-0449

Paying for a haircut shouldn't mean emptying out your wallet or skimping on food for a month. Some still choose to do both in the name of fashion, but you won't find those people on SPM's editorial board. We like our haircuts cute and cheap, so we head straight to The Carsten Institute, Aveda's beauty school in Tempe. It's not just that the haircuts are cheap — only $12 with a student ID. But the stylists are young, cute and know what you're saying when you tell them you want something fresh and fun. The mostly-female staff is fashionably dressed in black and white and is willing to work with indecisive customers. Appointments are recommended because the rows of styling stations are almost always filled up — yet another testament to Carsten students' capabilities. The only downside is that haircuts can take a bit longer than usual because students must check with their instructors before making any cuts. But the nearly 10-minute head massage — and adorable haircut — that come with every visit makes up for the extra time. Bomb.

Reach the reporter at: nicole.m.stewart@asu.edu