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Arts & Culture Bars & Nightlife Community Lauren Potter January 11, 2019

This is going to be a good year. We can feel it. From new shade trees and murals to highly-anticipated restaurant openings and the return of our favorite events — the forecast for 2019 is sunny with a 100 percent chance of awesome.

ARIZONA WILDERNESS BREWING CO. – COMING SPRING 2019

(Rendering: Aline Architecture Concepts)


In just a matter of months, Gilbert-based Arizona Wilderness Co. will open a fast-casual brewpub near Roosevelt and Second streets. The downtown location will offer counter service, burgers, a large patio, trees and lots of local art befitting the Roosevelt Row locale.

PARADISE HAWAIIAN BBQ – OPEN NOW

(Photo: Lauren Potter)


Currently in its soft opening, East Valley eatery Paradise Hawaiian BBQ has relocated to Downtown Phoenix. Diners can expect popular island staples like spam musubi, loco moco, chicken katsu, kal bi short ribs and more. Stop in for lunch Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 18 W. Adams Street.

M3F FEST – COMING MARCH 1-3

(Photo: M3F Fest)


In its 16th year, the family-friendly music festival brings together big names like Odeza, Empire of the Sun and Big Wild, as well as local bands like Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, The Uncommon Good and more. Festival-goers can enjoy a vendor village, games, food trunks, a kid zone and other fun activities over the three days with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting local charities. More info.

ART DETOUR – COMING MARCH 16-19

(Photo: Fara Illich)


Hosted by Artlink, Art Detour returns for the 31st year with exclusive opportunities to explore artists’ studio spaces, visit galleries, witness live mural painting and so much more. Explore the arts districts of Grand Avenue, Roosevelt Row and the Warehouse District. In 2019, you can expect more of a presence in the Downtown Core. Stay tuned for info.

LITTLE RITUALS – OPENING TBA

(Photo: Lauren Potter)


Bitter & Twisted’s Ross Simon and Aaron DeFeo of Casino Del Sol in Tucson are joining forces on a high-end cocktail lounge on the fourth floor of the Residence Inn/Courtyard By Marriott on Central Avenue. The lounge will have a menu with 33 drinks and a concise food menu. With rich interiors and views looking west toward the historic Barrister Building, it’ll be an ideal spot for a date night or an after work business meet. Still no set open date, but it’ll be soon and definitely worth the wait. Stay tuned for details.

DOWNTOWN TREE PLANTINGS & LANDSCAPING

(Photo: Lauren Potter)


Creating walkability and an improved sidewalk experience is one of the commitments of Downtown Phoenix Inc (DPI). In 2019, you can expect to see lots more trees and landscaping going into downtown tree wells and planters – courtesy of the DPI Clean & Green Team. Come summer, we’ll be singing their praises. Look out for large planters along the northeast corner of First and Washington streets, landscaping around the AT&T Building on Adams Street, as well as near the ASU Mercado and more.

DOG HAUS BIERGARTEN – OPENING 2019

(Photo: Lauren Potter)


Hot dogs and beer — what’s not to love? Downtown diners will soon have a new option for lunch and dinner when Dog Haus Biergarten opens at CityScape Phoenix. Located in the former Charming Charlie space, the California-based concept serves a variety of hot dogs, sausages and burgers (with several plant-based options, too). And of course, there will be beer.

CAMBRIA HOTEL – OPENING END OF 2019

(The Cambria hotel will feature exterior murals and an iconic sculptural shade structure. Rendering: DAVIS, with courtesy of Truth North Studio.)


Construction has begun on the new seven-story Cambria hotel in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. The 127-room hotel is slated to open at the end of 2019. The upscale hotel will feature a rooftop pool with cabanas and a bar, and panoramic views of the downtown skyline. Developer True North Studio is working with Artlink Inc. on a formal call to artists for exterior murals and other public art pieces.

MURAL AT THE MONROE BUILDING – COMING SPRING

(Photo: Lauren Potter)


Building ownership at The Monroe has been carefully redesigning the inside of the building to include new amenities and artwork on every level. During Art Detour weekend, a mural on the building’s exterior will become an outward extension of the creativity inside the building. Downtown Phoenix Inc. is partnering with Artlink to put out a call to artists for the mural on January 16, so tell your artist friends to keep their eyes peeled.

URBAN WINE & JAZZ WALK – COMING MAY 4


The best way to discover new wines, meet friends and explore downtown is Urban Wine & Jazz Walk. The popular self-guided tour returns for its seventh year to satiate the senses of day drinkers in Downtown Phoenix and beyond. For the third year in row, Downtown Phoenix Inc. will be supporting live jazz performers in a number of venues throughout our beautiful, walkable urban center as participants explore the city one sip at a time enjoying great music along the way. Stay tuned for updates.

BOSA DONUTS – COMING EARLY 2019

(Photo: Lauren Potter)


Things will soon be sweeter in Downtown Phoenix when Bosa Donuts opens this summer. The local chain is known for its delicious donuts, and modest menu of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, boba teas and more. The new location will be on Monroe Street on the ground floor of the 101 North Building. Another location is slated for on the ground floor of the Summit Lofts near Chase Field.

THE STEWART – OPENING EARLY 2019


The 19-story high rise apartment project adaptively reuses part of a historic car dealership, the 1947 Stewart Motor Co. more recently known as Circles Discs and Tapes. It features 312 one- and two-bedroom units and 9,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor. The first retail tenant, Snooze: an A.M. Eatery was recently announced for the space.