Issue 13 Tempe Arizon

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There’s This Placeby Aaron Drake

Tempe Arizona, The Little Big City

With the heart of a small town and the soul of a big city, many gay and lesbian travelers find their way to sunny Tempe, Arizona, and are surprised by this little big city. When visiting Tempe you can expect to find all you’ll need to have a blast—shopping, delicious restaurants, sporting events, a thriving arts community, live music scene, and even lodgings with a personality all its own, set in the scenic desert landscape.

Visitors will notice right away that Tempe is an LGBT-friendly town. It’s home to the first university to recognize the gay fraternity Sigma Phi Beta and lesbian sorority Gamma Rho Lambda. Tempe also boasts having one of the first openly gay mayors, Neil Guiliano, who served for four terms. The city

still enjoys a progressive mayor who continues to work for the community, Mark Mitchell, who recently helped implement a citywide LGBT nondiscrimination policy. I could easily feel the welcoming vibe just walking down the street.

Upon arriving, Tempe’s newest place to stay is the Graduate Hotel—the first of many boutique hotels that will be popping up across the country in “college towns.” The Graduate is a total throwback that will have you wondering if you just stepped into a time machine, and no doubt inspire good memories and warm feelings for the forty and fifty-something set. The hotel is decked out in ‘70s-era kitsch, made to resemble college dorms of that decade, with all the necessary amenities

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one could need while traveling of course. Rooms come with double queen or king-sized beds, and even perforated hardboard bathroom walls. You can’t miss the lobby’s ant farm, an overblown (yet fascinating) ode to the popular child’s toy and Arizona State’s renowned insect program. The hotel’s on-property Normal Diner continues the throwback with a dine-in counter and wall of 8-track tapes, a familiar spot to order Southern comfort food. There’s also the hotel’s cantina Tapacubo serving up Mexican street food—and set to begin hosting food trucks in the coming months—a lovely spot to grab a walking taco and sip margaritas from the rooftop deck.

Located just across from the Graduate is the Arizona State University campus, home to the Sun Devils. It’s safe to say Tempe has an infusion of younger folks, with it being a “college town” if you will, but Tempe stands on its own legs as a destination even for those not attending the university. Tempe’s taste for unique design is prevalent on campus, at the incredible ASU Gammage, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed theatre, dance, and concert hall, a gem in its own right for its unique architecture. Not to mention the touring Broadway shows that stop here when passing through town (2015 sees Wicked and Phantom of the Opera as only two shows in its packed season!). ASU’s campus is also home to more than 20 free museums, but one of the most popular is the ASU Art Museum—another uniquely designed building that stands out and houses an impressive contemporary art collection. For a look into alternative contemporary theatre at its finest, there’s the Stray Cat Theatre nearby, and the Tempe Center for the Arts regularly plays host to the Tempe Symphony Orchestra and Desert Dance

Theatre. Further proving its dedication to its artistic community, the city hosts the Tempe Festival of the Arts twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Moseying on down the road is the Mill Avenue District, Tempe’s version of Main Street. Here you’ll find many independent businesses, an array of new restaurants popping up with many options for creative cuisine, bars and clubs. The district doubles as the town’s nightlife hotspot, too, with craft breweries, and many venues hosting live music the town has become known for—a launching pad for many popular bands. I stopped in for a delicious lunch at the Handlebar during my visit, a “beer

garden” with a menu of 48 beers, beer cocktails, full bar, and a few options for bites (an enticing pick of bratwurst sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and fresh soft pretzels with beer cheese dipping sauce). Definitely a spot I would recommend to stop in for evening happy hour or

day drinking, as desired. Other restaurants that are worth scouting out

include the newly opened Culinary Dropout at the Yard, a warehouse space-turned-rustic, open-air gastropub that pairs savory eats with entertainment, including outdoor games and an entertainment stage; upstairs in the same complex is the Madison, an entertainment-based fitness club; s.e.e.d., a healthy eatery; and coming soon a breakfast eatery called Over Easy. Also look to Revo Pizzabar for good eats, serving authentic European-style pies, and Postino Annex, a former art studio-turned-wine café offering up delicious farm-fresh dishes, craft brews, and wine selections. The craft breweries are high on the must-do list while in town, even if you’re not a beer drinker: Tempe’s Four Peaks Brewing Co. earned top marks as the best in the state, and even garnered attention from the Travel Channel’s

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Photo courtesy of Christian Horan Photography

Photo courtesy of Christian Horan Photography

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ASU Gammage Photo Credit Tim TrumblePhoto courtesy of Christian Horan Photography

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Aaron Drake is freelance travel writer based in Los Angeles. He frequently contributes to ManAboutWorld.com, Out Traveler, Amtrak Ride With Pride, and is the former editor of Frontiers magazine. When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you can find him at the beach, at the movies, or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake.

Microbrew Madness. Choose from the long list of craft brews, like the Kilt Lifter Scottish-style ale or seasonal brews.

If it’s gay nightlife you’re looking for, Tempe doesn’t have it’s own round of gay bars. But not to worry, the METRO light rail connects Tempe to Phoenix (and Mesa), making it easy to access Phoenix’s gay bars. Charlie’s Phoenix is one of the local favorites. There are more than a dozen, each with its own bevy of nightly themes depending on what you’re looking for. Alcohol is served until 2 a.m. here, but it’s not unlikely you’ll find places open later.

For outdoor experiences, head just north of downtown. Tempe has its own man-made lake, Tempe Town Lake, a popular spot to catch a sunset or spend sunny afternoons partaking in one of the city’s many water activities, like paddle boarding, boating, fishing, or kayaking. The lake is also the center of many festivals, concerts, and annual events. Coming up March 28-29, Tempe sees the Dragon Boat Festival take over the lake with recreational and competitive dragon boat races, and Asian/Pacific-influenced entertainment. Papago Park is another lovely spot locals like to go, with 13 miles of hiking trails (keep an eye out for “A” Mountain while you’re in Tempe) and 175 miles of paths to mountain bike. Here you’ll also find the Phoenix Zoo, the world-renowned Desert Botanical Gardens, and Arizona Historical Society Museum.

If it’s shopping you want, Tempe has that too: Tempe Marketplace houses more than 100 shops and features live music Friday and Saturday nights.

Arizona Mills Outlet, given the distinction of the busiest attraction in the state, has a long list of name-brand and designer stores and entertainment venues like GameWorks, IMAX, and an aquarium. It’s a place you can easily spend an afternoon—and a whole lot of dough.

No matter what you might crave during your travels, whether it is adventure, entertainment, or satisfying your taste buds, Tempe is waiting to satiate.

Photo courtesy of Christian Horan Photography

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www.lgbtintempe.com

Arizona Dragon Boat Festival: www.adba.com

Arizona Mills: www.simon.com/mall/arizona-mills 5000 South Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 491-9700

ASU Art Museum: asuartmuseum.asu.edu 51 East 10th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 965-2787

ASU Gammage: www.asugammage.com1200 South Forest Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 965-3434

ASU Museums: museums.asu.edu

Charlie’s Phoenix: www.charliesphoenix.com 727 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602) 265-0224

The Dropout at the Yard/The Madison/s.e.e.d. Café/Over Easy: www.foxrc.com 5632 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (602) 680-4040

Four Peaks Brewing Co.: www.fourpeaks.com 1340 E. 8th Street, Ste. 104, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 303-9967

Graduate Hotel: www.graduatetempe.com225 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 967-9431

Handlebar: www.handlebaraz.com 680 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 474-4888

Postino Annex: www.postinowineannex.com615 South College Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 927-1111

Revo Pizzabar: www.revopizzabar.com200 East 5th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 248-7700

Stray Cat Theatre: www.straycattheatre.org132 East 6th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 227-1766

Tempe Center for the Arts: www.downtowntempe.com/go/tempe-center-for-the-arts

700 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 350-2829

Tempe Marketplace: www.tempemarketplace.com 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 966-9338

Photo courtesy of Christian Horan PhotographyGay Travel Planner