Watch Us Grow...

Tempe is home to an additional 80+ new restaurants, bars, coffee shops, retailers, hotels and more since March 2020- with more on the way! Between March 20 and December 2021, 54 businesses opened their doors, with an additional 24 opening during the first quarter of 2022. 

Very few communities were immune to the impacts of the pandemic. While it's true that 51 businesses closed in Downtown Tempe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021, it is also true that more businesses opened than closed in Downtown Tempe over the past two years.  Just as Mark Twain responded to rumors of his death that were circulating at the time, we would like to go on the record that business closings in Downtown Tempe have also been greatly exaggerated.

We really need to step back to the second half of 2021 and acknowledge the opening of several new businesses before we survey the landscape for 2022. Over the last 6-8 months, new leases, renovations and tenant improvements are shaping up to make Downtown Tempe the place with it all - the place to shop, dine, drink, stay and live. We invite you to come downtown (hey - you can hop on the Tempe Streetcar now open for ridership) and try out all of the new businesses and things to do.  And don't forget to share your experiences and tag us on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook.  @DowntownTempe

What's opened in the last few months?

Foch Cafe & Bistro -  French & American fare, sweet & savory crepes, omelets, burgers with truffle fries, brunch & more! Located at the base of Orchidhouse at 21 E. 6th Street

Uncle Maddio's Pizza - Chef created pizza with handmade dough and hand-cut ingredients, Pie Holes (sweet & savory) and homemade pie. Located upstairs in Sun Devil Marketplace at 7th & College Ave.

Slangin' Birdz - Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches & sliders to die for. You can turn up the heat too! Located at 414 S. Mill Avenue.

The Paleta Bar - Fresh gourmet Mexican Ice Pops that will blow your mind! Located at 521 S. College Avenue (and now a 2nd location at 5th Street & Mill Ave.!)

 

Kitten Karnage - Custom hypoallergenic jewelry & accessories - so creative and fun!  Located in the Shops on Mill, 414 S. Mill Avenue on the 2nd level.

Emerald City Smoothie - Nourish your body with smoothies, bowls and boosters. Located at 777 S. College Ave.

Ding Tea - A new philosophy for tea drinking bringing Taiwanese tea culture to Tempe. Located at 740 S. Mill Avenue.

Habitz Grab N Go - Tiny convenience store with a ton of merchandise at 425 S. Mill Avenue (5th & Mill Avenue). 

The Westin Tempe - 290 spacious guest rooms and 21,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space. Toss in the culinary adventures at Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits, Cup of Joe Market Cafe and the Skysill Rooftop Lounge, the Valley's highest open-air rooftop bar! Located at 11 E. 7th Street

 

Refreshed in 2021

The Flow Shop is now Rave Circus, 414 S. Mill Avenue

Fuzzy's Taco Shop moved up the block to 350 S. Mill Avenue for a bigger space and massive patio action. 

Ike's Love & Sandwiches has a new look at The Brickyard, 699 S. Mill Avenue.

Slickables Ice Cream Sandwiches made some new renovations for a fresh, new look, 699 S. Mill Avenue

The Lone Beast - The peeps from Cornish Pasty are showing off their roots here. Comforts. Taps. Cocktails. Metal. Unpretentious and unrefined. Great people watching.

NEW in 2022

Mr. Fries Man - NOW OPEN! Straight out of Cali, Mr. Fries Man is where you can build your own fries plate & boxes - start with fries, add a protein (shrimp & steak!), a sauce, and a host of add-ons. Located at 502 S. College Avenue (corner of 5th Street & College Avenue).

Rosebud's Bath Boutique - NOW OPEN! The Soap Gal opened up her flagship store on Mill Avenue and offers the soaps, custom candles, salves, body butters and bath bombs that have made thesoapgal.com the premiere wholesale sensation. Located at 516 S. Mill Avenue. 

Signature Salon Studios - Located in the base of the West Sixth Apartment building at 115 W. 6th Street, you're sure to find the stylist for you that can do your hair, lashes or make your skin even better!  Over 25 local operators at your service!

Love Lahhbsta? Cousins Maine Lobster is now open in the lobby of the NEW Vib Hotel. Lobster rolls, chicken sandwiches (and tots!) are on the menu. Speaking of vibe, the new Vib Hotel by Best Western is now open for guests. With a smooth lobby bar and a new rooftop bar soon to open, this is the place to chill during the hot summers. Located at the corner of 5th Street and Farmer Avenue.

Darkstar Tempe - Get your move on at Darkstar located at the corner of 6th Street and Mill Avenue. Darkstar Tempe is home to an elite sound system and state of the art production. Featuring a full bar with music from genres across the spectrum, Darkstar highlights the unique vibe of the upcoming artists that perform at the venue.  

Happy Joe Coffee - Now Open! Located in the Atmosphere Apartment building on 7th Street, Happy Joe offers CBD infused cuppa joes (as well as regular coffee offerings). Happy Joe is a true destination. Welcoming with a relaxing vibe, with no signs of pretentiousness, they feature rotating, pop culture-related chalk wall murals which draw such a following that they’ve gone viral. There is also a tap system with as many as six specialty cold brews—all made in-house—on tap.

Pokeworks - NOW OPEN! 209 E. 7th Street. Opening late June 2022. Pokeworks is a fast casual poke restaurant that offers a build-your-own style poke menu that lets you customize your meal with fresh and healthy ingredients.

Coming Soon

Anoche Cantina - Anoche, meaning "last night" in Spanish, will be a modern cantina and nightclub with an innovative food & beverage program separated into "loco" and "classico" categories, along with an interactive build-your-own margarita bar. Guests are invited to savor Latin-inspired dishes and sip craft cocktails in a sexy atmosphere by day and party the night away with a best-in-class bottle service program after he sun sets. Follow @anochecantina for updates. Located at 640 S. Mill Avenue. Opening early fall 2022. 

Six40rty - A mix between a sports bar and a nightclub featuring a 10,000 square foot outdoor patio for guests to enjoy their favorite sports while playing classic lawn games. The menu includes elevated bar snacks, burger slider stacks and other witty menu items and cocktails. After dark, the restaurant space transforms into a unique, ambiance-heavy indoor-outdoor nightclub with something to appeal to everyone. Follow @six40rty for updates. Located at 640 S. Mill Avenue.  Opening early fall 2022.

Matsuri Izakaya Mill Avenue - Opening August 2022, this Japanese restaurant from Eddie Chow, creator of Nanaya and Moto Moto. 699 N. Mill Avenue.

Tacos Calafia - Dynamic, colorful eatery offering tacos, frijoles & other Mexican dishes, plus beer & margaritas. 414 S. Mill Avenue.

Saki Haus - Tempe location of Julian Wright's Phoenix Japanese baby. 401 S. Mill Avenue.

Rusty Taco - 203 E. 7th Street. This taco maestro from Dallas is opening up a Tempe location in the Atmosphere building. Tacos, margs, nothing fancy, just real flavor.

Cup Bop -  690 S. Mill Avenue. Korean BBQ in a cup. How can you beat that?!  You can't.