1. 54 | Gaycation Magazine www.gaycationmagazine.com
There’s This Place
by 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
2. Gaycation Magazine | 55www.gaycationmagazine.com
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
5. 58 | Gaycation Magazine www.gaycationmagazine.com
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
6. Gaycation Magazine | 59www.gaycationmagazine.com
www.lgbtintem
pe.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.com
1200 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.com
225 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.com
615 South College Avenue,
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 927-1111
Revo Pizzabar: www.revopizzabar.com
200 East 5th Street,
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 248-7700
Stray Cat Theatre: www.straycattheatre.org
132 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
PhotocourtesyofChristianHoranPhotography
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