It’s a “two-for-one” Get Your PHX this month as we check out Crescent Ballroom’s new sister venue, Valley Bar, featuring Short Leash as the in-house purveyor of all that wonderful nosh!

When the Phoenix New Times asked Crescent Ballroom co-owner, Charlie Levy, why he and his business partner wanted to open a second music venue/lounge, he responded, “Because I’m crazy and Tucker and I are stupid and like to work ourselves to death.” Just about the best answer we’ve ever heard.

Open only since May, Valley Bar brings a bounty of musical acts, comedians and the like to downtown Phoenix as well as weeklies, like cumbia on Fridays.

In addition to Crescent, Charlie Levy runs Stateside Presents promotions, whose offices are in the same building as Valley Bar.

Levy recalls, “One day I asked the landlord what it [the basement] was like, and he showed me and it was filled with junk. And I was like, ‘Can I rent it out? This could be a really cool music venue down here with a big lounge with pool tables.’ And he let us do it!”

Inside the 8,000 sq. ft. space are pool tables, a performance stage and the Rose Room lounge, named in honor of Arizona’s first female governor, Rose Mofford. A long list of signature cocktails features hilarious nods and winks to famous (and infamous) Arizona politicians, such as The Stanton, The McCain and That’s a Ducey.

Short Leash has signed on to run the kitchen at Valley Bar as well as opening a third location in the former Downtown Deli space on the ground floor. Owners, Brad and Kat Moore have some big ideas for the new project, which makes us salivate instantly.

In their new restaurant location on the ground level “upstairs”, Brad and Kat will serve their famous Rollover brioche doughnuts and coffee for breakfast and the delicious hot dog creations for lunch.

Join us this month for complementary samples from Short Leash and happy hour priced drinks from Phoenix’s newest music venue and lounge, Valley Bar.As always, please RSVP below.

When: Thursday, July 23^rd from 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Valley Bar: 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 (Map it)
Details: Complementary bites from Short Leash, free raffle ticket and happy hour pricing on drinks

RSVP HERE

Check out the Facebook page here.

Join Get Your PHX this month as we check out an atypical bike shop that’s turning heads in downtown Phoenix: The Velo Bike Shop & Café.

 Everyday, Phoenix’s core is transforming into a more walkable and rider-friendly city. Sidewalks are widening, trees are being planted and neon green bike lanes are popping up all around. The only thing missing was a community bike shop… until now.

On the corner of Garfield and Second Streets sits a gray building surrounded by a wave of metal poles and a metal cyclist statue in the center. If it were not for the hoard of bikes parked out front, you might mistake it for an art gallery – an intentional move by owner Jason Boles who adds, “At the end of the day we’re near Roosevelt Row and we knew art had to be part of the experience.”

Let’s get one thing straight this is not your average bike shop. It’s a gathering space for bicycle enthusiasts, students, downtowners, and really anyone looking for a place to relax and connect with the community. Where you can service your bike, grab a cup of coffee or just hang out with friends.

“Cycling should be a social based event, so a quality cycling store or retail location should also be a hub for the community,” Boles said.

Stepping inside, you’ll be amazed by the incredible revamp Jason made with the space. The shop features sustainably sourced wood counter tops and sleek light fixtures overhead.

Among the array of bicycles and skateboards neatly snaking around the shop, you can expect to find local bike brand State Bicycle Co., which is headquartered in Tempe. Keeping as much local and sustainable was an important part of Jason’s mission.

The expansive space is also home to an espresso bar café with a couple pocket-seating areas. Local beans from Flagstaff fill each cup, and local craft beer fills the fridge. That’s right folks, The Velo is among the few bike shops here in the state licensed to sell beer and bicycles at the same time!

Anyone looking for a group of gung-ho cyclists wanting to “get out of the office” and head down to South Mountain? The Velo has become a hub for such adventures where cyclists of all levels are invited to take part. Check out their Facebook for upcoming bike events.

Walk, ride or drive down to this month’s Get Your PHX local pick: The Velo Bike Shop & Café. Thank you to our host/bike shop owner, Jason Boles, for supplying the wine and music all night long!

As always, RSVP below.

When: Thursday, June 18^th, 5:30P – 7:30P
Where: The Velo Bike Shop and Café: 828 N. 2^nd St., Phoenix, 85004
Details: Wine will be pouring all night by our great hosts and entry includes a complimentary raffle ticket

RSVP HERE please so we can get an accurate head count.

Thank you Darek Pasieka of Milk Bar for hosting April’s Get Your PHX. We had a huge turn-out for this event. Perhaps it was the prospect of enjoying the last of the cool weather, or the perogies. Don’t know. Don’t care. Had a blast! 

Get Your PHX is heading to Corduroy, where the roaring 20’s live on every night.

As always, RSVP using the ‘Tickets’ link

Inspired by the beautiful 1920’s architecture, visionary developers Tom Jetland and Mark Dillon decided to theme their newest restaurant, Corduroy, after the iconic era. The kind of place where you’d find Jay Gatsby enjoying scallops and pancetta!

“We tried to respectfully design the building to retain it’s flair of the early era by allowing the rugged brick to shine through with era lighting, 20’s jazz music, time honored color schemes and a new art-deco tin ceiling to bring it back to it’s glory days.” 

With more than a few successful restaurants under their belt, including Fez, Ticoz, Switch and Ibiza Café in Scottsdale, Jetland and Dillon continue to provide an unpretentious and approachable environment, starting with small plates. Portuguese Corn Dogs, Potato Croquettes and Spanakopita are just a few of the  choices and are an easy excuse for an after-work meet up with friends. 

“Our menu was inspired to have shareable and creative smaller plates for a sense of communal dining. Textural and complex flavored foods as well as classic European favorites and some interesting fusions to round out the menu.”

Making a splash are modern cocktails and prohibition classics. A Bees Knees, High Ball and Aviation are a surefire way to reset and unwind after a long day. Looking for something more “21st century” in the cocktail shaker? Corduroy’s Zurracapote combines Red Wine with Stone Fruit, Raisin Syrup, Triple Sec and Brandy… one sip and you’ll be a fan for life!

It’s true that Tom and Mark have their finger on the pulse of our city and they use that insight to create a more vibrant downtown. Corduroy is more than a restaurant, it’s a reason to meet and gather. Corduroy breathes new life into a historic space and is where new memories form. We’re excited to have Tom Jetland and Mike Dillon leading the way for how we interact with downtown Phoenix.

So break out your wingtips, fringe flapper dress and take a jorum of skee with Get Your PHX this May as we check out Corduroy, the best thing in Phoenix since prohibition was lifted.

As always, please RSVP below.  

 Where: 2601 N Central, Phoenix 85012 (map it)
Date: Thursday, May 21st
Time: 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Bonus:  prizes! Don’t forget your raffle ticket at the door!
RSVP: May Get Your PHX: Corduroy

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Here’s something new for you in Downtown Phoenix: Milk Bar. Remember that cream colored building on the corner of McKinley and 3^rd St.? The one that sat empty for so long?

Well Darek Pasieka has redeveloped the space into an incredible bar and restaurant celebrating Polish culture with a modern twist.

Built in 1909, the Western colonial/modern style house, (historically named the Marsh Arnott House), has changed over the years, a reflection of its diverse tenants. The structure has served as a residence, law office, art space, and hair salon before becoming a European bar.

When Pasieka’s company, Studio Darek, took on the adaptive reuse project, there was a lot of speculation from the neighborhood about what was in the works. Some thought a cult while others thought it a tribute to Anthony Burgess’ Clockwork Orange. Alas, neither is true. But Darek’s a good sport and has added a drink onto the menu called Clockwork, which is made with Zolta Gorbka Orange and Clove Vodka and is utterly delicious.

Since 1896, Milk Bars, or Bar Mleczny, have been a staple of Poland and Eastern Europe, especially for the working class during the Soviet Era. As the name entails, it was here that traditional milk-based dishes were served at a reasonable cost. After communism fell, Milk Bars remained popular hangouts because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

“These Milk Bars – known for affordable food but high quality—would survive as nostalgic relics. Milk Bars to this day have stayed popular as a meeting place for people of all walks of life,” says Darek.

At Milk Bar, the potato is king. Lining the menu are euro posh vodka drinks and pierogi stuffed with combinations of cheese, spinach, mushroom, and meat.

As an accomplished architect, and now restaurant/bar owner, Darek Pasieka continues to turn heads with his ‘past meets present’ ideas. As he puts it, “Respecting the past, celebrating the present, and looking into the future. This is my architecture.”

Join us this month for an unforgettable Get Your PHX as we head to Phoenix’s Milk Bar. Pierogi provided courtesy of our host, Darek Pasieka, and cash bar for drinks. Bonus points for anyone that dons a bowler hat, eyelash embellishment or white suit!

As always, please RSVP below. “Na zdrowie!”
                                                           (Cheers!)

Where: Milk Bar: 801 N. 3^rd St.
Date: Thursday, April 23^rd
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Bonus: Pierogi and prizes! Don’t forget your raffle ticket at the door!
RSVP: April Get Your PHX: Milk Bar

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Thank you Tracy Perkins of Strawberry Hedgehog for hosting February’s Get Your PHX, and our friends at Mother Bunch Brewing for supplying some tasty brews. I got to meet some fun folks and support on of our long-time friends. 

In March, Get Your PHX is celebrating a milestone with our good friends at Co-Working on 15th Ave: a one-year anniversary! Join us this month for craft beer, food and an exclusive look at the new way to do business.

Seven rooms with twenty desks fill the adaptive reuse building, which was transformed from a home into a co-working space for business owners looking to meet somewhere a lot more professional than a Starbucks.  

Also, you’ll save money and skip the guilty feelings that force you to purchase five cups of coffee just to keep the barista from glaring at you.

We chose Co-working on 15th Ave because of the price. You won’t have to break the bank with daily pricing starting as low as $15 or even when opting for monthly membership, which peaks at an incredibly reasonable rate of $250.   

Second, a co-working environment naturally generates a more relaxed setting, which means better networking. Forget the stuffiness of elevator speeches and hustling business cards. Here you’ll find an array of industries ranging from United Cerebral Palsy to Fountain Honey Media to Sacred Brewing Co.,  which will afford you networking opportunities without even trying.

Third, Co-working on 15th Ave keeps you in the business world with suggested outside events as well as  co-op-hosted educational events and mixers. Most recently, the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s (NSHMBA) celebrated its Phoenix Chapter launch with Collectivo.

The space also provides members with access to a full kitchen, relaxing back patio, parking space and more all included in the price and is conveniently located in downtown Phoenix, right on the 15th Ave bike path. “Co-working on 15th Ave was created for hardworking people to get the job done without having to miss out on social interaction.”

Check out downtown’s premier co-working spot for yourself this March with Get Your PHX and enjoy local craft brews, complimentary appetizers and great conversation. As always, please RSVP using the link below.

 Also, please RSVP here. 

 And check us out on Facebook. 

Where:
Co-Working on 15th Ave
3428 N 15th Ave
Phoenix, 85015 (Map it)
When: Thursday, March 19th, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Don’t forget: Free raffle ticket, complimentary food and drinks

Thank you all for an amazing 2015 Phoestivus. We had about 3,000 people visit each night. The early numbers suggest that our vendors sold about $90,0000 worth of goods. That’s an incredible support for locally-owned businesses.

A special thanks to our sponsors, CenPho.com, Co+Hoots, Core Crossfit, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, SRP, Ruby Ride, Local First Arizona, New Times, Oasis on Grand, Public Market Cafe, Blue Sky Airport Parking, Roosevelt Row, Bookman’s, SunBelt Rentals, Yelp, Best in Show, Phoenix Ale Brewery and, you know, me –Ken Clark, HomeSmart Realtor.

Get Your PHX is kicking off 2015 by celebrating not one but two fantastic concepts to arrive at Civic Space Park: Fair Trade Community Kitchen & Grid Bike Share.

So, on to the January, 2015 Get Your PHX event. Fair Trade Café owner, Stephanie Vasquez, along with her long-time friend and fellow foodie, Ingrid Hirtz, are taking vegan and vegetarian cuisine to the next level at their new Community Kitchen concept.

“My Community Kitchen focuses on organic vegetarian cuisine. This is very important to me for many reasons. I believe that it is far too difficult to find conscientious food options affordably,” Stephanie says.

And with such close proximity to the ASU campus, Stephanie felt she should be doing more to provide good food to developing minds, adding, “… It is partially my responsibility to provide healthy delicious options to our future leaders.”

Along with a plentiful menu throughout the week, Fair Trade Community Kitchen offers a ‘pay-as-you-can’ weekly family style dinner every Sunday where meals are donation-based intended to make nutritious meals more accessible to all.

“Basically, we offer family style dining which previews that week’s take out menu prepared by Ingrid who owns and operates Your Community Cook in addition to the ‘pay as you can’ program.”

Civic Space Park also recently installed Grid Bike Share, the newest concept to hit downtown Phoenix.

Ladies, break out your pedal pushers!

The share program is simple: Pay hourly, monthly or annually and ride as much as you’d like. Grid Bike members also receive special benefits such as collecting reward points for locking up outside certain locations, which can then be redeemed at participating businesses.

And riders aren’t the only ones that benefit – businesses earn more too! Researchers found Nice Ride Minnesota users, a bike share in Minneapolis, “spent an extra $150,000 at local businesses near the bike share station.”

Now that’s a lot of dough!

As a special treat, you just might get your chance to test out the new neon green cruisers for yourself because Grid Bikes has generously donated a one-year membership to our raffle, valued at $79!

You won’t want to miss this month’s Get Your PHX pick as we check out Grid Bike Share and enjoy fresh and delicious samples from Fair Trade Community Kitchen.

Please remember, this is NOT at the Fair Trade on Roosevelt.

Also, please RSVP here.

Where: Fair Trade Community Kitchen (at Civic Space Park): 424 N. Central Ave. (Map it)

When: Thursday, January 22^nd, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Thank you to Local First Arizona Localists and our friends at Mother Bunch Brewing for hosting the October Get Your PHX. 

This month, Get Your PHX is checking out Rollover Doughnuts new digs on Central and Vernon. Rollover has recently taken over ownership of Shine Coffee, but don’t worry, the sale comes with a perk. Shine’s current employees will continue serving up coffee and espresso favorites as Rollover’s new staff.

Rollover Doughnuts is the delicious brainchild of Brad and Kat Moore, the very same husband-and-wife team that brought you Short Leash Hot Dogs. “…Our mission is to create a unique twist on a classic favorite. Our fare is simple, creative and straightforward with a focus on using local purveyors and natural ingredients.”

What sets their doughnuts apart is the dough. Brad and Kat decided to take a gamble and use brioche, which has made an incredible difference. Kat explains, “Brioche is an enriched dough that is made with eggs and butter. It is light and fluffy and we feel it is the best doughnut for our creations.” 

Always made from scratch, Rollover offers something for everyone, 13 flavors and one feature doughnut each week, to be exact. There are classic favorites, like strawberry glazed, chocolate glazed and vanilla bean glazed, as well as spicy new twists like Foxy Cinnamon with spiced pumpkin custard, orange rum glaze and toasted pumpkin seeds. 

While in the midst of converting a 1964 International truck into Rollover’s new mobile headquarters they struck a deal with their good friends, Laryn and Christiaan Blok of Shine Coffee. “Over the summer (and a few bottles of wine) the Moores and the Bloks hatched a plan to make this transition.“

Although Brad and Kat aren’t planning on any drastic modifications, they have implemented a few new changes. “Just based on what people are saying they want, like we added Sundays… and a ping pong table.” Also, they are hoping to start yoga on Sundays, some evening events and, with the amazing pop-up park right next door, you can bring your dog and your appetite and never go home again.

The small complex is also the new home of Oven + Vine. This brick oven concept focuses on cooking with local foods and pouring Arizona wines and beer. Like we said, you’ll never need to leave. 

This November, let’s get outdoors to enjoy this great weather and to celebrate our good friends at Rollover Doughnuts for giving us another great reason to sit and stay.

RSVP using the ‘Tickets’ link

For updates, check out the Facebook page here.

As always, please RSVP below. Salut!

When: Thursday, November 20th, 5:30P – 7:30P
Where: Roll Over : 10 W. Vernon (Map It)
Specials: FREE raffle ticket! 
RSVP: Please RSVP here.

Please save the dates for Phoestivus 2014. This year we have plans to open up the beer garden to entire event. We will have more than 100 locally-owned vendors, a dozen food trucks, the annual raffle and loads of new sponsors.

Local ride share company, Ruby Ride, will be our official transportation this year. Yep, we are big enough to have official things like that. 

SRP will be on hand to demonstrate new, energy efficient LED Christmas lights. 

And, of course, we will have the airing of grievances, the feats of strength and the Phoestivus Poll.

If you are a locally-0wned vendor, you might still have time to apply for a booth at phoestivus.com. 

Its gonna be a big year. We are looking forward to seeing you out.

Thank you to Local First Arizona Localists and our friends at The Newton for hosting the September Get Your PHX. We had a great time and learned about all of the new businesses at The Newton.

This October Get Your PHX is raising a glass and welcoming Mother Bunch Brewing, Downtown Phoenix’s newest brewery and restaurant.

When we heard Julie Meeker, owner of Mother Bunch, was combining her love of craft beer, science and engineering together to open a brewery with her husband, Jimmy McBride, we were instantly intrigued.

As a long-time home brewer and self-proclaimed “beer nerd”, Julie’s approach was to create a “sophisticated but not complicated” atmosphere with beer that is “approachable”, not snobby.

As a special treat, Get Your PHX attendees can get a sneak peek behind the scenes with guided tours of the brewery.

Mother Bunch is located inside the historic J.B. Bayless landmark on seventh and Garfield. Inside, Julie and Jimmy have renovated the space to include thick wood top tables, a seating area with leather chairs and refurbished pews from an old church in Tucson, which pay homage to the great beer halls of Germany.

Chef Holly Arguello’s brings classics like Salty Pork Rinds, Grand Mussels Steamed in MB Beer and Gourgeres, savory French pastries mixed with dough and cheese. “It’s pub fare with a French twist,” explains Julie.

William Hampton joins Mother Bunch as head brewer collaborating with Julie to create upcoming signature ales, including an oatmeal stout, smoked cherry porter, and single hop pale ale.

Although it will still be a few weeks before Mother Bunch’s own fills the taps, for now, folks can enjoy all 20 selections on tap of Arizona’s finest, like College Street (Lake Havasu), Huss (Scottsdale), San Tan (Chandler), and Four Peaks (Tempe).

Opening in in Downtown Phoenix was Julie’s first choice. Having grown up on the east coast she gravitated towards an urban core and when she moved out here, she managed art studios in the 90’s as the art walk was just getting started.

“Even though I went in another direction after graduate school, I still followed the progress Downtown. I can’t imagine opening Mother Bunch anywhere else!”

Just for Get Your PHX, Julie’s offering $4 beer tasting flights –and if you pay with cash, there’s no added tax.

For updates, check out the Facebook page here.

As always, please RSVP below. Salut!

When: Thursday, October 23^rd, 5:30P – 7:30P
Where: Mother Bunch Brewing: 825 N. 7^th St.
Specials: FREE raffle ticket! $4 beer flights + light appetizers and brewery tour.
RSVP: October GYP: Mother Bunch Brewing

Thank you to Chef Chris McKinley and Adam Hargett of The Local for hosting what was probably the highest attended summer Get Your PHX event in our 5 and a half year history.

And, as usual, thank you to Local First Arizona Localists for all that you do to support and organize Get Your PHX events while I was out pounding the pavement this summer. Helene, Kendall and Chrisal, you make it happen!

This month, Get Your PHX is unwinding uptown at The Newton!

Our good friend, Cindy Dach, has kindly offered to extend happy hour pricing on drinks for Get Your PHX!

We are checking in on all of the progress and additions since The Newton’s much-lauded opening before the summer hit us like a hot side of beef.

Formerly the iconic Beef Eaters restaurant and named in honor of its owner, Jay Newton, the new mixed-use space has been generating some serious buzz since opening in May.

All under one roof, visitors can read, shop, gather, and eat thanks to Changing Hands Bookstore, First Draft Book Bar, and Justin Beckett’s Southern Rail restaurant.

Beckett continues to wow diners with his savory southern style restaurant featuring down-home favorites like gumbo, sweet tea tart and po’boys. (You just can’t help but add a long southern drawl when reading the word ‘po’ boys’.)

Also joining The Newton bunch is Southwest Gardener and business consulting/leadership development team, Christofolo||Schermer. 

Lynn and Amy of Southwest Gardener opened their shop to showcase the extensive beauty desert plants and seasons have to offer. ”We treat the garden as high art,” the two proclaim. Lynn and Amy will hang an open sign in their new space this month.

The highly anticipated arrival of Changing Hands Bookstore to Phoenix comes with the added perk of the First Draft Book Bar. (Maybe they’ll take a note from the London Time’s and pipe in the sound of clacking typewriters to get the creative juices flowing.) 

This new destination was made possible through the vision and patience of Venue Project partners, Lorenzo Perez and Jon Kitchell, who scooped up the building, which lay vacant since 2006.

Like any construction overhaul project, there were some snags and setbacks along the way, including roof damage that wound up delaying the opening date. But patience prevailed and The Newton is finally here.

Kitchell remarks, “This is the nature of an adaptive reuse project. No matter how much you study, investigate and plan a building for an adaptive renovation… This makes them challenging, yet rewarding.”

Join us later this month for a gander at The Newton, Phoenix’s newest destination. As always, please reserve your spot using the Tickets link right here (“tickets” are free).

See the Facebook Page here for updates.

What: September Get Your PHX
Where: The Newton
                  300 W. Camelback Rd.,
                  Phoenix, 85013 (Map It)
When: Sept. 18th, 5:30 to 7:30
Specials: FREE Raffle, drink special, & complimentary snacks
Why: Because (don’t ask questions)