La Bocca Urban Pizzeria and Wine Bar
(Credit: azcentral.com)
Looking for a good bar or restaurant to stop at during your light rail trip? Here are a few of our faves.
Light rail hot spots- Mill Avenue/Third Street
Try these on your next light rail trip
MetromixDecember 4, 2008
La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar
699 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-967-5244
Mill Avenue gets a touch of class from La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar, a hip pizza joint where diners can enjoy their pies while lounging on couches out on the patio, where people watching is great, or inside the art-filled dining room. While the thin-crust artisan pizzas are a must-try, with varieties such as the chicken and pesto and the harvest mushroom, the eatery also offers bruschetta, salads and sandwiches.
The Big Bang
501 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-557-5595
Dueling pianos take center stage at this popular Mill Avenue destination, where talented keys players sing and play some of the most popular songs from the past and present. Its non-stop entertainment for the crowd that often sings along with the professionals. The hot bar staff often jumps on stage with the performers to hype up the crowd. It doesnt matter if youre tone deaf here being surrounded by fellow inebriated singers makes stage fright quickly disappear.
Mill Cue Club
607 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-858-9017
Its obvious in the namethis joint is all about racking it up on one of the many pool tables. Youre bound to see lots of hotties in the process, considering the bar is a favorite among ASU students because of its primo spot on Mill Ave. Mill Cue Club also features pool tournaments, so grab a group of your best-playing friends to compete.
Caffe Boa
398 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-968-9112
What kind of Tempe nourishment are you looking for? A three-course dinner or a light, refueling bite? Italian restaurant has all the bases covered.
Rula Bula
401 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-929-9500
Hearty Irish pub grub, including beef and cabbage and fish and chips.
House of Tricks
114 E. Seventh St. - Tempe480-968-1114
One of Tempe's best restaurants, set in a charming century-old cottage. Find a happy hour menu and drink specials during the Hours of Tranquility from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Cherry Lounge and Pit
411 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-966-3573
Looking to bring a little bit of Scottsdale to Mill Avenue, the Cherry Lounge and Pit is a sprawling nightclub with two DJ rooms and a trendy fan base. The bar stays true to its name, decorated in red with sexy pictures featuring cherries all around. One of the biggest draws is the go-go dancers, perched above the dance floor, who work up a sweat along with the patrons. Normal people can go wild, too, by hopping on one of the many platforms throughout the venue. The bar usually has a cover charge, but then again, that’s so Scottsdale.
The Library Bar & Grill
501 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-929-9002
Realize all your schoolgirl fantasies at the Library Bar Grill, where the scantily clad female staff may make you wish you had gone to school where students wore uniforms. If seeing half-naked women parade around isnt your thing, the Library offers food and live music. One of the biggest nights at this club is Thursday, when local metal cover band Metalhead performs. Also, ladies can enjoy martinis and manicures on Wednesdays.
Zuma Grill
605 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-829-6775
Zuma Grill manages to bring a classy vibe to boisterous Mill Avenue, with candlelit tables and a pristine bar setup. An American menu is served until 10 p.m., then the nightlife crowd piles in. Ladies get it good here the last Wednesday of every month, where females score free champagne. Don’t be fooled by the pretty interior, though — the place gets packed and loud, especially when live bands take the corner stage or a DJ mixes up beats. Get there early to snag a seat or boogey down with the rest of the patrons.
Fatburger
414 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-449-9002
Endearing chain features tasty onion rings, steak fries, milkshakes and some sinfully big hamburgers. The jukebox, with loads of classic R&B, is a nice touch.
RA Sushi
411 S. Mill Ave. - Tempe480-303-9800
RA once billed itself as the place where Iron Chef meets Girls Gone Wild, and the sleek, urbane atmosphere with a kick of attitude has put it on the dining map. Known for its energetic atmosphere during dinner and a young, hip happy hour, there's never a dull moment at RA. The upbeat sushi restaurant offers fresh and creative sushi rolls, signature salads, Japanese entrees and signature cocktails such as the Tsunami Punch, a 60-ounce behemoth made with sake, a blend of liqueurs and tropical juices and served in a fishbowl (with two straws).
Whip Lounge
420 S. Mill Ave., Suite 101 - Tempe480-967-8188
Located in the two-story space above Gordon Biersch on Mill Avenue, the 3,000-square-foot club features DJs spinning hip-hop, rock, house and Top 40. Inside it feels like Scottsdale, with patent-leather couches, chrome chains throughout and a crystal and steel chandelier among its decor, but the casual Tempe crowd wont feel out of place. Signature drinks include the Whip Cocktail, made of Corona, tequila and 7Up.
What other people are saying...
lastgoldeneagle from queen creek - June 20, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Where is Mrs. Rita's? Where is a category for psychic/fortune-telling/etc?
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