Refreshingly offbeat, Tempe is known for its vibrant downtown scene, inviting outdoor activities and welcoming and progressive spirit.
Home to a robust collection of state-of-the-art accommodations as well as Arizona State University, one of the largest and most innovative schools in the country, Tempe is an urban oasis — located within the Greater Phoenix area — where anything is possible.
From arrival to departure, your attendees will experience the essence of what makes Tempe unique — from chic hotels and first-class amenities to year-round events and glorious golden hours. It’s that same magic that keeps groups coming back year after year — and thanks to this city’s constant evolution, there are new experiences to greet them every time.
Here's your guide to our ever-evolving list of new accommodations, restaurants and other experiences:
State-of-the-Art Accommodations
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, a AAA Four Diamond property adds 330 guest rooms and 36,000 square feet of meeting space to the downtown landscape. Additionally, your attendees can experience the exquisite flavors of Neighborhood Services, the inviting ground-floor restaurant concept, the serenity of the Salt + Gila Pool Deck Restaurant, and the unmatched ambiance of Lucero Rooftop Restaurant + Bar, an elevated concept that overlooks our city's iconic landmarks, including Tempe Town Lake, the red sandstone buttes of Papago Park and beyond.
Hot Attractions
Tempe offers hours of entertainment for groups, large and small. Here, a wide variety of new attractions offers opportunities for team building and group off-sites. One of the newest additions to The District at Tempe Marketplace is LumberjAxes Axe Throwing Bar & Grill. Sure, you’ve slung an axe or two in the past, but it’s time to elevate the entire experience for your next group outing or team building experience in Tempe.
The vibe is plush and the fresh renovations are inviting throughout this 13,000-square-foot, indoor/outdoor space that's home to 13 targets for axe throwing and over two dozen TVs centered around the massive bar.
To meet the demands of the country's fastest-growing sport, Picklemall is creating solutions with adaptive reuse of former big-box retail spaces and technology. Last summer, after its Tempe debut on "Good Morning America," the startup unveiled more than a dozen air-conditioned courts (with room to expand) in a 104,000-square-foot space at Tempe's Arizona Mills mall. The Picklemall concept pairs user-friendly technology with an adaptive reuse approach to former retail spaces for a win-win. Guests are invited to book courts, keep score, review instant replays and more, all via the "Picklemall" app. All skill levels are welcome and all necessary equipment is provided, making this a perfect destination for hosting groups and tournaments.
Arizona Bouldering Project, a 53,000 square-foot indoor rock-climbing, gym, yoga studio and coffee shop concept, will celebrate its first anniversary this September. The fitness center is designed to double as a community hub, with plenty of space for a wide variety of activities, including a forthcoming private space.
Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat, state-of-the-art venue, offers up-close proximity to all the action, including a wide variety of programming that ranges from Lucha Libre and touring concerts to sports tournaments and other community events. It is also home to the Arizona State University Sun Devils and Arizona Coyotes ice hockey teams.
The arena's intimate setting fuels contagious energy for fans and, with exciting hockey games and unique theme nights such as the Black Excellence Celebration and Pride Night, we can confirm this is an unparalleled NHL fan experience.
Arizona Theatre Company brings a lineup of world-class productions to Tempe Center for the Arts — a testament to the arts and culture scene this city continues to cultivate. This beloved waterfront venue is home to year-round programming as well as a wide variety of spaces that can accommodate group events ranging from presentations to performances.
Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, Arizona’s first fully lit 18-hole golf course, welcomes night golfers, as well as morning and afternoon golfers — thanks to new LED lights throughout the course. Located at Papago Park, the executive-length, par 59 course is open daily, and is also available for charity tournaments, competitions, and skins games. Bonus: A live music venue and a new restaurant are slated to open later in 2024.
Delicious Dining
Wrap up your meeting day with globally influenced dining at one of Tempe’s diverse and eclectic eateries. Choose from international flavors, Southwest favorites and more, at restaurants that also offer spacious patios and a variety of private rooms available for reservation. No evening is complete without sampling a matinee version of the nightlife scene. From sports bars to rooftop lounges, and breweries to distilleries, your attendees will appreciate the energy of this city and its relentless quest to elevate the happy hour experience. Here are a few of the city’s innovative concepts (with more on the horizon).
Renowned throughout the Valley for her olive oils, vinegars, spices and celebrity clients, chef Nik Fields opened Arizona’s first Black-owned wine bar. Chic Chef 77 Bistro & Wine Bar offers a 200-bottle list, a dinner menu that rotates monthly based on the creations by select chefs, charcuterie boards, private wine tastings, live music, poetry, pop-up events and all the flavor we’ve come to know and love from this Chic Chef.
From the family that created such concepts as Bacanora, Espiritu and Tacos Chiwas throughout the Valley comes Cocina Chiwas, an upscale and authentic Mexican dining experience in Tempe. Husband-and-wife co-owners, Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, are delivering world-class Chihuahuan cuisine from Culdesac — the first car-free community in the U.S. Lucky for you, there are parking options but be sure to make a reservation, because this culinary duo has quite a following of enthusiastic foodies.
In 2019, Holguin was named a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards’ Best Chef – Southwest category. In 2021, their Phoenix concept, Bacanora, was named one of the 40 best new restaurants in America by “Esquire” magazine. The James Beard Foundation recognized the restaurant as a semifinalist for best new restaurant in the country. And, in 2024, Hernandez and Holguin were named semifinalists in the Outstanding Restaurateur category for their collective roster of concepts. Needless to say, we’re thrilled they’ve set up shop in Tempe.
Since opening Hundred Mile Brewing Co., Sue Rigler has been combining her microbiology degree from ASU with her passion for craft beer and love of the Tempe community — a goal of hers since 2014. This bright and modern 10,000 square-foot (10-barrel) brewhouse and restaurant recently added 16,000 square feet of private event space, designed to provide an exceptional setting for a wide range of events, including corporate gatherings, team building and group tastings. "We can't wait to help you create a truly memorable experience at Hundred Mile Brewing," Rigler shared.
The brewery menu shines all on its own, with elevated pub fare, including a wide variety of small plates as well as burgers, salads and entrees such as coffee-rubbed short ribs. Hundred Mile brews include Coyote West Coast IPA, Pinetop Pils, Desert Neon Hazy IPA, Crowd Surfer Mexican Lager (with lime and salt) and The Natural Blonde Ale.
Transportation
Conveniently located less than 5 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe is easily accessible via four major freeways. Additionally, Valley Metro Rail provides direct access — via the PHX SKY Train — from the terminal to the city for $2 each way. The Tempe Streetcar — the first of its kind in the Valley of the Sun — brings an efficient transportation option to easily navigate Downtown Tempe. The new streetcar makes 14 stops along a three-mile route, shuttling passengers to and from hotels, attractions, dining and more.
Additionally, Tempe prides itself in being a vibrant, walkable destination for meetings of 10 to 500 attendees. The Tempe Tourism Office is available to ensure your next event is a success.
