Graduation season is upon us, and as a recent Arizona State Graduate, I know how hectic these last couple of weeks have been.
After you cross the stage, snag your diploma, basking in the glory that is finally being done with school as friends and family cheer you on, the first thought that may pop in to your mind will be: where am I going to celebrate?
If you don’t already know by the time you have your diploma, you may find yourself waiting in line for hours on end, or wandering the streets of Mill Avenue playing the never-ending game of which bar should we go to.
Just remember, whatever you do, be safe.
Here is a quick guide of some (Light Rail friendly) places to celebrate graduation:
Tempe
Students who felt like their college career was a never-ending circus of running from one place to the next, Handlebar Tempe might be the place for you. The relaxed atmosphere mixed with the upbeat, yet mellow, music will be a great way to enjoy their final evening as a member of the higher-education system. The 24 brews on tap, and 50 types of canned beer don’t hurt the place either. But you might still order a Pabst just for old time’s sake.
For the grads whose ceremony takes place in the middle of the day, or for those who don’t necessarily want to take grandma and grandpa to the hottest bar in town Rúla Búla provides a nice alternative. The pub has delicious food, and Guinness (what’s a pub without Guinness?) You can bring the whole family, enjoy a good time while still being close the light rail.
If you’re looking for one last hoorah before the seemingly never-ending cycle of the work life begins, then El Hefe is the place to go. There’s bottle service, popping DJs, table reservations and of course Mexican Food. You’ll get to dance, and have a great time finally letting yourself forget about the stresses that college plagued you with for years.
Downtown Phoenix
The Vig on Fillmore (or the ‘more as some have been calling it) offers the best of every modern restaurant. With an outside section that stays cool even when it’s hot out, and a comfortable inside atmosphere, you’ll want to come either with the family, or your closest friends. They have diverse food offerings, and many delicious drinks to enjoy.
Lovers of vintage nostalgia, or gamers who love the thrill of seeking the high score will definitely want to come here on graduation night. Cult films from the 80s (think Top Gun, Groundhog Day, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) play on the back screens of the bar, and there are dozens of cabinets with your favorite arcade games. It’s a great place to hangout with friends, or even just be anti-social and try and defeat your friend at Mortal Kombat or Rampage. Your choice really.
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
If you’re feeling fancy on graduation night, and want to celebrate the fact that soon, you won’t be eating ramen everyday, then Bitter & Twisted will be the place to go. The seated bar offers a range of cocktails in a cool jazz era setting. It’s situated right in the center of Downtwn Phoenix, and accepts folks on a first come first served basis. But don’t worry, if there’s a wait, they’ll text you when your table is about to be ready (giving you enough time to head to one of the bars at CityScape while you wait, trust me, I’ve done it).
