Phoenix: Arizona Diamondbacks
City Overview – Phoenix
One of the great cities in the southwest, Phoenix is an area in transition. Gone are the housing boom days with endless tracts of new ranch houses being built seemingly by the week. But in many ways, the area continues to blossom as more and more aging baby boomers tire of harsh northern winters and stake their claim in Arizona.
The Phoenix area is a magnet not only for retirees, but corporations as well. There’s a deep labor pool here, and new roads have been built to keep up with traffic. Spring training in Phoenix is a perfect example of this continued growth, as several new complexes have been built and teams have been lured not only from Florida, but Tucson as well.
Phoenix is defined by its suburbs as much as any city in America. Collar communities like Scottsdale, Tempe, and Glendale are well known for their many attractions. In fact, when one speaks of Phoenix, it usually encompasses the entire metro area. Most people stay in the outlying communities, particularly in spring training, where almost every community has at least one MLB team to call its own.
Although the summers are often unbearably hot, the other three seasons are close to perfect. Spring in particular is absolutely delightful, with temperatures ranging from the upper 60′s to the low 80′s. There’s ample sunshine here, and nary a day goes by when the sun doesn’t at least show its face. Influences are felt from other parts of the country, particularly Chicago, since so many Chicagoans have retired here. The area is a beautiful place to visit, and with so much to do here, it’s no surprise that tourism is one of the area’s best cash crops.
The Neighborhood – Chase Field
Chase Field is located practically in the heart of downtown Phoenix, and really provides much of the character for the downtown. In addition to the ballpark, there’s a basketball arena that doubles as a convention center. As such, there are plenty of places to eat and drink around downtown. Sports bars attract not only pre and post game crowds but downtown office workers as well. Places like Dan Majerle’s, Pizza Bianco, and Alice Cooperstown are tried and true places for a cold beer and great pub food.
The Ballpark
Since opening in 1998, Chase Field has become very well known. The unique architectural design is a big part of Phoenix’s skyline and can be seen by just about every flight landing or departing at nearby Sky Harbor Airport. The retractable roof shields spectators from Phoenix’s oppressive summer temperatures, while the huge swimming pool in back of center field provides another diversion for fans.
Sightlines are good and amenities are plentiful. There’s usually an energetic ambiance at the ballpark, particularly since the team has been generally competitive in recent seasons.
Ballpark Tours
Public tours of Chase Field are offered year around from Mondays through Saturdays at 9:30, 11:00, and 12:30 at a cost of $6. It’s one of the few tours that does not go on to the playing field but it’s interesting nevertheless.
Historic Baseball Sites
Phoenix is new to baseball as of 1998, but spring training has a long tradition in the area. The Oakland A’s train at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, which was built in 1966 and originally had the San Francisco Giants as a tenant. The construction of this stadium more or less coincided with the demolition of the Giant’s original home in New York, the Polo Grounds. Today, if you stroll the concourse of Phoenix Municipal Stadium, you’ll notice several old fashioned light poles that look similar to street lights from the early 20th century. They were salvaged from the Polo Grounds during the 1964 demolition and have been here ever since.
Diamondbacks Tickets
For the most part, you can get Diamondbacks tickets on the day of games. Exceptions tend to be Dodgers or Cubs games, given the proximity to Los Angeles (a one hour flight) and the many Chicago Cub fans who have transplanted here.
Public Transportation
Phoenix is trying to get some forms of public transportation off the ground, but you will absolutely need a car. There’s a new light rail line from the airport to downtown Tempe, but there are no options to get you from area to area.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
We’ve been yearly visitors to the Phoenix area for 10 years now and have visited just about every brewpub and great beer bar in the area. Here’s a list of our favorites …
Four Peaks Brewing: One of the original brewpubs and microbreweries here in the Valley. You’ll find their signature beer, 8th Street Ale, in stores everywhere. We like visiting Four Peaks for their great happy hour, where you’ll get discounts on pints and pub food while you sit outside on the front patio. Very popular with college students, as Arizona State University is nearby. 1340 E. 8th St., Tempe. Phone: 480-303-9967.
Papago Brewing Company: More a beer bar than brewery, although they do serve their own beers which are brewed under contract at Sonora Brewhouse. Papago is a beer haven located in Scottsdale at the corner of McDowell and Scottsdale Roads, just a few minutes west of the 101 Freeway. It’s usually open at 2 p.m. They offer about two dozen beers on tap, including several Arizona specialties, and a huge cooler with dozens of varieties to go. If they have Elsie’s Milk Stout on tap when you’re there, don’t miss this marvelous brew. And play Cream’s “I’m So Glad” on the jukebox for me! 7107 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale. Phone: 480-425-7435
The Yard House: The Yard House is a concept restaurant chain focusing on great beer selection and outstanding, freshly prepared food. They hit the mark on both. There are two locations in the area, one in Scottsdale and one in the Desert Ridge shopping center in extreme north Phoenix. A very enjoyable place for happy hour, dinner, or just about any time! 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale. Phone: 480-675-9273.
Roosevelt Tavern: This is the closest beer bar near Chase Field. It’s just north of downtown and opens daily at 5 p.m. A small, cozy place, it draws an eclectic late night crowd that’s ready to socialize. Not a large selection on draft but everything they have is unique and fresh. 816 N. 3rd St., Phoenix. Phone: 602-254-2561.
San Tan Brewing: A relatively new brewpub in the southeast suburb of Chandler that has caught on like wildfire. Located in Chandler’s historic downtown, San Tan offers lunch, dinner, and a great happy hour. There are usually five or six house beers on tap, depending on what they’ve run out of. Very popular with the after work crowd. 8 S. San Marcos Plaza, Chandler. Phone: 480-917-8700.
Sun Up Brewing: Located on Camelback Road not far from the I-10, the former Sonora Brewhouse is a well respected brewpub and microbrewery with an emphasis on English style ales. Pop in here for pub food and a respite from the scorching Arizona sun. It’s a small place so you’ll make friends in no time. The IPA is particularly good. 322 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix. Phone: 602-279-8909.
