CROSS POST FROM THE BASEBALL BOARD:
We're heading out to Phoenix for Spring Training 20 -24 Mar 2025.
Has anybody been? Any tips: Restaurants / Bars; Things to do or not do?
How is the weather; ie; what to wear?
Thanks in Advance.

Weather varies widely. Bring layers. And a swim suit.

Get to the fields well before game time if you want to see players practicing and get autograph opportunities.

PHX food is great. Google is your friend because you will want to stick close by your hotel/rental or the stadiums you're going to be at. Traffic can be awful. It's super urban sprawl, and the stadiums are spread out.

But it's amazing.

Schall 02- Thanks.

Would you recommend renting a car or Uber?

100% a rental car, unless you are staying near a single stadium and that's the only one where you're going to games. But know that PHX Sky Harbor knows you need a rental car for spring training and charges accordingly.

We typically book through Costco Travel for hotel/rental car package that makes it reasonable enough.

Definitely get a car. Have fun.

Shall 02 / Matsui- Thanks for the advice. We're four (4) middle age dudes looking to watch some baseball and drink some beer w/ no wives or kids..... it's been on our Bucket List for a while.

Be careful or you might end up moving here. I started coming to Phoenix several years ago and it hit just right. Finally just moved here. The people are the most relaxed, happy people I've ever met.

Spent 5 days in Mesa back mid Jan.

The Westin Rooftop bar is nice.
Pedal Haus Brewery was decent, with food.
Culinary Dropout was decent food and drinks.
Other in my group hit up a lot more of the bars and nightlife around Mesa.
I didn't get to try any of the other breweries around town.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Chandler was fun.
Also fun was Mesa is a college town so the scenery is nice.

I think you're mistaking Tempe for Mesa. Those places are in Tempe and it's home of Arizona State. Mesa has a community college and small Catholic school.

You are correct. I got the two mixed up.

Scruffy said:

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You are correct. I got the two mixed up.

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It's easy to do. All of the cities in the Phoenix metroplex sort of blend together, even to locals. Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Peoria, Paradise Valley, etc.

In some areas they put city logos on the street signs because you change from one to the other and often don't even realize it.

Just like Houston except here in the Phoenix area the different cities are incorporated.

The below was sent to me by a friend, who actually tragically dies shortly after, about his favorite places. We ended up doing dicks hideaway and loved it. We got the carrots (don't ask me how but one of the most memorable foods I've eaten) and the below recommended carne adovada which was also amazing.

Lure-Great chargrilled oysters and happy hour (sit at the bar and watch them grill those oysters). Ocean 44-Very High end restaurant by Fashion Square. El Chorro-Great high western restaurant with real AZ feel-definitely worth going, off Lincoln. Marcellino-Awesome Italian restaurant in Old Town-sit at the bar and visit with the Italian bartender who will give you an overview of the specials. Village Tavern-Awesome happy hour. Dicks Hideaway-New Mexican cuisine in a funky bar/restaurant in Phoenix This is our favorite NM food in the valley-have the Carne Adovada plate and split it…very large!

Any good dive bar recommendations in Scottsdale? Going with a group of buddies this weekend.

Rusty Spur, Patties and Goldwater Brewing are in Old Town if dives is what you want. Good though.

Spring games start today. Here's a link that might be helpful.

https://cactusleague.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIkJQJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe9KnR3Z1XkPa7BoeuIWm2EIB0Vvdgja4aEwGocIqvpeoC5-4IsDjKYBCg_aem_dD14RmFCknlx9pNB1gT5AQ