Phoenix feel

Welcome to Phoenix, Mike. The hustle, and bustle, you will see during Super Bowl week is far from reality during regular work days, and weekends, in down town Phoenix. It is nothing like the big cities, Boston, New York, Philly, Chicago, etc, back east as the city itself is almost deserted and there are hardly any people walking the streets, except for nights or days when there may be a Suns game at the Arena or a Diamondbacks game at the downtown Stadium, whatever the hell it is called now.

And, the place to be, for ALL Pats fans, will be the VIne Tavern, the home of the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FAN CLUB OF ARIZONA...REAL BLUE COLLAR FANS AND TWO GREAT EVENTS FOR THEM, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY. WELCOME TOPHOENIX

More about the Stadium. First, the name, absolutely ridiculous. The Cardinals always complained that they had to play in a University Stadium, ASU's, so what do they do, they agree to a naming contract with the University of Phoenix, and now most visitors think it is a college stadium. But, that is the Cardinals, isn't it?
As far as the stadium goes, I have been there once, last season for a Cardinals game, and while it is an architectural wonder, it is like all of the stadiums, and arenas of today, cold, without charm, and without character.

Seating lines are good, but there is no atmosphere, nothing like the old days of Foxboro, Wrigley and Fenway in Baseball,and the old Boston Garden, even with the rats, the old Madison Square Garden, Chiucago Stadium, The Forum, Detroit Olympia....those were buildings that smelled, but they were buildings that had meaing,and the fans loved them, and the fans that went, they were real fans. Glendale Stadium is nice, to see, but it lacks a lot more than it gives.

Wow...well Bostonians, don't get the wrong idea from the first two posts, as not all the locals in Phoenix hate our own city.

While downtown Phoenix won't remind anyone of downtown Boston or Manhattan, it's not "deserted," it's actually dramatically improving and there are already some great things worth checking out. See the following blog for a few tips about culture, restaurants and nightlife in the heart of Phoenix: http://downtownphoenix.blogspot.com/2008/01/city-dwellers-guide-to-super-bowl-xlii.html

Sorry downtown resident, but the downtown area, even with the improvements, is one of the deadest big city centers I have ever seen, and I have seen many in the US and in Canada.

Other than the times that there is a major event going on, primarily at one of the two sporting venues, there is virtually no foot traffic in the downtown area.

And, even when there is a major sports event, the bulk of the people walk to the parking lot, and get in their cars and go home.

I guess, if you come from East Podunk somewhere, then downtown Phoenix is a big, bustling Metropolis.

There are virtually no theaters, no major restaurants, cept one or two, and other than a few people walking the street, usually by 10PM, they sidewalks are rolled up and put away.

And, the reason for that is that this valley, for the most part, is one where people dont want to travel far for their night time entertainment, and in most cases, they dont have to, and most dont live in city center, too.

And even during the day, normal work hours, the streets, for the most part, have very little foot traffic. People come in, work, go home and then if they want, go out for the night closer to their homes.
That is the way it is, and it will never change. That is the makup of this valley's population.

Its a nice city, and I like it here, but as far as downtown goes, its a big fat zero.

Mike, I lived in Manhattan and downtown Washington DC's Adams Morgan neighborhood for four years and have traveled to cities across the world. I know what downtown Phoenix has and doesn't have.

I bet you don't.

If you characterize downtown Phoenix as "nearly deserted," or "a big fat zero," you haven't been paying attention lately. Take a look at the link I provided to my blog regarding downtown restaurants, nightlife, and First Fridays. Have you ever been to any of the places or events I cited? Or even heard of them?

Rather than come to an out-of-town message board to bash downtown Phoenix (while simultaneously promoting your bar), maybe you ought to spend your time trying out a few of the things your own city has to offer.