Phoenix Travel Forum

Hi All,
A friend and I will be stopping by Phoenix for a night and I was wondering what area is best and safest to stay in. We'd like to stay in an area with good cheap bars within walking distance. I was looking at hotels in Cooper Square around Central and Van Bueren or further up Central/7th and closer to Roosevelt?? What areas do ya'll recommend? Thanks.

When are you coming? Phoenix's light rail system is scheduled to open at the end of the year. It'll run south down I-17 and Central Avenue from the MetroCenter (I-17/Peoria), then east into Tempe along Washington and Apache Blvd. Not sure how late it will run though.
Downtown Phoenix (Copper Square area) dies at night when there's not a sporting event going on, which is actually quite often, in spite of both the baseball and basketball/hockey stadiums being there. Not only that, but you'll have to pay for parking at the hotels, if you have a car. There are a few bars and clubs down there though.
Further up Central is even more dead. There are bars, but they're scattered and the area hasn't developed as much just yet.
The only really solid nightlife areas in Metro Phoenix are Old Town Scottsdale, which is a more upscale, club environment, and Downtown Tempe, which is more college-oriented. Not sure of your age but, if you're coming before mid-August, I'd recommend Tempe based on your preferences. There are several cheap, although not incredibly nice, motels along Apache Boulevard south of the ASU campus. There's a fabulous Courtyard (Marriott) right in Downtown Tempe that's only about 2 blocks to the Mill Avenue strip. Failing that, there's also an AmeriSuites and Spring Hill Suites on Rio Salado near Priest, which is quite a bit further, but still walkable. Then there's the Mission Palms at ASU, but that's much more expensive.
There are also quite a few bars on Broadway east of Downtown Tempe that are much less college-oriented. However, they're mostly spaced out and there is no walkable strip.
hth

The best place to stay that has bars within walking distance and is affordable is in Tempe. Cooper Square is not a very lively place and after 7pm downtown Phoenix is a ghost town. Tempe is much more vibrant and if you stay in downtown tempe on or near Mill Avenue, there are lots of bars, clubs, shopping and Tempe beach park. The light rail will be complete in December so you can take it if you are arriving at this time. But if not, Tempe is not very far from the airport.