So much fun and many places to visit. Beautiful murals too. Lovely coffee shops. I like the shoe mill for Birkenstock and other leather shoes. Great festivals and block parties too. Recently saw Luke Bryan and Kane Brown at Innings Fest. Tempe is so good for entertainment. Walking the lake trail on both sides is gorgeous too. Jogging Mill ave is fun and don't forget the east side of Mill for additional restaurants and couple churches and donut shop- Voodoo donuts, and places to jog. read more

See all

Mill Avenue is a staple out here in Tempe and a must stop if nearby. Yes it's a college spot as ASU is in walking distance, but it's also rich in history with the Hayden Flour Mill and more. You can rent boats disguised as ducks and go adventure Tempe town lake and more. You won't find a shortage of bars here as well as so many great restaurants and shops. A few of my faves have to be 411 Pizza, Daily Jam, Loco Patron and more. We visited Pedal Haus Brewery today and it was awesome as well. Plenty of parking garages nearby to spend some time adventuring. read more

See all

Mostly a college town vibe, but a corporate vibe took over on the 2000s. Fortunately, when nearby Tempe Marketplace opened, many of those corporate retailers moved over there. As more tech and insurance businesses filled in along Tempe Town Lake, it has evolved again. During the day, mill is filled with people of all ages eating at restaurants and shopping at the local shops. At night, the bars are filled with college students and other younger adults. Tempe does a good job of having events and concerts at Tempe Town Lake Park. These crowds often overflow onto male avenue before or after the events. There are annual Spring and Fall Arts Festival that are also enjoyable for the streets are closed off. It's also a great place to go for Halloween weekend. A majority of the crowd dresses and costume. read more

See all

When I visited family in Phoenix in the late 80s and early 90s, we did three things: Salt River, Hole in the Rock, Mill Avenue, and random volleyball bars. Mill Avenue is to Tempe what Second Street is to Long Beach, what Main Street is to Huntington or Seal Beach, what Campbell Avenue is Campbell, what State Street is to Santa Barbara, what Santa Cruz Avenue is to Los Gatos, etc. Back in the day, it was the best place to go for Halloween, and on weeknights for free concerts at Hayden Amphitheater, the biggest acts I recall seeing being Dread Zeppelin. I don't know what it's like now, but it can't change much from being a row of shops, restaurants, and bars. Looks like they still have Fat Tuesday, Urban Outfitters, Five Guys, Jack in the Box, and the Art Theater, where I saw "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" and "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark". What I miss most is the Graffiti Shop, Aahs, a hidden sundial, and the fountain outside Coffee Plantation where you could put your feet in on the metal grates, touch the fountain, and feel the electricity, even passing it along to people who would let you touch them. It worked on picking up girls. I guess you could say Sparks would fly. If you were a dad. read more

Mill Avenue District - Local Flavor Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Give us a place to park that doesn't require walking a half mile in 110 degree heat. Mill is always being blocked off and worked on, nearly all of the parking spots are gone. If I spend money in downtown Tempe, Is should not have to pay to park. read more

Mill Avenue is a street in the city of Tempe, AZ that runs north/south about four city blocks long. But, the most infamous section is the northern terminus that stretches two blocks from University Drive north towards the Salt River where the area is dominated by bars, chain and local restaurants, movie theaters, shops and everything in between. Part of the street also borders Arizona State University to the west, so simply put, it's a fun, young, energetic, happening spot in town. When I lived in Mesa back in '95/'96, I was still too young to drink but we'd cruise through on the weekends via automobile, lol. Enter present day, my spouse and I were in the city overnight after a weeklong vacay in Puerto Vallarta. Wanting to see the area again and show it to my spouse, we made a special Uber trip from our hotel in Phoenix to Mill Ave. to take in the sights and have cocktails before dinner back in the city. It wasn't as hopping as I remembered, but was still lively nonetheless and felt very safe. Numerous parking areas are peppered throughout the area. We ended up at Fat Tuesday https://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-tuesday-tempe?osq=fat+tuesday where we had amazing cocktails and apps! OVERALL: Entertaining, lots of dining choices, great nightlife. read more

See all

This is THE place to go out in Tempe. Exactly where you want to go on Mill depends on your age, your taste, and the night of the week. Mill has an Irish pub, a beloved piano bar, college kid clubs, and places for beer pong tournaments, trivia, and karaoke. A friend of mine bought a painting off the street at 1am outside CASA before our group went to grab some late night Steak & Shake, and it still hangs in his living room. Classic Tempe stuff. You should know what you're getting into if you're on Mill Ave. If Tempe was New Orleans, this would be Bourbon Street. If ASU was NYC, it'd be Times Square. There are crazy people of all affiliations, and almost no parking spaces. Watch out for scooters, and give them a spin if you've never tried before - it's fun! Small, locally-owned businesses don't take up all the space here anymore, but there are still plenty to explore and support. As much as I love it as a going-out place, it's just as good for finding a brunch spot or a place to watch the ASU game. If you're already looking on Yelp, you'll find something good. Go local! read more

You're getting old. Your college days are over, and you have a crippling fear of "douchebags" or lightly dressed women who remind you how much weight you've gained since graduation. You tiptoe through the mainstay restaurants like Rula Bula while avoiding Sun Devils at every cost. Then you post unflattering reviews on Yelp while secretly knowing you've enjoyed every trip. Mill Ave falls somewhere in between posh outdoor strip mall that tickles every fancy to unnavigable, clogged road, full of drunkards and the cops who babysit them. Either way, I'll be having a blast. Think to yourself: Where else in this town could you stumble out of the bar at 2AM, find yourself in a hookah bar until 4AM, then grab some cheap eats and chat until 6AM, when the booze starts flowing again. It's a cycle that can last as long as your wallet or organs do. Seriously though, there's no place I'd rather be taking a stroll in the middle of the night. Paired with all the epic times I've had here with or without getting hammered, I'm afraid this is as good as it gets in these parts. read more

Marvels on Mill Avenue By R. M. S. Thornton In the heart of Tempe Lay a part of town most bizarre A street whose craziness Rivals that of Roseanne Barr It has the beauty and allure Of Kate Middleton's wedding gown Mixed with the dolor and lunacy Of an Amanda Bynes meltdown Always fun and exciting There is no better place to be It's like going to Disneyland While on heavy doses of LSD A boulevard which makes one Question God's sanity in his creations Surrounding a school That's number one in innovation I traverse the avenue And encounter a vagrant who pleads He tells me "I'm not going to lie I just need money for weed" I pass a disheveled bearded man Who is in a fit of mania Screaming at a bouncer that he's The prime minster of Saudi Arabia I see twenty year old girls In small scantily clad outfits Holding one of their friend's hair While she vomits into a waste basket And as I see blacked out college kids Taking intoxicated nose dives It makes me think that maybe the voting age Should be raised to twenty-five I get accosted by some religious zealots Who tell me I need to pray And shout at me like Alex Jones Yelling about the frogs being gay But the novelty wears off I get tired of these fundamentalists So I piss them off by saying That I'm a Scientologist I arrive at a video game bar Start playing my favorite console But get distracted when I see a sideshow performer Staple his balls to his girlfriend's asshole I go to my favorite restaurant Pretend to be a respectable suitor Where I witness a homeless man Eat 120 wings and refuse to pay for them at Hooters I go back outside Get approached by yet another dude He's dressed like Ash from Pokemon And says he needs money to find his Pikachu I sit down on the Starbucks patio Near a man who likes to yell At every couple who walks by him That premarital sex leads to hell I journey a little further See an eighteen year old drunkenly sob I ignore her and walk into Whiskey Row To get myself a Cobb I spot a woman cursing at the police So I get closer to witness the fray She then grabs the cop's horse And we all get doused with pepper spray I arrive home that night Feeling a bit distraught Like a parent who catches their kid Doing Tide Pod Shots Yet despite its nuttiness It still has a special charm I love it with all the derangement Of Jason Voorhees's mom So if you've ever wanted to live out The plot of a dystopian novel Come down to Mill Ave For you will surely marvel © Copyright 2018 by R. M. S. Thornton read more

This review is for daytime only. It's probably a whole different animal at night. I've been to Mill Ave several times over the last couple years. We always get on the light rail at Christown Mall to get there. It's only $4 for a day pass to ride the light rail, which is a nice change of pace from driving to Tempe. Mill Ave has a different feel then most places you go. It's a nice area for a walk, lunch and window shopping. There's a variety of places to eat and some offer patio seating. Great way to relax and people watch. Overall, it's clean and there are usually security people on bikes. The only real negative that I've found is the vagrants. They've been worse the last couple times we went there. You just have to put them on ignore. If you really want to make it a fun day, head over to Tempe Town Lake Park and ride a pedal boat on the lake! read more

Mill Avenue is an interesting place. It reminds of a downtown area, but smaller. This place is popular because it is within walking distance to Arizona State University and has a ton of stores. Many artists/performers like to come here and play their instruments on the streets on certain nights (I believe often on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays). There are so many different type of stores throughout these street that meet a variety of needs. There is a store called "Hippie Gypsy" that has tons of unique items you would think a hippy would use, but it is overall just a fun store. There is all kinds of ice cream places, restaurants, bars, clubs, convenient stores, high-end clothing stores, boutiques, and even a piano bar. For me personally, I get scared sometimes here because they are homeless people sometimes that asks for money, but they haven't given me a problem. I still personally would never go alone as women, but that's just my opinion. If you are a visitor, I would hit this place because it's unique for Arizona. :) If you want to see all the stores here, here is the link http://www.millavenue.com/directory/shopping read more

I love this place. My husband introduced me to this place. We come down here a lot to eat, drink, dance, and walk around. I enjoy Fuzzy's Taco Shop, Slices, Five Guys, Fat Tuesdays, Third Thursdays, Art Festivals, New Year's Eve Block Party, street performers on all the major corners, and night life. I highly recommend coming out here for New Year's Eve Block Party, if you are 15 and up. It's amazing. Tons of people but didn't feel crowded at all. Security could have been a little better. Some teens like to light people on fire with fire crackers. Come on peeps! There are kids out there in the crowd. I do not recommend bringing out your young kids to the block party even though they had a kids corner. If you are a night owl, this is a great place to hang. During the week, places are open late, but kinda quiet. Weekends are packed full of music and fun. read more

See all

The Mill Avenue District is the ONLY place in Arizona where you can actually walk from place to place. You can park your car and spend all day there! It is also the only downtown area that is waterfront, so you can relax while walking along Tempe Town Lake, or even rent a paddle boat from Rio Lago. There a several great restaurants in the Mill Avenue District, such as Caffe Boa, House of Tricks, and La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar. There are also several major events that are definetly worth going to, like the twice annual Tempe Festival of the Arts! Downtown Tempe encompasses the Mill Avenue District (Mill Ave), the Lake District (Tempe Beach Park), University District (College Ave), and the Farmer Arts District (Ash Ave). There is LOTS to do. read more

Mill Avenue District - Local Flavor Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Our experience with Mill Ave was a bite to eat and a stop at a store, so it was pretty limited. We went during the week, mid day and saw nothing but busy students and professional people getting breakfast and running errands. It seemed like a nice enough area with lots of eating options and shops. There are lots of meters to park, but also look on the side streets, there were open free spots everywhere. read more

Mill Avenue District - Sixth and Mill - Local Flavor Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Many date nights on Mill Ave while trying to make the most of Phoenix night life scene. Located in Tempe and close to the University. It's a snippet of the kind of night life I'm accustomed to. But if you happen to find yourself in Phoenix and wondering what to do or where to go. Start here. There's a variety of restaurants and bars to try. It's walkable and beats sitting in your hotel room watching t.v. You'll be in college area territory so things can get interesting. read more

Yuck. (And I'm not one of the people comparing it to how it was in the 70s either - I am a 21 year old college student that thinks it is yuck.) Mill Avenue is not the hype people give it. It is disgusting. It's dirty and grimy (and not just because it's old). There are homeless drug addicts everywhere you turn, that will harrass you if you don't give them change, and scare the crap out of me when I have to walk past. I will NOT walk down Mill after dark alone. Full of wasted college kids here every weekend night of course, and it is a terrible atmosphere if you're not 21-24 looking to get hammered and lucky. Good luck finding parking, it's all metered, expensive garages, or free 3 blocks away at Farmer and 5th, but that's usually full of students' cars. EDIT: No more free parking, ANYWHERE! 5th and Farmer is now "Permit Only" until 6 pm. So if you want to get lunch or hit happy hour, you are SOL on parking. Gee, Mill Avenue, guess you really must not be doing well, that you have to take more and more free parking away every few months. The stores are all corporate garbage, except for Old Town Books, Hippie Gypsy and a couple independent (at least I think) restaurants/bars. How exactly is a giant PF Changs, Urban Outfitters, and Starbucks conducive to "local flavor"? The rent in the area is outrageous, hence why the mom-and-pops can't stay in business. And if I didn't hate Mill Avenue enough, the fact that they had a cute mom-and-pop ice cream sandwich store (Cookiez) and then allowed "Slickables", a big honking backed-by-tons-of-money store selling the EXACT SAME PRODUCT with Dreyers ice cream to move in across the street. That was just in poor taste, especially since Cookiez is now out of business. Take your venture to Old Town Scottsdale instead - way more variety! read more

Mill is where we end up going when we can't think of anything else to do at night. It's a college town main drag. Expect bars, head shops, overpriced clothing stores (Urban Outfitters, etc), chain restaurants, the occasional hole-in-the-wall, off beat eateries, and hordes of drunk 20 somethings shouting and vomiting on each other. It's the small businesses like Old Town Books that keep it interesting. They maintain a small selection of books outside, after hours, and you shop on the honor system by sliding a dollar under their door if you take one. read more

What is with the noisy birds? And the homeless?!? It's like Berkeley in a rainforest. read more

I re-visited the Mill Ave strip last Monday for my spring break since I was visiting my alma mater ASU, after 30 years ;) I took the light rail from north-central Phoenix straight to the Mill Ave/3rd St stop to see what Mill Ave looks like now compared to when I was previously there in 2000 to watch 1970s teen idol Leif Garrett perform a comeback concert with his new band at the old Mill Ave Sport Rock Cafe. Also, Rita's Italian Ice on the strip was having a First Day of Spring freebie ;) I imagine the "strip" is situated between (shady) Mill Ave / 3rd and Mill / University Dr and also a downtown Tempe. It's a decently re-vamped block to hang out at if you live in/near the area, are an ASU student or a faculty, meet a friend or a date for a bite to eat, or want to entertain your out-of-town family or friend. There are mainly restaurants/bars (some chains, some local), a 'hippy' store, Changing Hands bookstore, and vintage movie theatre to start with- many affordable. Besides the ASU maiin campus, there is a beach park nearby where you can boat (not swim). Since I went there on a Monday early afternoon, it wasn't too crowded. I did see some vagrants, but they weren't bothersome. Overall, it was clean, safe, and gave off a quaint aura during the daytime, with many spots for photo ops. If you ride the light rail or a city bus, you don't have to deal with narrow roads or parking / meters, which is a big plus. Just wear very comfortable sneakers and lightweight clothes and you're off to a pleasant start ;) read more

See all

Cool spot to have a drink and meal. A lot of variety when it comes to food. There's a lot of college students roaming around and parking is hard to find on Friday and Saturday nights. read more

Mill Avenue District - Local Flavor Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

From what everyone tells me, Mill was really cool in the 80's and early 90's. The music scene at Long Wong's featured acts such as Gin Blossoms, the Refreshments, Jimmy Eat World and Meat Puppets. Now, well, watch the second video on this page and listen to the black guy: http://www.millaveinc.com/trailer.htm I have some friends who live in a condo complex right off 5th and Ash. Every time I hang out with them, I feel like Mill becomes less cool and inviting. Just avoid this place, it's full of ghetto and trashy types amid a corporate hodgepodge of mediocrity. The only reason the city puts so much money into it (and the stupid "lake") is to keep out-of-state ASU tuition flowing in and prop up the still-inflated housing bubble. read more

I'm 30. That makes me at least five years too old to be on Mill Avenue to bar hop on a Saturday night (unless you're a transient). Although I have to admit that I enjoy stopping by every few months for the nostalgic value. It brings me back to my college days at ASU even though most of the places I frequented back then are gone. Mill is a great place to go get something to eat. Maybe even hit up a bar or two after a football or basketball game. But if you're no longer of college age. You may want to avoid it at all costs. read more

I am just going to hit on the new "Mill Avenue's New Year's Eve" since most of the year, Mill Ave is exactly what you would expect so you should know if this is the kind of atmosphere you want to visit or not. Because the Fiesta Bowl didn't find hosting the NYE block party as profitable, Tempe was left to execute the event alone starting 12/31/12. Previously, Mill was barricaded off, you had to pay to enter, and the block party included a variety of stages and outdoor vendors you could visit while mulling around the crowds or visiting the Mill Ave shops/bars. At the north end of the party was a stage that generally included a well known music performance. Now that Tempe has taken over, the only significant difference between NYE and any other night on Mill is the crowded sidewalks. Now, while I have a hard time faulting a non-profit for backing away from a losing venture, in the case of the Fiesta Bowl, an organization that has proven to be a private circle jerk for Arizona's most-connected individuals, where their organization benefits heavily from public support well beyond their NP status, they seem to only find losing ventures as those which do not provide the most value to the Fiesta Bowl members personally. The city of Tempe's 2012/2013 event was enough to make sure I don't return next year. Honestly, I don't even give one star reviews but there is nothing to savor about the event as a whole. It's free and you get exactly what you pay for -- crowds of people crammed onto the sidewalks so pedestrians can't move and traffic can't make it through the crowds that saturate the crosswalks. There is no organization so each bar is doing it's own thing (except more crowded/expensive than usual), and all the while, the only "entertainment" is the same burnouts who always sit on Mill with their drum music trying to engage pedestrians for money. But should you still decide to go next year -- because the city's PR department will tell us that they've made it better than ever -- don't say I didn't warn you. read more

I enjoy going to Mill Ave. Whether it's for the nightlife or going to the different restaurants, there is always something to do to suit your different tastes. Mill Ave. is a place anyone should try especially on lazy days when you don't know what to do. It's a good place to hang out with your friends! read more

Mill Avenue District is the place to be and be seen in Tempe. The corollary is that it is a good place for people watching . . . if you like seeing drunk college students. Yeah, it's Tempe, and it's a college town. Shopping, dinning, drinking, strolling, and froyo, Mill District has it all in spades. The new family fav is Canteen. The fam has also been known to stop in for pizza at Mellow Mushroom and La Bocca. We've tried the foyo and bought some shoes. The side walks are wide, the traffic slow, the decorations come out during the holidays, and the parking isn't bad if you know where to look. Mill has a character and charm all of it own. And who knows, it might even have a light rail station one day. read more

Mill Avenue District - Map - Local Flavor Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Mill is a unique area and a great part of Tempe. It has its own character, love it or hate it. Some business plans thrive here, and some that seem like sure things fizzle and disappear. Lots of good bars and shops. Go here during the day to grab lunch or do your banking, or go for the nightlife, with Thursday through Saturday nights being the best. read more

Great place if you're that type of ASU student that likes to get shitty drunk on the weekend and wind up in someone else's bed. Or just get shitty drunk. Kind of a bro-fest on the weekends, Mill Ave. is tolerable and sometimes very nice during the afternoons. It's pleasant to go down and get a cup of coffee, walk around. With the loss of Border's Books I don't go down there that often, but will take the Orbit Bus to get a cuppa with a friend or something. I just wish there was more room for smaller, more interesting businesses. The cluster of bars and expensive clothing stores are underwhelming. The trees, though, and the older buildings are charming. All in all, I hope Mill shapes up to be a place where everyone can go and enjoy themselves. It's time to bring back a balance and draw all different types back in. read more

OMG...I've been coming to Mill Ave since I was 22. It was fun then and fun now. It has a lil something for everyone and then some. I remember walking around Mill at night and just meeting random people who were so friendly that it made you feel like you knew them all of your life. The bars were amazing and all of the drink specials are totally worth getting ready and heading out to meet your friends. There are some shops and restaurants that I do miss. Especially when they hold special meaning for me, but at least I was there to make those memories. I may not go out to the clubs like I used to, but I still enjoy everything Mill has to offer in during the "day" hours. I will even take in a movie on the strip some days. So if you have never been there and you are reading this review....i got one thing to say to you. Just go. Go and experience all that this little amazing secret has to offer. Don't base your decision on the rest of the reviews. Go and have fun. One last thing....BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE WASTED VELVET CREW & TEMPE THUNDER!!!! read more

Best Feature: Ambiance I'm gonna have to be brutally honest with you, Mill Avenue is not the coolest place in Tempe. In the old days, Mill was more of a bohemian paradise, with hippie street performers, people walking in the street and a cookie shop that opened it's doors and wafted the smell of cookies through the air. Today, the Mill Avenue District (Isn't "District" a bit lofty of a word to describe a two mile strip on one street?) has been more commercialized. Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing - look at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, that's commercial and fun. But Mill is home to several bars, 3 clothing stores and a mixture of expensive and inexpensive restaurants. If they had truly thought out their expansion, they would have branched out a while ago and made an "arts district" a "shopping district" etc. As it its now, they have no idea what it's supposed to be, but they slapped the "Mill Avenue District" name on it to give people the feeling they're living in a real city. Mill's real problem now is that the buildings are too expensive for anyone not representing a giant company to afford. Even if they somehow afford one, the rent and the lack of people buying things usually drives them in the ground (Swell Clothing RIP). However, Mill is not without it's merits. If you ARE looking for a place to get drunk, it's very convenient, especially for ASU students. Slices is a great no nonsense pizza by the slice joint. Occasionally, there are events like the Arts Festival, which end up being fun. Overall, Mill is better than nothing, but it's got a long way to go. read more

I have to give Mille Avenue a positive up for the mere fact that they might be the only district in the Valley that have adopted parking meters with an option to pay by credit card! It's great. I can't count the number of times that I need to park in a meter but lack the change needed. However, with these meters, all I had to do was swipe my card and poof! I was able to put time on the meter. read more

I visited Mill Avenue yesterday afternoon after a long period of avoiding it, mostly because of the parking situation and the aggressive panhandlers. It's been a while, I thought, and many of the corporate chains that ruined the street are fleeing as fast as their trucks can carry them off. It's worth a shot. I attempted to park in front of the now-vacant Z-Gallerie, only to find that meters had been installed. Of course, nobody carries change nowadays, so I followed the blue sign that read "Public Parking" and wound up in the virtually empty parking garage. I spent less than an hour on the street, and when I was leaving the business I'd come to visit, I asked about having my parking pass validated. "We don't do that any more," I was told. "They took our equipment. Anyway, the first hour's free." Back at the parking garage, I was surprised when the attendant in the booth, without a word of greeting, said flatly, "Two dollar." "Two dollars?" I asked him, explaining that the first hour was free, at least according to a business owner on the street. "Two dollar," he said again. I had no cash, and told him so. "Two dollar. Two dollar," said the parrot in his little cage. I asked him where I could get cash on the street and he said, exasperated, "Is two dollar!" I backed up (unsurprisingly there was nobody behind me), parked, and, already running late for an appointment, walked to the kiosk at Bank of America, was asked for spare change by a kid lounging on the sidewalk, crossed the street, re-entered the parking garage, drove up to the booth, and again presented my parking pass to the attendant, who now said, without irony, "Three dollar." Evidently it cost another dollar to walk across the street to pay the already extortionate sum of two dollars. Wordlessly I handed him a twenty and, ignoring the faint smile on his lips, left Mill Avenue, this time for good. The last time I visited Mill (more than a year ago), I received a $40 parking ticket after having lingered too long in Borders -- another business that I see has pulled up stakes and fled for a more profitable street. At the time, though, Mill Avenue was bustling. People wanted to be there. Yesterday the street was virtually abandoned, the storefronts mostly empty, the few people I encountered seemingly killing time between classes at ASU. In short, it was devoid of life. And for this they charge to park? For this they make things as difficult as possible, both for visitors and for the businesses nobody wants to visit anymore? And why would they, when they can visit the same chain stores selling the same items in any mall in America? But as usual, it's the independent businesses who suffer -- the ones who were forced out during the first wave of Mill Avenue's corporate takeover, and the ones there now, who are fighting for their lives. What they've done to this once-charming street is a travesty. read more

The Mills Avenue District is located between 3rd Street and Mill Avenue - 5 blocks from the Arizona State University campus. It's busy place that's teeming with activity, lots of traffic and skateboarders. There's a variety of restaurants and bars to please most anyone's palate. Outdoor seating is available at most restaurants to take advantage of the wonderful Arizona springtime weather. Boutique clothing stores cater to the university crowd. The police make their presence known by patrolling the area on bike or on horseback. read more

Tempe has really developed the area, especially the last few years. Depending on the time of the day, there is something to do for all age groups. It is a stones throw to Tempe Beach park, parking is plentiful, and there is a nice variety of food with few chain restaurants. At night, the bar scene is hopping full of ASU kids, keeping the vibe electric. Gammage is within walking distance too. read more

Too bad this Mill Ave. district reviewing isn't separated into different eras. I preferred the pre-Millenial Ave. days, such as the early 90's right when the expansion started and it was "the place" with fresh shops that were all OPEN, and fewer of those annoying homeless people asking for money or tampons. This was when the Coffee Plantation was locally owned, had coffee carts on campus at ASU, and the coffee was actually somewhat good. Mill had so much traffic of people cruising that the police had crude anti-cruising measures set up to reduce the traffic. Even though I never ate at Long Wong's and a few others that are gone, it is sad to see them not there. No... SLICES and THE LIBRARY don't cut it for me. read more

We came to Mill Ave in search of cigar and eats and in that it didn't disappoint. We came down around lunchtime in the middle of the week, so I didn't really notice a lot of the stuff people were complaining about (i.e. homeless). There was a ton of construction going on but there was a good amount of parking. We paid, but as we were walking noted that there was a bunch of free ones around everywhere. read more

If you feel like drinking on Arizona State University's campus this is probably the epicenter of partying. One continuous street chock-full of bars, stores and restaurants is an accurate description. Not exactly a classy affair, plastic cup central. Lots of drunk college students looking for fights and plenty of cops to arrest them. Overall it's a good time but there are shady elements as with any college campus drinking area. read more

What a mess! Mill Avenue was once a place of tattoo parlors and biker bars. Then it got cleaned up and improved. It was then really nice. Having previously worked nearby for several years, I had not visited Mill Avenue for about a year. I did so today. I am shocked at the changes in the past year. Did Tempe change the zoning to allow the open air loud music multi-screen scuzzy beer dives that now line the street? I can't imagine even drunk college kids thinking that these places are fun or interesting. Maybe I'm wrong, there were lots of drunks there--but not sure if they were college kids or bikers. Just walking up and down today I counted 3 tattoo parlors and one tattoo removal place across the street. I guess which side of the street you are on depends on just how drunk you are. I would avoid this at all costs. And I used to like Mill Avenue a lot. Things change. Sometimes not for the better. Tempe, get your act together and re-civilize Mill Avenue. read more

Mill Ave is alright. If I were a decade younger, I'm sure I would love it. I don't get to see the college-age nightlife very often now, so it's a little entertaining to watch all the stumbling around, shouting, laughter and vomiting into bushes (okay, that part isn't so entertaining). There are a few bars, restaurants and shops that I enjoy on Mill, but it's not a place I visit regularly. read more

I love downtown Tempe(and live there too). Great restaurants(House of Tricks is best) I am writing this in hope that the New Year eve block party will get fixed. This years 2015-16 needed lots of help. Admission was slow and confusing. The promised food trucks were few and not interesting.(somebody need to go to Portland OR to get what food trucks are). The music,especially the north stage was not much more than "put the bass to max low frequency and max the volume". I recall the Nazis were working on this concept for a death ray. What made previous years was small groups or individuals performing around the site(I did not see any). There was no 10 pm fireworks or not much of anything for kids. I know the light rail has limited space by cutting off Tempe Beach but it could be expanded to Farmer district or to the East. Despite all this the revelers seemed in good spirits! I guess it is just hard to see how what was done in 2015 fails to meet up to what we had. ..Obviously I am getting old. Yeah like in the good old days. read more

Mill Ave and I have had some fun... back when it was two lanes and there was a cop sitting around recording license plate numbers to issue tickets for "cruising"... It used to be busy. FUN busy, not homeless busy. Every storefront was occupied, and there were some awesome independent shops. These days it has a different feel, shops are empty and stores are opening and closing within a few months. Nobody cruises Mill anymore, there are even times I almost try to avoid it because I just don't want to be asked for money again... but I'm biding my time... waiting for the day I can update this with five stars. I know it's coming... I know it is, let's just hope I don't pull a Harold Camping here. read more