Once upon a time – like, not even 15 years ago – Downtown Phoenix was deader than rap-rock. No longer. Energized by the Roosevelt Row arts district and massive multi-family housing development, Downtown is now the Valley’s liveliest, most dynamic destination for food, culture and sightseeing, with plenty of side attractions for your Super Bowl Experience junket.
An early embracer of bike-share and similar pay-as-you-go conveyances, Downtown is roughly 1.5 square miles of early-century row houses, high-rises and upcycled warehouses. In other words: tailor-made for a two-wheel tour.
Downtown boasts several big-box hotels, but we’ll always have a soft spot for Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, the district’s first purpose-built boutique hotel. Grab a sunset swim at the Lustre rooftop pool and bar, and dine at Blue Hound, its always-excellent New American gastropub. hotelpalomar-phoenix.com
A TripAdvisor report confirms what our food writers have been telling you for the last couple of years: The Valley has spectacular pizza. Ranked No. 9 nationally on the website’s “Top 10 Pizza Cities” list, Phoenix boasts so many elite pizzerias that you might want to consider knocking out a handful of them in one night with a Downtown pizza crawl.
What you’ll need:
The rules:
POMO Pizzeria Napoletana VPN-certified POMO is becoming a Downtown institution. Enjoy your prosciutto- and arugula-topped Principe pizza, and be nice – the manager might pour you a complimentary shot of his creamy housemade limoncello. 705 N. First St., 602-795-2555, pomopizzeria.com
Il Bosco Another VPN-inspired, wood-fired pizza palace, Il Bosco is the home of the Biagga, a riveting medley of salty prosciutto, fleshy sweet figs, tangy goat cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. 918 N. Fifth St., 602-612-2470, ilboscopizza.com
Pizzeria Bianco What, you were expecting Papa John’s? Each of the famed restaurant’s six pies have their admirers. We say get the Rosa, with red onion, Parmigiano-
Theater, ballet, live music, comedy – if it’s performative, Downtown has it.
DT Phoenix Scooter Crawl
Grab a scooter
Downtown’s pioneering GR:D Bike program is RIP, sadly – but four companies operate scooter-share services in the city. Keep your eyes peeled for slumbering herds of them on sidewalks and other designated areas. Like Alice Cooper sightings, they’re everywhere. phoenix.gov/streets/scooters
Futuro Coffee Shop
Sleek and immersive, this Roosevelt coffee shop makes a grand cup of joe. It’s also one of the few places you’ll find the delectable cream cheese Danishes and cinnamon brioches of James Beard Award-nominated baker Mark Chacón. facebook.com/futurocoffee
Super Bowl Experience “at the park”
Hop on your scooter and glide over to Margaret T. Hance Park for outdoor fun at Downtown’s signature outdoor event space. azsuperbowl.com
The Duce
Grab your two-wheel horse and make your way to Downtown’s emerging warehouse district, where this combination restaurant/boutique/boxing gym has been delighting lunch crowds and p.m. partiers since opening in 2010. theducephx.com
Super Bowl Experience “at the convention center”
It’s time for the ticketed, star-studded half of your Super Bowl Experience, located at the Phoenix Convention Center. azsuperbowl.com
Pa’La Downtown
Much more than a sit-down version of Claudio Urciuoli’s original seafood counter on 24th Street, this swank charmer is an absolute must-visit for Downtown day-trippers. Try Urciuoli’s legendary boquerones – mild, pickled white anchovies, sprinkled with togarashi and served with biscuity, fennel-laced crackers. They’ll make an anchovy-lover out of you. palakitchen.com
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
One of only 10 finalists for Best U.S. Cocktail Bar at the 2022 Spirited Awards (i.e. the Oscars of cocktails), this Downtown gem from mixology pope Ross Simon – set in the gorgeous, 1920s-era Luhrs Building – will kick your evening through the uprights. bitterandtwistedaz.comOvernight Option!
DTPHX Pizza Crawl
Reggiano, rosemary and Arizona-grown pistachios. 623 E. Adams St., 602-258-8300, pizzeriabianco.comTheater/Shows
Downtown Phoenix Day Planner for Super Bowl Week
Editorial StaffOctober 28, 2022
