For many months I watched and waited as Tempe Tavern came to be. I wanted a good local watering hole that wasn't a sports bar or one of those Mill Ave joints that turns into a dance club at 10pm. Tempe Tavern is neither. It's a classic local watering hole. The beer selection is impressive for a place it's size and they offer a good menu. They serve some of the best hot wings I've had since moving to metro Phoenix. Service is friendly and the beer is cheap. On top of it all this is the only place I know of around here that serves Schlitz. When you sit at the bar make sure to try the hot 'n' spicy peanuts in the carafe's.
The place has never been too crowded either but I've heard they do have some busy shifts. I assume these are Friday and Saturday nights. I typically hit up Tempe Tavern on Sunday or Monday.
My only complaint is petty: there's not jukebox. Maybe that will come along with time. They do pump in music from somewhere. Mostly alternative stuff.
There's a little stage for bands to perform and I have hopes of checking out some of the local music soon.
Tempe Tavern is a fantastic place. If you're looking for a neighborhood bar and want to get away from the college kid hell that is Mill Ave then this is the place for you. The crowd is still mostly college age but it's not the same cast of Jersey Shore casting call rejects that haunt Mill Ave.