If you are out and about in Tempe and are tired of the current restaurant and bar lineup, you never have to wait too long, as new establishments sprout every few months. This is especially true now that students are back and snowbirds will be flocking in shortly. With the convergence of the two demographics, Tempe is poised to see not one but two new restaurants and bars by November, each of which possesses unique vibes. So, if you’re looking for something new, just hold tight. Change is right around the corner.
Two new restaurants and bars are slated to open up on downtown Tempe’s South Mill Avenue (402 South Mill, to be exact). One location will go by the name Idle Hands Enchanted Cocktail Bar, while the other is named Devil’s Hideaway. In a way, each location will offer a look at the exact opposite side of the spectrum.
Idle Hands possess an almost gothic architecture vibe as if you wandered into the back room of an ancient church and stumbled onto a watering hole you weren’t supposed to know existed. Arched masonry and steel are buffeted by decorative windows letting in just enough light from the outside without distracting from the interior. Whether you decide to sidle up to the stone bar top or take a two-person table, cocktails will be from scratch, and if you’re looking for the green fairy, there will be several absinthe concoctions to choose from (if you’ve never had absinthe before it is, what you might call, an extremely acquired taste).
Devil’s Hideaway (not to be confused with the Devil's Hideaway that is closed on 6th, or Devil's Hideaway Bar & Grill...it's a popular name in Tempe) possesses more of a European cellar design. Maybe you decided to skip the hidden gothic bar and wander into the basement of a church in Belgium when you find yourself standing in a large, cellar with an arched brick ceiling making the room feel larger than it is. A few skylights offer just enough lighting to help you find a table. Don’t worry though, neon and LED lighting will provide you with enough illumination to find the perfect spot. And seating alcoves make just about every table feel like a private party (and it helps keep guests out of the foot traffic).
At Devil’s Hideaway, you might not find the absinthe spread, but there will be plenty of cocktail options to choose from, not to mention finger foods to chow down. It is destined to be the kind of restaurant and bar where you can almost hide away in plain sight, thanks to the underground feel of the building.
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