Roosevelt Row: Ultimate guide to the downtown Phoenix arts district and First Friday hub
Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article incorrectly described the orientation of Roosevelt Street in Phoenix. The street runs east-west.
When Phoenix locals are asked about the places visitors should never skip, the Roosevelt Row Arts District is always high on the list.
How do I know? Because I'm a recent transplant and everyone I asked about things to do here had high praises for the neighborhood filled with artists, unique shops and killer food and drink options.
Roosevelt Row calls to those with artistic talent who want to showcase their work, but it also appeals to those who may not have experience browsing and shopping high art but love to appreciate it anyway.
Roosevelt Row is also a hot spot for the monthly Phoenix First Friday art walk, where studios open their doors, artists showcase and sell their works, music is played live in the street and food and drink vendors are plenty.
It can be a little overwhelming though. So much is packed into Roosevelt Row's blocks that it can be hard to know where to start. So here's the ultimate guide to exploring Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix.
Is Roosevelt Row walkable?
"Is Roosevelt Row walkable" is one of the top questions people have, and for good reason: No one likes stressing to find parking and then wondering if there's enough to do nearby.
Thankfully, Roosevelt Row is completely walkable. Park in a garage downtown or opt for street parking. You'll need a credit or debit card to pay for either.
Depending on the day and time you go, parking meters are available from two to four hours for a few dollars. Parking garages typically allow all-day parking for $5 an hour or around $20 for the day. ParkWhiz and SpotHero have maps of Phoenix parking lots and garages and you can book your spot in advance.
Roosevelt Row is also accessible via Valley Metro light rail, which costs $2 per ride. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at valleymetro.org.
Once there, make your way through the shops and galleries, and don't miss the incredible murals painted on walls throughout the neighborhood. It's like a public art scavenger hunt.
Where does Roosevelt Row start? What are the boundaries of Roosevelt Row?
Trying to figure out where Roosevelt Row starts and ends is like asking where the start of the ouroboros is. It's not impossible to answer, but it's complicated.
Roosevelt Row is centered around Roosevelt Street, which runs east-west. Roosevelt Row is generally bounded by Seventh Street on the east and Seventh Avenue on the west. Some people consider that its eastern boundary is 16th Street because of the businesses along that stretch.
You can begin your walking journey anywhere within the Roosevelt Row district. If you get lost, don't worry. There's a massive mural marking the beginning of the arts district and it even has a map. Find it at the intersection of Roosevelt and Seventh streets.
Roosevelt Row art galleries, performance spaces and public art
Roosevelt Row is best known as downtown Phoenix's arts district, so here are the galleries, studios and shops selling and displaying local art.
Cahokia SocialTech + ArtSpace: Founded by Indigenous women, Cahokia provides curated perspectives through art installations and gallery exhibits. 707 N. Third St., Suite 130. cahokiaphx.com.
CYPHERS The Center for Urban Arts: Devoted to street-level art forms, it provides space for performing and practicing B-boy and hip-hop dancing, graffiti art, DJing, MCing and skateboarding. 1202 N. Third St. facebook.com/602cyphers.
FOUND:RE Contemporary: A gallery space representing emerging and established artists through a bimonthly exhibitions and special events. 1100 N. Central Ave. foundcontemporary.com.
The Garment League: A nonprofit organization dedicated to fashion education and industry resources. 815 N. First Ave. thegarmentleague.com.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: A long-running theater organization that offers programming for kids and adults. 302 W. Latham St. azpuppets.org.
Irish Cultural Center & McClelland Library: A gathering place and specialty library with works related to Celtic culture and genealogy. 1106 N. Central Ave. azirish.com.
MADE Art Boutique: A store offering exhibitions and one-of-a-kind items made by more than 100 local artists. 922 N. Fifth St. madephx.com.
Modified Arts: Exhibitions of contemporary photography, sculptures, paintings, multimedia and more. 407 E. Roosevelt St. modifiedarts.org.
New City Studio: Contemporary gallery space focusing on local art, artists and music. 1300 N. Central Ave. newcitystudio.org.
Onyx Art Gallery & Events: Bringing a fresh, urbane feel to downtown's Grand Avenue historical district's expanding art scene. 1346 W. Roosevelt St. onyxartevents.com.
Phoenix Center for the Arts: Provides arts and culture opportunities for all through education, programming and advocacy. 1202 N. Third St. phoenixcenterforthearts.org.
Release the Fear Sculpture: An anti-violence sculpture by artist Robert John Miley featuring a happy 24-foot-tall figure emerging from a partly melted pile of guns that had been used in actual crimes. 116 W. Roosevelt St.
Rising Youth Theatre: A youth leadership organization working at the intersection of art and social justice. 1202 N. Third St. risingyouththeatre.org.
Roosevelt Row Welcome Center: 918 N. Second St. rooseveltrow.org.
RoRo Street Art Tour Phoenix: See larger-than-life murals and hear stories of the artists who created them with a walk through the nationally renowned Roosevelt Row Arts District. azingtours.com.
Teatro Bravo: Produces plays that promote a complex portrait of Latinx and Chicanx populations. 1202 N. Third St. teatrobravo.org.
The Trunk Space: A meeting place for the culturally curious and a space for art, music, experimental theater, performance art, circus side shows, vaudeville and more. 1124 N. Third St. thetrunkspace.com.
Valley Youth Theatre: A safe place where young people from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow as individuals, performers and leaders. Oscar winner Emma Stone got her start here. vyt.com.
Xico: One of the oldest ethnic arts organizations in the U.S. and a leader in promoting Latino and Indigenous culture through art. 829 N. First Ave. xico.org.
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Roosevelt Row bars and restaurants
Roosevelt Row is super walkable, which is a big part of its charm. Here are bars and restaurants where you can refresh and refuel while hitting your step goals for the day.
Angel's Trumpet Ale House: Airy gastropub featuring comfort food made with flair and a big menu of craft beer. 810 N. Second St. angelstrumpetalehouse.com.
Arizona Wilderness: A slew of local brews featuring locally sourced ingredients, plus huge burgers, duck-fat fries, onion rings and other bar favorites. 201 E. Roosevelt St. azwbeer.com.
Barcoa Agaveria: An agave-spirits-forward cocktail bar. 829 N. First Ave. barcoaphx.com.
Carly's Bistro: A longtime favorite decorated with local art and offering soups, salads and brunch plus a varied beer selection. Carly's, which opened in 2005, recently announced that it would close for good on May 3, 2024. 128 E. Roosevelt St. facebook.com/carlysbistro.
Central Records Kitchen and Recordbar: A modern cafe and electric sound lounge inspired by Japanese kissa cafes. 824 N. Central Ave. centralrecords824.com.
Cham Pang Lanes: A 1960s utopia where games, champagne and fried chicken come together to create a scene of modern vintage entertainment. 903 N. Second St. champanglanes.com.
The Churchill: A 9,000-square-foot courtyard with dining and drinking options, space to socialize and more. 901 N. First St. facebook.com/thechurchill.
Cobra Arcade Bar: A vintage video game and pinball machine bar with cocktails and craft beer. 801 N. Second St., Suite 100. cobraarcadebar.com.
Disco Dragon: A modern gathering spot serving late-night eats, craft cocktails and beer with a pan-Asian menu. 509 E. Roosevelt St. instagram.com/discodragon.
DWNTWN: Latin night club. 702 N. Central Ave. clubdwntwn.com.
The Farish House: A cozy bistro and wine hang that is family-owned and -operated. 816 N. Third St. farishhouse.com.
First & Last: A new restaurant serving up a season menu, wines from small producers and playful cocktails. 1001 N. Third Ave., Suite 1. firstandlastphx.com.
Garden Bar PHX: An award-winning craft cocktail bar that serves creative cocktails and mocktails in a historic home in the South Roosevelt neighborhood. 822 N. Sixth Ave. gardenbarphx.com.
GenuWine Arizona: Stylish, art-lined bar and bottle shop featuring self-serve wines to pair with cheeses and small plates. 888 N. First Ave., Suite 101. genuwinearizona.com.
Ghost Donkey: A vibrant mezcal and tequila bar that embodies the heart and soul of Mexican hospitality. 903 N. Second St. ghostdonkeyphx.com.
Gracie's Tax Bar: This former tax office is now a bar with a jukebox and board games that serves up finger foods and sandwiches. 711 N. Seventh Ave. instagram.com/graciestaxbar.
Greenwood Brewing: A woman-owned local craft brewery. 922 N. Fifth St. greenwoodbrews.com.
The Grand: A retro-fusion style nightclub experience with three rooms of different ambiances. 718 N. Central Ave. thegrandaz.com.
Hi-Score Club: An anime-themed lounge with imported arcade games, sake bombs and themed cocktails made with Japanese whiskey. 801 N. Second St., Suite 108. instagram.com/hiscoreclub.
Jobot Coffee, Diner & Bar: A funky cafe offering locally roasted coffee, Southwestern-leaning bites and occasional live music. 333 E. Roosevelt St. instagram.com/jobotcoffee.
Kahvi Coffee and Cafe: A relaxed approach to premium coffee along with cocktails, wine, beer and food. 214 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 2. drinkkahvi.com.
Lacuna Phoenix: A coworking space by day and botanical elixir lounge by night that serves nonalcoholic beverages and hosts events. 914 N. Fifth St. lacunakavabar.com.
Little Debbie's: An Italian-inspired cocktail bar in the basement of First & Last Phoenix Restaurant and Bar. 1001 N. Third Ave., Suite 1. firstandlastphx.com.
Lucky's Indoor Outdoor: A neighborhood hangout with a big patio, a 1970s trailer bar, food trucks, picnic tables and bocce. 817 N. Second St. luckysphx.com.
Match Market & Bar: An upscale local cafe, market and bar overlooking Portland Parkway Park. 1100 N. Central Ave. matchphx.com.
MonOrchid: An indoor and outdoor venue for corporate events, weddings, birthdays and other occasions. 214 E. Roosevelt St. monorchid.com.
Mr. Baan's Bar and Mookata Grill: Serving charcoal-grilled Thai barbecue, cocktails, wine and spirits. 218 E. Portland St. mrbaans.com.
The Nash Jazz Club: Venue hosting jazz shows and open-mic sessions plus lessons and workshops. 110 E. Roosevelt St. thenash.org.
Pedal Haus Brewery: Enjoy an extensive selection of award-winning craft beers from this local brewery. 214 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 4. pedalhausbrewery.com.
PHX Cat Cafe: More than just a coffee spot, this nonprofit cat rescue rehomes felines. 147 E. Garfield St. phxcatcafe.org.
Rough Rider: Victorian-era cocktails with a contemporary flair paired with modern American cuisine. 1001 N. Central Ave. roughrideraz.com.
Samsara Restaurant & Lounge: Restaurant, premium cocktail bar and hookah lounge all in one. 901 N. Fourth St. samsaraphx.com.
Sazerac PHX: A vibrant haunt with craft cocktails, local beers and premium cigars. 821 N. Second St. instagram.com/sazeracphx.
Tap That Downtown: This bar has 35 self-serve taps of craft beers, plus a variety of wine and champagne. 909 N. Fifth St. tapthatbeer.com
Topaz Bar and Lounge: Food and craft cocktails in an indoor-outdoor setting. 801 N. Third St. topazbarlounge.com.
The Vig: Upscale neighborhood hangout with four indoor and outdoor seating areas. 606 N. Fourth Ave. thevig.us.
Walter Studios: Open for brunch, lunch and dinner serving happy hour food and cocktails with a private dining room. Hosts events like local DJ sets and themed brunches. 747 W. Roosevelt St. walterstudios.com.
Roosevelt Row shopping
You'll find plenty of clothing, jewelry, home decor and gifts along Roosevelt Row.
Antique Sugar: A vintage clothing store with fashions spanning the 20th century for men and women. 801 N. Second St., Suite 104. antiquesugar.com.
The Historic Gold Spot: Built in 1925, this is one of the first shopping centers in Phoenix. 1001 N. Third Ave. thehistoricgoldspot.com.
Onyx Style Collective: Home decor, clothing for men and women, classic styles and current trends. 610 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 133. instagram.com/onyxstylecollective.
RIP Valley: The ultimate stop for sports cards collectors and lovers of pop culture. 1014 N. Second St., Suite 2. ripvalley.com.
RVSO78: A clothing, art and design store from a Phoenix-based Native America multimedia artist and designer. 707 N. Third St., Suite 130. rvso78.com.
Stardust & Sage Crystal Shop: An Indigenous healing store selling Florida Water (an alcohol-based cologne used in mystical practice), crystals, sage and candles. 610 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 136. startdustandsage.com.
Straw and Wool Hat Store: Find a one-of-a-kind hat here. 610 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 144. strawandwool.com.
Universal Ironworks: Artisans using recycled metal to create unique decor for the home and garden. 1105 E. Van Buren St. universalironworksusa.com.
Vamp Rodeo Vintage: A secondhand shop specializing in vintage clothing. 1121 N. Second St. vamprodeovintage.com.
Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, as @meredithgwhite, and email her at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Roosevelt Row: Guide to Phoenix's walkable downtown arts district
