Best Inability to Read the Room 2024 | Ken Kendrick | Fun & Games | Phoenix
Navigation
Support Us
Search

Best Inability to Read the Room

Ken Kendrick

It should have been a celebratory moment. Spring training had sprung, and the Diamondbacks were coming off a surprise trip to the World Series. They'd just executed an exciting offseason, spending tens of millions of dollars to bolster a young and exciting team that had just brought postseason baseball back to the Valley. Then Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick stepped in front of a bunch of microphones and issued a veiled threat to move the team. "We may run out of time in Phoenix," Kendrick warned, raising the specter of relocating the team out of state. There are cities across the country, he explained, that "would certainly be very happy, you know, with, frankly, a successful, existing franchise." Arizona Republic columnist Phil Boas called it Kendrick channeling "his inner mob boss." In a rarity when it comes to Boas' work, he was right.

Best Inability to Be in the Room

Alex Meruelo

As the Coyotes played a final, emotional game in the Valley in April, the man responsible for their impending exit was nowhere to be found. Alex Meruelo's ownership of the Coyotes lasted less than five years, a span that saw the team abandon their home at Gila River Arena in Glendale and then strike out multiple times at finding a shiny new home. As fans, players and media members bid a tearful farewell as the Coyotes took the ice in Arizona for one last time, Meruelo didn't show. He was too busy finalizing a billion-dollar deal to sell and relocate the team, he told a local sports radio station. If you're going to rip a team away on short notice, at least be there at the end to take your medicine.

Place to Learn How to Putt

Putting World

Aspiring golfers of all ages can learn valuable basics here in a relaxed, non-intimidating, indoor atmosphere. This isn't a putt-putt party: The 18 smooth, well-constructed holes offer a range of easy to difficult, and a laser dot changes the tee-off spot each time so you can play repeatedly. Pros are on hand to help with form and strokes, too. Best of all, it features the jovial Bar19 boasting friendly servers, above-average bar food and decent pours — but don't go overboard if you want to stay on your game (trust us). Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday includes $2 off draft beer, glasses of wine and well drinks, along with specials on sliders, tacos and wings. If you get the swing of it and want a more social outing, Putting World hosts Glow in the Dark "putt parties" on certain nights and welcomes group events.

Best Sports of the Future

Phoenix Esports

If you haven't been paying attention in the last decade or so, esports have really taken off nationwide. Sure, there's always going to be a place for tried-and-true games such as baseball and football, but esports have become a thing because they offer the same pillars (teamwork and competition) but in a way that's more welcoming and inclusive. The city of Phoenix has even got in on the trend, as its parks and recreation department holds programs, classes and even tournament play for young and old alike. Not that esports needs this kind of validation, but a city getting involved is a really important way to make the sport a proper part of actual community-building efforts as well as to lend the various resources needed to sustain it long term. Video games are ultimately just meaningless fun, but in that space there are still opportunities to stoke the twin flames of friendship and competition. Plus, if no one has to sit in 110-degree stadiums, then that seems like a win-win all around.

Best Future of Local Gaming

Velocity VR

Years ago, laser tag was a big trend — and an easy way to plan a night out for large groups. The spirit's the same even as the technology has clearly changed, thanks to places like Velocity VR. Velocity offers a chance for up to eight players to immerse in any number of far-flung experiences, from battling hordes of the undead to fighting robots in deep space. If you're an old laser tag pro, or if you spent any amount of time playing paintball, the experience should prove familiar enough even as Velocity takes it up a notch for something that's altogether more physically and mentally engaging. There are other amenities for rounding out the evening out, including food and drinks as well as more traditional games such as go-karting and axe-throwing. But it's really the VR gameplay that demands your attention, as it's that perfect balance of slight novelty and genuine excitement that makes this a rather compelling new aspect of local nightlife. It ain't the drinking and dancing of yore, but it'll get you those weekly steps and also serve as a reminder of the power of a great gaming culture. Plus, there's something slightly more acceptable about rocking VR goggles in a crowd setting.

Best Place to Keep a Kid Entertained

Children's Museum of Phoenix

The Valley has no shortage of attractions for kids. But only one features three air-conditioned stories of wholesome, hands-on activities sure to help young children burn off all their excess energy. The Children's Museum of Phoenix features a play kitchen and a play grocery store. There's a multilevel metal treehouse called The Climber. There are reading nooks, a craft room and regular special exhibits. Crucially for parents, there are ample places to sit while the little ones run wild. Even more crucially, membership isn't unreasonable — $205 a year for a family of four. If you can successfully exit through the gift shop without buying a few toys, there's no better bang for a parent's buck.

Best Cat Cafe

PHX Cat Cafe

Ever wondered what it would be like to be the "crazy cat person" without committing to caring for dozens of cats? Spend some time at this cafe, where older cats nap in elevated nooks and kittens play all day in a carefully curated environment full of scratching posts, perches, pillows and cat beds, feeding dishes and enough cat toys to fill a small sleigh. Feline fans love this place not only for the company of the cats but also for events like yoga with cats and drag bingo with cats. All the cats at the cafe are adoptable, so if you make a connection, you could find a fur-ever companion. The coffee is pretty good, too.

Best Interactive Art Activity

Spin Art Nation

Strap on some paint-covered overalls and a pair of oversized rubber boots for a wet and wild experience. Get your mind out of the gutter — this is good clean fun. Spin Art Nation, a family-owned and -run business in central Phoenix features fun with paint in motion. Ride a bicycle and create splatter art from the movement of your wheels, or try the hand crank for more precise placement. Or for a really great stress release, go into the splatter room with glow-in-the-dark everything and squirt, smear and fling paint onto your canvas with glee. You can wait around after your session for your creations to dry, or you can pick them up at a later date.

Best Low-Key Date Night

Candlelight Concerts

What makes for a better date night than a Taylor Swift concert? Or Adele? Coldplay? But, you know, classed up. Look no further than Candlelight Concerts, held around the Valley at venues such as the Phoenix Zoo and Warehouse215. While hundreds of electric candles illuminate the stage, the Listeso String Quartet performs tributes to some of the biggest artists in the world. You can enter a lavender haze with the Swifties, roll in the deep with some Adele and gaze at a sky full of stars with some Coldplay. Upcoming shows are dedicated to emo hits and the cinematic scores of composer Hans Zimmer. Tickets range from $35 to $65, and shows last an hour. Wine and beer also are available.

Best Roller Rink

USA Skateland Mesa

Ready to roll, Phoenix? There are a variety of places in town to slip on a pair of skates and have fun on wheels, from local roller rinks to fitness centers or other indoor venues. (Even hip concert hall The Van Buren has hosted a retro roller disco on occasion.) But one rink rules them all: Skateland in Mesa, a vintage gem that's the Valley's largest and longest-running skating spot. The 26,000-square-foot skate joint, which first opened in 1975, offers more space to glide and stride than other local rinks, a high-tech lighting and sound system, an arcade filled with redemption games, a fully stocked snack bar and plenty of kitschy charm to spare. Skateland's calendar is packed with public skating sessions and events aimed at young and old: Kids will enjoy theme parties and weekly events like the Character Glow Skate on Sunday starring childhood heroes such as Mario and Bluey. Grownups will dig the adults-only nights on Thursdays and Fridays and theme parties on weekends featuring costume contests, prizes, photo ops and other fun. Because that's just how they roll.

  • 7 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, 85210 Map

Best Of Phoenix®

Best of Phoenix 2024

Best Of

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy The Phoenix New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Phoenix New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation