Meeting Planners
Top Venues For Group Dining in Tempe
July 19, 2024
Party of 15 to 1,500, your table is ready.
From corporate meetings and post-tournament team celebrations to bachelorette parties and family vacations, Tempe is an ideal destination for gathering around an exceptional meal.
Home to Arizona State University, Tempe is no stranger to hosting spirited groups at its many great venues for a variety of special occasions.
For an unforgettable experience, here’s our list of top venues that capture the essence of Tempe and all it has to offer for your next group dining experience.
Tap into Breweries
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E. 8th St., #104, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-303-9967
Since opening in 1997, Four Peaks has been a favorite Tempe destination for great craft beer. Signature brews, including the Scottish style Kilt Lifter, 8th Street Pale Ale and Hop Knot IPA, can be found all over town, but they are best experienced at the brewery’s historic flagship location on 8th Street. Originally constructed in 1892, this charming Mission-Revival style red-brick structure formerly housed F.A. Hough’s Ice Factory, Borden Milk Co. Creamery and Ice Factory as well as Uranus Recording (a recording studio used by The Gin Blossoms and Stevie Nicks). Today, the spacious interior is home to the brewing operations kettles and tanks, a large bar and sunny outdoor patio, a crave-worthy menu, and plenty of space for group dining. Tours are also available.
Four Peaks Brewing Company Wilson Tasting Room
2401 S. Wilson St., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-634-2976
Also part of the Four Peaks family, Wilson Tasting Room & Event Space is a unique venue that offers a close-up view of Arizona’s largest production brewery. This venue is equipped to host a variety of events, including corporate meetings, wedding rehearsals and receptions, networking mixers, fundraisers and holiday functions. The Wilson Taproom can accommodate from 40 to 250 people. Tours are also available.
Hundred Mile Brewing Company
690 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-256-1623
Tempe’s newest craft brewery and restaurant pairs its bright, modern vibe with its focus on high-quality craft beverages, elevated menu items and engaging community events. In addition to the 10,000 square-foot (10-barrel) brewhouse, restaurant and patio, Hundred Mile has added 16,000 square feet of private event space that’s designed to provide an exceptional setting for a wide range of events, including corporate gatherings, team building and group tastings.
“We can’t wait to help you create a truly memorable experience at Hundred Mile Brewing.” —Sue Rigler, founder/owner
Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-314-2337
This restaurant/microbrewery was built as a haven for lovers of bikes, good times and beer. And the more, the merrier. Pedal Haus features Tempe’s biggest patio, complete with fire pit, outdoor beer garden and yard games. Located right off Mill Avenue, it’s the perfect location for parties and events of 10 to 100 people. Here, the eclectic menu combines award-winning haus brews with contemporary, locally sourced cuisine — and your next experience can be custom tailored for your budget and preferences.
Mix & Mingle
Culinary Dropout at the Yard Tempe
149 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-240-1601
Culinary Dropout is known for its inviting atmosphere, spacious patio, discussion-worthy appetizers and stand out main dishes. Guests rave about the soft pretzels with fondue for dipping or the fried chicken with delicious sides. In addition, the location has games and plenty of unique quirks to keep guests engaged and entertained. Choose from eight options for group dining, including the Coop (100 reception style, 60+ seated), the Grand Table (seating for 30), the full patio (325 standing reception), or the full restaurant (1,000 standing, 500 seated).
The Showcase Room
149 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-265-3485
The Showcase Room, located within Culinary Dropout, is an event space that can be split up into smaller spaces or kept together as one large event area that can accommodate up to 400 guests, reception style, or 200 for a plated dining experience. With a chic, yet industrial feel, your guests will be impressed with delicious food in an amazing meeting space. The talented chefs from Fox Restaurant Concepts provide customizable menu options to fit any occasion, theme or price point.
Social Hall
715 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-747-3851
At this historic property, your guests will be greeted by the larger-than-life “Let’s get together Tempe” mural. Inside, an expansive indoor space featuring free, pub-style games, a beautiful patio, a wide variety of craft cocktails and a selection of American comfort food with a New Mexican twist awaits. Whether you’re planning a small gathering of 10 or a party of 600, Social Hall offers six unique spaces that can be used individually, in combination or as an entire floor or venue buyout.
Get in the Game
Dave & Buster’s
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 1100, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-281-8456
Known for tons of arcade games and televisions for sports fans, the Dave & Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace is ideal for an immersive party of any kind. Private meeting rooms are available along with lots of food and beverage options.
Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing Bar & Grill
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 2105, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-773-6551
Sure, you’ve slung an axe or two in the past, but when it’s time to elevate your next group outing or team building experience for up too 400 guests, Lumberjaxes new Tempe location is ready for you. The vibe is plush, and the fresh renovations are inviting throughout this 13,000-square-foot, indoor/outdoor space, that’s home to 13 targets for axe throwing and over two dozen TVs centered around the massive bar. Best known for his appearances on “Hell’s Kitchen” and MTV’s “Snack-Off,” celebrity chef and culinary director Matt Hearn is hitting bullseyes on the culinary side of this operation, too.
Main Event Tempe
8545 S. Emerald Drive, Tempe, AZ | 480-753-1200
This destination for fun for all ages includes bowling lanes, laser tag, a gravity ropes course, billiards and more than 125 interactive games. Their event team can help plan a group event for kids or adults that include food, beverages and activities. Several event spaces are available, or a group can buy out the entire venue.
Mills Modern Social
83 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 602-491-9119
This 16,000 square-foot space culinary destination and social hub is the perfect spot for friends to get together for drinks, delicious food and a memorable time. With TVs and game options galore, and plenty of plush seating options, it’s an ideal setting for your next group event. The scratch kitchen offers everything from flatbread pizza and glammed-up burgers to salads, sandwiches and sweets.
Southwest Flavor
Barrio Queen
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-912-4052
Created by owners Linda Nash and Steven Rosenfield, Barrio Queen brings authentic Southern Mexican fine dining and culture to the Valley. In addition to its family recipes, the restaurant is known for its unique drinks and extensive tequila and mezcal menus. From the fresh guacamole made table-side to the Mexican artwork throughout the state-of-the-art patio and indoor dining area, this dining experience engages all five of the senses.
Rustler’s Rooste
8383 S. 48th St., Phoenix, AZ 85044 | 602-431-6474
For an iconic and unforgettable Southwestern experience, Rustler’s Rooste offers plenty of indoor and outdoor space set against sweeping views of the Valley of the Sun. Perched on a mountain top, this restaurant serves up hearty entrées, live music in the evenings, unforgettable sunset and city views for groups of up to 1,500.
Gertrude’s Restaurant at Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 480-719-8600
While you might be thinking of Southwestern cuisine for this category (which Tempe has plenty of), we’d be remiss to not include Southwest ambiance here, too. Named after Desert Botanical Garden founder Gertrude Divine Webster, this indoor/outdoor restaurant is located within the 140-acre garden, the menu here showcases American favorites and flavors from around the globe across its seasonal menus that are inspired by Arizona growers and producers. This elevated dining experience pairs perfectly with an evening of exploring the garden’s tranquil landscape that’s home to more than 50,000 desert plants.
Chic & Cozy
Caffe Boa
398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-968-9112
From small, personalized wine tastings to entire restaurant buyouts, Caffe Boa has been delivering handmade pasta and fresh seafood dishes crafted from the finest ingredients to groups for over 28 years. Treat your guests to a pairing with a selection from Arizona’s only all-natural wine list. In addition to the secret garden-style patio, this Mill Avenue restaurant also offers two private rooms: “The Room” seats up to 28, and “The Room Piccolo” seats up to 12.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 1041, Tempe, AZ | 480-968-2920
Thirsty Lion pairs its scratch kitchen and seasonal menus with and cozy, open space and, of course, sports. Located at Tempe Marketplace, this gastropub and grill can seat more than 100 guests in its private space, plus even more across the outdoor patio.
