A 10,000-acre respite in Phoenix, the Farm at South Mountain opened Stone Grove, a new outdoor event space, in the fall. The stunning yet rustic outdoor event space gets its name from the surrounding low wall made from locally sourced ancient granite stones. The 3,000-square-foot lawn seats 300 guests. There are three additional venues on the property, and buyouts are available. Farm-to-table ingredients make up menu options provided exclusively by Santa Barbara Catering. Though the venue is outdoors, power outlets are available, and there is an in-house audiovisual team.
Long vacant, the historic Beef Eater building reopened in May as the Newton, a multiuse commercial space. Although the Newton feels modern, accents like original chandeliers and reclaimed wood throughout the 18,000-square-foot building pay homage to its history. In addition to a bookstore, restaurant, café, and bar, there are three dedicated spaces for meetings and events. The Commons, which functions as an informal café by day, measures approximately 2,000 square feet and seats 80 or holds 150 for receptions. Two additional meeting rooms, at 300 square feet and 575 square feet, can be combined to hold 80 guests for receptions. Catering is provided by the on-site restaurant, Southern Rail.
From the team behind the popular eatery Beckett's Table, Southern Rail opened in May in uptown Phoenix. The menu is packed with strong Southern flavors and is complemented by an array of wine and spirits from all over the United States. Southern Rail is the only restaurant in the Newton, a new multiuse commercial space housed in the historic Beef Eater's building. With the patio and a 30-seat private dining room, the 5,100-square-foot restaurant seats 240 guests.
From Carlos Santana's guitars to an authentic Burmese harp, the Musical Instrument Museum is home to more than 15,000 musical instruments and artifacts and collects musical instruments from all over the globe. The museum, which opened four years ago and finished a renovation in August, now includes 3,400 square feet of meeting space. The smallest of its three private spaces seats 30 guests or holds 50 for receptions, and the largest seats 80 or holds 100 for receptions.
Known as the "house that chewing gum built," the Wrigley Mansion was originally constructed for gum magnate William Wrigley in 1931. The historic venue underwent a refresh in the summer, updating its decor, paint, and landscaping. The 16,850-square-foot former home in the Biltmore Corridor includes 24 rooms and holds 1,200 for receptions. The on-site Geordie’s Restaurant and Lounge, an Italian eatery, provides catering.
Dominick's Steakhouse reopened after a renovation in the summer, and the 10,000-square-foot space0 now seats 380 guests. The interior of the fine-dining restaurant has the feel of a Midtown Manhattan steak house, but the outside has a distinctly West Coast vibe with seating surrounding a pool. The restaurant, which originally opened in 2011, also boasts a 3,000-bottle wine cellar.
Accessible via car or boat, the Watershed in Tempe underwent a renovation that finished in August. The casual lakeside restaurant and bar now features a rebuilt patio that holds 200 guests. Inside, the 10,000-square-foot venue seats 526. Planners can use 10 HDMI-equipped large-screen TVs for events ranging from a live music performance to indoor and outdoor games. In addition to a modern American menu, the Watershed offers a fun cocktail list and an impressive craft beer selection.
Meeting and working blend together at Mod, a bilevel spot that combines a co-working space, café, event space, wine bar, conference center, and open-air patio. Opened in March, the modern-chic establishment includes 6,482 square feet of meeting space and seats 250 guests. An additional 150 seats can be arranged in the main lobby. The on-site kitchen cooks up healthy food from scratch, and the space is equipped with state-of-the-art communication technology. An in-house concierge is on hand to help with needs like audiovisual setups, printing, video conferencing, and notary services.
Opened in September, Phoenix's second Staybridge Suites includes 576 square feet of meeting space that seats 50 people theater-style. Guests staying in the hotel's 104 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites enjoy complimentary breakfast daily, as well as evening receptions three nights a week. Planners can work with the on-site food and beverage team to create a customized, casual menu.
The Showcase Room is set to open in December in the Yard in Tempe, a new commercial complex in the Farmer Arts district. With a warehouse-style vibe, the event space is a blank canvas for planners and measures more than 4,000 square feet. It seats 210 guests or holds 450 for receptions, and retractable walls can divide the space. Design features include exposed concrete beams, wood floors, salvaged materials, four plasma-screen TVs, two drop-down audiovisual screens, an LCD projector, wireless and handheld microphones, a built-in sound system, and Wi-Fi for guests. The venue has a culinary team to help create event menus.
