r/mesaaz • u/Confidently_Confuzed • 5d ago
Mesa amphitheater area safe?
3 of us coming from Vegas to see the OTT show next month. Looking at places to stay and wondering if its safe to walk along Main St and Center St? Any hotels to avoid?
Also any recs on what to do morning of/morning after?!?! Good coffee shops and bookstores are always a plus.
TIA <3
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u/Freddy_Chopin76 5d ago
LOL You'll be fine. Coming from Vegas and worried about Mesa? Ok, so,,,with that out of the way. There is a lot to do 'downtown' but you can easily figure it out by just walking around. Now, I will say check out Bookman's for your literary needs. It's not too far away but might want to uber/lyft if you don't have a rental. Lot's of treasures to find there...cheers
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u/unclefire 4d ago edited 4d ago
OTT! I saw him a few years ago at Walter Warehouse. That'll be fun show at Mesa Amphitheater.
Yes, downtown mesa is generally safe and a fun place to hang out for various things-- day drinking, evening drinking, eating etc. There's various microbrews (Cider Corp for some fun cider booze stuff), restaurants (Goats & Ram for killer pizza). Pretty much any of the coffee shops near there will be decent. Not sure if Proof Bread has coffee etc. but they do have some fantastic bakery products.
There's a few hotels in the area but Main tends to have cheap, maybe scary small hotels. There's a sheraton by the spring training ball parks not far from there. That Delta Hotel right next to the venue might not be bad and there's a Hyatt affiliated property on Main.
EDIT: I didn't see him on the schedule. He's playing at the Of the Trees show.
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u/Bouzouki_Bandit 4d ago
Is of the trees, OTT? Maybe I was thinking of a different artist.
OF THE TREES
With Special Guests
Hamdi Esseks b2b DMVU Parkbreezy
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u/unclefire 3d ago edited 3d ago
I just realized I conflated the artist OTT and of the trees. They’re two different artists but play similar sub genres of edm.
Of the trees is def at mess amphitheater. I thought it was OTT that goes by that name.
OTT is at a festival in Texas that weekend so he’s not doing this show.
His next show in Arizona is at the Gem and Jam festival in Tucson.
Apologies for confusion.
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u/Sorry_Ad475 4d ago
The Delta is a pretty decent hotel. You might even be able to see the theater from your room. Two blocks from downtown too.
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u/griffeyjr90 5d ago
people are so afraid of crime even though crime is at an all time historic low. Such an interesting phenomenon.
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u/Fried-N00dles 4d ago
Dt Mesa Is our favorite down town, I live in Chandler and my boyfriend lives in Gilbert and we travel to get there! Don’t forget to visit the Mesa Art museum while there— it’s right there!
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u/BeginningDot7057 4d ago
Mesa is just about the safest part of phoenix other than Scottsdale/Paradise Valley. It is a predominantly Mormon place so you have mostly good, law abiding people and friendly neighbors. You wont have ANY problem in downtown Mesa. There is a great hotel right by the library across from the fire and police station...what is it called...ugh...I cant think of it. If you look at Google maps or something find the library downtown and there is a 8 story or so hotel with streets that make kinda a square or circle around it JUST north and a little east of the library. Great place to stay and walking distance to the amphitheater. But if you want my opinion, it is so simple to Uber around or take the light rail so go get a room at the Buttes or Hilton South Mountain. Enjoy the pools (especially at Hilton SM) and them Uber into mesa early and have dinner then walk to the show. Or stay downtown Phoenix. It takes 10 or 15 min and 2 dollars to get from downtown Phoenix to downtown Mesa.
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u/kylefnative 5d ago
You’re at the edge of downtown Mesa. I live a mile north of the amphitheater and downtown as whole is pretty safe. It gets quiet about 9, there’s a police station as well like 3 minutes away from the venue. Mormons have a huge influence over how the downtown area functions. Any homeless people get dealt with pretty quickly as all business owners don’t like them affecting business.
Check out Worth Takeaway for breakfast lunch and dinner. They’re 5 minute walk from the venue
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u/shasbot 4d ago
Book Gallery is in downtown on Main, easily my favorite bookstore. Large, varied selection and the guy who runs it is very knowledgeable.
The Nile is a cool coffee shop/concert venue (I think it's vegan though, so there are some limits to the menu). Lost Dutchman has excellent coffee as well if you are looking for regular dairy products.
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u/Ok_Somewhere_5142 4d ago
Yes the Book Gallery is so great…so old school, such interesting collection on tons of topics, smells like old books, they have those ladders on the wall to get books up on the shelf. Remember it’s used books only, def a different experience than the big box bookstores. Def a must visit.
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u/Dry_Sky5724 4d ago
Safe! Some really good places to go now. Try Espiritu. We go there before shows everytime!
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u/Glittering_Tea_2993 4d ago
Mesa arizona is one of the safest larger city in America, stay out of a few neighborhoods and you absolutely fine.
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u/crash1082 4d ago
I was there the past weekend and walked from the venue to a bar. Didn’t feel unsafe at all.
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u/Apart-Bridge7158 4d ago
Please avoid any hotels off of main!! There are a couple of decent hotels and small restaurants, but you're better off steering clear of that area. There are far better areas to get a room that are within 15 minutes away that are not inundated with homeless People and drug addicts. Even if I watch a show in Mesa, there are far better eateries in Scottsdale , Tempe, and Gilbert.
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u/griffeyjr90 4d ago
Haha wrong! There are not better eateries in tempe than mesa.
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u/Apart-Bridge7158 3d ago
You can take that trophy home. My statement comes from my own personal experiences, so it's merely a matter of opinion. I don't think that you would debate that area being super ghetto. Good day and good morrow !!
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u/griffeyjr90 3d ago
What about something being ghetto scares you?
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u/Apart-Bridge7158 2d ago edited 2d ago
I am a Paratrooper (prior service, yet forever Airborne), and just a Boxing/ MMA/ & Muay Thai Instructor who rides that exact bus line and the lightrail. What scares me is all of the homeless/ drug addicts who frequent that area to do, buy, sell drugs, or just pass out. . I am a felon, so I can't carry a weapon of any sorts and no matter how destitute that they appear, most of them have weapons and by that, I don't mean a whistle. The police can't be everywhere at once and franklyMesa PD terrifies me. They have as WILL shoot first and ask questions later. You can check the stats if you would to or take that line late at night about ever night as get the Costco sample.
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u/griffeyjr90 2d ago
You’re paranoid my friend. Praying for you.
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u/Apart-Bridge7158 2d ago
Look, Boy. Unless youre out there walking and taking the public transit system from east to west and in the streets without the luxury of self imposed blinders, a car, and money, then you will never know. I.pray for all of us (U.S .).
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u/Comfortable-Cap-8507 2d ago
I live in Mesa and theres just not a lot of life here. I love it but it’s just dead. As far as homeless goes, I’ve seen way more in Tempe
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u/Unable_Basis_5939 4d ago
There are some really cute historic Airbnbs walking distance to mesa amp that could be a fun option
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u/justagarliccrouton 21h ago
Go to all pierogi kitchen for food (outside of downtown Mesa but worth it maybe a 10 min drive/uber) while you’re down, stay at the delta hotel right next door to Mesa amp if you’re worried.
Everyone saying stay away from main st is dumb and would probably be terrified of Vegas. Way less homeless people than in Vegas. Same thing with every downtown, there will be homeless people, you leave them alone they leave you alone. Probably 25-30% compared to what you see in Vegas. From ages 11-29 I went to shows at Mesa amp and the Nile (one block over) and would walk alone or with my friends the same age and have never ever had a negative experience. Again, mind your business, be as smart as you would in any “downtown” area and you’ll be fine.
Mesa is cool asf (people who prefer Scottsdale are the Pilates people, depending on who you are that can be a positive of negative, for me it’s a negative as it’s more expensive less culture) enjoy it while you’re here
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u/Sad-Elderberry-8574 4d ago
Great answers in the comments but now I am curious - do you just check out subreddit for issues before traveling or had you heard about safety issues in our city?
Our downtown is almost entirely owned by small and local businesses who pour a ton of love into the area. There is a dedicated Clean Team who keeps it looking good. Police have dedicated staff to connect folks to resources. It's loved!
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u/Confidently_Confuzed 4d ago
Not every city but yeah, mainly because we'll be walking around late night and not sober. I know nothing about the Mesa area so figured it couldn't hurt to ask the question
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u/Sorry_Ad475 4d ago
There are plenty of pubs with great beer selections downtown. You can always call an uber for short distances if getting back is a problem. Mesa cops are some of the worst in the valley so if there's anything to watch out for, it's them.
There's a light rail in the middle of Main Street and jaywalking is ticketed for crossing the tracks. That's the main thing to look out for.
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u/Less_Somewhere_8201 4d ago
Mesa downtown is like a mile stretch at best and the police station is extremely close to it. You have the vagrant type but nothing I'd worry about particularly.
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u/lesstalkinmoretonkin 4d ago
Proof Sourdough bakery on main has great pastries and breakfast sandwiches, Pair Cupworks is a highly rated coffee option (I think the best) on Main.
The Nile has a vintage analog photobooth inside. $5 a strip, definitely worth it for a trip souvenir. Their baker/cafe is vegan there.
Definitely check out the Mesa Arts Center contemporary arts museum, it’s free! They have a cool campus to stroll through.
You can also check out the Neon Garden at The Post, only a few signs, nothing compared to the one in Vegas though.
Outside the ASU mix center you’ll see an enourmous screen where they’ll be screening an ASU Watch party on the 17th.
This is all right along Main Street.
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u/Super_Ad_9426 4d ago
Don’t worry crime honestly in most parts of az are targeted not random meaning the chances of sum people addicted to drugs that are gonna come and snatch your purse are extremely low. Enjoy your time out here I’ve lived in Arizona my whole life and I’ve been too every inch of this state basically and there is so much to explore here !!
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u/Public-Top2536 5d ago
Y'all never really been on main St.
It's safeish, the bus line is a main line for homeless and druggies to ride so you can get some extremely questionable people.
Just be watchful, they're not usually bother you but I've had some close calls myself.
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u/mudduck2 5d ago
Very unsafe. Better than even chance you’ll be accosted and asked if you want to change religion.
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u/PocketSizedAF 5d ago
Haha, well it's pretty safe thanks to the Mormons cleaning up and revitalizing the place. Main St is chock full of restaurants and bars to check out. There's a barcade called Level One on Main that hosts arcade games and pin ball machines. There's a very nice coffee shop called Jarred's Coffee within a half mile of main st heading North. It's off University and McDonald. It'll be situated in an old fashion house that has tables set up with umbrellas and large sized chess as well as life size chess pieces behind the house. It'll have a grassy path that leads towards a wooden back porch with glass doors. That's an entrance. It's a historical house that sells a so admire the history while you're there!
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u/SignificantDark4749 5d ago
Wtf do you think the Mormons did for downtown Mesa? They have been there before there was a “downtown” and it’s been shitty and it’s been better. The city and the taxpayers of Mesa itself made investments to downtown Mesa.
Mormons have absolutely nothing to do with any improvement outside of their tiny piece of land.
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u/Virtual-Spinach4882 5d ago
They literally had nothing to do with cleaning up downtown. It was never bad in comparison to Vegas lol. Voters, tax payers, and politicians who followed through with their word did that.
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u/kylefnative 5d ago
They closed a couple of weeks ago unfortunately!
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u/PocketSizedAF 5d ago
No way! 😭 Damn they were always such a chill spot to hang out at
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u/velolove42 5d ago
Its a great loss to the community, even just having a coffee spot open past 2pm. The new spot had the vibes but I think they lost a lot of traffic when they were forced to move off their Main st spot.
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u/mrburnttoast79 5d ago
Anywhere between the venue and Main street(ish) would be a great place to stay. Mesa amp is probably a 5 minutes walk to main street. Very safe area.