Tempe Tavern, located at the corner of McClintock Drive and Apache Boulevard, has abruptly shut down after 15 years and is liquidating assets, including furnishings, electronics, beer systems and kitchen equipment, on Craigslist.
The bar's Instagram and Facebook accounts have been deactivated.
According to The Republic, the tavern had multiple liquor license violations starting as far back as 2021. A December police report tied the bar to a 19-year-old drinking and being involved in a fatal hit-and-run.
In March 2026, Tempe Tavern sued the police for a "smear campaign" against the bar that led to over 400 arrests (on suspicions of underage drinking) and a drop in revenues.
On Sept. 16, a 21-year-old impaired man caused a multiple-car crash that
led to the death of an 85-year-old woman. According to court documents, the man who caused the crash admitted to having three beers at a Tempe bar.
It is unclear whether it was at Tempe Tavern or if this was the reason for the closure.
Attorneys on social media and the AZ Family are speculating that the bar closed to avoid being sued due to Arizona dram shop law, which states that if a bar sells liquor to an underage or intoxicated individual and said individual causes injury or property damage, both the bar and the inebriated person are liable. However, the closure does not protect the bar owner from being sued.
Comments on social media following the closure were mixed.
Leonardo Copado wrote: "Tempe Tavern has been infamous for underaged/binge drinking since I’ve moved here in 2018. Interesting that it’s only now facing repercussions, maybe."
Jason Ruiz wrote: "Tavern deserves to close but not for this reason, more for the underage serving and lack of awareness to it that's been going on for YEARS"
Travis Huff responded: "or ppl should just drink responsibly and take accountability for themselves and quit blaming everyone else. if you go out and drink uber there and uber home. pretty simple"
At the time of publication, Tempe Tavern had not responded to The Republic's request for comment.
Reach the restaurant critic at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @baharcreative on Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Problematic Arizona bar abruptly closed after 15 years
