The owners of Arena Sports Grill refer to their business as “Arizona’s Friendly Sports Grill.” The original location in Scottsdale opened in 1995, and Maricopa’s own location arrived in spring 2007.
The restaurant not only offers a full-service bar, but also pool, darts, and Golden Tee, a golf arcade game. Arena features several 50-inch high-definition televisions, along with a 120-inch big screen to show basketball, baseball, hockey and football games.
Such entertainment options may be why the owners call it a fun, family atmosphere.
Arena Sports Grill also shows Ultimate Fighting Championship fights monthly, which probably has something to do with the fact that Team Hughes of the UFC co-owns the restaurant. The other owners include the Stephens, Essex and Shaw families.
One owner, Stephen Stephens of Phoenix, said he wants to expand the sports bar concept, and is currently looking for a good location in Maricopa to open another restaurant because, “The people in Maricopa are great.” In the next five years, the owners would like to have a Blue Adobe Grill in addition to the Arena in Maricopa because the city is growing.
Stephens said, “We realized the opportunity to grow our business along with the city and provide a meeting place for the community in a fun atmosphere.”
Arena Sports Grill features a Friday fish fry, with all-you-can-eat fried, baked, or Cajun-style fish for $9. Other specialties include over eight flavors of chicken wings, and eight beers on tap served in ice-cold glasses, with beer-of-the-month specials.
Happy hour features more specials such as $7.50 pitchers of domestic beer, and food specials in the bar. Reverse happy hour from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. provides more savings, with $2 beers and $3 for the drink of your choice.
According to Stephens, Arena Sports Grill is “the place where the community comes together. It’s your place.”
Name of Business: Arena Sports Grill
Owner: Stephens, Essex and Shaw families, and Team Hughes of the UFC.
When did you start the business? February 2007
Why did you start the business? To expand our sports bar concept. We are still looking for a good space for our Blue Adobe Grille.
What do you like most about doing business in Maricopa? The people of Maricopa are great.
What’s the best part of your job? Every day is different.
Where do you see your business in five years? With both of our restaurant concepts in Maricopa.
Address: 20800 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 101
Phone: 520-494-7700
Web site: www.arenasportsgrill.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Photo by Autumn Rivers
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