This story has been updated to reflect a statement from Tempe officials and the sale of the property.
Longtime bar and restaurant Tempe Tavern closed its doors for good on the evening of Sept. 16, after more than a decade serving Tempe and Arizona State University students.
In 2025, Tempe Police cited over 200 and jailed three underage patrons at the business, 1810 E Apache Boulevard in Tempe. This was coupled with several violations from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control filed 25 violations, including 10 violations in 2026, against Tempe Tavern, including a failure to protect patrons, failure to maintain records and selling liquor to an underage patron.
In 2025, the business had 11 violations of accepting unauthorized forms of ID, with fines totaling over $55,000.
In February, the bar filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Tempe claiming a violation of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, claiming a lack of due process as part of a conspiracy to close the business for good.
The lawsuit claims the city “engaged in a pattern of selective enforcement, disproportionate regulatory action, reputational harm through official public statements, and retaliatory escalation of enforcement activity that has succeeded in largely destroying Tempe Tavern.”
The city of Tempe denied these claims and officials said that they were acting out of necessity for the public.
“The city of Tempe and the Tempe Police Department will continue to stand up for the safety of our community and the young people who live and go to school here,” a statement said.
A recent statement said, "The City of Tempe received a $9 million notice of claim from Tempe Tavern on Feb. 25, which claims that the bar was chosen for selective enforcement by Tempe Police. The City denies these false claims."
Tempe Tavern did not respond to a request for comment about this story or others.
Since closing, the business has deleted its social media accounts but still has an active website and phone line.
Now, over 300 items are being auctioned to the public. From neon signs to commercial kitchen appliances, a piece of Tempe Tavern will soon be dispersed far from the original location, but the fate of the historic property remains unknown.
The Maricopa County Assessor estimates the property to be $1.28 million, with over 3,000 square feet of commercial space. It was once a dairy barn built in 1918 and became a restaurant in 1973. Over the years, it went by the name Murphy’s Pub and New Oxbow Tavern before becoming Tempe Tavern in 2011.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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