Downtown Phoenix is finally coming alive after dark. 

Thanks to ASU and a few downtown residents looking for entertainment after 9pm, there are plenty of things to do once the sun goes down. If you're looking for a little head start, head over to Phoenix Friday Nights, a website designed to help you plan your night. 

Join up with other like-minded individuals for coffee, beer and great conversation. The festivities start at 6p every Friday.

This pool is cool.

Sure it sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. From the eclectic color patterns separating the hot tub from the pool (fashioned after So Long, Farewell from the Sound of Music as a tribute to owner Ben Bethel's best friend who passed away last year) to the water wall with a mirrored finish that reminds onlookers of liquid mercury, the Clarendon pool is more than a place to swim. It's a place to relax, visit and just soak up the positive vibes.

Recently named best pool in the Valley by Phoenix Magazine, Bethel's liquid hangout has a few other surprises, most notably an underwater sound system. Guess all the songs played and he'll hook you up with free rooms.

The hotel pool is open to the public, so don't be afraid to head for a dip even if you live close by. Poolside service is included, allowing pool goers to order beers and snacks without ever leaving their lounge chair.

See more at The Clarendon Hotel+Suites.

Jamie Crosbie might not have planned to stay in Phoenix, but she's glad she's here now.

The former math teacher quit her job after realizing how little learning actually happens with politicians controlling the curriculum and decided she needed to say goodbye to Texas, too. She worked a few short gigs, packed up her husband and their things in a van and set off to find something better. After two months of traveling, her journey brought her to Phoenix. The 23 year old got a job as a Retirement Plan Administrator, found a nice little bungalow and parked the van.

One of her favorite downtown hangouts is the Roosevelt. "The Roosevelt is gorgeous inside, and with it's dark lighting and roses makes for a romantic hangout. Plus, they have really awesome pretzels," Jamie said.

She has since fallen in love with downtown, something that surprised her growing up in a town of 5000 people. She's keenly aware that downtown still needs some work, and concedes it needs more people.

When asked what she'd most like to improve on, Jamie realized she needed to find something that kept her up at night. Not an easy task, as her 4.0 GPA and the fact she graduated college in three years made her overqualified for everything. Oh, and she's really good at pleasing people, but what perfect person isn't?

Calling all racing fans, it's time to get your wood on.

Grab your sandpaper, weights, woodworking tools and your best paint job and head over to Phoenix Pinewood Derby for the chance to pit your car against others. 

It's like Cub Scouts, except everyone is invited. $20 for a car and t-shirt, see Phoenix Pinewood Derby for details and to get help designing a winner.

Hope to see you there!

Tyson Crosbie is on a mission. He wants to bring culture to downtown Phoenix.

The artist and photographer, who celebrated his 30 birthday this year, is having what he calls the best year of his life.

A resident since moving here with his wife for a job opportunity in July 2007, he refused to live anywhere but downtown. He admits he was a bit ignorant as to what exactly downtown was, but Crosbie ended up in a restored bungalow in the arts district that he's pretty happy with.

He'd like to see more development, more character and certainly less empty lots than currently make up too much of our urban core. While those empty lots are used at his favorite downtown events like First and Third Fridays, he knows it will happen eventually, it just needs a little prodding. "As an artist living practically on the doorstep of a burgeoning art scene was just the validation I needed for insisting on living downtown," Crosbie said.

Paisley Violin and Lux are tops on his list of coffee shops to work from and he's actively expanding his choices. Supporting local business is a goal of Crosbie's, as he and friends visit a different locally-owned establishment every Friday night. He and other creative types meet to swap stories, exchange ideas and share their lives with others of their ilk at an event dubbed Phoenix Friday Nights, a spin-off of Phoenix Friday Coffee, which started as two guys having coffee in the East Valley.

Check out Crosbie's work at tysoncrosbie.com.

Laurie Perez likes random conversations. Apparently downtown Phoenix is great for them.

Perez, who fancies Bar Smith on Saturdays because of the diversity, the ambiance and the upbeat mood, also lists the Firefly Room in the Phoenix Art Museum as one of her favorite downtown spots. Her advice is pretty solid, she's been here since Durant's and the PAM were the only reasons to be come down.

Once a year, Perez attends the tasty West of Western festival, an event that has grown dramatically over the years. 

While she may not live downtown, she makes plenty of time for the neighborhood. She recommends heading to First Fridays in groups and urges those new to the area to not "expect it to be Manhattan, the Gaslamp or the Haight", rather somewhere between. 

"It's [an] urban/get-down-to-business pulse meets trendy restaurants & sports, meets open-minded fringe culture and a young, diverse market," Perez said. "It's still a bit tattered 'round the edges yet it's future oriented.  It's definitely the coolest place to invest right now in the greater Phoenix region.

If you see her around, be sure to point her to the Roosevelt. She hasn't made it there quite yet. 

Matt Wynn dabbles in data. For a living.

The 24 year old lives and works downtown for the online arm of the local paper, picking a home here because, well, "the commute would kill me."

Wynn's wishes for Phoenix include more places to people watch, noting the options are so spread out right now that it's best to camp out at one spot all night. "Bar hopping isn't really an option," Wynn said.

His day job as Data Developer has allowed him to be close to all the downtown action, which often includes trips to Diamondbacks' games so his son can see his favorite player, Conor Jackson.

Down ladies. He's married.

Chelsea Winkel lists her occupation as Problem Solver. Ask Carly's and they just might call her a problem maker. The 24 year old has lived in or around Phoenix most of her life, with a short stint in the Midwest and a few years in Minnesota.

She fancies herself a late night bike rider and seemingly can't get enough of the Watermelon Juice at Ranch Market, which is far and away her favorite breakfast spot.

Look for her working the day away at the George and Dragon--that is if you can pull her away from the beer, lunch specials, soccer and pool long enough. Oh, and she has a favorite jean skirt. You'll know it when you see it.

See her work at hirechelsea.com.

kontakt magazing publisher Don Crossland lives on the intersection of 1st Ave and Fillmore, just south of the busiest Circle K in the city. Not only is it a favorite spot for the local homeless population, it's also a short wheelchair or walker ride away from the Westward Ho, downtown's home for disable veterans. Crossland has seen quite a few interesting things. Here's just one of his stories.