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“Chillin at the Chul” Delights Tucson with Music, Food & Nature

Chillin At The Chul (Photo courtesy of Tohono Chul)

“Chillin at the Chul” Delights Tucson with Music, Food & Nature

Jun 2, 20231 min read

As the scorching Arizona sun begins to set and Tucson starts to cool, locals and visitors have the opportunity to unwind at “Chillin at the Chul.” This free event at the iconic Tohono Chul promises a refreshing evening in the heart of nature.

This summer series, running every Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., from May 26 through Sept. 2, offers a captivating escape from the daily grind. Attendees can look forward to live music, delicious bites and refreshing drinks while immersed in the serene natural ambiance of Tohono Chul. The Garden Bistro will provide light bites and drinks, adding a culinary element to the evening.

On the evening of June 23, Tucson native Natalie Pohanic will lend her local talents to the event. A lifelong songwriter rooted in Americana and rock ‘n’ roll, Pohanic has forged a unique style of dream folk — songs replete with tender melodies and tales of starlit desert adventures.

“Chillin at the Chul” is hosted at Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte. The grounds are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but this event extends the hours into the evening.

For more information, visit the event page.

Discover more things to do in Tucson.

Article written by:

Shane Reiser

Shane Reiser

More about Shane
Tucson Foodie is Tucson's premier food and dining publication, covering the best restaurants, events, and culinary experiences in Southern Arizona.

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@Sisterstucson occupies a historic space on Country Club Road, once home to the Benedictine Monastery and its iconic “Pink Rose of the Desert” chapel. 

Built in 1939 by architect Roy Place, the property spent nearly 80 years as a monastery before being transformed into a neighborhood gathering place. Today, the former chapel is home to @Larosatucson, while Sisters Restaurant & Bar sits next door where the citrus orchard once stood.

Chef Christian “Chris” Bidegain’s (@Chrisbidegain) menu brings together carefully crafted pizzas, fresh focaccia, meatballs, mezze, cocktails, and boozy soft-serve. The pizza dough is cold-fermented for 24 hours before being balled and fermented a second time, resulting in a thin, crispy, chewy crust.

The Sonoran Rajas Pie features roasted poblano cream, corn, rajas, chile crema, and queso fresco, while the rotating Slice of the Week offers something new to try.

With colorful interiors, live music next door, and a focus on bringing different generations of Tucson together, Sisters is continuing the property’s long history as a place for community.

📍 800 N. Country Club Rd.

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Photos by @sea_lyon@Sisterstucson occupies a historic space on Country Club Road, once home to the Benedictine Monastery and its iconic “Pink Rose of the Desert” chapel. Built in 1939 by architect Roy Place, the property spent nearly 80 years as a monastery before being transformed into a neighborhood gathering place. Today, the former chapel is home to @Larosatucson, while Sisters Restaurant & Bar sits next door where the citrus orchard once stood. Chef Christian “Chris” Bidegain’s (@Chrisbidegain) menu brings together carefully crafted pizzas, fresh focaccia, meatballs, mezze, cocktails, and boozy soft-serve. The pizza dough is cold-fermented for 24 hours before being balled and fermented a second time, resulting in a thin, crispy, chewy crust. The Sonoran Rajas Pie features roasted poblano cream, corn, rajas, chile crema, and queso fresco, while the rotating Slice of the Week offers something new to try. With colorful interiors, live music next door, and a focus on bringing different generations of Tucson together, Sisters is continuing the property’s long history as a place for community. 📍 800 N. Country Club Rd. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Sneak pEAk👀🌄

@Sawmillrun has introduced a new fall menu across its cocktail list, lunch offerings, and dinner entrées. The seasonal menu leans into autumn flavors like apple, maple, pumpkin, and pear.

The new cocktail lineup includes classics like the Mount Lemmon Mule and Aspen Glow Old Fashioned, plus fall seasonals with a little more theatrics. The Forest Fire arrives under campfire smoke, the Changing Leaves pours tableside with a color-changing effect, and the Campfire Coffee is topped with brûléed marshmallow cold foam.

On the food side, new fall additions include the Autumn Burger with cheddar, apple butter, applewood bacon, and Dijon aioli, plus Prickly Pear Elote, Sawmill Poutine with duck fat gravy and cheese curds, and seasonal desserts like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and peach strudel.

Dinner brings Arizona-raised ingredients to dishes like the 12 oz @veraearlpremiumbeef Ribeye, Mesquite Half Chicken, Orchard Salad with Honeycrisp apple and Point Reyes blue cheese, and a rotating Chef’s Seasonal Feature highlighting local farms and ranches.

🍂Have you checked out Sawmill Run’s fall menu yet?

Read @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @addiewankenobiSneak pEAk👀🌄 @Sawmillrun has introduced a new fall menu across its cocktail list, lunch offerings, and dinner entrées. The seasonal menu leans into autumn flavors like apple, maple, pumpkin, and pear. The new cocktail lineup includes classics like the Mount Lemmon Mule and Aspen Glow Old Fashioned, plus fall seasonals with a little more theatrics. The Forest Fire arrives under campfire smoke, the Changing Leaves pours tableside with a color-changing effect, and the Campfire Coffee is topped with brûléed marshmallow cold foam. On the food side, new fall additions include the Autumn Burger with cheddar, apple butter, applewood bacon, and Dijon aioli, plus Prickly Pear Elote, Sawmill Poutine with duck fat gravy and cheese curds, and seasonal desserts like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and peach strudel. Dinner brings Arizona-raised ingredients to dishes like the 12 oz @veraearlpremiumbeef Ribeye, Mesquite Half Chicken, Orchard Salad with Honeycrisp apple and Point Reyes blue cheese, and a rotating Chef’s Seasonal Feature highlighting local farms and ranches. 🍂Have you checked out Sawmill Run’s fall menu yet? Read @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @addiewankenobi
Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026✨

@Mercadodistricttucson sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River.

Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops.

Mercado San Agustín 
100 S. Avenida del Convento

@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA Annex
267 S. Avenida del Convento

@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@rolliestucson 

The Monier
160 South Avenida del Convento

@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorites in the comments! 

See the guide on Tucsonfoodie.comWhere to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026✨ @Mercadodistricttucson sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River. Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops. Mercado San Agustín 100 S. Avenida del Convento @agustinkitchen @seiskitchen @prestacoffee @laestrella_tucson @dolcepastellocakes @zumitosjuicebar @santacruzriverfm MSA Annex 267 S. Avenida del Convento @decibelcoffeeworks @kukai___ @bosburger__ @rolliestucson The Monier 160 South Avenida del Convento @wholeslvcepizza @81barbersofficial Share your favorites in the comments! See the guide on Tucsonfoodie.com
An overnight escape just 45 minutes from Tucson 🌞

Spend the evening at @tubacgolfresortandspa, enjoy dinner, wake up to breakfast, and be back in Tucson by late morning, or extend your stay and make a weekend of it. The Tucson Foodie team had such a great time during our stay. Dinner and breakfast at Stables Ranch Grille were impressive and vegan-friendly, and the entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us around, @civilwines!

Established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac was one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Arizona and served as an important military outpost during Spanish colonization. And now, you can experience it for yourself.

GIVEAWAY 🎉

One winner receives a one-night stay at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa plus a $150 dining credit at Stables Ranch Grille.

To enter:
1. Like this post (share to your story and tag us for a bonus entry)
2. Follow @tucsonfoodie and @tubacgolfresortandspa
3. Comment who you would bring

Entries close [Monday, October 6] at 11:59 pm MST. Winner chosen at random and contacted only from this account. We will never ask you for payment or financial information.

Must be 21+ and a U.S. resident. Stay must be booked and completed by December 31, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates. Not transferable, no cash value, no purchase necessary. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.An overnight escape just 45 minutes from Tucson 🌞 Spend the evening at @tubacgolfresortandspa, enjoy dinner, wake up to breakfast, and be back in Tucson by late morning, or extend your stay and make a weekend of it. The Tucson Foodie team had such a great time during our stay. Dinner and breakfast at Stables Ranch Grille were impressive and vegan-friendly, and the entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us around, @civilwines! Established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac was one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Arizona and served as an important military outpost during Spanish colonization. And now, you can experience it for yourself. GIVEAWAY 🎉 One winner receives a one-night stay at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa plus a $150 dining credit at Stables Ranch Grille. To enter: 1. Like this post (share to your story and tag us for a bonus entry) 2. Follow @tucsonfoodie and @tubacgolfresortandspa 3. Comment who you would bring Entries close [Monday, October 6] at 11:59 pm MST. Winner chosen at random and contacted only from this account. We will never ask you for payment or financial information. Must be 21+ and a U.S. resident. Stay must be booked and completed by December 31, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates. Not transferable, no cash value, no purchase necessary. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.