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Big Changes Coming: Hub & Playground To Merge for New Dining Experience

Big Changes Coming: Hub & Playground To Merge for New Dining Experience

May 17, 20242 min read

Big changes are on the horizon for HUB Restaurant and Playground in downtown Tucson!

Beginning Monday, May 20, HUB, located at 266 E. Congress St., will be operating out of Playground, 278 E. Congress St. In other words, the two restaurants will become one, and all of the dining locations on both properties, including the first-floor outdoor patio known as Playground’s Bar Cinema Patio, will be HUB.

Construction begins this month and then HUB will then have a reopening in September of this year. Therefore, there’s going to be even more seating at HUB when the two spaces are connected.

HUB Restaurant (Photo by SWOON Media)

“This summer, HUB will be going to ‘summer camp’ next door at Playground, while the original downtown restaurant HUB gets refreshed,” said Regan Jasper. “We will be moving our menu, team, and ice cream next door, and when we reopen after 100 days, we will have a new, larger bar, all new booths, complimentary valet courtesy of AC Marriott. We will incorporate the beautiful patio from Playground into our everyday dining space.”

HUB will have complimentary valet parking for the summer, meaning folks can valet at the AC Hotel and get their ticket validated when they dine in. Additionally, there will still be valet and self-parking when HUB officially opens its brand-new dining room in September.

For fans of Playground, it’s still sticking around. Playground will still run the nightclub on the rooftop every Friday and Saturday night. The rooftop will also serve as a private event space.

HUB’s ice cream is here to stay, too!

“We can’t wait to show Tucson what this new HUB will look like — and to showcase our elevated food and bar menu,” said Jasper.

So, just to recap:
  • HUB will never be closed during the construction process
  • The restaurant will be operating out of Playground’s space throughout the summer
  • Construction should wrap up in September 2024
  • Playground will still be a nightclub on the rooftop Friday and Saturday
people, crowd, Playground, Film Fest Tucson, downtown Tucson
(Photo courtesy of Film Fest Tucson)

Think of it as one big hub for dining, dessert, cocktails, and dancing.

For more information, visit hubdowntown.com and keep up with the latest by following HUB Restaurant on Instagram

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Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnewsItalian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her.

Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her. Our hearts are with her family today. We’ll love you and miss you forever, Spaghetti.❤️‍🩹🐶Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
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Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
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More details in bio!Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio!The Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️

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@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
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MSA ANNEX:
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THE MONIER:
@wholeslvcepizza 
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Share your favorite stops with us!
More details on Tucsonfoodie.com 

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From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

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Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week:
* Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia
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* arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
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PRIZES
This week’s prize pool includes:
* Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets
* $100 Visa gift card
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* $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
* @desertmuseum passes

Presenting sponsor: @visittucson
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