Tucson, AZ

The people who work at Bentley’s are the best, the food and coffee are really good, there’s free Wi-fi, it’s pretty close to campus, and there’s usually good artwork on the walls. Another big draw is the (usually free) shows. Every Friday is an Open Mic night, from 7:45-10:45 p.m. and a “free acoustic open jam afterwards.” Come early (as early as 7:00 p.m. and as late as 7:30 p.m.) if you want to sign up. Check the website to find out about the “mini-showcaser,” with a spot from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  each week.

I’ve been friends with the owner of Bentley’s, Jo, for as long as I can remember. She is one of the nicest ladies I know, and she obviously knows how to run a coffee shop. She has run Bentley’s for as long as I’ve known her (I know this sounds impossible, but, to clear things up, I met her when I was five, and she was a classmate’s mother).

Really, I wanted to write about Bentley’s because, even though it’s a little more for a bagel there, I think it’s important to support local businesses, especially ones that are honestly some of the best people I know, and ones who really do their part to support local art.

A few Saturdays ago was the poetry slam, which happens quite a lot here, too. I couldn’t attend, but some friends did and said it was exciting. It’s not on the website, but I got an email about it.

Today, I came here and caught the tail end of an “Artisan Fair” going on outside and noticed a poster for “Craft Night” here on Saturdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in preparation for the holidays.

Check out featured artworks, the menu, and other events here: http://www.bentleyscoffeehouse.com/