The Empty Metrocenter Mall - Visiting Phoenix Bat Cave & Bill And Ted Circle K Is Still Open (Kinda)

Phoenix Arizona June 2023

[@sguglie]

Native Arizonian here... lived by that mall when it opened and was the biggest mall at the time. It was fantastic and I have fond memories of it at the ice skating rink. Too bad it became what it did in the end. Thanks for your Phoenix perspective, it has been interesting. 😊

[@Odin33356]

Footballs , fentanyl and big dick is more important

[@Odin33356]

@@jayweiss4378 where I live it's too dangerous for them to go anywhere

[@Odin33356]

@@jayweiss4378 thug nation

[@Odin33356]

@@jayweiss4378 the goal is to make drugs or prostitution legal and plastic bags or straws illegal so we can throw plastic printers away instead of buying new ink cartridges because its cheaper

[@88detour]

Yeah, that Ice Skating Rink became an arcade. Eventually they closed that lower level.

[@PhantomOfManyTopics]

Metro center opened in 1973, we moved to Phoenix in 1977. I spent my childhood in that mall. Ironically, the mall died, but there is still a ring of businesses around the mall that has survived.

[@TheDailyWoo]

I’m glad I was able to get inside in its last operating day a while back

[@Chrisb8s]

yes, Metrocenter was a destination mall. we would drive all the way over from Mesa to see the ice skating rink

[@pinkelefant4ever]

I wonder what happened to the sand art guy. He was amazing.

[@paulineamakres7286]

It is so weird being around it in the current state has dawn of the dead vibes

[@malfuncsean]

Thanks for the shout out. That was a fun trip. It was so bizarre watch people skateboard and roller skate through the mall.

[@TheDailyWoo]

Was very bizarre . I’ll never forget that night and everyone doing burn outs in the parking lot

[@luvadventuresandart]

The Metro mall is being converted into apartments and a few hotels and a park. They played Bill and Ted's excellent adventure the last day it was open. They filmed the movie there.

[@michelehood8837]

That bat footage is one maybe one of my favorite things you’ve ever filmed. Fascinating and so cool! Thanks for including it.

[@arizonaalchemy7572]

Hey, Adam. When I moved here in 1992. The CIRCLE-K was still there. Then the building sat empty for a few years. The new convenience store opened. Nice to see one there now, to keep that building open. Also, the Coronado High School in Scottsdale is still here. The original school was replaced with a new building. They kept the Tile Mural and placed it on the front at the new entrance to the school. I walk past that school almost every day. 🙂 Nice vlog, Thank you !

[@williammitchell4417]

Circle K stores have a habit of changing locations. Especially when my Store was flattened by hurricane Jeanne. (2004)

[@nmxsanchez]

It was actually a circle k up until 2022. Then they started limiting hours to 9 to 5 and eventually closed up for a week while things changed over to corner mart. I live right across the street and it was quite inconvenient.

[@aandradventures116]

Adam knows more about Phoenix and hidden areas than most of us locals😭😭😂

[@stevesloan7266]

Those are bats my friend. And they probably Roost underneath the bridges. You know, that's just HANG around during the day

[@Redblood_669]

not in the slightest

[@JasonMiranda]

Speak for yourself lol

[@JasonMiranda]

"Adam knows more about Phoenix and hidden areas than me" there you go, i corrected it for you

[@ElectricVehiclesAreGoodF-ti7xd]

I'm not much of an air guitar guy. I'm more of a pocket pool dude

[@TimelapseSends]

I’m really enjoying this summer travel series. You have tied in your love for baseball and the Rays so perfectly to roadside attractions and daily woo type content. You look, act, and seem happy, keep it up.

[@asubaseballgirl]

Metrocenter was the cool mall to hang out at when I was a teenager. It's so sad to see it gone. We have been going to that theater still though. I didn't realize it was closed. We saw the Mario Movie there not too long ago. The area will hopefully be really nice when it's redeveloped and the light rail is done. The light rail is that big bridge.

[@OlinKreutzRules]

I totally agree. Obviously, life doesn’t pause for anyone and personally, the growth in Scottsdale over the years is both great and sad at the same time!!!! It’s rad to see the expansion but it’s also sad to see the undeveloped land that sat untouched being finally built on.

[@lexirowe3151]

Metro Center and Fiesta Mall were cutting edge places back in the day…it’s sad to see them gone and the areas surrounding them so run down.

[@chuckh4077]

😂 yeah. The hoards of homeless In the area will just stay away.

[@debbier9325]

Also native to AZ… Welcome Adam were all glad u made out here (even in the heat). Metrocenter was the place to be! We purchased so many appliances at Sears as well as all our Craftsmen’s tools. If u look at the new renderings it will be the place to be again. The light rail, fancy new apts. a new park for picnics, a playground. Also several restaurants, several bars. Can’t wait. Adam, stay in the AC, most importantly DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!

[@keitholiver7856]

Thanks Adam. I’ve lived in the Phx area all my life & I didn’t know about the bats. Amazing video of all the bats flying out of the BATCAVE!! Holy Bat Guano , Woo Thanks for the info. I also didn’t know about the Circle K/Corner Market. You keep your channel fresh! See ya next time!

[@Timcrtr1]

This brings back so many memories. I lived in Mesa, Arizona for ten years and went to several D-backs games. I'm originally from Florida and am living in Lakeland now, so I'm a Rays fan too. I was glad to see a good series between the two teams.

[@michaelreid8636]

I remember what a great mall, Metrocentet used to be. I spent many of times going there in the 70:s and 80's . What great memories. I was living in Lakeside at the time.

[@BeyondTheCompass817]

I used to go to Metrocenter to shop, catch a movie, etc., when I used to live there back in the late 90's/early 2000's. It's a little surreal to see it like that... 🤔

[@KrazyJoe1701]

I used to shop in that mall when I lived in Phoenix in 2007/2008. In the food court, the hot dog on a stick looked exactly the same in ‘08 as it did in the movie. I also went to the Bill & Ted circle K and (at that time) the staff had NO IDEA that they were the Bill & Ted circle K. The Ziggy Piggy ice cream shop was a Chuck E Cheese in Phoenix. And in 08 the water park in Mesa that doubled as Water Loop was still operational. Not sure about today. I miss Phoenix. I’m not one for snow and ice. I need to get out of Philly

[@KrazyJoe1701]

The poster was NOT on the wall in 2008

[@donnytucker]

I'm so excited to see a full size castle grayskull! You have to go back and visit the park once it opens. Rays up!

[@lizzieizzard]

Love your travelling blogs - shows us places of America we’d love to see in person always informative

[@Logan13az]

I'm not sure if someone's already commented, but at Metro center, that glittery facade you were talking about and thought was possibly JCPenney, was in fact a goldwater's department store. And it's time, it was pretty ornate. Obviously that's not the case anymore. Too bad you didn't have a meet-up, because I would have gone. I live in Peoria Arizona, basically a Northwestsuburb of Phoenix. I have followed you for years now. Love your work. Take good care.

[@luvadventuresandart]

Same

[@lexirowe3151]

So glad you mentioned this…I told my husband when we were watching I bet that was a Goldwater’s!

[@grahamturner2640]

It’s a shame that Metrocenter had everything going for it, and it still went the way it did. Unfortunately, I-17 just became a bad area between McDowell or Thomas and Thunderbird. Also, the bridge you mentioned being built at Metrocenter is for a light rail station, which is supposed to open up next year. When it comes to the Circle K, I wonder if back in the days of the movie being released, Circle K was a decent place to go to, as nowadays, Circle K stores are homeless magnets due to polar pops.

[@TravelZombie]

Indeed they did have a screening of Bill & Ted's a month or two ago at Metro Center! It was a whole big thing with food vendors, live music, and commemorative shirts. It was really cool.

[@the_hidden_mancave]

There was the "Last Cruze" car show around Metro Center last Month a kind of farewell from the local car clubs and hot rod lovers as Metro Center has the circle road all the way around it where back in the day classic cars and trucks would Cruze around... they even put up sings that stated you could only go around the circle twice...haha. The Hall of Flame is another great little spot to hit while you are in town. Lots of Firefighter history! Thanks for the videos!

[@20PINKluvr]

They still have car shows next to the mall.

[@crewleaderprods]

Walmart is what killed the mall. They moved into the Rhode Island mall near me. They refused to put an entranve directly into the mall claiming "shoplifters". Walmart also killed the Swansea Mall in Massachusetts. Similar situation.

[@lexirowe3151]

Walmart didn’t kill this mall…it’s not in a great part of town for retail any longer…the same happened with other malls in similar areas without a Walmart

[@debmoye1985]

Nope. Its on the corridor of the biggest drug scene in Phoenix so danger, real and perceived, was partly to blame. Obsolescence was another reason as well as location being too far from wealthy neighborhoods. Walmart actually brought in traffic but even that couldn't save a mall that no one went to.

[@ko9446]

I went to trade school in Phoenix 1987-1989. I had a mini truck (still do) and we cruised the Metro back then.

[@marshmallows5641]

The construction is Valley Metro building the Metrocenter station for the light rail. It's part of the Northwest extension, and will be only elevated station in the system. It's set to open in 2024.

[@outwestmetaldetecting6186]

I grew up in Southern California about 5 miles from the beach. Moved to Phoenix in June 1974. That summer is still a record for heat, 17 days in a row 110 and over. To escape the heat we would go to the Metro Center. It is really sad to see it closed.

[@tfromcleveland3741]

Getting a positive response to… “Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.” …remains the best way to determine if a Gen X’er is cool.

[@MusicalJeanAz]

Metro Center was the best mall to walk around, shop, eat, play games or go to a movie. Perfect for a hot summer day with the kids. Sad to see it go.

[@joshuasmith7730]

Last time I was there,I pulled my pistol out on a crowd of african american little punks eyeballing my motherss purse,we left and so to say those kind of people ruined it!

[@jonathanutz8966]

Really enjoyed all your videos in Arizona since it is our home. Fun to see it through a visitor's eyes. Hope you enjoyed your stay here in the PHX area despite the heat!

[@azdrifter3968]

Welcome to my city! I watched metro center slowly die during my lifetime. In my childhood up to my 20's, that was the place to be. Pretty sad to watch it die. I spent much time there. I have a video on my channel of me walking into one of those bat caves while they are sleeping and I start yelling loudly, then stand in there with them as they go nuts, flying all around me and dive bombing me. Good times.

[@RobertGlazier]

Hey Adam. Welcome to our great state of Arizona. I live in Sierra Vista, next to Tombstone. Pheonix is always hot. It's a little cooler down southeast of Pheonix. Great video as always.

[@gmandersonjr]

Parker canyon lake!

[@ellenorbovay5226]

When I was a kid in Phoenix the big malls were "Tower Plaza" and Thomas Mall" and they hadn't build Metrocenter yet. There was another place called "Los Arcos". Sears was the main attraction back then, where you could look at all the Craftsman tools, and it smelled like Popcorn. I haven't been to any of those places in 40 years or so, don't know if they still are there.

[@egh6510]

When I was In AZ in Jan I noticed some of the parking lots have awnings to protect cars from the hot Sun. Some may also have solar panels as well. Stay hydrated.

[@carlavision6143]

Adam, really enjoyed your video! I've been keeping track of your Rays. What a cool theme park and loved the store and the bat cave! Beautiful sunset! Looking forward to your next vlog.

[@papierdolls]

Spent almost every weekend of my childhood and teen years in that mall. Sad to see what it looks like now...your "Dawn of the Dead" comment is spot on!

[@MrsMagoo6277]

Watching the bats is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Another great vlog ❤

[@Mr.Thrasha]

Man, love Phoenix!! Great views of Cardinals Stadium there where they had Wrestlemania XXVI!! Very cool 😎

[@rogervanleeuwen9989]

I worked there back in the day. So many things happened there. Great times being involved with all of it.

[@TheGimpyGrappler]

Spent a lot of time at MetroCenter Mall when I lived in Phoenix. I always loved trying to match up the shots from Bill & Ted when I would go there..sad to see it go away

[@KhurtKhave669]

I used to work at the AMC theater just outside the mall. I started the same week Bill & Ted’s opened. It wasn’t too busy the first weekend but after word of mouth got out attendance exploded and we were packed for weeks.

[@Politano1955]

Great video. The wife and I went to Disney World last June and thought we were going to die from the humidity. We got back to AZ where it was 105 and it felt great. There is something to that dry heat thing. Your Rays kicked our D-Backs butts that game, but its all good. A long season left to go.

[@rondolan6457]

Love your video Adam especially the abandoned in the dessert.👍👍👍

[@cathycarroll3788]

Can you even imagine what the area would be like if the bats weren't eating the bugs?

[@TheDailyWoo]

Good point !

[@lexirowe3151]

It’s not crazy buggy here because of the heat…but we do get some buggy spots around the farns

[@chuckh4077]

Or creating super hero's.

[@timothyj67]

I was at Metrocenter on opening day..we used to do a cruise in the parking lot by the golf castle

[@MichelleBrown-cy2qu]

What a fun adventure!!! I really loved the bat’s at the end. Very cool to know some Bill and Ted history! So sorry to see so many vacant properties though.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

Moved to east mesa when it was new in 88. Val vista and southern. Power road was the end of the freeway. Been to metro right after the movie. In HS. We would get drinks at the circle K from the movie all of the time. I was a mall rat. Fiesta mall. Worked at 15 at Toys r us when it was new by superstition mall. In my early 20s. I lived in Old town Scottsdale. I found Bob cranes apt. I worked at the Phonecian resort. I found the building used in Raising Arizona. Jokake. I went to visit a few years ago and was shocked how many malls were shut down or run down. Nice video!

[@rolfathan]

Wow. So many bats. What a wonderful place.

[@Vayda54]

This mall is where I hug out when I was young. wow What memories ❤

[@richardgitz2264]

Awesome episode, thank you!

[@MyBackyardScience]

Excellent vlog, Adam! Bill and Ted would be proud! 😀

[@jonnefemyer5460]

The store front at Metrocenter mall with the gold on it was a store named Goldwater’s Department Store. My sister worked in gift wrapping section in late 1970s. My pre teenage and teenager years were spent at that mall!

[@KoubuPilot]

Good to see you having some fun around town. I will always treasure he time we met in 2014 (during the van era) on the west side of town. Keep traveling, Adam

[@pleasuretokill]

In the 90s we would fill Thirstbuster cups with soda and alcohol and cruize Metrocenter. We were bad lol.

[@maureen14]

Enjoyed this video very much! Looks like a lot more than 5000 bats!

[@paulineamakres7286]

Funny fact..... bats are blind so when they exit or enter their cave they always do it to the left like a highway that way they don't have mid air collisions! Funny they are smarter than most people! 😆 🤣 😂

[@donselke9487]

I used to work down the street on Hardy Drive at UDA by that Circle K location on Southern Ave in Tempe I never knew about the Bats....Safe Travels Adam..

[@unclerog]

Howdy from Billings Montana...I spent almost 30 years in the Phx area...I last lived about 1 mile from metro center mall...Lotta memories around that part of town...Been back in Billings now for a little over 7 years...Been to many DBacks games too...Your video was a trip down memory lane or me...Thanks Much!!!!

[@majorwedgie8166]

I grew up 5 miles from Metro Center and on Friday and Saturday nights we would cruise golf n stuff until the police would throw us out. Those were the good old days. My buddies and I would see Surgical Steel and the School Boys/Icon at the ice rink too.

[@SCB1977]

Love your videos Adam!! I believe the movie “don’t buy be love” was filmed in Arizona around phoenix maybe you can do a video on the movie locations, like the high school and the Airplane bone yard etc

[@davie941]

hello Adam , another very interesting cool video , well done and thank you 😊

[@cowbyzfan1]

We used to cruise the parking lot near the movie theater and the Ruby Tuesday. That was alot of fun.

[@airplanedude7105]

I drive by that old Circle K almost every day, I thought they were going to tear it down, I'm glad it's still there.

[@pinkelefant4ever]

Where exactly is it?

[@TheDailyWoo]

Glad they didn’t

[@airplanedude7105]

NWC of Hardy and Southern.

[@Materialworld4]

Thanks Adam.

[@mhj1975]

My hubby loves your channel. We watch it everyday. He was just in Phoenix and kinda hoping to run into you. Ha!

[@matthewfarmer2520]

Good morning 🌞 Adam 👋 thanks for sharing the Metrocenter Mall it will be gone soon and the bill and Ted circle K mart lol you take care.😎📸✌️

[@btc16]

Born and raised 31 years and I never knew we had a damn bat cave 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@user-cm9gr2bn6y]

Coronado High school in scottsdale was san dimas high school too. I was about 12 when bill and teds came out. I lived by metro when i was a freshman in HS. Then moved to Scottsdale and went to Coronado part time for auto body. And now ive worked about 100 yards from this circle k for 20 years.....and i just realized this 😮

[@bzydad]

In the opening scene of Bill and Ted's when they show the school, I went to high school there but unfortunately the school is been redone but the mural is still their. Hope you enjoyed Phoenix 🌞🌵🔥

[@coolerman1141]

Yeah I miss the old coronado and I wasn't happy that they shrunk the mural but once a Don always a don😊

[@OlinKreutzRules]

My wife and I drove by it a couple of weeks ago on our way to Rehab Burger and I almost didn’t believe what I saw. Couldn’t tell you the last time I was around the area and If I hadn’t have gone there or wasn’t familiar with the area, I would never believe anybody if they told me that it was Coronado High School!!!! I miss coach Corte. El Dorado was still there so that was good. Cheers!!!!

[@gregorclegane6144]

Its funny to think, I'm going to cool off at a baseball game. Love how that stadium looks!

[@guyaldrich5878]

You were all over my stomping grounds this week , I hope you enjoyed it !

[@johnnyborquez2120]

This mall used to have a ice skating rink and a vegas style circus horse merry go round😁

[@andysalinas4321]

and an airplane bar

[@Becauseimme]

Chase Field aka Bank One Ballpark is my favorite stadium of all sports.

[@victordelacruz3898]

Adam, my family moved from Los Angeles to Phoenix in 1979. I was 5 and we lived just a mile away from Metro. I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, Empire strikes Back and all the Back to the Future movies at Metro. A lot of memories. Thank you for sharing this

[@Liquidspaceman]

When you said Lost Boys, you can hear motorcycles in the background! Great timing.

[@geoffreybowen4788]

Metro Center was the main hub to buy concert tickets. I remember 1985 purchasing AC / DC tickets for a show at Compton Terrace. Great time in PHX and America. All gone now.

[@GregsGameRoom]

Weird. I randomly watched Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey this past weekend. The music is so awesome...

[@BrianDufour]

Adam.. I knew "Hitchcock would be proud" was coming as soon as I saw the birds. Perfect!

[@johnpierson2669]

Excellent to Everyone!!! Party on Dude!!!

[@neal99]

I remember hanging out and shopping at metro center in the nineties, It was the place to be

[@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER]

😎✌️rest easy George Carlin..such a great movie

[@Chrisb8s]

Great Job to your Rays, good job staying out of the suns RAYS. I do hope that we meet again in the World Series!- when I was in High School we would "cruise metro center" they used to have a sign that said that you could only go around the mall 2 times. The Dbacks have a Rookie Starter in the All Star Game.. Corbin Carrol will be in the outfiled and he is originally from Seattle.. cool story

[@Riding_thru_life]

It’s was great seeing you at the game. I was the guy that showed you that picture after the game. Thanks Adam

[@TheDailyWoo]

Good seeing you . Keep up the weight loss, you got this

[@marrieddezertrat]

You went to the bat cave!! That's a cool place to be when all those bats come flying out

[@helgabullabong]

Wow, those Bats were awesome. How great to witness that.

[@UrSammich]

Huh, didn't know part of Bill and Ted was filmed here in Arizona. Learn something new. I guess both a blessing and a bad thing, I can't go out to experience the heat right now as I'm recovering from transplant from leukemia. So I'm still symptomatic currently things improve. I just miss going out. XD Depending on how much longer you're staying, I'd suggest checking out the Hotel San Carlos which is apparently haunted. If stepping away from Phoenix, then I suggest Superstition Mountain and the ghost town across from it. It's a neat little miners town.

[@dorothytrice7403]

Yay!! I love Black Rock! Best coffe!!

[@whovean]

The building with all the tiles at Metro was originally a store, called Goldwaters, it was owned by LBJ , the location of Walmart used to be a futuristic building a store called diamonds, And finally the store that is now a storage business was originally called joskys

[@gtasick322]

Love these videos . Rock on Adam!! Love the stickers too

[@Sam-02024]

The Circle K from Bill & Ted's was most excellent to see. Party on, Woo.

[@randya9810]

Been in AZ 18 years never heard of the Bat Tunnels until today ... Hope your having fun Adam

[@sigvicious5599]

I remember when Metro opened. It was THE place to go.

[@debbralehrman5957]

Well in search of Bugs. There another Bat "Cave" a little north of where you were. My daughters school all 5th grade classes had a family outing one night. And we ate Oreo cookies because they were also studying Phases of the moon. It was a great evening. (smells not great, but other than that. Lots of fun). Loved the video thanks. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🌹

[@Worqfis]

The bridge work near the Metro is the lightrail. =)

[@videosbyvangie0553]

Arizona native here(although a Tucsonian-whoopwhoop) and as KUPD's ex morning mayor would say "Arizona Rocks". Quick trivia: how many remember Arizona once being part of the theme park tourism with Legend City. Check out Expedition Themepark's episode cursed history of the Sandblaster, the big ticket roller coaster once at Legend City. I personally feel blessed got to ride it one last time before it was torn down at it's final home at Daytona Beach pier shortly after i moved to Florida.

[@poormansyoutube686]

I work right there and watching your channel

[@sundownsigns]

It's a sad change. I live across the state but remember trips to Phoenix when a stop at Metro Center was common.

[@charlesallen2306]

Harkins is the best theater franchise in the country! I remember going to Metrocenter in 70's and 80's it felt huge.

[@whovean]

I grew up in Phoenix, and was there the day it opened, at one point it had an actual front portion of a 727 in the food court, you could sit inside of it, and eat your food, or step up and look at the dummy crew that was in the cockpit

[@jasonerickson4648]

The Braves had the leading vote getter in all of baseball in Ronald Acuna Jr. Just sayin😁 Also as I type this, the Braves are percentage wise the best team in the league. Love your videos 👍

[@Fuff63]

Metro center entryways, looked different in the 80’s when I used live just across the street from it. There are remnants of the originals…but go study the original architecture online, to see. It holds so many youth defining memories for SO many and was a fun (air conditioned) place to hang out. I heard they are converting it to residential, offices, medical and maybe the light rail will connect. It is just a ghost of=f it’s past. But glad it’s being re-purposed.

[@Drewbee985]

Love seeing these Arizona vlogs… would have loved to meet you in passing.. stay hydrated .. 🥵🥵🥵