ZooBrew

This event is now called Rock the Zoo and it’s awesome! I go to this event every year with about 10 – 15 friends. If you plan ahead for this you can usually score some discounted tickets too; I only paid $ 25 per ticket for this past event. Also, become a member of the zoo’s mailing list and they have one-​day deals to events like this.
So this event benefits the zoo and it’s a blast. They have live bands playing, a silent auction, wine/​beer/​liquor vendors (you get 10 – 12 tastes) and some food places to purchase from as well.
How do you get there… you can walk from the light rail. It’s not too far; about a mile I think. You may get a little tipsy so be smart and plan ahead so you can go again the next year.

ZooBrew is one of the largest fundraisers for the Phoenix Zoo. It’s held in April of each year and features live music, beverage sampling, some food offerings, and various activities. Although I do some volunteer work at the Zoo (disclaimer), this was the first year I attended. So here’s the scoop:
Tickets were $ 85 ($ 75 for members) and that included a punch card for sampling. The punch card was for 12 samples, and most vendors were punching (actually I think it was Zoo volunteers). I thought there were plenty of beverage choices. Mostly beer but also wine, vodka, tequila, and bourbon were spotted (or imbibed).
The food choices were limited and of the three vendors, two charged. Kudos to Albertson’s for offering prawns and sausage for free as well as giving away reusable bags. We actually left ZooBrew to have dinner, and returned later. This worked out well because the drink lines were much shorter halfway into it.
The music was great. This year the Go-​Go’ were the headliner:)
There’s a silent auction every year, and there are really some great things to bid on… luxury suites at sporting events, wine tasting parties, behind the scenes Zoo tours, etc. We went cheap and came away winning a bottle of Port. There’s also caricaturist, a treasure hunt, and you can ride the carousel!
Don’t expect to see the animals, however. Much of the Zoo is off limits. How would you feel if you looked outside and saw a few thousand gorillas partying in your back yard? Well, maybe you’d like it. But anyway, they’re locked up for the evening. They did have a few Program animals greeting guests as you come in, however.
Would I go back? Definitely. Should you go expecting you’ll drink more than the price of your ticket? No, it’s a fundraiser! And whether you love zoos or hate them, the animals didn’t ask to be there and this is a way we can help make their lives better! (end spiel)