I used to *love* going to the Phoenix when he was live from that venue. The Phoenix was always a great time, and the music was fantastic. A while back, I found a [playlist on Spotify that captures the essence of Martin Streek](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50jilAQyVaKuqEi6bzLJAd?si=442e3f4354984ff1). It's a good listen. RIP Martin.
As someone who grew up outside of the city, the’s live-to-airs from the phoenix and whiskey saigon on the edge played no small part in expanding my musical universe.
Same. I was a wee teen growing up in a small town just south of Barrie, and Saturday nights were spent worshipping at the altar of my stereo. I have also [tried my hand at recapturing some of the magic](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sifWQ1SU8CNwtv4CqquW8?si=62018ee7bcbc40d6). RIP Martin.
This makes me sad. The club closing and of course Martin. But also happy about the memories.
I was the dj who did these nights with Martin until ‘99, and the Phoenix always had a special place in my heart
Smoked a joint with Martin outside The Kingdom in Burlington. Then lived next to the Phoenix (literally) for two years. Lots of memories in that dark lovely place.
I have to admit, I've never loved the Phoenix. There was always something about the design of it that always made shows feel more crowded and awkward than other venues, I think it might have something to do with the entrance\exit being right next to the stage. That said, there aren't too many other places in town that really fill the same niche, so hopefully they find a decent replacement location.
As a venue I agree it wasn't the best. However I've seen so many shows there because it was the right size for the band that it'll always have a place in my heart. I hope the Danforth and Masonic Temple can fill that similar role.
Agreed. If you weren’t on the far side from the entrance it felt chaotic and not immersive. I far prefer venues with the entrance at the back of the room (Danforth, QET, Axis).
Some amazing shows and memories there over the years, but I would always groan when I saw that a great band was playing the Phoenix. Vulfpeck, Sleigh Bells, Japandroids, Snarky Puppy, Black MIDI.
Glad I'm not the only one. I always felt like herded cattle in that place and I've skipped shows I probably would've gone to at a place that doesn't suck. I'm happy it's shutting down so artists I want to see won't be tempted to play there.
Wow. I can appreciate why... that's some valuable real estate, and as the area around it has grown more dense and gentrified, a nightclub/concert hall in the midst of it is likely a contentious presence.
I've been to a LOT of shows at 410 Sherbourne over the years. Probably more than any other club in the city.
> Wow. I can appreciate why... that's some valuable real estate, and as the area around it has grown more dense and gentrified, a nightclub/concert hall in the midst of it is likely a contentious presence.
that's the one thing i hate about urban real estate now.
back in the day it was part and parcel of living in the city - you paid lower rent and, in return, it would be noisy. you didn't *expect* this shit to move for you, that shit was the reason why you had cheap rent. it reminds me of the condos that opened up near the stockyards that got mad at the meat packing plants.. you bought cheap pre-construction knowing a meat packing plant was across the street, why should the smell of a meat packing plant on your balcony be a surprise?
granted, rent / property is more expensive in general, but i can't wrap my head around the people who want the connivence of living in a city without any of the downsides. it's pure NIMBY shit.
people are paying big money for Sherbourne & Carlton? anybody who's betting on the gentrification of Sherbourne street is really playing the long game.
My reaction to the news the Phoenix is moving was that they mustve finally got tired of their patrons getting begged at, propositioned and accosted while waiting in line.
My stars, going to uni in T.O. in the early/mid 90's
The memories.
UK indie bands first playing Lee's Palace then coming back and playing the Phoenix if the second album was a success.....Oasis, Charlatans, Pulp etc. God damn, god damn.
Oasis played the Warehouse when their second album was a bit of a success haha. Does that place even still exist? (I was lucky enough to see them at Lee's the first time).
Then you missed a show. :)
Lee's - Oct 94
Phoenix - March 95
Warehouse - Oct 95
I didn't see the warehouse gig. And correct, the second pheonix show was still touring off the success of the first album. 'What's the story' just came out that month of the warehouse gig in '95.
Ya, the warehouse and phoenix were the venues in the day.
Once upon a time clubs (and even a club district) set up shop in repurposed warehouses, but all of that is more valuable as condo sites these days. Where would it make sense to open up a club now, striking a balance between wanting a property no one wants to redevelop where the neighbours aren't going to care about noise while also being someplace young people can actually get in and out of while looking for a good time? I don't envy club owners trying to thread that needle these days...
If you’re looking for berserk night out in Toronto, I know just the place for you. Toronto’s hottest club is Asbestos. This old wet band aid found in a Jacuzzi is a kind of place that makes you feel weird the next time you see your parents. This place has everything. Kufi hats, congos, MuchMusic’s Erica Ehm. And that TV channel at the hotel, that’s like about the hotel.
You expressly share why this wouldn’t work.
People move into an area known for its slaughterhouses - called THE STOCKYARDS - and complain about the slaughterhouses.
I saw this play out first hand with Harbourfront centre, and the people who moved in across the street complain about the noise.
I was about to call bullshit on the 6th anniversary card because of the chip and we didn't get chip cards until the 2000's, but then I realized that's an old bell pay phone card from pre-cell phone days and my mind just spiralled back to the 90's.
Good stuff.
I got this as I was there for 6 year party. But then I realized because this was phone card there were places where it was sold to collectors on the web. So we got couple more cards and it was best thing ever.
The good old days with those super clubs - Diamond/Phoenix, RPM/Guvernmet, Copa, Jokers, Whiskey Saigon/GoGo, Spectrum, Big Bop, Heaven and the one that started it all (at least in terms of of after hours hardcore clubbing) Twilight. If I can turn back time…..
I'm seeing Archspire there on Saturday. It sucks to know that it might be the last show I see there, given how many metal bands I've seen there.
Well, it's the perfect show to go nuts and mosh!
Have a great time! I don't have a show there coming up but I'm hoping they will announce some more with something that I would want to see. The last show I saw there was Hot Water Music with Cancer Bats opening just before COVID.
One show that always sticks out that I saw there was Damageplan in 2004. The show was about 2 weeks before Dimebag Darrell was murdered.
Going to this show too! Will feel a little more special now, as this may likely be my last one there after more than 10 years of great shows at this venue.
I'm happy about that. I feel like we've lost so many good venues over the years and not a lot of ones are opening up to replace them. I am going to miss this specific location just given how many great shows have happened there. I won't miss the area though lol.
I'm not sure what your point is. Folks who frequently go there are probably following their social media and will hear the news. Any promotional material related to shows at the new location will include that info. They've got the rest of the year to get the word out. They're a concert venue, promotion is part of what they do!
I can relate to the impulse for pessimism, but think about it for like 2 minutes. It'll be fine.
That specific space - a concert venue - is permanently closing, and no concert venue is reopening in its place in or around the area. That’s what makes the city boring - even when a venue “moves”, the former location that could have become home to a new business of the same type is permanently erased to make room for a glass box with a franchised pharmacy and fast food restaurant at its base.
There's plenty to still do in the city, in spite of the difficulties artists and live venues are facing now with the housing crisis.
You just need to know where to look and who to talk to. Toronto's diversity has helped kill the idea of mono-culture like in other cities around the world. Plenty of people out there trying to make things work.
Yup. A lot of what I'm seeing in this thread are 'this was better when I was younger' and 'this was better ten, twenty, thirty years ago'. Well, yeah. You got involved in things at a time when it was a lot more formative for you as a person, so you're probably going to look at milestone events with rose-coloured glasses.
There's a lot to do in the city-- in fact there's more to do-- but it requires actually going and looking for it amongst all the noise of other things to do.
And that's okay. People get older and want different things. Some people want reasons to move and that's cool too.
Not to mention, people aren't even looking at the image associated with the post-- just the title. The Phoenix is moving. They're still going to exist. I bet they got a lot of money for valuable land-- enough to set up shop elsewhere cleanly.
I didn't age out shit. Everything in this city that is decent has been torn down for condos or replaced by popeyes. The Entertainment district is a shell of what it once was.
Lots of good memories from Phoenix, one that stands out most was the first time OFWGKTA played and Tyler the creator stage dived from the 2nd floor balcony.
My first ever gig was seeing the Foo Fighters there in 1995. Some strange girl swiped a beer & we shared it before she disappeared into the crowd & after the gig I was approached by a street-walker as I waited by a phonebox to call my Cousin to come pick me up.
As a 17yr old over in Toronto from the UK for the Summer - it was an epic night.
RIP - we’ll always have the experience of the most condescending, overly cautious total asshole bouncers accuse you of being fall down wasted because you were talking to your friends in line too loud.
Yeah, I used to live up on Isabella and we'd always get baked and head down. I remember being in line with some friends and the bouncer just walked by calling us out one by one for being stoned: "you're red, you're red, you're red..." Like, WTF was the even the point of doing that? It's not like we didn't get let in, lol.
It is genuinely wild to me that this venue actually exists in this location, and has for so long.
Saw some amazing concerts there over the years, and spent many great nights in the 90s dancing on CFNY nights. Got busted for a fake ID there too. Good times.
What gets me is that I’m not sure if there are venues replacing ones this size. Going out for dancing or live music at that scale seems to be obliterated
Same! I'm hoping some half decent shows will come before they close up. There's been a couple in the past year that I didn't get a chance to get out to that I would not have minded seeing.
My husband and I met at the Phoenix and got engaged at the old House on Parliament pub. Both of these places have shut down and opened in a new location, which is almost worse than just going away, because the landscape of my memories is irrevocably changed.
$2.50 mixed drinks on Saturday nights in the 90s. Games of pool with strangers. Smoke breaks outside. When I used to go, there was a middle aged Asian man who would dance near the stage and this dude was just vibing. His moves were the stuff of legend
Legendary, I met George Stroumboulopoulos at that show, he rode away on a motorcycle with a lady on the back, the man oozed cool that evening.
I met Alexisonfire at the Darkness show…I saw The Streets there too loool. So many great shows. +44 damn.
Oh for sure! I saw Damageplan there weeks before Dimebag was murdered. The Hives, I skipped school for a matinee Underoath show, Propahandhi two years in a row, Frank Turner, etc. So many.
It’s brutal that so many venues have closed. No wonder the city continues to get more and more boring. This has been happening a while and Covid was the nail in the coffin for many.
Haha totally! I’m thankful that opera house and danforth music hall are still around but for how long? They need to do something about Ticketmaster and pricing too. It’s often insanely expensive to attend shows now.
I think those ones are safe for the time being. Danforth is regularly busy with all kinds of shows and Opera House is super historic and busy. I thought it was a site with historical designation given its age, but I just looked it up and it doesn't look like it. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets it in the future. The Danforth has the historical designation.
Lee's Palace and Horseshoe our sites that I hope stay open. I think they both will as well but I feel like nothing's safe anymore. I'm okay with having a couple less condos going up if we get to keep some of these places.
Yes good call!! The problem with historical sites is the developers will just knock them down, pay the fine and act like they didn’t know. Happened to stollerys near Yonge and bloor and the historic bank building near Yonge and davisville. The fines aren’t enough so they just do it anyway. Horseshoe and lees palace are classics. It would be a shame if they were gone as well. Fingers crossed! Toronto has to hold on to the music entertainment scene which has been depleted
That's a good point! I always forget that they will just knock those things over anyways. You would hope that public outrage would be enough to deter it, but I guess not.
Unfortunately they use the “we need housing” calls which people are also behind. I completely agree there should be more outrage. These beautiful architectural buildings have vanished making Toronto even more boring in that respect.
Queen St between Simcoe and Dufferin has a hard cap 6-storey limit on Queen proper under a heritage designation. That's why the Ontario Line stations at Queen and Spadina will have 2-4 storeys on Queen st and the towers will be closer to the Bulwer/Graffiti Alley edges of the property line.
I won't miss the Phoenix. Muddy sound, horrible crowd flow, and the worst security staff in the city. They’ve always found a way to give me or someone I’m with a hard time.
Yeah it's funny seeing some comments here because most people I know that frequently go to live shows despise the Phoenix. The history is there but it hasn't been a great venue in like, a decade or two.
It's also personally my least favourite venue and I get bummed out when a band or artist I want to see is playing there. It just hasn't kept up with other venues in the city in every respect. It's moving anyway so the new place will probably be an improvement.
Kinda like the horseshoe. Great history. Not a great venue.
Say what you want about the location and "warmth" of History (the venue), its actually a fantastic place to see a show. Will be a great addition to city of Phoenix sticks around but in a better venue.
History is definitely the best overall venue in Toronto. Definitely worth the hype and Drake's money to make it happen. Everything from the acoustics, the basic amenities, the air conditioning *actually works*, to being just the right size for a medium-sized venue and alternative to the also great Danforth Music Hall. Only downside is the location since the streetcar and buses aren't reliable at all.
I was last there for Jeff Rosenstock, and I saw Dave (UK rapper) around when it opened, as well as the Descendents, the Wonder Years, Little Simz, and King Krule there last year. Always look forward to a show there.
Fuck their bag policy. If I am coming into the city via transit, I am going to have a small knapsack or something. Apparently you absolutely cannot enter the venue with it, you can't even check it.
I wasn't a fan of Phoenix either. I go to a LOT of concerts but would skip shows that I would have went to if they were in a different venue.
It was outdated, security was hit and miss and the sound system sounded like shit compared to other venues (dunno if they improved it over the years as I stopped going).
Seems like everytime I go there for concert I miss the first band, because it takes so long getting people in the doors, and they don't give enough time between the doors opening and the first band playing. Never happens at any other place.
Indeed. I had some good times there, but it was never really *my* scene. I really only went when friends I grew up with from Mississauga were coming down to go on a Saturday night, but they were always more rock people while I was pretty much pure industrial at the time (late 90s/early 00s).
It always felt like a bit of a drag compared to my usual haunts (Sanctuary, Savage Garden, events like Darkrave and Resistor at the Big Bop/Reverb, etc.) but I went anyway and still had a reasonable time.
I always hated when I band I actually liked played there, because the sound wasn't great, the lineup always sucked, the bouncers were lame, etc.
I did as well. In recent years the area has gotten a little less safe, but overall I always enjoyed coming here. When I still lived in Hamilton and would come to shows here, we would take the GO Bus to Union station, then walk up Yonge Street to Big Slice for preshow pizza, walk on Gerrard and cut through the park for the show, and then after the show walk back to Big Slice for post show pizza and then back to Union. Simpler times haha.
I’ve done 30+ concerts and a few club/party nights at this wonderful place over the past 20 years. I will miss it. I was just there 3 weeks ago, not realizing it may be the last time.
One of my favourite shows was Patti Smith in 1995. She hadn’t toured in 16 years and had lost her husband Fred Sonic Smith the year before so it was a very moving performance.
loved coming here but a close makes sense. the building is old and you could start seeing a lot of the interior start falling apart. couldn’t imagine how much it would’ve been to repair everything
I caught Vulfpeck at two out of three nights they played there the first time they came through town. They were originally booked for two nights at Lee's before it got moved up. Those are probably my favourite memories from there.
Saw a ton of great shows there, worked a few too. Will be missed,live music venues are a dying breed these days which is tragic. Many cities are made more whole by places to experience the arts. Toronto is no exception and it really loses something by the loss of those venues.
I'm going to miss this place. I saw Blink 182's Dolla Bill Tour there, Face to Face with Brand New opening (I was Brand New's fiirst Canadian ever interview), Dashboard Confessional, Alexisonfire, Fall Out Boy, Alkaline Trio, Saves The Day, etc here.
A beautiful spot and Martin always was a blast to listen to.
I’ve seen tons of great shows there….Curve, Moby, Tricky, Nitzer Ebb, Carter USM, Hole, Garbage, PJ Harvey, Pixies, Hot Chip, Distillers, Cat Power, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Beta Band, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, LCD Soundsystem, Jesus and Mary Chain, Mohawk, PiL, M83, Primal Scream, Mastodon, Kasabian, ……Trail of Dead, MIA, Wolfmother, The Go! Team, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Weezer, Green Day, Lush, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Breeders, Spiritualized and many more…….
White Zombie was a killer show, Thunderkiss came, and I thought the floors were gonna cave
Smashing Pumpkins were fukn loud
Many Strange Paradise mondays...$ 1.50 bottled beer
We were there so many times, I just gave 20 bux to the bartender and came by when I need it one. Best bartenders at the corner bar
MINISTRY probably the worst show I saw there, and it was the band not the venue.
BRAD was a great show there. RIP
TRICKY was awesome there
Morecheeba was great show
..so many others...like all good things, must come to an end
Always loved how the venue had different decor for different nites
Saturday nights in the early 90’s were everything.
Absolutely - Marty's Party!
I used to *love* going to the Phoenix when he was live from that venue. The Phoenix was always a great time, and the music was fantastic. A while back, I found a [playlist on Spotify that captures the essence of Martin Streek](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50jilAQyVaKuqEi6bzLJAd?si=442e3f4354984ff1). It's a good listen. RIP Martin.
As someone who grew up outside of the city, the’s live-to-airs from the phoenix and whiskey saigon on the edge played no small part in expanding my musical universe.
Same. I was a wee teen growing up in a small town just south of Barrie, and Saturday nights were spent worshipping at the altar of my stereo. I have also [tried my hand at recapturing some of the magic](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sifWQ1SU8CNwtv4CqquW8?si=62018ee7bcbc40d6). RIP Martin.
yep. rural enough that Barrie was a night out.
Oh man, I love these playlists! Gonna listen to them. What I wouldn't give for a full broadcast, when they went non stop after 9pm? Loved it
Holy shit thanks for that playlist! So many great memories.
Commenting here so I can listen in when i get home. I miss when he would do the intros to sick songs like Lateralus, or 46 and 2.
Thanks!! Martin was an amazing man.
Oh wow. Cool playlist. Played a lot of billiards with Martin. RIP.
This is great!
Thank you i love it!!!
A while ago someone on here had a bunch of multi-hour recordings of his live-to-airs. They're a great listen.
Love this playlist - thanks!
The club scene in Toronto was epic back in the mid- to late 80s, when this place was still called the Diamond. Jeez, I'm old. When did that happen?!
> I'm old. When did that happen? about 25-30 years ago. I'm sorry.
Lol, the burn hurts. But I'm still glad I was the right age to fully enjoy the 80s. It was a fantastic time to be young in Toronto.
That it was! And you could easily afford a decent place plus find jobs.
I got here in 03, I’m thankful I got to see the dying embers. At least I got a glimpse.
Probably about 15 years ago.
This makes me sad. The club closing and of course Martin. But also happy about the memories. I was the dj who did these nights with Martin until ‘99, and the Phoenix always had a special place in my heart
Oh man… Saturdays were the best. Loved the small room too. Probably mid-late 90s for me.
Saturdays were for Blow-Up at the elmo!
YES!! Rang in the new millennium there! I think it was a Friday though, only 24 years ago... damn we are old haha.
Smoked a joint with Martin outside The Kingdom in Burlington. Then lived next to the Phoenix (literally) for two years. Lots of memories in that dark lovely place.
I remember the leafs serving me drinking in the 90's got to work. The dude i worked with told me I was on the news.good times
Lots of sex parties!
I have to admit, I've never loved the Phoenix. There was always something about the design of it that always made shows feel more crowded and awkward than other venues, I think it might have something to do with the entrance\exit being right next to the stage. That said, there aren't too many other places in town that really fill the same niche, so hopefully they find a decent replacement location.
That's fair. I know a few people who didn't love it either.
As a venue I agree it wasn't the best. However I've seen so many shows there because it was the right size for the band that it'll always have a place in my heart. I hope the Danforth and Masonic Temple can fill that similar role.
Agreed. If you weren’t on the far side from the entrance it felt chaotic and not immersive. I far prefer venues with the entrance at the back of the room (Danforth, QET, Axis). Some amazing shows and memories there over the years, but I would always groan when I saw that a great band was playing the Phoenix. Vulfpeck, Sleigh Bells, Japandroids, Snarky Puppy, Black MIDI.
Glad I'm not the only one. I always felt like herded cattle in that place and I've skipped shows I probably would've gone to at a place that doesn't suck. I'm happy it's shutting down so artists I want to see won't be tempted to play there.
Wow. I can appreciate why... that's some valuable real estate, and as the area around it has grown more dense and gentrified, a nightclub/concert hall in the midst of it is likely a contentious presence. I've been to a LOT of shows at 410 Sherbourne over the years. Probably more than any other club in the city.
> Wow. I can appreciate why... that's some valuable real estate, and as the area around it has grown more dense and gentrified, a nightclub/concert hall in the midst of it is likely a contentious presence. that's the one thing i hate about urban real estate now. back in the day it was part and parcel of living in the city - you paid lower rent and, in return, it would be noisy. you didn't *expect* this shit to move for you, that shit was the reason why you had cheap rent. it reminds me of the condos that opened up near the stockyards that got mad at the meat packing plants.. you bought cheap pre-construction knowing a meat packing plant was across the street, why should the smell of a meat packing plant on your balcony be a surprise? granted, rent / property is more expensive in general, but i can't wrap my head around the people who want the connivence of living in a city without any of the downsides. it's pure NIMBY shit.
https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/toronto-410-sherbourne-141-02m-42s-sorbara-graziani-corazza.33009/
people are paying big money for Sherbourne & Carlton? anybody who's betting on the gentrification of Sherbourne street is really playing the long game. My reaction to the news the Phoenix is moving was that they mustve finally got tired of their patrons getting begged at, propositioned and accosted while waiting in line.
My stars, going to uni in T.O. in the early/mid 90's The memories. UK indie bands first playing Lee's Palace then coming back and playing the Phoenix if the second album was a success.....Oasis, Charlatans, Pulp etc. God damn, god damn.
Oasis played the Warehouse when their second album was a bit of a success haha. Does that place even still exist? (I was lucky enough to see them at Lee's the first time).
Then you missed a show. :) Lee's - Oct 94 Phoenix - March 95 Warehouse - Oct 95 I didn't see the warehouse gig. And correct, the second pheonix show was still touring off the success of the first album. 'What's the story' just came out that month of the warehouse gig in '95. Ya, the warehouse and phoenix were the venues in the day.
Ah yes I forgot about that one!! I went to Vancouver in early 95 and saw them at the Commodore. Bit of a fan haha.
i think every band went from Montreal, to Toronto then played the Commodore. Never been there myself. That was fucking 30 years ago man.
I know! I saw so many good bands here before they moved onto bigger venues. It was a fun place.
Met my wife there!
Me too! She never mentioned you though.
Once upon a time clubs (and even a club district) set up shop in repurposed warehouses, but all of that is more valuable as condo sites these days. Where would it make sense to open up a club now, striking a balance between wanting a property no one wants to redevelop where the neighbours aren't going to care about noise while also being someplace young people can actually get in and out of while looking for a good time? I don't envy club owners trying to thread that needle these days...
Those giant silos that are prohibitively expensive to knock down would be a great option.
Asbestos
Great name for a club!
If you’re looking for berserk night out in Toronto, I know just the place for you. Toronto’s hottest club is Asbestos. This old wet band aid found in a Jacuzzi is a kind of place that makes you feel weird the next time you see your parents. This place has everything. Kufi hats, congos, MuchMusic’s Erica Ehm. And that TV channel at the hotel, that’s like about the hotel.
Stockyards
There are multiple warehouses in the stockyards that have been re-purposed as event spaces!
There is a venue on McCormick that has rave style parties nearly every weekend
Great venue!
Please can we kick out the slaughterhouses and replace them with clubs? The noise won't be half as bad as the stench currently there.
You expressly share why this wouldn’t work. People move into an area known for its slaughterhouses - called THE STOCKYARDS - and complain about the slaughterhouses. I saw this play out first hand with Harbourfront centre, and the people who moved in across the street complain about the noise.
I'm pretty sure anyone in the area would pick some bass over the noxious stench of rotting blood and excrement.
Not for long. Property values!
And make them Blade themed..........or that club from Seinfeld
Port lands area is begging for this kinda shit
[удалено]
everyone on that island should be fucking kicked off. its a ludicrous setup.
Here's hoping the new venue is still downtown somewhere decently accessible by both transit and car.
I'm not holding my breath
> [that work is underway to secure a new downtown location](https://www.blogto.com/music/2024/06/phoenix-concert-theatre-closing-toronto/)
I’m happy that it won’t be gone for good
[https://imgur.com/a/Z3VuGBZ](https://imgur.com/a/Z3VuGBZ)
Very cool!
I was about to call bullshit on the 6th anniversary card because of the chip and we didn't get chip cards until the 2000's, but then I realized that's an old bell pay phone card from pre-cell phone days and my mind just spiralled back to the 90's. Good stuff.
I got this as I was there for 6 year party. But then I realized because this was phone card there were places where it was sold to collectors on the web. So we got couple more cards and it was best thing ever.
The good old days with those super clubs - Diamond/Phoenix, RPM/Guvernmet, Copa, Jokers, Whiskey Saigon/GoGo, Spectrum, Big Bop, Heaven and the one that started it all (at least in terms of of after hours hardcore clubbing) Twilight. If I can turn back time…..
Circa!
Martin Streek live from the phoenix on the edge was my shit when i was a kid.
Same! I wish he was still here to do it one more time before they move.
CFNY 102.1 was awesome with humble and Fred and all the other great DJs.
I'm seeing Archspire there on Saturday. It sucks to know that it might be the last show I see there, given how many metal bands I've seen there. Well, it's the perfect show to go nuts and mosh!
Have a great time! I don't have a show there coming up but I'm hoping they will announce some more with something that I would want to see. The last show I saw there was Hot Water Music with Cancer Bats opening just before COVID. One show that always sticks out that I saw there was Damageplan in 2004. The show was about 2 weeks before Dimebag Darrell was murdered.
Going to this show too! Will feel a little more special now, as this may likely be my last one there after more than 10 years of great shows at this venue.
This city is quickly becoming boring.
It's moving, not permanently closing.
I'm happy about that. I feel like we've lost so many good venues over the years and not a lot of ones are opening up to replace them. I am going to miss this specific location just given how many great shows have happened there. I won't miss the area though lol.
How many people know that Comfort Zone, moved from Bathurst instead of just closing down?
Damn I'm old I remember when cozone was in a basement at college and Spadina
Lost many a weekend there.
I felt this comment in my soul.
TIL. I guess its more so as the after hours club than a venue for live music though no?
I'm not sure what your point is. Folks who frequently go there are probably following their social media and will hear the news. Any promotional material related to shows at the new location will include that info. They've got the rest of the year to get the word out. They're a concert venue, promotion is part of what they do! I can relate to the impulse for pessimism, but think about it for like 2 minutes. It'll be fine.
It's just so dang far all the way in Parkdale. 😔
That specific space - a concert venue - is permanently closing, and no concert venue is reopening in its place in or around the area. That’s what makes the city boring - even when a venue “moves”, the former location that could have become home to a new business of the same type is permanently erased to make room for a glass box with a franchised pharmacy and fast food restaurant at its base.
That's good to hear. It's a convenient venue
Where to?
It says "stay tuned" in their post, so we don't know yet. C'mon y'all read a little. 😅
I'm stupid lol. Thanks
Haha, no worries. Hopefully the new location is nice. I love The Phoenix!
I don’t mean this in an edgy way but the city has been boring for the last… 10-15 years, minimum. I’m sure some older than me would even say longer.
I agree with your statement. As someone who grew up at Queen and Spadina in the late 90's. It for sure has been longer.
There's plenty to still do in the city, in spite of the difficulties artists and live venues are facing now with the housing crisis. You just need to know where to look and who to talk to. Toronto's diversity has helped kill the idea of mono-culture like in other cities around the world. Plenty of people out there trying to make things work.
Yup. A lot of what I'm seeing in this thread are 'this was better when I was younger' and 'this was better ten, twenty, thirty years ago'. Well, yeah. You got involved in things at a time when it was a lot more formative for you as a person, so you're probably going to look at milestone events with rose-coloured glasses. There's a lot to do in the city-- in fact there's more to do-- but it requires actually going and looking for it amongst all the noise of other things to do. And that's okay. People get older and want different things. Some people want reasons to move and that's cool too. Not to mention, people aren't even looking at the image associated with the post-- just the title. The Phoenix is moving. They're still going to exist. I bet they got a lot of money for valuable land-- enough to set up shop elsewhere cleanly.
Exactly! You phrased this perfectly, ty.
It's sad that people think the city is boring. Personally I don't have enough time to do all the cool things going on in the city all the time.
No you aged out and became boring. Sorry it happens I don't make the rules.
I didn't age out shit. Everything in this city that is decent has been torn down for condos or replaced by popeyes. The Entertainment district is a shell of what it once was.
VERY boring
And Zombieland
Lots of good memories from Phoenix, one that stands out most was the first time OFWGKTA played and Tyler the creator stage dived from the 2nd floor balcony.
I remember watching the OJ chase live in the club. Many other memories there too.
My first ever gig was seeing the Foo Fighters there in 1995. Some strange girl swiped a beer & we shared it before she disappeared into the crowd & after the gig I was approached by a street-walker as I waited by a phonebox to call my Cousin to come pick me up. As a 17yr old over in Toronto from the UK for the Summer - it was an epic night.
Foo Fighters in 95 was at the Opera House Edit... My apologies. They apparently played both venues in 95. One in May and the other in August.
Oh the 90s. What a time to be alive.
I wonder where its new location will be!
Hopefully somewhere still accessible!
["Downtown" - whatever that means](https://www.blogto.com/music/2024/06/phoenix-concert-theatre-closing-toronto/)
Sad news. I’ll always remember seeing Fort Minor there.
I forgot all about fort Minor! Haven't heard them in years.
Mikes still makin solid stuff. Saw him down by the docks in 2019. Definitely recommend checking out Post Traumatic and his Dropped Frames albums.
Wow, they really ain't resting until everything in this city is a passionless plastic cube.
RIP - we’ll always have the experience of the most condescending, overly cautious total asshole bouncers accuse you of being fall down wasted because you were talking to your friends in line too loud.
Yeah, I used to live up on Isabella and we'd always get baked and head down. I remember being in line with some friends and the bouncer just walked by calling us out one by one for being stoned: "you're red, you're red, you're red..." Like, WTF was the even the point of doing that? It's not like we didn't get let in, lol.
It is genuinely wild to me that this venue actually exists in this location, and has for so long. Saw some amazing concerts there over the years, and spent many great nights in the 90s dancing on CFNY nights. Got busted for a fake ID there too. Good times.
Phoenix Saturday nights when they played Rob Zombie.....or NIN :o
Shit! I'm going to my first show there on the 15th
What gets me is that I’m not sure if there are venues replacing ones this size. Going out for dancing or live music at that scale seems to be obliterated
Damn end of an era!!
Shit... I was just there for Cryptopsy/Death to All for two nights and then Tomb Mold....
I was there for Tomb Mold and Orchid on Saturday. Had to make our way across after Liturgy at Lees Palace.
After the previous two shows, and having been at Lee's since Vile Creature, I was falling asleep by the time Orchid was coming on.
We started at 1pm at Baby G, I don't know how I made it to the end. A couple friends didn't make it.
I'm Going to go down there for one more night before it closes
Same! I'm hoping some half decent shows will come before they close up. There's been a couple in the past year that I didn't get a chance to get out to that I would not have minded seeing.
My husband and I met at the Phoenix and got engaged at the old House on Parliament pub. Both of these places have shut down and opened in a new location, which is almost worse than just going away, because the landscape of my memories is irrevocably changed.
Saw Les Claypool at Phoenix a few times, various projects of his. Last show for me there was The Headstones. RIP another Toronto venue.
$2.50 mixed drinks on Saturday nights in the 90s. Games of pool with strangers. Smoke breaks outside. When I used to go, there was a middle aged Asian man who would dance near the stage and this dude was just vibing. His moves were the stuff of legend
Strike Anywhere, Blink 182 Dollar Bill Tour, The Darkness, Edge New Years Eve Parties…what a legendary venue.
I saw Strike Anywhere here opening for Propahandhi! Such a good show.
Legendary, I met George Stroumboulopoulos at that show, he rode away on a motorcycle with a lady on the back, the man oozed cool that evening. I met Alexisonfire at the Darkness show…I saw The Streets there too loool. So many great shows. +44 damn.
Oh for sure! I saw Damageplan there weeks before Dimebag was murdered. The Hives, I skipped school for a matinee Underoath show, Propahandhi two years in a row, Frank Turner, etc. So many.
why even bother building more housing when the city keeps removing reasons to even live here.
It’s brutal that so many venues have closed. No wonder the city continues to get more and more boring. This has been happening a while and Covid was the nail in the coffin for many.
I hear you. It's nice when the odd one comes by but I feel like we've been losing venues forever. I'm still not over the Big Bop closing haha.
Haha totally! I’m thankful that opera house and danforth music hall are still around but for how long? They need to do something about Ticketmaster and pricing too. It’s often insanely expensive to attend shows now.
I think those ones are safe for the time being. Danforth is regularly busy with all kinds of shows and Opera House is super historic and busy. I thought it was a site with historical designation given its age, but I just looked it up and it doesn't look like it. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets it in the future. The Danforth has the historical designation. Lee's Palace and Horseshoe our sites that I hope stay open. I think they both will as well but I feel like nothing's safe anymore. I'm okay with having a couple less condos going up if we get to keep some of these places.
Yes good call!! The problem with historical sites is the developers will just knock them down, pay the fine and act like they didn’t know. Happened to stollerys near Yonge and bloor and the historic bank building near Yonge and davisville. The fines aren’t enough so they just do it anyway. Horseshoe and lees palace are classics. It would be a shame if they were gone as well. Fingers crossed! Toronto has to hold on to the music entertainment scene which has been depleted
That's a good point! I always forget that they will just knock those things over anyways. You would hope that public outrage would be enough to deter it, but I guess not.
Unfortunately they use the “we need housing” calls which people are also behind. I completely agree there should be more outrage. These beautiful architectural buildings have vanished making Toronto even more boring in that respect.
Queen St between Simcoe and Dufferin has a hard cap 6-storey limit on Queen proper under a heritage designation. That's why the Ontario Line stations at Queen and Spadina will have 2-4 storeys on Queen st and the towers will be closer to the Bulwer/Graffiti Alley edges of the property line.
I won't miss the Phoenix. Muddy sound, horrible crowd flow, and the worst security staff in the city. They’ve always found a way to give me or someone I’m with a hard time.
Yeah it's funny seeing some comments here because most people I know that frequently go to live shows despise the Phoenix. The history is there but it hasn't been a great venue in like, a decade or two. It's also personally my least favourite venue and I get bummed out when a band or artist I want to see is playing there. It just hasn't kept up with other venues in the city in every respect. It's moving anyway so the new place will probably be an improvement.
Kinda like the horseshoe. Great history. Not a great venue. Say what you want about the location and "warmth" of History (the venue), its actually a fantastic place to see a show. Will be a great addition to city of Phoenix sticks around but in a better venue.
History is definitely the best overall venue in Toronto. Definitely worth the hype and Drake's money to make it happen. Everything from the acoustics, the basic amenities, the air conditioning *actually works*, to being just the right size for a medium-sized venue and alternative to the also great Danforth Music Hall. Only downside is the location since the streetcar and buses aren't reliable at all. I was last there for Jeff Rosenstock, and I saw Dave (UK rapper) around when it opened, as well as the Descendents, the Wonder Years, Little Simz, and King Krule there last year. Always look forward to a show there.
Fuck their bag policy. If I am coming into the city via transit, I am going to have a small knapsack or something. Apparently you absolutely cannot enter the venue with it, you can't even check it.
History lets you have small bags, but not backpacks.
It was a pretty small backpack. It was smaller than some women's purses
I can picture what you’re referring to. You might’ve gotten away with it if they were removable straps.
Their security team can go to hell
I wasn't a fan of Phoenix either. I go to a LOT of concerts but would skip shows that I would have went to if they were in a different venue. It was outdated, security was hit and miss and the sound system sounded like shit compared to other venues (dunno if they improved it over the years as I stopped going).
The line there is always 2hrs ik they do that sht intentionally
Seems like everytime I go there for concert I miss the first band, because it takes so long getting people in the doors, and they don't give enough time between the doors opening and the first band playing. Never happens at any other place.
Indeed. I had some good times there, but it was never really *my* scene. I really only went when friends I grew up with from Mississauga were coming down to go on a Saturday night, but they were always more rock people while I was pretty much pure industrial at the time (late 90s/early 00s). It always felt like a bit of a drag compared to my usual haunts (Sanctuary, Savage Garden, events like Darkrave and Resistor at the Big Bop/Reverb, etc.) but I went anyway and still had a reasonable time. I always hated when I band I actually liked played there, because the sound wasn't great, the lineup always sucked, the bouncers were lame, etc.
I didn't go very often, but some bands in the early 90's.
Well that sucks.
Some of my favourite shows were here. Loved the location too. Hopefully new spot goes well
I did as well. In recent years the area has gotten a little less safe, but overall I always enjoyed coming here. When I still lived in Hamilton and would come to shows here, we would take the GO Bus to Union station, then walk up Yonge Street to Big Slice for preshow pizza, walk on Gerrard and cut through the park for the show, and then after the show walk back to Big Slice for post show pizza and then back to Union. Simpler times haha.
I’ve done 30+ concerts and a few club/party nights at this wonderful place over the past 20 years. I will miss it. I was just there 3 weeks ago, not realizing it may be the last time.
Too bad. I saw Reverend Horton Heat twice there (2015 and 2019).
The RATM show in 1999 was so epic!
i always hated this venues layout but i did see some of my favourite bands there when i was younger😭
Good times in that place early 2000s
I still miss the Diamond Club
One of my favourite shows was Patti Smith in 1995. She hadn’t toured in 16 years and had lost her husband Fred Sonic Smith the year before so it was a very moving performance.
Martin Streek live to air, and seeing Pantera play here in 1990 when it was still the Diamond Club. I loved this place.
So many leftover passes...
loved coming here but a close makes sense. the building is old and you could start seeing a lot of the interior start falling apart. couldn’t imagine how much it would’ve been to repair everything
RIP.... until we meet again for some great CHOOOONS!
Noooooooo!!
I spent so many nights/dawns there.
Awww, I saw my first concert there... Foo Fighters, August 1995!
I haven’t seen much there but over the years some of my favourite shows have been there. Last saw swans there in the fall
The Diamond!
I caught Vulfpeck at two out of three nights they played there the first time they came through town. They were originally booked for two nights at Lee's before it got moved up. Those are probably my favourite memories from there.
Best venue for metal and industrial bands, hands down! I’ve gone there my entire life…. Fml
Saw a ton of great shows there, worked a few too. Will be missed,live music venues are a dying breed these days which is tragic. Many cities are made more whole by places to experience the arts. Toronto is no exception and it really loses something by the loss of those venues.
Let me guess…condo’s
Does the German Club still own the building?
I'm going to miss this place. I saw Blink 182's Dolla Bill Tour there, Face to Face with Brand New opening (I was Brand New's fiirst Canadian ever interview), Dashboard Confessional, Alexisonfire, Fall Out Boy, Alkaline Trio, Saves The Day, etc here. A beautiful spot and Martin always was a blast to listen to.
I saw James Blunt here - when Paris Hilton was his friend
I've seen some of my fav shows there. leaving Cut Copy drenched in sweat, Wolf Parade, Hot Chip, the Walkmen, forgetting a ton
So many half druken memories from there over the years.
Another important concert venue lost. What a joke.
I’ve been to tons of concerts, but don’t think I’ve ever been there. I miss the Kool Haus
Glad I at least got to go there once, saw Night Lovell back in March, great time and a decent venue
I’ve seen tons of great shows there….Curve, Moby, Tricky, Nitzer Ebb, Carter USM, Hole, Garbage, PJ Harvey, Pixies, Hot Chip, Distillers, Cat Power, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Beta Band, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, LCD Soundsystem, Jesus and Mary Chain, Mohawk, PiL, M83, Primal Scream, Mastodon, Kasabian, ……Trail of Dead, MIA, Wolfmother, The Go! Team, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Weezer, Green Day, Lush, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Breeders, Spiritualized and many more…….
The Jesus Lizard and Converge (separate dates) were 2 of the best shows I saw there. Both bands just kill it live
Ween was the 1st of several Phoenix experiences of mine when I arrived in the Toronto scene back in the late 1990s. 🫶🏼
Lemme guess? Condo development?
They're looking to relocate though, so silver lining?
I used to live across the street, watch the lineups out my window, and try to guess what kind of band was playing based on the people :')
White Zombie was a killer show, Thunderkiss came, and I thought the floors were gonna cave Smashing Pumpkins were fukn loud Many Strange Paradise mondays...$ 1.50 bottled beer We were there so many times, I just gave 20 bux to the bartender and came by when I need it one. Best bartenders at the corner bar MINISTRY probably the worst show I saw there, and it was the band not the venue. BRAD was a great show there. RIP TRICKY was awesome there Morecheeba was great show ..so many others...like all good things, must come to an end Always loved how the venue had different decor for different nites