One of Toronto’s most revered music venues will be shutting its doors in January, but not for good.
The Phoenix Concert Theatre will be replaced by residential housing, according to media reports.
Over its 33-year tenure, the famed downtown venue has hosted the likes of Billie Eilish and The Rolling Stones, to name a few.
But, all is not lost, The Phoenix will resurrect in a new location, though it is yet to disclose when or where.
“The Phoenix at 410 Sherbourne closes January 2025. Stay tuned for our new location. Meantime, let’s celebrate 33 1/3 years of The Phoenix Concert Theatre,” the venue said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
Co-owner and President of the Phoenix, Lisa Zbitnew, told Now Toronto in an email statement that people are deeply saddened by the news.
“Thirty three years is a long time. This venue has been an important part of a lot of people’s lives, including our own,” Zbitnew said on Wednesday.
“Fans are sad of course, but mostly they are sharing great memories of their concert experiences here and wishing us well for the next location,” she added.
Many locals hold the iconic concert hall in high regard, and in light of the news rushed to social media to share their formative memories of the storied venue.
“Truly the end of an era. A real big shame. Hoping your new location will be just as epic but sad to see this place with so many memories of so many great shows and events go. Thanks for all the great years,” one X user wrote.
“Was a regular on Saturday nights in 94-95 listening to the late Martin Streak. Juke Joint Jezebel ringing in my ears. Great memories,” another person said.
“Terrible news.The city is great because of venues like the Phoenix,” someone else wrote.
“Spent half my life in that building. Now I’m sad,” one user said.
Thousands of artists have played at the Phoenix over the last three decades, and Zbitnew says it’s unusual for a venue to stay standing for so long.
“I rarely meet someone in the city that doesn’t have a special memory of The Phoenix,” she said.
“The Phoenix is really the Grand Dame of venues in the city. I’m not sure that there is another venue of this scope that has been around this long, programmed this many artists, and showcased this diverse artist lineup as The Phoenix,” Zbitnew continued.
According to CP24, The Phoenix’s days have been numbered for a while, but the owners managed to extend its lease until the end of the year.
In the meantime, the venue will continue its search for an appropriate replacement location and put on shows until final curtain call in January.
“We are working on our fall/winter schedule now. We should be ready to announce some of the line up by late July,” Zbitnew concluded.
