Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre closing its doors after more than 33 years

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After over 33 years as one of Toronto’s top live music destinations, The Phoenix Concert Theatre has announced it is closing its doors for the last time.

Owners of the venue, which has played host to the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Ramones, Foo Fighters, Rage Against the Machine, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Rush, the Tragically Hip, the Arctic Monkeys, Green Day, Alanis Morissette, and thousands more, have announced the venue will turn out the lights on Jan. 15, 2025.

The location, at 410 Sherbourne St., will be used for residential housing, with work scheduled to begin next year.

“Being the custodians of The Phoenix for a decade has been an honour,” Phoenix co-owner Lisa Zbitnew said in a statement. “She is the grand dame of venues in Toronto, and we’ve seen some of the world’s biggest and best artists grace this stage.”

Zbitnew said she is “sad” the venue is closing, but is turning her attention to “writing the next chapter in our new home.”

Co-owner Zeke Myers says the music hall will look to close out the remaining part of the year with a packed slate that will pay tribute to “the artists and events that have helped build this venue to its legendary status.”

“We will close out our time here with a ‘Celebrate the Phoenix’ series of concerts and events. We have been very fortunate to develop fantastic relationships with artists, promoters and agents, as well as media and community organizations, and we will do our best to bring together all of these worlds for a diverse and exciting grand finale,” he said.

The Phoenix has hosted a number of legendary shows in its three decades of operation. The Rolling Stones played a surprise 14-song set there in 2005 after months rehearsing in the city for their Bigger Bang Tour. The cost to get in? A whopping $10.

Bob Dylan also stopped in for a rare club show there during his 2004 Never Ending Tour. And fans of the Tragically Hip got to see the Canadian rock icons play a gig there in 2006 after they released their World Container LP.

The haunt was also a favourite of up-and-coming artists, playing host to acts like the Arctic Monkeys and Post Malone before they broke big.

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In addition to live music, The Phoenix also was home to various DJ music nights that spotlighted alternative and electronic dance music as well as events for Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival, Pride and more. 

Following the announcement, the Phoenix’s owners said they are working with city councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre) and others at city hall to find their next permanent home.

“Addressing Toronto’s housing crisis remains a critical priority, but we must also preserve and nurture our city’s cultural spaces,” Moise wrote in a statement. “Arts and entertainment are integral pieces of creating vibrant, livable, complete communities. The Phoenix is an integral part of an ecosystem for our local businesses and the closure will have profound impacts for our budding artists, night economy, and on our downtown recovery efforts. I remain steadfast in my commitment to supporting The Phoenix find a new home.”

In a separate statement, Brad Bradford, Chair of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee, said finding a new location is important to the city’s economy.

“We lost a number of spaces over the pandemic years, and one of our objectives is to build back our music scene. Live music generates over $850 million each year in Toronto – and Toronto is the fourth largest touring market in North America.”

The Phoenix’s closure follows other venues that have shuttered in recent years, including The Guvernment, Kool Haus and the Silver Dollar Room.

mdaniell@postmedia.com