Will The Phoenix rise from the ashes?

Would this have anything to do with the spate of Filthy’s-related stabbings, do you think?

Often, a drinking venue will have to close when it has been targeted by a gang for their nefarious activities.

I, too, used to frequent the Phoenix (and, less often, Filthy’s) and the last few times I went there I was aware of a new dodgy ambience about the place. It was always the case that people would actually meet each other at the Phoenix, have a laugh and get on well – but the place seemed to have been taken over by a very unfriendly clique, probably with mental problems, who looked blankly at you when you said “g’day”. And then they started stabbing people.

The sign on the door of The Phoenix this Saturday has sent shockwaves through Canberra.

I think you’re confusing ‘Canberra’ with yourself.

“it looks and smells like somebody dumped the contents of a Salvos shelter into a public toilet block.”

WMC, you sir are a bard

BimboGeek said :

bloodnut said :

you bitchy little snob.

You sound toothless.

In all seriousness, it doesn’t take the bitchiest snob to feel uncomfortable in such a trashed environment. Occasional building maintenance, regular cleaning schedule, fresh coat of paint, replacing old furniture when it breaks, these things are pretty normal but Phoenix seems to ignore them on the basis that its reputation for music will bring people in no matter what the place is like.

its not for everyone. i think during the smoking years were the best as it masked the underlying tang. and even from a live music perspective, the PA is buggered and the layout is awful. i just go where the people are decent and the beer’s cold. if it smells – so be it.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Sad old f*ckers with neck beards and leather elbow patches mingle with iPhone-toting hipster tragics in Che Guevara shirts, reminiscing about the 70s and 80s over a half pint they nurse the entire evening. If it is broke, I’m not surprised. Having a semi-decent pale ale on tap doesn’t change the fact it looks and smells like somebody dumped the contents of a Salvos shelter into a public toilet block.

WMC, quite a hole you’re digging – obviously you’ve had at least one beer there, so which are you – neck beard or hipster?

or just mild hypocrisy on your part sir?

Its great having pubs like that in Canberra. Its the variety of pubs that make the UK and Ireland such good Pub countries. Would be really boring if they were all the same. When I visit Canberra I always make sure I pop by there for a quick pint of two.

Clown Killer said :

I stopped going to the Phoenix not long after they banned smoking inside. Not a smoker myself, but that was one place I didn’t care because it almost seemed fundamental to the ambience of the place. It’s true that it was kind of cobbled together from hand-me-downs and the like but it was a place with character and personality (in part delivered by the toothless hobos that frequented it.

I remember spending an afternoon in there one July in what must have been ’97 or ’98. It was a freezing afternoon and it rained solidly all afternoon – so much so that we settled in for a session that lasted through to closing time. When we finally staggered out into east row it was snowing great white flakes which made the walk home to Lyneham quite special (bloody cold though).

I never get sick of that story.

Sad old f*ckers with neck beards and leather elbow patches mingle with iPhone-toting hipster tragics in Che Guevara shirts, reminiscing about the 70s and 80s over a half pint they nurse the entire evening. If it is broke, I’m not surprised. Having a semi-decent pale ale on tap doesn’t change the fact it looks and smells like somebody dumped the contents of a Salvos shelter into a public toilet block.

I stopped going to the Phoenix not long after they banned smoking inside. Not a smoker myself, but that was one place I didn’t care because it almost seemed fundamental to the ambience of the place. It’s true that it was kind of cobbled together from hand-me-downs and the like but it was a place with character and personality (in part delivered by the toothless hobos that frequented it.

I remember spending an afternoon in there one July in what must have been ’97 or ’98. It was a freezing afternoon and it rained solidly all afternoon – so much so that we settled in for a session that lasted through to closing time. When we finally staggered out into east row it was snowing great white flakes which made the walk home to Lyneham quite special (bloody cold though).

“replacing old furniture when it breaks, these things are pretty normal but Phoenix seems to ignore them on the basis that its reputation for music will bring people in no matter what the place is like.”

Nah, that’s just part of the ‘character’ of the place. There’s nothing quite as fine as sitting for a couple of hours drinking beer out of glasses that look like they were last washed about a fortnight before VE Day, whilst you sit on a chair that looks like it will either, a). fall apart at any moment, or b). has springs that are trying to pop through the top covering and tear you a new one.

Plus, last time I was there, the place smelt like a cross between a violent crime scene and a teenagers bedroom.

bloodnut said :

you bitchy little snob.

You sound toothless.

In all seriousness, it doesn’t take the bitchiest snob to feel uncomfortable in such a trashed environment. Occasional building maintenance, regular cleaning schedule, fresh coat of paint, replacing old furniture when it breaks, these things are pretty normal but Phoenix seems to ignore them on the basis that its reputation for music will bring people in no matter what the place is like.

Probably negotiating a deal with Mooseheads…or maybe Tilleys is buying them out. Either that or they forgot to renew their licence

that is the worst news I have heard in, well, years and years.

Please, someone, the Phoenix is the heart and soul of Canberras original live music scene. Close it and you can pretty much forget about good original local live music…

So that music I heard elsewhere wasn’t in fact good. I’m glad we cleared that up.

BimboGeek said :

Maybe something broke and they have to clean up the mess. In a poorly maintained pub there’s plenty of stuff that could randomly close the place down.

Phoenix is a dive. It smells and it’s full of toothless homeless people. If you want to hear music go to Lyneham.

you bitchy little snob.

Maybe something broke and they have to clean up the mess. In a poorly maintained pub there’s plenty of stuff that could randomly close the place down.

Phoenix is a dive. It smells and it’s full of toothless homeless people. If you want to hear music go to Lyneham.

Pork Hunt said :

krats said :

“They are a disgrace to all Christians.

But krats, not ALL are Christians…

That’s right, I’m a Jedi, who loves the pub. Oh wait, I’m not supposed to drink, I must be Sith then

krats said :

“They are a disgrace to all Christians.

But krats, not ALL are Christians…

“DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THE PHOENIX IS CLOSED TEMPORARILY”

I laugh whenever I see these signs outside businesses – as it is very seldom “unforseen circumstances” that have lead to the place being closed in the first place!

“With the crowds that fill the Phoenix every night of the week it’s hard to believe the bar on itself is not sustainable….”

Unless of course, the profits from The Phoenix have been syphoned off to prop up other unprofitable ventures?

krats said :

All these “type”of places should be CLOSED.They are a disgrace to all Christians.GOD looks down and shakes her head.

That’s the lamest trolling I’ve seen in a long time.

Vale the Phoenix. It’s all about creating that homogeneous beige culture that so typifies Canberra. What next? A bar run by the public service where no service is provided and our feedback is welcomed (but ignored)?

All these “type”of places should be CLOSED.They are a disgrace to all Christians.GOD looks down and shakes her head.

“bar on itself is not sustainable, if the less beloved venues on the same block can somehow stay open”
money laundering?