Arts & Culture

Great news for Toronto live music fans as beloved mid-sized venue the Phoenix has been given a reprieve and will stay open at its current location at 410 Sherbourne through 2026.

The venue had expected to have to leave its longstanding address at the end of this year, and Phoenix owners, with the help of city officials, have been searching for a new location. The reprieve allows for a much more carefully planned transfer to a new location.

“We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity to continue operations here at 410 Sherbourne St.,” said Lisa Zbitnew, co-owner and operator of the Phoenix Concert Theatre. “It gives us the time and flexibility to move forward in the best way possible.

“In recent months, there has been an outpouring of support from patrons, past and present, as they shared their memories of this iconic music landmark, initially scheduled to close in January 2025. It was a testament to the music community’s love for the venue. The community can now celebrate the venue for yet another year.”

A series of “goodbye” shows at the venue are now a celebration of the Phoenix enduring. Originally launched as the Diamond in the ’80s, it was later “reborn” as the Phoenix and has been a key Toronto venue ever since. Teenage Head plays the Phoenix on Fri., Nov. 1.