The Phoenix
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I don't mean to give The Phoenix a bad review, it is what it is. If you want to go for strong blues, cocktails, and bar food, it's the perfect venue. However, if you are looking for an excellent meal and tasteful, introspective jazz keep on looking.
Try the Bess Truman cocktail (only if you like bourbon!)
Try the Bess Truman cocktail (only if you like bourbon!)
Atmosphere
Housed in a quaint brick building that sits on a corner of downtown, The Phoenix boasts high ceilings, interior brick walls, and the dark cozy atmosphere perfect for music. A long friendly bar flanks the upper right side, and close-together tables and cocktail tables face the piano/stage area. Dark carpets and glowing candle-like lights complete the dramatic feel. The night we were there, Tuesday night, was 'jam night' and the place was packed with both listeners and musicians alike, giving it an extremely lively and upbeat air.
Although the Phoenix has recently had a re-opening, I didn't notice many changes from the way it was before. Large murals remain on the outside and inside of the building, and the stage area is still by the door, a layout that both amuses and confuses me. I smile as I watch newcomers not know where to enter, and cringe as leavers have to slink by playing musicians to sneak out the door. I wonder why in a reopening the owners opted to not change this cramped, and inconvenient layout? But, there may be a perfectly good explanation...
Either way, it's the music that people come for and the music, without a doubt, is good. One thing, though, although The Phoenix is continually referred to as a 'jazz' bar, I have only ever heard blues there. I could be wrong, maybe some nights you can hear jazz, depending on the line-up, but every night I've been there I've only ever heard blues- loud, strong, and fast-paced blues. If you know, or care, about the difference, this may, or may not, be the place for you. All I can say is that on the night we were there we were hoarse from trying to talk over the music and our ears were ringing well afterwards. After a few hours of listening to singers and musicians compete for the loudness spotlight, I was dying to hear a good tasteful ballad and, no, I don't mean Kenny G.
Although the Phoenix has recently had a re-opening, I didn't notice many changes from the way it was before. Large murals remain on the outside and inside of the building, and the stage area is still by the door, a layout that both amuses and confuses me. I smile as I watch newcomers not know where to enter, and cringe as leavers have to slink by playing musicians to sneak out the door. I wonder why in a reopening the owners opted to not change this cramped, and inconvenient layout? But, there may be a perfectly good explanation...
Either way, it's the music that people come for and the music, without a doubt, is good. One thing, though, although The Phoenix is continually referred to as a 'jazz' bar, I have only ever heard blues there. I could be wrong, maybe some nights you can hear jazz, depending on the line-up, but every night I've been there I've only ever heard blues- loud, strong, and fast-paced blues. If you know, or care, about the difference, this may, or may not, be the place for you. All I can say is that on the night we were there we were hoarse from trying to talk over the music and our ears were ringing well afterwards. After a few hours of listening to singers and musicians compete for the loudness spotlight, I was dying to hear a good tasteful ballad and, no, I don't mean Kenny G.
Service
Service here is very casual, but pleasant.
Food
Having heard good things about the food at the 'new' Phoenix we decided to start with a variety of appetizers including crab cakes ($8), Thai chicken wings ($7) , steak tacos ($2 each), and fried green beans with ranch dressing ($6), all of which came in fast-food plastic baskets and none of which, I'm sorry to say, were very good. The crab cakes were deep fried and doughy, most likely frozen. The green beans, though nicely fried, were so battered I could not actually taste a green bean anywhere in them. The Thai wings were way too sweet. And the tacos were dry and flavorless with an overpoweringly dull flour tortilla. After tasting these we decided not to waste any more money on food and switched to drinks. I had a 'Bess Truman' ($7) - Maker's Mark with orange, cherry, and club soda, which was delicious, not too sweet and a nice-sized pour. If nothing else, the cocktail saved the day. All other drinks, like sodas and water, were served in large red plastic 'glasses', which reminded me of a diner. The Phoenix also has weekly dinner specials like chicken-friend steak or a honey-glazed pork chop with fixings for $10. Sounds good, but I have my doubts...
Cleanliness
Unfortunately, we did not find the Phoenix too clean. The bathrooms were adequate, at best. Hand dryers were broken in both the men's and women's restrooms and no hand towels were provided. The kitchen, which is right next door to the restrooms, is open and not so nice to look into. If I had seen it earlier, I may not have wanted to order food.
Pros
The Phoenix is great if you want to go for some good blues music, fried bar food, and cocktails. Perfect for an after-work hangout or happy hour.
Cons
I'm not sure the food is good enough if you want a decent meal. Plastic food baskets and drink glasses make the place feel cheap. The bathrooms and kitchen don't seem very clean. The music is very loud and the band layout awkward.
