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| - The Phoenix is well situated to get to on public transit, and is just on the outskirts of the downtown core (you could even walk over from College station, or down from Sherbourne, if the weather is nice). I've never had an issue with door staff, they are reasonable and do their job quickly to get you carded and in the door. No problems with bag searches.
Inside is a little weirdly set out - you wind through a hallway via the coat check and where the merch stand (if any) will be set up, before hitting the main concert hall.
It's pretty divey, i'm not going to lie. Very dimly lit, everything painted black, strange old decor crammed into forgotten corners and overhangs. It's strange. There's 3 bars which should all be open on a busy night when there's a sold out concert; drinks aren't super cheap, unfortunately - and bottled water is sold at a criminal $3. Washrooms are all the way at the back and downstairs, but there's a lot of them to avoid too much wait. They're not glamorous, but they do.
Sound is great here, i've not had an issue with the quality of that impacting on my enjoyment of a show at all. Space-wise, there's quite a bit - a massive large space downstairs where everyone just lumps in together, and a smaller area on a balcony upstairs which is more casual and there's some seating; not ideal for actually watching a show, more loitering and listening.
Overall I wouldn't hesitate to go see a show at the Phoenix, and you just have to know that you'll probably enjoy yourself despite some of the venue's quirks and appearances. So it sorta evens out to 3 stars, I suppose!
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