Local Business Spotlight: The Fenix

Friday, August 29, 2008

Local Business Spotlight: The Fenix

As mentioned a couple of months back, Phoenixville will soon be home to a premium martini and whiskey bar. Named The Fenix, it is owned by the owners of Molly Maguire's and will be located right next door to Molly's at 193 Bridge Stret.

The Fenix hopes to have a soft opening tonight or tomorrow with a grand opening coming in September. I sent an email into General Manager Michael Matarazzo who had this to say regarding the new venture:

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Opening in September 2008, The Fenix will offer a unique selection of over 15 specialty martinis as well as classic cocktails, fine wines and spirits. An eye-catching menu of delicious food will also be available along with great music and live DJ’s.

The Fenix will create an exciting and varied cocktail party atmosphere every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4pm. Our guests will enjoy the comfortable lounge for food or a casual after work drink. Later on, they can listen or dance to the best music and DJ’s around or just gather at the stylish, intimate bar to mingle and talk.

For those looking to have some food with their drinks, the menu is designed to be ordered individually or shared among friends. The Fenix menu features innovating dishes such as risotto bombs, smoked salmon lollipops, lobster nachos and Oysters Rockefeller. Our cocktail menu offers signature martinis like the Pomegranate Blue and The Tuxedo.

Looking forward to seeing you soon at The Fenix!
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Good luck to Michael and the rest of his crew.

51 comments:

Anonymous said...: Not sure about the name. The logo is ok, but the name is kinda odd. Oh well. Wish it would have been a name that went with Molly's....like Stewarts or something.; 8/29/08 11:40 AM
Anonymous said...: I like the name but really dislike the spelling. Love the shout-out to the town and therefore think "Phoenix" would have been the better choice. However, I think the font used on the sign is fantastic. Looked in last night and it looks pretty slick. Will be great to see if this town can support a DJ-atmosphere/club scene. Hope so!; 8/29/08 12:48 PM
Anonymous said...: I think the name is silly, but driving by last night, it looks like a hip place. I like the red and black combo. It looks very trendy and urban. I'll be excited to see the clientele that will go there. Also, Stewarts as a name for a trendy club? Ha, that's a good one.; 8/29/08 1:27 PM
Anonymous said...: Hip club? This should be interesting. I think it is just what Pvill needs though. Hopefully it will do well!; 8/29/08 1:35 PM
Anonymous said...: Hold on! This isn't a club folks, so put the brakes on. Its a martini bar and just a martini bar. Club implies dancing and lots of scantily dressed women....oh my....what time does that open again? Just don't tell my wife where I am. (POOF! - A cloud of dust follows); 8/29/08 3:26 PM
Anonymous said...: DJ's and dancing implies a 'club' scene. Duh. I doubt it's going to be like the 'club' scene at Tyler James with the classiest people in the area gettin' down and showing off their 'moves' with their plastic cups of suds!; 8/29/08 3:41 PM
Anonymous said...: I think the logo and, yes, even the spelling are cool. It is certainly a much better name than "That Italian Place" (cringe); 8/29/08 5:22 PM
Anonymous said...: hopefully their food is better than Molly's is. They don't even make an effort over there.; 8/29/08 5:23 PM
Anonymous said...: This post has been removed by a blog administrator.; 8/30/08 4:19 PM
JW said...: Edited version of Anonymous 8/30 4:19pm to take out needless commentary:
Went there on opening night and it was awesome. Food was good and the drinks were flowing.; 8/30/08 4:27 PM
Anonymous said...: Stopped in for a drink last night with a few European friends. They loved it, as did we. I hope it does well.; 8/30/08 6:10 PM
Anonymous said...: I think the name is very creative!! Went there on opening night and had a blast. My friends and I sat in the back on the luxurious leather couches. We felt like we were in Manhattan!!!
Service was incredible and the Cassidy Martini is to die for!!!
Food was great too!! Definitly the hip place to be in Pennsylvania!!!; 8/31/08 4:57 PM
Anonymous said...: GREAT BEER SELECTION!
VERY IMPRESSIVE!
GOING TO BE OUR NEW HANGOUT!; 8/31/08 5:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Now Phoenixville has a night life! Can't wait until first Friday.; 8/31/08 6:04 PM
Anonymous said...: The Fenix was fantastic! Great! Hip and creative. We were THRILLED to see this in Phoenixville. This definitely raises the bar.; 8/31/08 7:05 PM
Anonymous said...: We have watched and waited for the Fenix to open, it's finally here and we cant be more excited. My wife and I spent Friday and Saturday night at the bar drinking some Fabulous martini's. Good Job Michael!! This is definitly going to be an asset to Phoenixville, we still love Molly's too!; 8/31/08 10:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Tell everyone, easily the best bar in the entire area and challenges bars in Philadelphia. It makes King of Prussia bars look like Sesame Place.; 9/1/08 6:51 PM
Michael said...: I don't like the idea at all. Not sure about this type of place..but what do I know. Does anyone know if Molly's ever has a happy hour. The "Specials" section of their website leads to a gift card...not sure that its that special. I haven't gone in months b/c at least Ryans has some specials; 9/1/08 8:57 PM
Anonymous said...: What are the prices like? How do the customers dress there? Rather than saying it's great, give us some details! :); 9/2/08 8:23 AM
Anonymous said...: It's great!...Aaaaahhh! Just kiddin'. No really it is great but there really is no dress code that I know of but the atmosphere kinda says "hey you should be dressed nicely (if atmosphere could talk). The prices for drinks are similar to Molly M prices and the tappas menu runs around 10$ / dish. The food I had was really good.

They have a separate staff from Molly M's and honestly they opened this one much more smoothly then Molly's. The staff also seems to be a lot more motivated.

To sum it up: I really did enjoy it and the atmosphere is truly unbelievable (like you're in Miami or NY - seriously). If you're with friends and you're looking to class it up a bit before you head home then this is a great stop. If there were a downside I would say that the people that go to the bar seem to stay and hang out so the tables don't turn over too quickly (considering its such a small, intimate bar).

How's that?; 9/2/08 8:42 AM
Anonymous said...: Quality review ... thanks! I like how it seems to have an urban vibe. I'll definitely have to check it out sooner than later.; 9/2/08 10:44 AM
Bob said...: Stopped in this past Friday. Definitely a little more upscale than what I, and my crowd of people, was looking for. I'm a Molly's regular as well as Iron Hill and Ryan's. I'm not looking for a Frat house vibe, but I'm also not looking for the uncomfortable, trying too hard, scene either. I'm not sure they are making the right decision here. I'd be into a martini bar that didn't take itself too seriously. Just my opinion though.; 9/2/08 4:25 PM
Anonymous said...: I went there the night they opened and the next night and I had a BLAST! This is EXACTLY what Bridge St needed. It's relaxed, but upscale, very nicely decorated and very comfortable. I'm just worried that once the word gets out about this hip little place that it will be standing room only and the comfortable little couches and chairs will be all taken... :(; 9/2/08 5:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh trust me once the family folks that are bored and looking for something different get word of this it will take a hit due to the crowds. I just hope people don't start bringing their kids. Can parents these days do anything without their kids? What happened to adult time? What happened to people remembering that they are a couple and not just parents looking to entertain their varmints for a while?; 9/2/08 6:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh, by the way, despite all the varmint remarks about kids and parents at the Fenix, I still think its a great place. I just don't want it to turn in to romper room with all the booths, stools, and sofas. It could be a large McDonalds Play area.; 9/2/08 6:54 PM
Anonymous said...: Nice place but too small and too upscale for P-ville. I think they will do OK for a few months but the kind of crowd they are trying to draw won't come into Phoenixville more then once or twice. Not to mention how many more bars can one small town support? The vast majority of people living within a 5 block area of Bridge Street can't afford to eat or drink at any of these places and the out of towers are only here on the weekends. Ever go into Phoenixville Monday through Thursday? It's a ghost town! How about opening some legit businesses instead of bars? Is the town's new motto "Phoenixville, a great place to get drunk"?; 9/2/08 10:38 PM
Anonymous said...: To anon 10:38PM - I disagree with your point about the bar not drawing the proper crowd. Two things to consider: One is they are only open Thursday thru Saturday from (I think) 4 - 2pm. Second point is that the demographics completely support this kind of high scale business and more in town. Your way of thinking is not supported by the large number of restauranteurs that have opened their establishments successfully.

As far as this becoming a bar town: I agree to a that we can only support so many bars but there are not more bars than before Pville started ramping it up 3 or 5 years ago. For example: the only bars in town are Tylers, PJ Ryans, Molly's, Iron Hill, 101, and Columbia. The Fenix is owned by Molly's. In the old days there was whatever numerous names the Tylers Pub was before it became Tylers, The Phoenix, LoJo's, gay bar (can't remember name), Spectators, Kohn's, and Columbia. My point is the numbers haven't changed much but rather the names and the people. Don't confuse BYOB's with bars, they are 2 completely different animals.

As far as your assertion that Pville is a ghost town Mon-Thurs I don't agree with ghost town but it is slower. There are a number of businesses that are open and do well during those times including these same restaurants. The biggest business I can think that has improved that you call "legit" is Hipsters. They seem to be rolling along nicely in the ghost town. I will agree we do need more offices and other such businesses but that is slated to soon change with the Henkin Group opening the old foundry building soon (I think in January or so of next year) and also the Brandywine Group purchased the land from PPG and they are known to build office buildings (their reputation is "as movers and getting things done" - lets hope that stays true).

I don't really like the negative vibe you were trying to put out there like its fact. The fact is every one of your weaker arguments can be refuted by stronger arguments like the ones above. I guess it depends on how you view the town? I view it as a great place to live and I am trying to make it even better. I also realize how fortunate we are to live in a town that is thriving especially in these hard economic times. So many towns can't say that and by the way we are standard by which all towns trying to redevelop set their bench marks. If you don't believe that then you missed the articles on CNN, Boston Globe, NY Times, Maine, and other agencies that list Pville as a town that is on its way up and one of the best places to relocate. Pessimism is not an envied trait. Class out!; 9/3/08 6:53 AM
Anonymous said...: anonymous 10:38pm - you said that "The vast majority of people living within a 5 block area of Bridge Street can't afford to eat or drink at any of these places and the out of towers are only here on the weekends." I would tell you that the leases on these places are dirt cheap compared to Philly or KOP and that even during the week there is a decent amount of Happy Hour traffic from Wyeth, GSK, Vanguard, etc.; 9/3/08 8:24 AM
Anonymous said...: I, too, live within 5 blocks of the downtown, and with a family member facing a layoff and another with a union contract up in the air, eating out at high-priced restaurants like those downtown is definately out.

The Hankin Group is making the Foundry into a banquet hall. That's not going to bring full-time, living wage jobs into Phoenixville. It only continues the "weekend play place" that Phoenixville has become.

This town needs full-time, living wage jobs, not more opportunities for wealthy out-of-towners to get drunk and raise our police overtime costs dealing with the side-effects of sustance abuse.; 9/3/08 10:13 AM
Anonymous said...: To the Negative Nancies,

If you don't like it you are more than welcome to move. Nobody is forcing you to stay.

I moved here to Phoenixville for all the good reasons described above.; 9/3/08 10:45 AM
Anonymous said...: Here we go again with the 'if you don't like it, get out of here' crowd.; 9/3/08 11:08 AM
Anonymous said...: That's right (get out of town) if you negative nancies don't like it then please don't let the door hit you on the rear on the way out. We are tired of the pessimism and negativism that plagues the thoughts of EVERYTHING going on in town. Look, to the person facing layoffs and may not be able to afford the downtown activities: I truly hope things get better and work out for you, but not every business is meant for everyone to be able to afford. I may or may not be able to afford the Fenix but the point is that its a nice addition to the town and it rounds it all out perfectly.

As far as the Hankin group opening a venue in the foundry building: I got news for that joker - its not going to be a bar. Again - news break - ITS NOT A BAR. It is a venue for rented gatherings such as weddings, business meetings, conventions, music hall, and other gatherings that happen all week and will require full staffing. So it will provide a nice boost for the daytime traffic.; 9/3/08 1:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Let me see, do I want the Phoenixville I moved to 8 years ago where you could see drug deals going down right on Main Street and the only bar in town was Phoenix Tavern where you could get attaked with a hatchet; or the Phoenixville we have now where my family can walk down the street and enjoy a nice restaurant and some lovely shops or my husband and I can go out and have a drink. Decisions, decisions.; 9/3/08 3:40 PM
Anonymous said...: See it takes a women to see the benefits we have received in the town and how much further we can go. I'm sure some of these people are left overs from the Phoenix Tavern and got the Fenix confused with it so now they're all mad because they don't allow hatchets in the bar. God forbid we have some places that real folks can go an relax in a beautiful bar. Why does it have to be a "oh this is too high class" thing with Phoenixville. Why don't us regular people deserve a cool place to hang out in? Does it have to look like the Phoenix Tavern or else it just will not work?? The answer is NO. We all deserve a place like this in town. Somewhere we can go, relax, see some friends and then go home. There's no pretense about that. Its just a place for everyone to go and relax - we deserve it!; 9/3/08 4:43 PM
Anonymous said...: Can you get in with flip flops and a sad, dirty ponytail?; 9/3/08 4:47 PM
Anonymous said...: 4;47pm anon - Hey that was pretty funny and the answer is yes even Barry can get in with his sad, dirty ponytail and flip flops. As a matter of fact if some of these jokesters are lucky they'll run into him and they can actually tell him how they feel - imagine that!; 9/3/08 5:48 PM
Anonymous said...: i love that name negative nancy.thank god for the hardworking postive people that do frequent the fine venues that have come to town like mollys iron hill ect.the fenix is the new phoenixville .it is great to see the bull being taken buy the horns.; 9/3/08 9:14 PM
Anonymous said...: I agree with 9:14 pm - I am tired of all of the negative talk about our town. Just tired of it. I've been hearing it all of my life how Phoenixville is down and out. And now all of a sudden we are the talk of the party and yet people just want to complain. Well, I am blue collar. As blue collar as it comes. And I welcome the diversity downtown with yuppies and stoners or whatever you want to call somebody. Haven't we learned that categorizing people (like we were in high school) is really not constructive and is short sighted. And as a life long Phoenixville resident I agree that if you don't like it that much then please leave. The negative comments, on a CONSISTENT basis, is not appreciated. I think I even know some of these negative nancies. I love that one.; 9/4/08 1:26 AM
Bob said...: I live within 5 blocks of downtown and am well able to afford going to these places...often (maybe too often). The comment about needing long term full time jobs is a bit off in my opinion. We live within 10 minutes (not an exaggeration) of plenty of full time positions(Malvern, KOP, etc.) and if you stretch that to 20 minutes, there are even more opportunities. Pville will be fine. It's building steadily, which is a great sign. This post was started about the Fenix and has, as these things typically do when people can't focus, morphed into name calling and immaturity. Grow up people. It's a blog for crying out loud.

Anyway, hope to see you positive, fun loving people at Molly's, or PJ's, or Iron Hill. If not, wave to me from inside the Fenix!! I'll be the large bald guy with the big smile.; 9/4/08 10:01 AM
Anonymous said...: The Fenix is amazing! Keep up the good work. We welcome and embrace an upscale, fashionable place. Fortunately, there are many options for those who don't want a place. I hope everyone can agree that we should be happy so many things are here for us to enjoy in Phoenixville!; 9/4/08 3:59 PM
Anonymous said...: So many bars to enjoy ... fixed that for ya.; 9/4/08 8:25 PM
Anonymous said...: The problem is the parking still. I know plenty of people who would come to Pville more often on the weekends if it wasn't so difficult to find a spot (not back behind the Mansion House). We could definitely use some sort of garage somewhere.

Maybe instead of donating a $150K ferris wheel it could have been used towards a parking garage, now that is a gift that could be used.; 9/5/08 11:03 AM
Anonymous said...: Well then get ready to buck up buddy. You want it you got it. Pretty soon a parking garage (poof). And by the way, this isn't a charity fund to help you pay your oil bills so you'll have to pay for the parking. OHHHH! did you think someone would build a garage and you can dump your 1981 Monte Carlo (with no bumper and wheels) for free - Sorry! And if you're gonna complain about that then maybe you should be so charitable and open a garage yourself (thats a laugh) and you can let everyone park for free.; 9/5/08 11:46 AM
Anonymous said...: When did anyone mention the cost of paying to park in a garage? Get over yourself, Anon 11:46. Get a life too while you're at it. A parking garage is just what this town needs. West Chester has them to compliment their booming restaurants and night life. Phoenixville needs one too with all this growth. I know I'd gladly pay a couple of bucks to park and enjoy the town. Parking is a big reason why I don't venture downtown as often as I'd like and I'm sure I'm not the only one.; 9/5/08 11:55 AM
Anonymous said...: alright, I was just making sure you weren't one of the folks looking for something for nothing. Most bloggers here do. Just my observation. Glad to see someone who wants growth and is willing to pay for some extras but more importantly doesn't complain about everything in town.; 9/5/08 12:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Phoenixville is turning into a "bar town."

Thinking back in time, I can remember these bars which were open for business in Phoenixville at the same time: The Orioles, The Moose, The Mansion House, The bar that became the Phoenix Tavern, Dellaquillas, Hotel Chester, The Slovak Club, The Ukrainian Club, St Mikes Club, The Polish Club, Kohnsies, Friendship Fire Co, The VFW, West End. Am I missing one or two?
Granted they served mostly beer and shots, but you get the picture. Phoenixville has not suddenly become a 'bar town' LOL! At least now you can bring the kids.; 9/9/08 10:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Everything is great about the Fenix except for the music. Horrible. Seems out of place. More jazzy would be nice.; 9/18/08 9:13 AM
Anonymous said...: I just moved here a couple of weeks ago from Boston, MA. It's obviously been a transition, but I enjoy the quaintness of P-ville...being able to go somewhere nice for dinner without spending over $100 on the final bill - very refreshing!!! :); 10/21/08 3:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Looking for great places to hang out. New to town. Hope this is fun.; 11/21/08 11:38 PM
Blinddog said...: We moved here from Pottstown last year. We lived in Philly before that. Sure, I can't afford to eat and drink on Bridge Street every night. I would argue that this is no ghost town Monday through Thursday either. We live in a condo on Bridge Street and I only wish parking was that easy to find during the week! I usually park on Church Street and walk to Bridge... which is the distance I would typically park and walk when living in Philly.

I don't live in the Fenix, but I do love that it is there. When we have guests over or want to dress up a bit and get a drink, I love that we have that place in town. I was hitting Molly's about once a week anyway and the drink prices are pretty much the same.; 12/28/08 7:41 PM
Anonymous said...: I have given Fenix several chances but each time I go I am always disappointed. The martinis are small, overpriced, they are not even cold, and they can’t even fill them up to the top of the tiny glass. Not to mention the service is slow, the wait staff in rude and clueless, the bartenders unknowledgeable of how to make martinis. The menu is Tapas menu is okay at best.
Suggestions…If you want a Nice, Cold, Large Martini for about the same prices, go to the Columbia Bar and Grille. If you are looking for an Awesome Tapas menu there is always The Epicurean. I would say two of Phoenixville’s staples!; 7/14/09 4:13 PM

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