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.
Comments
Went there on opening night and it was awesome. Food was good and the drinks were flowing.
Service was incredible and the Cassidy Martini is to die for!!!
Food was great too!! Definitly the hip place to be in Pennsylvania!!!
VERY IMPRESSIVE!
GOING TO BE OUR NEW HANGOUT!
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!