Excited chatter, classic rock tunes and the persistent buzz of a tattoo machine filled the courtyard of the Phoenix Hotel for its final tribute to the Tenderloin, the neighborhood to which it credits for its lasting legacy.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the rock hotspot hosted a community block party complete with free-flowing food and drinks, flash tattoos and a curated lineup of poetry performances. Despite the evening’s rain, hundreds flooded the courtyard to dance and pay tribute to the storied San Francisco hotel.
Jeff Gleason tattoos Robert Lamvik,right, at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
“It’s a little surreal, but it’s actually really celebratory. It feels good,” Phoenix Hotel managing partner Isabel Manchester said. “When we first made the decision to close, I felt a pit in my stomach. But now it’s nice seeing so many people wanting to celebrate the legacy.”
Chip Conley opened the hotel in the late 1980s, following the advice of concert promoter Bill Graham. From there, it became a hub for touring musicians, drawing acts such as David Bowie, Pearl Jam and Neil Young by offering free tour bus parking and massages for tour managers.
But despite its place in Bay Area music history, the cultural landmark is scheduled to close at the end of the year due to the hotel’s loss of revenue since the COVID pandemic.
People listen to Preeti Vangani, left, read poetry at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
“A lot of great memories here,” 37-year-old Regina Coney, who has been coming to the Phoenix Hotel since 2009, said. “It’s very sad to see it go.”
It’s bowing out with the same spirit that made it legendary.
Thursday’s Tenderloin Block Party: A Love Letter to the Neighborhood was part of a lineup of farewell parties, including a New Year’s Eve closing party. While it wasn’t the Phoenix Hotel’s final celebration, it was the last free, non-ticketed one.
People gather to listen to a poetry reading at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
“It’s just wonderful to have friends (and) like-minded people that come together in a space to just have a good time,” San Francisco resident Phadera Gouvis said. “The Tenderloin gets a bad rap, and this is one of the bright stars.”
The 61-year-old said that she has been spending time at the Phoenix for the past 20 years – as long as she’s lived in the city.
One of her fondest memories at the hotel, she recalled, was roughly a decade ago when she experienced an intimate, 100-person performance by Sammy Hagar, Bob Weir and Michael Franti in the hotel’s courtyard.
“It never disappoints,” she said. “I’ve always had a good time every time I’ve come here.”
Mark P. swims in the pool at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
Thursday’s event also marked the final installment of Poolside Poetry, a monthly poetry, music and dance showcase hosted by the San Francisco nonprofit Decentered Arts.
Rhea Joseph and Liz Cahill have been hosting the series at the Phoenix Hotel for two years, providing emerging creatives a platform for their art.
“There’s no space that can replace this,” Cahill said. “We bring people back and we also bring people in for the first time.”
A woman named Sarah shows off her new ink at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
Ernesto DiSabatino and Phaedra Gouvis, right, laugh at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
Alexander Spaulding and Sarah Liu fall under the latter category, and only discovered the venue a few years ago, despite having grown up in San Francisco.
“We wish we found it sooner,” Spaulding, 32, said. “We do really love it.”
Liu added that the hotel particularly stands out to her because of its location.
“Especially in this neighborhood, I don’t think a lot of people come here for events too much,” the 30-year-old said. “But it’s great to be here. I would not be in this area otherwise.”
Isabel Manchester, the co-owner, poses for a portrait at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
Uniting music lovers and creatives from across generations, Thursday’s event was proof that the Phoenix Hotel truly has carved a space in the fabric of San Francisco – one that will be missed by many.
“The Phoenix is gonna live on, I think, forever,” Manchester said. “It has really forged a spot in so many people’s hearts in an interesting way, in a really real way.”
People gather to listen to a poetry reading at the Phoenix Hotel’s farewell block party in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)
More Information
Phoenix Hotel’s New Year’s Eve closing party: 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Tickets start at $25.39. Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St., S.F. 415-776-1380. eventbrite.com
This article originally published at San Francisco block party celebrates end of a legendary rock venue.