‘More than a nostalgic goodbye’: Iconic San Francisco hotel and music venue to close its doors

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The Phoenix — a legendary hotel located on the edge of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District and famed music venue and host to artists such as David Bowie, Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Kurt Cobain — announced that it will close its doors officially on Jan. 1, 2026 due to a long-term land lease ending.

The Phoenix, located at 601 Eddy Street, was originally opened as a motor court lodge in 1956 before being reimagined in 1987 by founder Chip Conley. The hotel is home to original art deco 50’s architecture, 44 rooms, album launches and boasts “one of two landmark-status pools in the country which lies in a courtyard at the center of the hotel.”

“The Phoenix Hotel has long been more than just a hotel – it has been a sanctuary for artists, musicians, locals, and travelers from around the world,” said the hotel in a press release. “The Phoenix Hotel quickly became a symbol of San Francisco’s counterculture and rebellious soul… The Phoenix has never just existed in the Tenderloin – it has shown up for it. This is more than a nostalgic goodbye; it’s a recognition of a legacy shaped by joy, grit, and purpose.”

Conley released the following statement:

“I guess it’s fitting that the nearly-40-year run of The Phoenix would end right around my 65th birthday, the traditional American retirement age (although I don’t plan on retiring anytime soon based upon my newest venture, MEA). It was concert promoter Bill Graham who persuaded me to create San Francisco’s rock ‘n roll hotel when I was in my mid-20s and didn’t have a clue about the hospitality industry and it wasn’t even clear that I was buying a pay-by-the-hour motel when I bought the Caravan Lodge. But, I did know how to throw a great party as a “social alchemist” and this little corner at Larkin and Eddy Street has seen its share of parties.

Whether it’s the Festive Vibes reggae concerts by the legislature-saved, art-laden swimming pool during the Miss Pearl’s Jam House era, the “Wet Parties” during the Backflip days, the Burning Man fundraisers thrown by Bambuddha, or the Art Pad weekends during the Chambers era, this hotel and its four restaurants have defined San Francisco’s music, art and party scene for four decades. Along the way, The Phoenix has hosted Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nirvana at the same time on New Year’s Eve multiple times, Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp, 32 Celebrity Pool Tosses, multiple weddings including one in which JFK Jr. was the best man, musician Michael Franti’s wedding in which Woody Harrelson was the best man, and my sister Cathy’s wedding. 

Since COVID, The Phoenix and its neighborhood have struggled mightily, so as we near the end of our long-term land lease, it seems fitting that this gateway to the Tenderloin should go out with a flurry of parties during the balance of 2025. Both the hotel and I have outlived some of the icons I’ve gotten to know as guests over the years from David Bowie to River Phoenix to Sinead O’Connor to Kurt Cobain (a note to Courtney Love, written on a Phoenix-logoed notepad, was found on Cobain upon his death). I feel deeply grateful that this no-tell motel is where I started my hotel career that led to Joie de Vivre creating and managing 52 boutique hotels over my 24 years running the company (I sold the management company and JdV brand in 2010). And, I plan to throw a rockin’ 65th birthday party at 601 Eddy Street on Halloween later this year!”

Chip Conley

The Phoenix encourages visitors to not waste any time booking a stay as it says rooms are going fast as word spreads of its impending closure. The hotel will stay open through this year.