Saying farewell to the Phog Lounge's iconic red building

For more than a decade, Phog Lounge has been the backdrop for some of this city’s most creative poets, but with Phog planning a big move in 2025, the future of its poetry nights is taking a new turn.

For five months now, T.J. Bondy has been gracing the stage, using his most creative and vulnerable words.

"In the world of social media and feeling disconnected from everyone, it’s cool to be sharing real feelings with people in a room together," shared T.J.

T.J. Bondy outside of Phog Lounge, Dec. 20, 2024 (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

Bondy is a regular at TOAST Open Mic Poetry, which provides monthly opportunities for poets of all skill levels to come together and share their work in a supportive space.

Phog Lounge has been the group’s meeting spot for the past 11 years.

But with the music venue leaving downtown and moving to Erie Street in 2025, TOAST Open Mic Poetry will be leaving as well.

"I went to art school at the School of Creative Arts at the Armories downtown, so Phog was just such an accessible location, especially after class,” said Emily Roe, TOAST open mic host. “Having a poetry night, and even the art galleries or the Capitol Theatre, there’s so many creative events happening."

Organizers say they are in discussions with Phog Lounge to continue the monthly poetry slams at its new location - and while members say they would much rather stay downtown, they’re optimistic about the future ahead.

"It makes me sad, but it’s not the building that makes the community, right?” said T.J., “It’s the people."

The group wants to see new members share their words, their stories, their experiences at Phog’s new location.

"It is completely emotional for me – how many topics, how many perspectives, and the connections,” said Roe. “People will share things that other people in the crowd resonate with deeply, and then go to talk to them after, during breaks, or at the very end."

And if you’re wondering how many opportunities you have left to step inside downtown Windsor’s most iconic red building, the owner tells CTV News they have about nine shows scheduled before their move to Erie Street in 2025.