Phillies announces last party before move to new location

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Sat, September 23, 2023 | 14:07

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Phillies announces last party before move to new location

Posted : 2023-04-11 10:16

Updated : 2023-04-12 10:01

Phillies Pub in central Seoul's Haebangchon neighborhood, April 9 / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

By Jon Dunbar

After more than 26 years in its current location, Phillies is moving out and reopening nearby.

The restaurant-pub has undergone ownership changes many times and gone through a few rebrandings and expansions, but it has been a fixture of central Seoul's Haebangchon neighborhood since opening in 1997.

Last year, it was announced that the place would be closing its doors on Dec. 31, 2022, when the lease was to expire. All other tenants living in the apartments upstairs have also moved away.

Somehow Phillies managed to stay open a few months more as the details were negotiated.

But shortly after celebrating its 26th anniversary, a deal has been reached, and Phillies will close on April 17.

"It is tough losing the space," said Jim Cuthbertson, who took over ownership of Phillies in 2011. "There are a lot of great memories. I met my wife and a lot of great friends at Phillies."

Phillies owner Jim Cuthbertson, center, gives a speech during the restaurant-pub's 26th anniversary party, April 1. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

However, with its next location already ready, this is not the end. Phillies will be relocated a short distance up the street, into the current location of Gogi Boys, a barbecue restaurant under the same ownership as Phillies. The space will switch to Phillies immediately after the first location closes, and plans are being made to change the sign.

The new location is nice and new, a split-level establishment with a nice bar and a large kitchen space, plus large, clean washrooms.

"It's gonna be a big change for everyone," said David Dunne, who has been managing live events in Phillies' basement. "There's definitely some pros and cons. Obviously losing the history of the space is a massive disappointment, but there are definitely some positives to be gained. The building is starting to show its age, so moving to a newer building will remove some of the structural headaches we've been having to deal with. The new location is much larger too so we will be able to have more seating and have a kitchen big enough to try some new things."

The one major drawback is that the Gogi Boys location lacks a basement space where events can be held. While events like trivia, comedy and acoustic music might continue in the new space, there will be no room for loud live bands.

"Live music in the basement has been a staple of Phillies since I've been involved," Cuthbertson said. "That space has been fantastic for music. It will be tough losing it."

"This will be the biggest disappointment for me personally when we move," Dunne said. "Music is a big passion of mine, especially heavy/alternative music. I felt like I had developed some great traction and relationships with bands over the last two years and had helped to create a little bit of a 'heavy' scene in HBC for the first time. It took some work but we started to finally get bands to leave Hongdae and play on our side of the city. Hopefully, we can find an alternative venue and keep the momentum that we've generated going."

David Dunne performs with the metal band Rogue Warriors at Phillies, Dec. 3, 2022. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Phillies will have a big farewell event this Saturday, with bands scheduled to play in the basement one final time. The performing acts include Honey Jam Sam with Mike Yantzi, Lucy Valentine, the 120s, Big Lux, Texas Flood and Incestrul Lust.

The night after, Sunday, they will "ceremoniously lock the doors of Phillies for the last time," according to an online announcement posted Tuesday.

"We would love for all our friends to join us and walk with us up the street to open the doors to New Phillies for the first time and have a drink with us," the announcement added.

Cuthbertson and Dunne said they aren't sure what will happen to the old building, but both expect it will be demolished.

Haebangchon has been seeing a lot of changes lately, many of which have been unwelcomed by the foreign community there. At night, it becomes apparent how few of the apartments along the street are still inhabited, as most of their lights are off. Other businesses such as Hidden Cellar, The Workshop, Pocket and Piooda have all closed recently. The neighborhood is likely to see many other major changes in the months to come.

"HBC is going to be very different in the near future," Cuthbertson said. "There is a lot of money coming in with hopes that a park will soon be built on the old Yongsan base."

"Business turnover and construction definitely seems to have been ramping up over the last year or two, so definitely seems like building owners are trying to get a head start on any potential projects starting on the army base," Dunne said. "This will be the first full calendar year post-COVID so I can see a lot of building owners trying to make some moves this year."

Visit fb.com/philliespub for more information.

jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr