Phoenix nightlife and downtown culture continues to expand and contract like a living thing. Obviously bars, galleries, clubs and spaces always have an ebb and flow in a kind of pop culture Darwinism, though in this kind of system the best things don’t always get the chance they deserve.

These days, many of the old, great bars are going by the wayside due to loft living, the downtown ASU expansion, and the simple profitability of 60 parking spaces vs. an historical building.

_{Photo by M.L. Yazzie}
Partygoers hang out at the Lost Leaf to celebrate St. Patrick’s
Day and owner Eric Dahl’s birthday.

Fortunately, lots of funky little galleries and spaces are opening in areas that most commercial ventures would have never considered five years ago, and they are filling the music and art void left behind by the closed establishments.

To narrow the focus of my slightly broad and quasi-philosophical intro, I really miss places like the Emerald Lounge and Mecca, but have really enjoyed many of the new places as well, even if a lot of them aren’t, nor do they aspire to be, actual full service bars.

Another soon to open space is The Lost Leaf, located at 914 N. 5th St. near Roosevelt. Some of you might recognize the name from its short-lived existence above the Emerald. Local musician Eric Dahl, currently hitting the skins for Sonorous by night, is the owner of the gallery. The 1920s house has been given a two-year makeover by property owner Mike Elliot. The place has amazing wood floors, exposed original brick, lots of nooks and crannies, a super high ceiling with great copper fixtures and ductwork and plenty of room to hang art.

I was prepared for another funky space, maybe a little cleaner and with a better floor plan than most, but this place is almost too nice to allow the likes of me in it’s swanky confines. It has the feel of an upscale gallery/home, and should be a great new option for Roosevelt Row-ers.

The Lost Leaf is not officially opened yet, but there was a preview of sorts on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate Dahl’s 33rd birthday, and judging by the reception, the place should be a hit. Dahl plans to feature live local music on most nights as well as local and national art. The gallery will have a timely debut to coincide with Art Detour the weekend of March 24, with what promises to be a strong visual art opening. Locals should be excited about the show, which will feature 15 new pieces by Dahl’s bandmate, muralist and painter Tato Caraevo; Lalo Cota’s graffiti inspired pieces; and custom clothing.

The opening will also have a little national flavor with original art by modern tribalist Illy B, better known to music fans as Billy Martin from Medeski, Martin and Wood.

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It’s a safe bet that Sonorous and friends will jam during opening night, and if Friday’s party was any indication, it should be a good time. The space has a lot of potential and Dahl has many plans that can only to add a little more texture to the fabric of downtown.

I sent Dahl a few questions after visiting the space a couple of times and here’s what he wrote back:

AZNightBuzz: Can you run down your involvement in the music and art community in town?

Eric Dahl: I’ve been playing music in Phoenix for 18 years, starting when I was 14 with the Generiks, playing with the Liar’s Club in 2000 and currently with Sonorous. I’ve been an avid art collector for the last five years, with a bunch of antique art and some great local stuff.

AZNB: How did you find the space?

ED: Actually I’ve been looking since we had the space above the Emerald Lounge for a short time. At the time I found this space a few months ago, Sonorous was playing in the front yard of the Long House on 5th Street for First Friday and this space had just been rebuilt right across the street.

AZNB: What is going to happen there most nights?

ED: We are actually in the process of being approved for a beer and wine license, so if that goes through we’ll have live music as much as possible during most nights as well as bring your own vinyl and MP3 nights, where people bring down their own music. If we don’t get the license approved, we will focus on the art a little more and have private parties.

AZNB: What kind of music are you going to feature? Any touring acts?

ED: We want to feature mostly locals. There are plenty of talented musicians in the neighborhood.

AZNB: How often will the visual art exhibits change?

ED: As much as possible. [At a] minimum every month, but we may have some weekly rotating shows that are smaller. I plan on changing the art in the bathroom daily.

AZNB: What was the place going to be before you took over?

ED: It was rebuilt with a gallery/live-in studio in mind.

AZNB: What year was the house built?

ED: 1920. It was originally owned by a German sausage maker name Max. He raised an American flag in his yard so people wouldn’t think he was a German sympathizer. The flagpole out front is from the ‘40s. He also made pickled pigs feet out back.

AZNB: Can you describe what all has been done to the place?

ED: Mike Elliot has spent the last two years remodeling the place. The ceiling has been removed so the inside is vaulted 16 feet or so. The original wood floors are still there and original exposed brick looks great. He also did a lot of custom woodwork with copper features. It’s very cozy.

AZNB: When we spoke on the phone you said something about a long lease, how long do you have the building?

ED: Three years minimum, but the landlord has hinted at an easy renewal.

_{Photo by JB}
Eric Dahl behind the bar before the opening of the Lost Leaf.

AZNB: Did your signing a long lease have anything to do with the first incarnation of Lost Leaf closing because above Emerald? What happened there?

ED: When we were above the Emerald, I knew it was going to be short, we just didn’t know how short. The place was so trashed before we fixed it up it had pigeons coming out of the ceiling. I don’t know what will happen to that building but it looks worse than it ever has. The owner of that building should have left the Emerald intact, screw Starbucks. People get greedy and that leads to what we like to call gentrification.

AZNB: Are you going to have booze?

ED: Not hard liquor. If we are successful with beer and wine we may look into that in the future.

AZNB: Can people smoke there?

ED: Hmm, since I don’t smoke and there is lots of art, I don’t know if we will allow it yet. We do have a nice patio out back and are looking into opening the front yard area for seating.

AZNB: When do you officially open?

ED: Art Detour [on] Friday, March 24 at noon.

AZNB: Do you think this place is a little swank for the downtown art scene, which seems to enjoy a little decay with its party?

ED: It is really nice inside, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t enjoyed being in there, but it is defiantly no Bikini or Emerald, which were 2 of my favorites, though we may be playing Bad Religion or Dead Kennedy’s and then switch to Miles Davis.

AZNB: What makes the Lost Leaf stand out in downtown, why should someone go there?

ED: It’s just a nice little neighborhood bar/gallery where you can chill in a corner and listen to some original downtown musicians. If you like dark places with bricks and wood, then you’ll fit right in. Also we’ll have our antique art collection of over 1000 pieces that will be featured regularly.

AZNB: If everything falls into place the way you would like it to, what will be available at the space?

ED: A good environment, microbrews, wine, and the finest of Phoenix’s artists and musicians.

AZNB: Anything you would like to add?

ED: Support local music and art, and you will be greatly rewarded with a great scene.