John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Phantasy Nightclub nears sale: A look at the club, shows that made history

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For decades, Cleveland’s storied Phantasy Niteclub played a vital role in Cleveland’s music scene. Its countless legendary show made music history.

The Lakewood club --- part of the Phantasy Entertainment Complex that has been for sale since 2015 -- is on the verge of becoming history.

Story by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

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Phantasy Entertainment Complex under contract to be sold

The circa-1915 building, which runs between 11794 to 11814 Detroit Ave. and spans more than 54,000 square feet, has found a buyer.

“It’s under contract to be sold, but as in any commercial real estate transaction there is a due diligence period that is not up until Aug. 4,” according to Rachele Glynias, who has been handling the listing for Howard Hanna Real Estate. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Phantasy complex

The complex features three liquor licenses and is anchored by the Phantasy Nightclub. It also boasts the popular Goth-rock lair, the Chamber, a long-running bar-club called the Symposium and, of course, the Phantasy Music Theater. (Photo of The Phantasy Nightclub by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Cleveland music history

The complex also boasts something more nebulous, but just as vital to the music scene: countless musical memories.

The property includes the storied Phantasy Concert Club and the Phantasy Theatre - venues that played a significant role in Cleveland music history. (Photo of backstage wall by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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1980s at the Phantasy

A night out at the Phantasy, 1987. (Photo by Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)

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An anchor in area for decades

Before it was the Phantasy... In 1960, the block that is now the Phantasy entertainment complex housed a number of businesses: Tasse's Grill Restaurant, 11794-96 Detroit; Defazio Fashion, 11798 Detroit; Handcraft Card & Gift Shop, 11800 Detroit; Timely Cleaners, 11802 Detroit; Homestead Theater. 11810 Detroit; and the Homestead Ball Room, 11812 Detroit Ave. (Special Collections, Michael Schwartz Library, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Press collection)

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NIN

Nine Inch Nails made its debut at the Phantasy. (The Plain Dealer)

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Husker Du, 1987

Bob Mould performing with Husker Du at the Phantasy Theatre, 1987. (Photo by Richard Kendzierski, The Plain Dealer)

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Phantasy Entertainment Complex

The circa-1915 building runs between 11794 to 11814 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood and spans more than 54,000 square feet. (Courtesy the Phantasy)

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Historic Phantasy Niteclub

The storied Phantasy Concert Club -- known for its Pirate Ship and role in Cleveland music history -- is under contract to be sold. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Goes back to the 1960s

DeFrasia’s father, John, who passed away in 2011, bought the complex in 1965. In 1968, he opened a restaurant called Piccadilly Square. (A 1969 photo of the area, via Cleveland State University. Michael Schwartz Library. Special Collections)

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Saving the ship...

Phantasy co-owner Michele DeFrasia had hoped the complex could continue to host music back when it was put up on sale three years, with a $2.5 million price tag. Not so now: The unnamed buyer will likely pursue a different course by installing a non-music facility in the space.

“If everything goes through, we’ll be taking the ship out – we already have someone interested in taking it,” says DeFrasia, referring to the iconic pirate ship that has been docked in the club for decades. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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A grand-scale ship

He wanted to do something on a grand scale with the place. He was inspired to build a ship after seeing the 1962 film "Mutiny on the Bounty."

"I tracked down the blueprints from MGM Studios," he said in 2010 interview. "We built it in the club, working night and day with shipbuilders for two-and-a-half months." (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Transcending generations of music

It required bending white-oak wood and metal using a steam furnace, not to mention 7,000 screws. In 1973, De Frasia sliced the ship in half when he decided to transform the restaurant into a music club. In 2009, the Phantasy Concert Club temporarily closed after a minor fire. Within a couple weeks, it was doing music again.

The pirate ship gave the club a quirky touch but it – like the Phantasy – it managed to transcend countless music trends. (Photo of the Phantasy Nightclub lobby by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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1987

A 1987 of Doreen Drummond at the entrance of the Phantasy Nightclub. (Photo by Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)

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Legendary shows...

The Cramps were one of many bands to play the storied Phantasy Theatre in Lakewood. (The Plain Dealer)

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Phantasy Theatre

The Phantasy Theatre has played host to a number of bands over the years, from Iggy Pop to the Psychedelic Furs to the Ramones. (Courtesy of the Phantasy)

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2009 fire...

In 2009, the Phantasy Concert Club temporarily closed after a minor fire. Within a couple weeks, it bounced back and was doing music again. (The Plain Dealer)

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Reminders of the 1980s

Album flats and posters from the 1980s still have a place in the Phantasy Nightclub, which played a vital role in the new wave and punk music scenes. It has continued to do '80s Nights since, well, the '80s. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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A shelter for punk legends

The Ramones were one of many bands to play the storied Phantasy Theatre in Lakewood. (The Plain Dealer)

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Phantasy ghosts

The Phantasy Nightclub is allegedly haunted and staff have often reported sightings in the club and kitchen area. One ghost is said to resemble the woman in this painting, which is located in the kitchen area. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Goth, fetish parties

The Phantasy and it's sister club the Chamber have played host to many Goth and fetish parties and events. (Photo by Stephen Cutri/ Special to the Plain Dealer)

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Iggy Pop

The Phantasy figured into Iggy Pop late-1980s career comeback -- thanks to appearances at the Phantasy Theatre that included a sold-out show during his 1986 "Blah-Blah-Blah" tour. (The Plain Dealer)

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CASH ONLY

The posters, the pirate ship and the memories aren't the only ties to the past. The Phantasy eschewed credit cards -- as you can tell by the CASH ONLY sign behind the bar. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Transcending generations, styles

The Phantasy managed to bridge punk, new wave and rock 'n' roll by attracting artists that transcended genre -- like Joan Jett. (Photo of Jett performing at the Phantasy Theatre on Feb. 1, 1987, by George Heinz, The Plain Dealer)

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Location, location

The circa-1915 building runs between 11794 to 11814 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood and spans more than 54,000 square feet. (Google Maps)

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50 years ago...

In 1968, John DeFrasia opened a restaurant called Piccadilly Square. He wanted to do something on a grand scale with the place. He was inspired to build a ship after seeing the 1962 film "Mutiny on the Bounty." The pirate ship remains docked in the club to this day. (Courtesy of the Phantasy)

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Metal mayhem...

King Diamond is one of countless acts to have played the Phantasy. (Metal Blade Records)

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Symposium

The Symposium, one of three clubs in the Phantasy Entertainment Complex. (Courtesy of the Phantasy )

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Metal days

Cleveland metal legends Breaker were one of many bands to play the storied Phantasy Theatre in Lakewood going back to the 1980s. (Photo courtesy of Auburn Records)

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The Chamber

The Phantasy complex includes popular and long-running Goth club, The Chamber. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Los Lobos

Los Lobos are one of countless acts to have played the Phantasy. (Photo courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum)

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Going out with a series of shows

Michele DeFrasia saw many of those come and go and return. She has worked at the Phantasy for decades, going back to when she was a teen running around helping her dad.

She plans to book a series of shows around the end of August to mark the club’s end.

“I’ll miss the place, but everything has to come to an end eventually,” she says. “At least we’ll be able to save the ship and that makes me feel good… I didn’t want the ship to go down with the club.” (A photo looking into the backstage area by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Sonic Youth

SST bands leading the indie-rock rise like fIREHOSE, Leaving Trains and Sonic Youth, pictured, played the Phantasy in the late-1980s. (Geffen Records)

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Backstage...

The backstage of the Phantasy Niteclub -- and, of course, the graffiti-covered walls. (Photo by Stephen Cutri/ Special to the Plain Dealer)

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Late-1970s scene

The Phantasy played a vital role in the late-1970s Cleveland punk scenes, inlcuding the Pagans. "So many bands played shows and just practiced there," Mike Hudson, singer of legendary Cleveland punk band the Pagans, told The Plain Dealer in 2015. "You can't downplay the significance of the Phantasy to the Cleveland music scene - and it all begins with the role of the DeFrasia family. John DeFrasia was a nice guy and was very open-minded and willing to let bands that others considered weird have a shot." (Plain Dealer file photo)

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Goth night, 2001

Goth night at the Symposium, 2001, features Lisa Jorgensen applying duct tape to a 'life support system' of cables and tubes to Android, singer for Goth trio Chew's Eye Shop. (Photo by Steve Cutri, Special to The Plain Dealer)

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Lords of the New Church

Lords of the New Church -- led by Stiv Bators, second from the left -- are one of countless acts to have played the Phantasy. (Plain Dealer file photo)

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Phantasy Niteclub

The sound board at the Phantasy Concert Club was located on one half of the pirate ship -- a mainstay at the club since the 1960s. (Photo by Stephen Cutri/ Special to the Plain Dealer)

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1976

A DJ -- Mort Christensen -- at the controls of the Pirate Ship at the Phantasy in 1976. (Photo by James A. Hatch / The Plain Dealer)

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Classic touches

The Phantasy boasts a number of classic touches, like this 1970s-era pop machine. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Historic Phantasy Niteclub

The main room in the Phantasy Concert Club. (Courtesy the Phantasy)

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Complex once housed record store

Drome Records, which played a vital role in the Cleveland music scene, was located in the Phantasy complex for a while. (Photo courtesy Mike Hudson)

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Legendary shows...

Rock 'n' roll legend Johnny Thunders hit the Phantasy in 1986 for a bluesy and boozy, spirited and sloppy show. (Jungle Records)

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The pirate ship

The pirate ship has been docked in the club since 1968. (Courtesy the Phantasy)

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Wild Giraffes

Local power-pop legends the Wild Giraffes were one of many Cleveland bands to play the storied Phantasy Concert Club in Lakewood. (The Plain Dealer)

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Walls of memories

The backstage of the Phantasy Nightclub is covered with graffiti left behind by bands that played the club over the decades. (Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer)

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Phantasy shows...

The Roches are one of countless acts to have played the Phantasy. (The Plain Dealer)

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Soundgarden

The Seattle grunesters hit the Phantasy early on in their careers -- in 1989, while on tour to promote their "Louder Than Love" album. Also on the bill was Primus and Prisonshake. (Photo by Michael Lavine, A&M Records)

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Punk legends

The Buzzcocks are one of countless acts to have played the Phantasy. (The Plain Dealer)

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