Want to know how you can watch Phoenix Nights, Peter Kay's iconic British sitcom from the early 2000s?
Originally a spin-off of That Peter Kay Thing, Phoenix Nights follows the misadventures of Brian Potter and the team of people working at The Phoenix Club, a working men's club in Bolton.
The madcap show was nominated for several awards during its original airing and even scooped up the People's Choice Award at the 2002 British Comedy Awards.
Despite its popularity, the series has been quite difficult to watch since it aired. Below, you can find all the ways that you can currently watch Phoenix Nights so you're prepared for your next rewatch, along with plenty of trivia about the hit show.
How to watch Phoenix Nights: Can you stream the hit show?
Most British comedies and sitcom classics are available on streaming services like ITVX, Netflix, or BritBox these days. Unfortunately, Phoenix Nights just isn't one of them.
Despite being away from our screens for over 20 years, the show's somehow not managed to find a streaming home. That means the only way you can reliably watch Phoenix Nights right now is by buying the show on DVD.
If you're looking for more comedy, check out our guides to the best comedies on Netflix, the best Channel 4 comedies and the best BBC comedies for plenty more shows to keep you laughing.
Will there be a third series of Phoenix Nights?
Peter Kay has hinted at the return of Phoenix Nights on multiple occasions. He's mentioned wanting to do a third series numerous times in the past and recently shared an idea for a Phoenix Nights movie in his latest book TV: Big Adventures on the Small Screen which was released in September 2023.
In the book, Kay wrote: "I still write down ideas. I had an idea only today of Brian getting Young Kenny to paint an enormous letter 'H' on the roof of the club so he can advertise they've got a helicopter pad. The chance of a helicopter ever landing is, of course, zero.
"As the years pass, I'm becoming more like Brian, but if Phoenix Nights rose again it'd have to be for something very special, maybe a film? Perhaps Brian could get visited by three ghosts. Now, wouldn't that be an idea?"
Other cast members have disputed the claims over the years, meaning we still have no idea whether we'll ever see more Phoenix Nights on our screens any time soon.
What is Phoenix Nights about?
The comedy series revolves around The Phoenix Club, a working men's club that plays host to a variety of characters and entertainment including bingo nights, singers, cabaret performances, and a range of themed nights.
Club owner Brian Potter (nicknamed "Ironside") is determined to make the club a success despite all the mishaps and problems the club encounters along the way.
Typically, the series focuses on Brian's ongoing feud with rival club owner, Den Perry. Den runs The Banana Grove, a rival social club in Bolton, and he repeatedly finds ways to sabotage the Phoenix club.
Who starred in Phoenix Nights?
Peter Kay played several of the characters, including club owner Brian Potter, club doorman Max, and Bolton Council fire inspector Keith Laird. Den Perry, Brian Potter's rival club chairman, was played by Ted Robbins.
Phoenix Nights co-creators Dave Spikey and Neil Fitzmaurice also play major roles as Jerry St. Clair and Ray Von respectively.
Paddy McGuinness played the other member of the Phoenix's Club's door staff, Paddy O'Shea, and the pair went on to star in Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere after Phoenix Nights' second series.
When did Phoenix Nights start?
Despite its cult status, the series wasn't actually on our screens for that long. Phoenix Nights ran for just two seasons, and each series was only six episodes long.
The first series aired just over 20 years ago back in 2001, with the second series following soon thereafter in 2002.
Where was Phoenix Nights filmed?
Whilst Phoenix Nights revolved around The Phoenix Club, that particular working men's club was fictional. The series was actually filmed at St. Gregory's Social Club, a working men's club found in Farnworth, just a couple of miles from Bolton.
If you'd like to pay a visit to St Gregory's, the Visit Manchester website says that the club welcomes visitors and you can even request guided tours.
