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Toronto Then & Now: Tivoli Billiards- Supermarket Bar in Kensington Market
Supermarket Bar & Variety on Augusta has a fascinating history, evolving from a Portuguese pool hall into a thriving music venue where The Tragically Hip made a surprise performance. During the 1960s, Kensington Market became a key gathering place for Portuguese immigrants. They were the second-largest group to settle in Kensington Market following the Jewish…
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Toronto Then & Now: The Town Tavern- 20-Storey Office Tower
The Town Tavern, located at 2 Queen Street East for 23 years, was another venue like the Friar’s Tavern and the Colonial Tavern that played a crucial role in the Yonge Street music scene. It opened in 1949 as a theatre restaurant and became a jazz venue in 1955 on the suggestion of pianist Oscar…
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Toronto Then & Now: The Colonial Tavern to The Massey Tower
In the 1940s and 1950s, Yonge Street was the city’s hotspot for nightlife and entertainment wits jazz venues like the Brown Derby, Friar’s Tavern, Le Coq d’Or and the Colonial Tavern. Opened in 1947 at 201-203 Yonge Street between Queen and Shuter, the Colonial was nestled between two historic bank buildings across from what is…
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Toronto Then & Now: Le Coq d’Or Tavern to Tokyo Smoke
The Le Coq d’Or (which means Golden Rooster) located at 333 Yonge Street in Toronto, was a popular rock ‘n roll venue during the 1950s and 1960s. It was opened by businessman George Bulucon in the late 1940s. The tavern hosted renowned musicians like Bo Diddley, Solomon Burke, Sam & Dave, and the Cougars, featuring…
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Toronto Then & Now: Café Diplomatico
A Little Italy Landmark Since 1968, Café Diplomatico has been a cherished part of College Street’s Little Italy. Established by Italian-born Rocco Mastrangelo in a former clothing store, it was originally named Bar Diplomatico. The café began with pastries, gelato, and espresso and helped introduce Toronto to European patio culture. As Italians settled in the…
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Toronto Then & Now: The Penny Farthing to Kimina
The Penny Farthing was a coffee house in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood that operated from late 1963 to late 1968. It was famous for hosting folk, jazz, and blues shows and played a huge part in the music scene of 1960s Yorkville by launching iconic artists like Joni Mitchell (then known as Joan Anderson) and Leonard…
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Toronto Then & Now: Friar’s Tavern to Shoppers Drug Mart
The Friar’s Tavern was a famous nightclub on the corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets that hosted some of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, especially in jazz and rock and roll. Built in 1918 as a three-story building for Child’s Restaurants, the Friar’s Tavern opened in 1963 as a jazz club alongside…
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Toronto Then & Now: Riverboat Coffee House to the Hazelton Hotel
Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood is known for its elegant shopping and dining scene, attracting tourists and visiting celebrities with its upscale stores, galleries, restaurants, and bars, many of which are housed in quaint Victorian buildings. However, in the 1960s, the neighbourhood had a different identity as Toronto’s bohemian cultural hotspot, often compared to San Francisco’s Haight…
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Toronto Then & Now: The Dominion Bank to One King West Hotel
Built in 1914, the Dominion Bank Building at King and Yonge in downtown Toronto served as the headquarters for the Dominion Bank for 126 years. Later, it became part of the Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank), and in 2006, it transformed into the One King West Hotel & Residence with the addition of a new tower.…
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Toronto Then & Now: Concord Tavern to Long & McQuade on Bloor
Opening its doors in 1948, the Concord Tavern at 925 Bloor Street just west of Ossington quickly became a hot spot for artists and music lovers. From jazz to blues and everything in between, the Concord hosted an incredible array of talented musicians and the stage witnessed many legendary performances and jam sessions. Here’s a…
