It, along with the nearby Parkside Tavern, became a significant gathering spot that would help hasten the development of queer social life anchored around Yonge during the 1970s. 3, which remained at the address until its move around the corner, to Grosvenor Street, in 1929.Īfter the hall closed on Yonge, that building was occupied by retail businesses until the St. It was built in 1870, as part of the original Toronto Fire Hall No. History: In a city where history is so often obliterated or obscured to make way for the new, there’s something comforting about the old clock tower still found atop 484-488 Yonge. This edition of Denise Benson’s Toronto-nightlife history series tells the story of how a local gay-community landmark was reborn in the late ’80s as a cutting-edge alternative club where you could dance to acid-rock and acid-house alike. Photo courtesy of Michelle Fabry.Īrticle originally published Octoby The Grid online ().
The Empire crew is decked out and ready to dig Psychedelic Wednesdays.
