Looking northeast on Yonge St, north of Queen St E, in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.
The archive photo captures the atmosphere of the Yonge Street pedestrian mall alongside the Colonial Tavern. The tavern was situated between the historic Bank of Toronto building on the left and the current location of The Massey Tower, which the Canadian Bank of Commerce once occupied.
The Colonial Tavern opened in 1947 and became renowned for live jazz and blues performances. Over the years, the stage at The Colonial hosted some of the most iconic musicians of the time, including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Muddy Waters, Benny Goodman, and numerous others. The Colonial closed in 1987, and the building was torn down later that year. This venue held a significant role in Toronto’s vibrant music scene.
Today, a granite monument in the shape of a record serves as a reminder of the club’s legacy. Embedded in the sidewalk where The Colonial once stood, this disc is inscribed with the names of over 125 music legends who performed on the club’s stage.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
