Le Coq d’Or Tavern was located at 333 Yonge St (between Gould St and Dundas St, on the east side) in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.
Before the Famous Venue
In the late 1940s, before the tavern became one of the most renowned rock’n’roll venues in the heart of the Yonge Street strip, Le Coq d’Or was a fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge. The building’s two upper floors were home to Olympia Bowling and Billiards.
Ronnie Hawkins & Making Rock’n’Roll History
In the late 1950s and 1960s, the tavern became a wildly popular club, with the music scene exploding in Toronto. The venue was to become host to many musicians, including Ronnie Hawkins, Bo Diddley and Goldie and the Gingerbreads.
In 1958, Arkansas-born Hawkins and his band, The Hawks, came up to Canada. They began playing venues in Ontario, eventually landing in Toronto, becoming regular performers at Le Coq d’Or Tavern. His rockabilly sound, a mix of blues, country and rock music, along with his high-energy performances, were legendary. Hawkins was known for doing backflips and having go-go dancers in golden cages on stage. He also opened the Hawk’s Nest, a teen dance club above the tavern.
Ronnie Hawkins, also known as “Rompin’ Ronnie,” “Mr Dynamo,” and “The Hawk,” mentored many Canadian musicians. Some famous Hawks included Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm, who went on to perform and tour with Bob Dylan and became “The Band.” As Hawks left the band, upcoming musicians, including David Clayton-Thomas, David Foster and Lawrence Gowan, were waiting in the wings.
Le Coq d’Or, which translates to The Golden Rooster, closed in 1976. The tavern had a significant role in creating a style of music known as “Toronto Sound.”
In 2013, Ronnie Hawkins was named an Honorary Officer in the Order of Canada for his contributions to the development of the music industry in Canada and his support of charitable causes. He made Ontario his home.
On May 29, 2022, Ronnie Hawkins passed away at the age of 87.
After Le Coq d’Or Tavern
From 1991 to 2017, the building was home to HMV, and today it’s Tokyo Smoke.
At 297 Yonge St, on the second floor of Shoppers Drug Mart, is the Friar’s Music Museum. A tribute to Toronto’s music history, the free micro-museum features memorabilia from many of Toronto’s top clubs, including Le Coq d’Or, Colonial Tavern, Friar’s Tavern and the Brown Derby.
Le Coq d’Or Tavern Photos
Le Coq d’Or Tavern
“The Le Coq d’Or Tavern was one of the most popular rock’n’roll venues in Toronto in the 1950s and 1960s.
Businessman George Bulucon opened the Le Coq d’Or in the late 1940s on the Yonge Street strip, a raucous entertainment district between Queen and Gerrard Streets. The tavern hosted musicians like Bo Diddley, Solomon Burke, Sam & Dave, and the Cougars, featuring Jay Douglas.
Goldie and the Gingerbreads, the first all-female rock band on a major American record label, also played at the Le Coq d’Or, and Montreal band the Beau-Marks recorded a live album there.
The tavern was known for its long association with Ronnie Hawkins and his band, the Hawks. The group first played the Le Coq d’Or in 1958 and later became regular performers. After separating from Hawkins, the Hawks toured and recorded with Bob Dylan, becoming the Band in the late 1960s.
In 1965, Ronnie Hawkins partnered with the Le Coq d’Or manager Bill Bulucon to open the Hawk’s Nest, a teenage dance club above the Le Coq d’Or that featured local acts like Mandala, the Ugly Ducklings, and the Sparrows (later Steppenwolf). Pioneering soul singer, Jackie Shane, and influential English rock band, the Kinks, also played at the Hawk’s Nest.
Amid declining attendance at bars and clubs on Yonge Street, the Le Coq d’Or closed in 1976.”
Heritage Toronto 2017
Located at 333 Yonge St
SOURCE
- Heritage Toronto (plaque)
- The Canadian Encyclopedia: Ronnie Hawkins
- The Governor-General of Canada: Mr Ronnie Hawkins
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives & York University Libraries
- Street Photo: Google Maps
