Live music venues in Toronto

Toronto has a long history of live music venues. Most are gone, many replaced with condos, but some still exist today.

Alphabetical links: A C G H I J M O P S T

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

1971
to
1982

The Edge or Egerton's

In an unassuming house at the corner of Gerrard and Church which still stands today, The Edge was an early punk rock venue near Ryerson Polytech.

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1971 to 1982 related to The_Edge

1919
to
1985

The El Mocambo

Still operating as a club today, The El Mocambo has stood on the west side Spadina Ave. with its distinctive palm tree sign for years.

Follow this link to our 12 entries, dated from 1919 to 1985 related to El_Mocambo

200
to
2019

The Horseshoe Tavern

Queen Street West isn't complete without the Horseshoe Tavern. From its opening in 1947 as a neighbourhood bar and restaurant, to a country and rockabilly club in the 1950's, and of course the famous 'last punk rock concert in Toronto' the Shoe has seen it all, including the Rolling Stones! ...more

Follow this link to our 11 entries, dated from 200 to 2019 related to The_Horseshoe_Tavern

1893
to
1994

Massey Hall

Massey Hall, built in 1894, has long been the heart of Toronto music. It was designed by Canadian architect Sidney Badgley with a neoclassical facade at 178 Victoria St. and moorish arches that span the width of the interior. He took his inspiration from the Alhambra Place in Spain as well as Louis Sullivan's Chicago Auditorium and Opera house. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir began singing there in 1895, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra played there from 1921 until moving to Roy Thompson hall after their Gala Farewell Concert at Massey Hall on June 4th, 1982.

For more historic information see their website

Follow this link to our 18 entries, dated from 1893 to 1994 related to Massey_Hall

200
to
1978

Larry's Hideaway

In the basement of the Prince Carlton Hotel on Carlton Street just east of Jarvis, Larry's Hideaway was on of the first punk and new wave venue's in Toronto. Before that it was a jazz club from 1961.

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 200 to 1978 related to Larrys_Hideaway

1974
to
1985

Ontario Place Form

The rotating stage of The Forum was a Toronto summer concert favourite.

Follow this link to our 13 entries, dated from 1974 to 1985 related to Ontario_Place_Forum

200
to
1983

Roy Thompson Hall

The corner of King Street West and Simcoe has a long history in Toronto, and the Roy Thompson Hall at 60 Simcoe streets does an excellent job adding to that history. ...more

Follow this link to our 10 entries, dated from 200 to 1983 related to Roy_Thompson_Hall

Other photos

A (back to top)
1960		All dressed up for the grand opening of the Ofeefe Centre 64 years ago - St. Lawrence - Saturday, October 1, 1960 Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
C (back to top)
1960		Cars and people outside the Okeefe Centre grand opening 64 years ago - St. Lawrence - Saturday, October 1, 1960 Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1960		Cars lined up outside the grand opening of the Okeefe Centre 64 years ago - St. Lawrence - Saturday, October 1, 1960 Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1982		CNE Coliseum - Chrissie Hynde live in Toronto in 1982 42 years ago - CNE - Monday, February 8, 1982 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1968		CNE Coliseum - Jimi Hendrix live in Toronto in 1968 56 years ago - CNE - Saturday, February 24, 1968 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1968		CNE Coliseum - Jimi Hendrix performing live in Toronto - One of the most exciting performers, ever. 56 years ago - CNE - Monday, February 26, 1968 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1982		CNE Grandstand - Blondie live in 1982 (Duran Duran was the opening act) 42 years ago - CNE - Wednesday, August 18, 1982 Link to archive record - Map location
G (back to top)
1993		Green Day live on stage in Toronto at the Concert Hall on October 6th, 1993 31 years ago - Yorkville - Wednesday, October 6, 1993 Link to archive record - Map location
H (back to top)
1936		Hanlans Point stadium - Grand Opera Aida - early evening 88 years ago - Toronto Island - Wednesday, July 29, 1936 Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1936		Hanlans Point stadium - Grand Opera Aida - Night photo 88 years ago - Toronto Island - Saturday, August 8, 1936 Max temp: 30.6°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
I (back to top)
1981		Iron Maiden live on stage in Toronto at the Concert Hall on June 21, 1981 43 years ago - Yorkville - Sunday, June 21, 1981 Link to archive record - Map location
J (back to top)
1978		Jarvis House - Molly Oliver on stage in Toronto - eventually Club 101 and originally MacFarlanes Hotel 46 years ago - Old Town - 1978 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
M (back to top)
1960		Mural and people waiting to enter the grand opening of the Okeefe Centre 64 years ago - St. Lawrence - Saturday, October 1, 1960 Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
O (back to top)
1980		O'Keefe Centre - Anne Murray performing live in Toronto in 1980 44 years ago - St. Lawrence - Tuesday, August 26, 1980 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1970		O'Keefe Centre - Jefferson Airplane playing live in Toronto in 1970 54 years ago - St. Lawrence - Sunday, March 29, 1970 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1960		O'Keefe Centre, Front St. E., south east corner Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. 64 years ago - St. Lawrence - 1960 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
P (back to top)
1926		Palace Theatre stage (opened Feb 19, 1921 - 1987) - set up for the Ben Hokeas Orchestra - Hawaiian 98 years ago - The Danforth - Friday, April 2, 1926 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
S (back to top)
2000		Speakers Corner - Barenaked Ladies playing Be My Yoko Ono 24 years ago - Queen West - 2000 Link to archive record - Map location
1982		Streets of Toronto - Busking at Yonge and Dundas - acoustic guitar and sunglasses 42 years ago - Downtown - 1982 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1983		Streets of Toronto - Busking at Yonge and Dundas - cowboy hat and harmonica - cheapest jean store in Canada sign behind 41 years ago - Downtown - 1983 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1986		Streets of Toronto - Pursuit of Happiness TPOH - I'm an Adult Now (Queen West parking lot, City Hall, Yonge and Dundas, etc.) 38 years ago - Queen West - 1986 Link to archive record - Map location
1984		Streets of Toronto - The Shuffle Demons busking at Yonge and Bloor - Stich Wynston, Mike Murley, Dave Parker and Richard Underhill 40 years ago - Yorkville - 1984 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
T (back to top)
1968		The Hook and Ladder Club - Billy Daniels performing at the Beverly Hills Seaway Motor Hotel 56 years ago - Downsview - 1968 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1976		The Hook and Ladder Club Toronto - Fats Domino performing live there in 1976 48 years ago - Downsview - Tuesday, May 4, 1976 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1982		The Spoons live on stage in Toronto at the Concert Hall on October 29th, 1982 42 years ago - Yorkville - Friday, October 29, 1982 Link to archive record - Map location