Le Coq D'Or and the Hawks' Nest

Yonge street had many live music venues in the late 1950's through the 1970s, and with Le Coq D'Or (Golden Rooster) just north of Dundas Street a popular example, complete with go-go dancers. Upstairs at 333 Yonge street was the Hawk's Nest - a teenage dance hall opened in 1965.

Originally a fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge, with two stories of the Olympia Bowling and Billiards above. By the late 1950's the popularity of the club took off, thanks in large part to Ronnie Hawkins - Rompin' Ronnie, or The Hawk. Other performers included Conway Twitty, Bo Diddley, Goldie and the Gingerbreads, Mandala, The Ugly Ducklings, and the Sparrows (that later became Steppenwolf), even the Kinks.

Ronnie Hawkins renovated the third story of 333 Yonge with rumours of a sauna, a $6,000 king sized bed, even a boxing ring.

As Yonge Street changed over time Le Coq d'Or closed in 1976. It served as a HMV record store for 20 years.

Le Coq D'Or and the Hawks' Nest details:

• Short URL to share for Coq dor and hawks nest historic photos: wholemap.com/LeCoqDorTavern
• Address for Coq dor and hawks nest: 333 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - M5B 1R7
• Latitude, Longitude for Coq dor and hawks nest: 43.657154922443276, -79.3808957433444

 
 

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.

And you can also go up a level to see the other photos we've put under the category of Live_music photos.

Historic photos of Coq dor and hawks nest

1950		Le Coq D'Or Tavern with Olympia Bowling and Billiards on the 2nd floor 75 years ago - Ryerson - 1950 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1963		Le Coq D'Or Tavern - Ronnie Hawkins with mic, Robbie Robertson playing guitar, Jerry Penfound on saxaphone 62 years ago - Ryerson - Wednesday, November 13, 1963 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1965		Le Coq d'Or bar with Bo Diddley on stage 60 years ago - Ryerson - Friday, January 29, 1965 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1965		Le Coq d'Or stage and crowd from back of room - Bo Diddley live 60 years ago - Ryerson - Friday, January 29, 1965 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1965		Le Coq d'Or Tavern with Hawks' Nest club upstairs - looking across Yonge Street at night 60 years ago - Ryerson - Saturday, November 27, 1965 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1966		Le Coq d'Or - Bo Diddley live on stage in Toronto in 1966 with his rectangular-bodied Twang Machine Gretsch Guitar 59 years ago - Ryerson - Friday, January 14, 1966 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1967		The Hawks' Nest stage - upstairs at Coq D'Or - with dragon boat bar in background 58 years ago - Ryerson - Friday, March 17, 1967 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1967		George Oliver of The Mandala is surrounded by teenage fans at the Hawks Nest last night 58 years ago - Ryerson - Tuesday, June 27, 1967 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1967		The Hawks' Nest stage - upstairs at Coq D'Or 58 years ago - Ryerson - Friday, March 17, 1967 Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1972		Edison Hotel and Le Coq D'Or Tavern - Scottish festival parade on Yonge Street, south of Gould Street 53 years ago - Ryerson - 1972 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1973		Edison Hotel at 335 Yonge and Gould Street - Empress Hotel - built 1888, destoyed in fire 2011 52 years ago - Ryerson - Thursday, November 22, 1973 Max temp: 11.7°C - Min temp: 7.2°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)