Comments for Then and Now: Toronto Nightlife History

Comment on Then & Now: The Diamond Club by Gabby

Gabby — Tue, 13 May 2025 20:01:29 +0000

I moved here from Montreal in 84. I pretty well lived in between the Bamboo and The Diamond. Too nany stories to relate. I became good friends with Randy Mickey and Mike Stortini. Jim Zeppa was also a real class act. I could go on and on but I won’t. Just thanks for great times and memories.

Comment on Then & Now: Catch 22 by Karen

Karen — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 06:54:42 +0000

Well done article, Denise! Catch 22 was my second home for a long time, the closing night party was a bittersweet experience, I took quite a few pictures that night and look at them fondly every so often. It was truly a special place, the staff, patrons and music alike. Jürgen’s play lists and Suzette’s talent behind the bar have never since been matched for me! Thanks for the memories, and I’ll be sure not to slip on the floor!

Comment on Then & Now: OZ, The Nightclub by Karen

Karen — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 06:38:04 +0000

What a flashback! I started going to OZ in September of 1993 on Friday nights, the ads in Now Magazine touting DJ Iain and 50 cent draught won me over! Ended up meeting my now husband there in February of 1994! Thanks for the dance down memory lane!

Comment on Then & Now: Empire Dancebar by Barbara Dion

Barbara Dion — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 04:30:37 +0000

Looking to find Michael Holtzman if you know anything that would help please tell him I love and miss mom

Comment on Then & Now: Chez Moi by Sydney

Sydney — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:05:54 +0000

Came for The Rose mention stayed for the history – Denise do you think you’ll ever do one on The Rose Cafe? So many memories from there

Comment on Then & Now: The Diamond Club by Leif Harmsen

Leif Harmsen — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:58:57 +0000

I worked as a bus-boy at the Diamond for a few months near the end of the 80s. Morale among the other bus staff at the time was at an all time low: they’d throw out glasses into the dumpster rather than put them through the dishwasher. The Manger didn’t help, proclaiming platitudes like we all had to “work as a team of equals” rather than simply pay enough to attract better bus-staff and/or promote people like me who did decent work. I worked there until Billy Bragg played one night and his songs inspired me to quit – I told Bragg about my decision and I hope it made his night. I got into U of T as an undergrad through Woodsworth College, then Concordia and did an MA at Birkbeck in London UK. Best decision I ever made.

Comment on Then & Now: Stages by Community, Joy, and Collective Resistance Through Dance: The Gay Community Dance Committee Presents… – Building the Archive

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 02:43:41 +0000

[…] A photo of a dance at Stages, a popular club with Toronto’s gay community on Yonge Street, the same street as The Concert Hall where GCDC held their dances. Photo by Terry Robson, courtesy of Arnie Kliger (Then and Now). […]

Comment on Then & Now: The Big Bop, part 1 by Mike

Mike — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 13:48:37 +0000

I worked the door at the Big Bop 1991 (?)-1994 and have nothing but fantastic memories of all the staff, the regulars, the wild and beautiful people who waited in such long lines to get in. I was attending OCA during day, worked door nights, and drank in after-hours with most awesome people mentioned here. Unforgettable time of my life. Moved to B.C. in 1995, travelled, worked, lived ,retired early 10 years ago and settled in N.S. I am 55 now, single dad with a 6 year old daughter, I imagine 10 years… before she starts dating and I’ll have to take that spot at the door once again. Hahaha…. Nothing like the maze of Sex,Booze, Rock&Roll and some controlled violence , all under one roof at The Big Bop. Great article ,Thanks for the memories !

Comment on Then & Now: Voodoo by Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 14:41:00 +0000

I thought many of his points were valid. I went to Voodoo many times while I was in university and have a less generous recollection than that offered. Perhaps this was due to my advanced age of 19-20 compared to what were often 15-18 year old high school kids experiencing their version of freedom. There were a lot of insecure mental cripples roaming the place and they would move in a clique. As soon as you held your ground, they would scatter like cockroaches. There’s far too much revisionism given to the statements made by some, and yes I knew several of the people who are mentioned here.

Comment on Then & Now: The Big Bop, part 1 by Cheryl

Cheryl — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 06:17:53 +0000

I worked the main bar there with Jeff for years. Met some of my best friends there. I left to move to Argentina to be with my husband of thirty yesrs, but am still in touch with my Boo buddies!