One other thing I find funny is the line about the area being dangerous. I used to walk from there to Yonge Street (and all over the downtown core) all the time and in all those years, I never felt threatened, afraid or the least bit unsafe. I don’t know a single person who ever said they felt unsafe, so I’m calling BS on that line.

There are a number of bars that stand out in my mind as being special places and hold a place in my heart. The Manatee was a very weird place but I loved it. It was the place I met my very first boyfriend. It was also a great place for a North Yorker to hang out in, all night long, until the subway started at 9am on Sundays. I would dance there the whole night. The Barn was another one of my hangouts. I loved the friendly atmosphere. My first time there, I was terrified and had to leave after 2 minutes. All those tough-looking leather boys intimidated the hell out of me but also turned me on. Once I got used to the place and met a few new friends there, you couldn’t get me out of the place. Katrina’s, Cornelius and Chaps were also bars that I loved to dance at. I miss all these wonderful places. I just cannot get into Woody’s, Fly or Church on Church. The only bar I still enjoy is Cellblock on Retro Sundays but that will close soon, as it has been sold for condo development. (Damn you condos!) After that, I am screwed, as I have nowhere else to go. Sitting in the corner at Woody’s or The Eagle is not my idea of a good time.

You can take the gay boy our of the disco but you can’t take the disco out of the gay boy, even if he is 50 something! lol

George Palmer 

Have a photo of Angie Douglas in her wedding gown when I gave her away Her Ceremony was on the patio 

8:25 am on November 15, 2014 







Donald Mason 

Fantastic. I moved to Toronto from small town Ontario in 1977. Going to a gay bar at that time was a way get yourself arrested. Always with a sense of danger when going out to dance. When all that came to an end with the raid on the baths, came a sense of power and Boots. We had arrived. Fueled by $2 shots and liberated gay men we danced. I have many memories including meeting an important man in my life for many years and family members seeing a room full of gay men for their first time. My mother my sister in law and a sister who upon entering a gay bar for the first time exclaimed ” there are so many beautiful men here”. Seemed orgasmic for her. This is a beautiful blast from the past and a reminder of our friends who aren’t here anymore. This helps remember the fun. Thank you with love 

12:16 am on November 15, 2014 






Erik 

I didn’t live in Toronto at the time. I didn’t even turn 19 until 2001. However, I LOVE reading articles like this! The history of establishments, especially those that were pinnacle and key in LGBTQ movements! Oh I hope you have more of these for me to read! I didn’t even know this, and now I learned and am educated and when I go to walk by this building, will have SO much respect, appreciation and admiration for it 

8:32 pm on November 12, 2014 







Ryan 

It’s one of those funny things really, Boots remains a source of warm memories for me even 14 years after closure; much of my adolescence took place at the bar or with people who worked there (thank you security friends, Australian coat check, record spinners, bartenders). 
Many nights were colourfully peppered with questionable teenage fashion choices, drinking the infamous milkshakes, possibly indulging in light narcotic use and smoking menthol cigarettes. Of course it was a great place to meet new people too* 
I will neither confirm nor deny removing a tall table from the Kurbash side of the bar on the night of Boots closure, nor willI indulge in idle speculation that I may or may not have been questioned by police about allegations of ‘inciting a riot’ by smashing a cistern or two. What I will say is that for a few years Boots was a noisy, smoky home away from home for many people – young and old. Oh god, and that hamburger stand! I staffed that once and almost certainly food poisoned a few unlucky punters (sorry!).
Reading this article brought thoughts and faces back to mind that have been absent for far too long, so thanks for writing it. 
I’ll close this mini-eulogy by saying what we all heard on the patio every weekend on loop from the inimitable Amanda Roberts. “TEQUILA, BUTTER RIPPLE, ROLLO OR AN AMANDA?”
(* probably for sex, possibly on premises) 

6:28 pm on November 12, 2014 







Amanda Roberts

I have a lot of great memories from Boots. I worked with some great people and served a lot of “cocksuckers” to the crowd. You could hear me on the patio from blocks away. The final night I performed Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and made my exit with my shooter tray in hand. 

11:39 am on November 12, 2014 







JOHN HENDERSON

BOOTS & BUDS WAS THE BEST BAR/NIGHTCLUB TORONTO HAD, FROM 1985 TO 1995 THE BEST 10 YEARS, THE WILD PEOPLE, GREAT SHOWS, FANTASTIC MUSIC, THE VIBE, AND THE FREEDOM TO BE IN A CLUB WHERE NOBODY WAS WATCHING YOU OR SEARCHING YOU AT THE DOOR, NOT TO MENTION THE GAY PRIDE FLOATS WITH AN INCREDIBLE THEMES, NOTHING LIKE NOW, EVERYTHING IS CORPORATE.
THANKS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN MAKING BOOTS THE BEST CLUB
PARTICULARLY THOSE 10 YEARS WHO MADE A LOTS PEOPLE HAPPY!!!! 

1:42 am on November 6, 2013 






JM 

CAPITAL LETTERS???? Please stop screaming at me. 

8:16 pm on November 14, 2014 







George Olds 

Wow! What a lot of memories this stirred up for me. I was ‘young and single’ back in those days until I met Rick Stenhouse through a banquet I prepared for the Metropolitan Community Church. Rick was in attendance and came to the kitchen to compliment me – which was high praise for me since I knew he owned Crispin’s. We started ‘dating’, and I was with him the night of the infamous bath raids.
I can’t confirm that he moved to Vancouver, but I did see him at an event there in the late 1990′s. It was an underwear party (at the Pumpjack, if I recall correctly), and Rick being somewhat ‘socially awkward’ was dressed in a suit. We had a brief conversation, both expressing surprise at seeing each other there/it’s a small world kind of talk.
Thanks for the memories. 

12:12 pm on October 3, 2013 






Cameron 

I was just coming out and finally got the nerve up to go out to a gay bar. An old copy of Fab told me that Boots was the place to go. Having no gay friends, I traveled downtown alone on a Saturday night and walked around what looked like a hotel. I couldn’t figure out how to get in and figured I must be in the wrong place. Finally I left and meandered down Church St where I eventually ended up in the Barn. My first gay bar. A man there bought me beer and informed me that Boots had closed it’s doors for good the weekend before. So I never got to experience the legendary Boots. But the nice man took me for pancakes at Golden Griddle, so it wasn’t a total loss. 

10:08 am on September 23, 2013 






shawn

I left NB in 2000 and arrived alone in Toronto. After asking a few people on MIRC where to go, I ended up at Boots – IT WAS FANTASTIC – I met several great friends – and we all made plans to go again the next night – I was heart broken to find that my first night at BOOTS was the last night it would be open. 
Having been to many bars, in Toronto, NY and beyond – Boots certainly had a character unlike no other – Thanks for the great memories – 
S 

8:37 pm on September 22, 2013 






Joey David 

I remember the club as if it were yesterday. Boots was one of the clubs my friend and I used to go dancing at, at that time I never drank alcohol even though people thought otherwise because I was a nutcase attention seeker. Anyway, the bar/club used to be a slutty place, where men were in cages with thongs and whips, porn was playing on the TVs, there was even a dark room where my friend and I lit a match to make light but got kicked out of the bar as a result. Later on they took those cages out and made it less slutty. Once they started to charge cover we never went back, because none of the gay bars did, perhaps maybe Colby’s but it was worth it. But my friend and I used to frequent there in the mid to late 90s. It was an okay bar, but our first choice at the time was Colby’s. Colby’s was the best gay club back then. Boots was far from the bar hopping gay scene so inconvenient. But memories for sure. 

7:34 pm on September 22, 2013 






Bob Currer 

There is a major inaccuracy regarding the period following the opening of Chaps in 1984. Alberto Zara did not appear on the scene until after January 1 1988. I was contracted as the house DJ at BOOTs when Bob Harrison left and I played five nights a week from early 1985 until News Years Eve 1987 and on one of my nights off, I subbed for Bob Harrison at Chaps to give him a break. During that time, Boots was hardly a “ghost town” as it was packed to capacity every weekend night that I played and had substantial audiences throughout the week as well. Boots had a very loyal audience and was quite well-attended 
In 1987 my (then) life partner died of AIDS and I approached Rick Stenhouse and gained his support to mount a week-long AIDS Benefit – Mid-summer Madness however; I was not permitted to enlist the assistance of any Boots paid staff. With the help of a good friend, I single-handedly planned the entire event that included a dance marathon, Tupperware Party (believe it or not) and The Weather Girls as the grand finale. The event also included performances by other rising dance music stars of the time (Eria Fachin and others) with the help of Vince DeGiorgio of Power Records. The event packed the bar every night and benefitted the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), Toronto People With Aids Foundation (PWA) and Casey House by raising a record amount that exceeded the donations raised by other clubs in the community.. 
I mounted three other major events including a major Halloween event and a week-long Christmas Extravaganza that had long line-ups every night of the week between Christmas and New Years Eve.I left December 31, 1987 after a major (almost violent) disagreement with Rick Stenhouse and Greg Matchett so I’m not surprised that this time period was reported to you inaccurately. 

4:09 pm on September 22, 2013 







Ken

I have to be honest… the most influential place that I ever knew growing up gay in Toronto was The Manatee on St Joseph…(forever on film in “Outrageous!”, the film which made Craig Russell famous). I might be wrong, but it seems to me that the Manatee existed before Boots – or any of the other places mentioned here. Someone needs to do an article on it, too. 

10:50 am on September 22, 2013 






SACHA MACkENZIE

Quite right: the Manatee opened in 1969! It was fabulous! And had a long run as a top dance club and drag venue. Recently the drag queen “Fancy” had a big, well-attended reunion party downtown….good times. Sacha 

2:47 pm on September 26, 2013 







ertha 

always wanted to go in, but I couldn’t. that made it even more mysterious to me. i did go with friends often to Katrina’s, this was in 1990 i think. good memories here as well as Stages, Boots, together’s felines, chez moi, Thanks 

10:55 pm on October 14, 2013 







Sharon Pugsley

I used to attend Boots with my brother Stephen (may he rest in peace) and his friends. it was the best time ever I always felt safe. This whole article left me feeling warm and fuzzy thinking of my brother and the best times I had with him when we would go dancing to all hours of the night. he and his friends always put me in a taxi to make sure I got home safe. I sure miss him, and that was a great place to go. 
thank you for the memory.
Sharon 

10:44 am on September 22, 2013 







novy 

Thanks Denise! Moved to Toronto from NS in 95 and Boots was just about the most amazing place I had ever seen. Have been around since, but nothing compares to the original youthful thrill of the gay sexual freedom that I had at Boots.
I am grateful that you write this series…thanks 

3:06 am on September 22, 2013 







sebastien 

Casey, 
It is like I am there again!
What a fantastic time line to recall, and how we found a begining of a
great friendships of friends from Boots, how you find a best friend.
Casey, you meet someone, you give your number on a boots matches, and best friends for ever!
I have done so and lost my matches withing the Kirbash, made lots of new
men to play with though, back in the day.
We all have a story on and @ Boots.
Fantastic Article of the history of Toronto nightlife…
Memories Casey,
Luv,
Seb 
 
7:53 pm on September 19, 2013 







Tim McNeill

Great article. An up and down history for sure.
Though I didn’t get down there often, I sure had a lot of fun every time.
As Casey the bartender’s brother, I seldom had to pay for beer. Thanks guys.
In later years, Richard McNicol, Brent Storey, Alain Plamondon, Casey and I ended up together on a bowling league.
Far cry from a bar, Huh. 

9:17 pm on September 18, 2013 







Jennifer Mason 

Hi Tim,
I worked with Casey at Crispin’s, we were close friends and wondering if you could pass on my email so we could reconnect. Would love to hear from him. Not sure if you would get this reply or if this will work but I am hoping.
Thanks so much.
jennifer 

10:08 am on November 15, 2014 







Alan McGinty 

Great blast from the past! I loved that Boots was just so big and varied, with several different bars. It did evolve over time too, and I liked Kurbash a lot. Every time I pass the cheapo chain hotel that’s there today, I think of how it used to be…. 

2:36 pm on September 18, 2013 






canuck1975 

Thanks for writing this Denise. I came out in ’93 and ended up walking in the parade with Boots (and obviously was there that weekend) even though I was 18 at the time. I have so many milestone memories tht involve Boots and this gave me a chance to reflect on them. I did some crazy things there and definitely appreciate that Boots was there for me to experience them! 

6:39 am on September 18, 2013 







r.kelly clipperton 

sweet sweet memories as always. brilliant journalism denise. xxx 

10:46 pm on September 17, 2013 






Yep 

First gay bar I ever went to and I was lucky enough to have experienced it a month before it closed. I was 15 and it was literally one of the most amazing and eye opening experiences of my life. Thanks for writing this…brings back a good memory  

10:45 pm on September 17, 2013 







Dean Garrard 

Alot of fond memories from that place. 
Way back when IRC was popular a group called “Gay Toronto” met there every Saturday to chat, drink and dance and get introduced to the newest member’s. 
Back then for me that was my “Grindr”  
Later on I did some bar-backing work for them during pride and did coat check for a bit as well.. The closing of that bar was in a way the closing of my “coming out”. After that the gay scene was changing more and more.
Truly no other bar ever came close to being like “Boots” and still miss the old days and fun and adventure that bar had to offer. Least to say met alot of my friends from there and my first boyfriend on the dance floor where it all started  
Thanks for the reminder! 

8:41 pm on September 17, 2013 







Mathieu Marcil

Great read as usual. Thanks for the memories! 

5:11 pm on September 17, 2013 







Prince

Boots was AMAZING. I weep for gay club and bar culture in 2013, with people going to Buddies, Fly, and Crews thinking those are decent dance clubs. Boots was fun, diverse, and a great place to be with your friends. They also had no porblem whatsoever letting in underage folk who were desperate for a place to be party.
I am 33, so I’m not some ancient dinosaur lamenting the good old days. Boots was quite simply and plainly a better experience than what we get today. 

5:03 pm on September 17, 2013 
 






Pieter

Boots was unique, one of a kind, club/bar. Thank you for the memories! 

8:58 am on September 22, 2013