CLOSURE: Legendary tavern closing for a while in Toronto

A legendary Toronto bar is closing for renovations and is now under new ownership.

The Dakota Tavern has been a fixture at Dundas and Ossington for years, but now it seems the old bar will be seeing some changes. The Dakota has long been known as a great place to hear country music and drink bourbon in a dim, underground space with its own unique atmosphere.

“As of yesterday, the Dakota Tavern is under new ownership.The Dakota will now be closed for a period of time to undergo renovations before reopening. We would like to thank all of the bands, patrons and staff for making the Dakota Tavern a successful live-music venue over the years,” reads a note on Facebook posted on Oct. 5, signed by former proprietors Stephen and Anthony.

“We would particularly like to thank Evan Bootle, the lead sound technician, for his dedication and professionalism over the years. As the longest-serving employee of the Dakota Tavern, he has ensured the outstanding sound-quality that has been a hallmark of the Dakota for many years. We wish the new ownership the very best in what is going to be an exciting period of renewal and rejuvenation for the Dakota Tavern. We hope that all of you will be part of this exciting future that will help to keep live music in Toronto vibrant and successful.”

The post has over 50 comments with many people sharing what great memories they have of the Dakota and wishing luck for the future, with many also sharing worries about the Dakota being changed or ruined. Some people also commented saying that maybe this revitalization could include the return of the Dakota’s once-popular Bluegrass Brunch, which the bar stopped running.

“You simply can’t beat the feel of the Dakota. I hope it doesn’t go “upscale,'” wrote one person. “Hoping the renovations will be real-needs-only and not a damn thing changes besides plumbing and paint,” commented another. Someone else wrote, “Hoping the new owners do not ruin what is one of the good live music venues with a really great feel.”

The Dakota had also posted a more cryptic message to social meda a little earlier in the week: “As some of you may have heard, we will be taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming for some self improvements. The future is a beautiful thing full of potential and opportunity, we very much look forward to giving you a better idea of what that looks like for us. In the meantime, please support your local music venues, musicians, beer slingers, and each other. Stay tuned for updates.”

The Dakota Tavern is currently temporarily closed indefinitely until reopening.