The Dakota Tavern

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The Dakota Tavern was a live music venue and bar in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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The Dakota Tavern
The Dakota Tavern Stage, Toronto Canada 2014.jpg
The stage of The Dakota Tavern in 2014
The Dakota Tavern
Address249 Ossington Ave
Toronto, Ontario
M6J 3A1
Toronto
Canada
Coordinates 43°38′59″N79°25′14″W / 43.649770°N 79.420630°W / 43.649770; -79.420630
OwnerShawn Creamer
Shannon Kohlmeier
Stephen Reid
TypeMusic Venue
Genre(s) Bluegrass
Country music
Rock and roll
Capacity 130 [1]
Opened2006 [2]
Years active2006-2024
Website
thedakotatavern.com

History

The Dakota opened in December 2006. It was co-owned by business partners Shawn Creamer and Shannon Kohlmeier. [3] It is located in the Little Portugal neighbourhood of Toronto.

The bar participated as a venue yearly for North by Northeast. [4] The venue also hosts a recurring event on weekends called Bluegrass Brunch. [5] [ needs update ]

In 2020, owners of the bar expressed concerns about rising insurance prices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto and considered closing. [6] [7]

In October 2024 it was sold to new owners, 1001020185 Ontario Inc., and closed temporarily. [8] In March 2025, media reports said that the new owners planned to replace the Dakota with a new business, Mickey Limbos. [8]

Notable acts

Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party performing at The Dakota in 2012 Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party in 2012.jpg
Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party performing at The Dakota in 2012

House band

Del Barber performing at The Dakota Tavern in 2014 Del Barber Dakota Tavern 2014.jpg
Del Barber performing at The Dakota Tavern in 2014

The house band for the venue are The Beauties. [4] [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Quill, Greg (1 February 2009). "A bar that stays close to its roots". The Star.
  2. 1 2 "The Dakota Tavern Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Secret Show Series with November 21st Matt Mays Concert Benefitting The Alzheimer's Society" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2021.
  3. "The Dakota Tavern Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Secret Show Series with November 21st Matt Mays Concert Benefitting The Alzheimer's Society" (PDF). The Dakota Tavern. 16 November 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bouchard, Greg (5 August 2014). "Historic Venue Spotlight: Dakota Tavern". VICE.
  5. 1 2 "The Dakota Tavern". BarChick. 18 June 2013.
  6. Saric, Tanja (19 September 2020). "The Dakota Tavern could shut permanently next month due to insurance issues". blogTO. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  7. Lorde, Nisean (21 September 2020). "The Dakota Tavern might close its doors for good due to reported insurance issues". Streets of Toronto. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  8. 1 2 Assaly, Richie (2025-03-24). "The Dakota Tavern, the legendary live music venue on Ossington, has closed after almost two decades". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  9. "Marlon Chaplin at The Dakota Tavern - Concert Photos".
  10. "Freeman Dre and The Kitchen Party". Torontoist.
  11. "Suitcase Sam at Dakota Tavern".
  12. "Tuns / Bankruptcy Dakota Tavern, Toronto ON, December 19 | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca.