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The Docks has had its liquor license pulled due to a stream of noise complaints from Toronto Islands residents. They're appealing the decision so we hope it's not premature to say good riddance. We personally can't stand the Docks and think it's one of the most poorly planned live venues in the city. It's hard to get to using public transit, overpriced, has terrible sightlines and acoustics. We're not going to miss it one bit.
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Haha, oh Ron. Your feelings about club culture are never veiled! This is a terrifying precedent, though: Will Toronto start padlocking clubs like New York did to the Limelight and Tunnel? Is Peter Gatien's new club Circa safe? I know it's hard to feel affinity with the graph-paper-dress-shirt crowd, but the Docks is one of the last venues that raves can still happen in. It's a culture widely considered on the brink of extinction, and if it's not the Docks, the parties happen at the Big Bop/Reverb/Holy Joe's :( That is the worst venue ever, which is why I really like going to the Docks when I can.
Also, we just took a tour of the place last week. They also do indoor soccer, quiet outdoor patio stuff, they have a nice pool, boating, go karting, a driving range, breast cancer 5k runs, old car shows, bungee jumping, weddings and inflatable jousting! The place is a lot more than just a nightclub.
The best way to get there late at night is take the King streetcar to Cherry St. and walk. Honesly, though, why can't the TTC just run the 172 and the 72 later?
I hope this isn't goodbye, Docks. :(
It doesn't matter if you don't personally like the Docks. We should be supporting any business bringing people to our waterfront. Developing this area is key to making Toronto a better city. It seems to me the complaints of the over-privleged island residents are coming before the needs of the entire city.
Toronto's rave scene has neared extinction for many years now (it was at least 7 years ago that the media, city officials, and police really cracked down and forced the larger promoters into clubs). The Docks are NOT even remotely crucial to its survival. Parties (some with upwards of 1000 people) are still happening weekly in several non-club venues.
The Docks vs. Islands issue is a unique one that requires a unique solution. It's truly a shame that there has to be one big loser and one big winner in this case.
WRT waterfront development... I agree that the city needs to push for it, but The Docks nightclub is a far cry from what many feel the waterfront needs. I, for one, would prefer to see public space initiatives take off rather than superclubs developed.
As long as I still have the Dance Cave, I think I'll be ok.
It seems to me that if and when the waterfront is developed, we can expect a lot more whining from the islands.
For the record, the comment by 'Carrie' above is not me. ;)
I'm mixed about the whole thing. I really like The Docks as an entertainment complex for everything but the actual club (beach volleyball, drive-in, etc.)...it would be a shame if that all shut down, as well. But I have no qualms with saying good riddance to the nightclub. I agree with Ron about the sound quality, sightlines and acoustics...it's all subpar. I also think that with the club being so far out of the way and off public transit (late night), that this creates a recipe for drunk driving. Let's face it, not everyone is going to take a cab all the way out there and back...it's expensive.
It'll be interesting to see how this issue develops.
The Docks is the kind of club which can't be downtown because of the noise and crowds. That's why it's way out of almost everyone's way. ALMOST everyone, beause they're still directly in the Island residents' backyard. These houses were here before the club was built, but this didn't stop its development. That's not right - if you don't want a noisy club in a residential area, it shouldn't BE there. So I cheered when I heard the news! Finally the Islanders are heard over the Docks' thumping beats!
Also worth mentioning: Global News' coverage of the story is VERY anti-Island.
Other oldsters may remember the same kind of whinging over the COPA, when it sprang up in Yorkville.
I too cry no tears for the Docks.
Remember that the Docks owners have also acquired the controversial long term lease on the former Knob Hill lands that abut the Docks building which is mostly but not completely on private rather than leased lands, the plan is not to have this be a bar forever, it's just a placeholder until the real plan comes together, a shopping mall smack in the middle of the new tourist friendly high traffic revitalized waterfront...
CTV/CFTO's coverage of the issue seems to be covering both sides. CTV however expanded the issue -- what about all the people living around the entertainment district downtown? This sets a precedent for those clubs too. Hell, I live over a Korean kareoke/noraebang!
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think liquor licenses for the club district have been frozen right? That was something that Chow did before she left office and something Silva has been keeping up.... I'm not quite sure how Circa was able to get theirs.
As for living right below a Korean Karaoke... ouch. I live right at Yonge St. so if the Leafs win I don't go to bed, ditto Caribana (which isn't so bad this year actually). I kind of want to say it's part of the price of living downtown but there are ways to design buildings that'll keep some of the noise in or out, right?
The key there is new liquor licenses, i.e. net additions of capacity. What's generally not well known outside the industry is that is much easier to transfer an existing license from one location to another than it is to get a net new license. Again, for oldsters, the COPA got their licence by transfering the licence from the Northgate Hotel/Ports of Call complex, it was a dining room license so that's why there was always a buffet with admission and no hard liquor. They have capped the district's capacity but as owners close locations and open new ones the licenses will shift around.