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Queen and Beerthurst Runs Dry
It was a depressing weekend for hundreds of kids who were eagerly awaiting SMILE, the first of the final three events from the famous all-ages event promotion crew Goodfellaz. The five were forced to cancel an hour before the event because the venue—BLAK (formerly Crosstown)—was not only deemed unsafe for occupancy by the fire marshal, but had its liquor license suspended by the AGCO. Sources within the club tell Torontoist that there is virtually no chance of BLAK re-opening.
Most all-ages promoters’ first reaction to the news might be to go back to using the Big Bop, the legendary purple building across the street—but the Big Bop’s liquor license was also suspended this weekend. Murmurs in the community have suggested that somebody must have missed a payment. The suspension was apparently caused by serving liquor after hours. Colour us shocked. No word yet on how long the suspension is for, although we assume it will be at least the standard ten days.
All signs point to an orchestrated police operation to intimidate and shut down after-hours establishments. After the Comfort Zone raid, many thought that BLAK was next. Now that the corner of Queen Street West & Bathurst Street has been basically shut down, we wonder what club is next now.
In a just world, the AGCO would be abolished and Toronto would create its own liquor bylaws. One bylaw that can be passed before this lofty dream comes true, though, is extending last call to 4 a.m. The City has this power now, thanks to the City of Toronto Act, but thus far no councillor has made extending last call a pet cause.
Photo by DanielN from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.