The Dakota Tavern

Bar in Toronto, Canada

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

The Dakota Tavern

The stage of The Dakota Tavern in 2014

Address| 249 Ossington Ave
Toronto, Ontario
M6J 3A1
Toronto
Canada
Coordinates| 43°38′59″N 79°25′14″W﻿ / ﻿43.649770°N 79.420630°W﻿ / 43.649770; -79.420630
Owner| Shawn Creamer
Shannon Kohlmeier
Stephen Reid
Type| Music Venue
Genre(s)| Bluegrass
Country music
Rock and roll
Capacity| 130[1]
Opened| 2006[2]
Years active| 2006-2024
Website
thedakotatavern.com

## History

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

* Skydiggers[1]
* Ron Sexsmith[1]
* Blue Rodeo[1]
* Broken Social Scene[1]
* Kathleen Edwards[1]
* Luke Doucet[1]
* Cowboy Junkies[1]
* The Sadies[1]
* Marlon Chaplin[9]
* Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party[10]
* Suitcase Sam[11]
* Lady A[1]
* Jason Collett[1]
* Barenaked Ladies[2]
* Lindi Ortega[4]
* Corb Lund[4]
* Gord Downie[4]
* The Avett Brothers[4]
* Slow Down, Molasses[4]
* Sleepy Sun[4]
* Tuns[12]
* Del Barber

## House band

[edit]

Del Barber performing at The Dakota Tavern in 2014

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Quill, Greg (1 February 2009). "A bar that stays close to its roots". The Star.
2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e f g h Bouchard, Greg (5 August 2014). "Historic Venue Spotlight: Dakota Tavern". VICE.
5. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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.