Colonial Tavern

The Colonial Tavern was one of the most famous jazz venues in Canada from the 1950s till its closure in the late 1970s. It was located at 201 -203 Yonge Street in Toronto (now an open lot between 199 Yonge Street and 205 Yonge Street) where a historic plaque (now removed) remembered this key jazz venue. The Colonial Tavern was owned and managed by brothers-in-law Mike (Myer) G. Lawrence, Goodwin (Goody) and Harvey Lichtenberg. (197-199 Yonge Street - the former Canadian Bankof Commerce and 201 - 203 Yonger Street are now owned by Parasuco of Montreal, P.Q. Jazz artists played on the ground floor, on a raised stage along one wall, beneath a multi-faceted disco ball. The stage could also be watched from the balcony dining area. Musicians...