One Of Toronto’s Oldest Jazz Clubs Closes Its Doors
Posted July 7, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Montreal Bistro – the popular downtown supper club on Sherbourne Street – is out of business and the closing of the music landmark has saddened musicians and music lovers alike.
Pianist Ian Bargh was supposed to be playing at the bistro this weekend, but earlier this week he and other musicians received the bad news that they’d have one less place to gig.
“Very sad. Very, very sad indeed,” Bargh laments.
While the news is hard to take for those who’ve been playing around the city for years, the end of the Montreal Bistro’s 25-year run is even more painful for the up-and-comers like pianist Laila Biali.
“What’s going to pop up to replace it? I have no idea,” she said.
The news has even saddened the owner of the one of the bistro’s main rivals – The Rex jazz bar on Queen West.
“We’re very upset about it,” said Bob Ross, the owner of the Rex. “It’s bad for players; it’s bad for fans.”
Biali said there have been rumblings about another club that may open up in the city, but in the meantime, people will be flocking to the Rex and The Pilot in Yorkville for their jazz fix.
