After being a staple in Toronto for nearly two decades, The Guvernment nightclub closed its doors for the last time early Monday morning.

Once renowned as Canada's largest nightclub, the 22,000-square-foot venue has played host to many big name acts including the Rolling Stones, Prince, David Bowie and Lady Gaga. Before being called the Guvernment, the venue was known as "RPM."

The farewell show, featuring big-name act Deadmau5, continued into Monday morning as the crowd kept chanting "one more song, one more song." Although the event was expected to wrap up at 7:00 a.m., it ran until 9:00 a.m.

"It’s very sad," Charles Khabouth told the crowd of nearly 7,000 early Monday morning. "I promise we’ll be back very soon somewhere close by. Thank you."

Khabouth played the first and final songs of the night at the venue that’s home to Kool Haus.

Khabouth says he had no choice but to close the doors of the club located on Queens Quay East across from Sugar Beach, because his lease ended.

"I didn't want to leave," he told CTV Toronto on Sunday. "I fought it for a while then I thought 'maybe it’s time.'"

An office tower and condominiums will be built in its place.

Khabouth recently purchased Sound Academy at Polson Pier where he is expected to open a new venue where he plans to eventually hold events called "Guvernment nights."

"We had a darn good run," Omar Sheher, an employee of The Guvernment, told CTV Toronto Sunday. "It is a sad thing, but I guess, like everything else, it has to move on."

Sheher has worked on the venue's logistics since it opened up.

"After 22 years and a lot of hours in this place, it becomes part of you," he said.

Here are some notable acts who performed at The Guvernment:

  • The Rolling Stones
  • Prince
  • David Bowie
  • Lady Gaga
  • Justin Bieber
  • Oasis
  • Coldplay
  • Nine Inch Nails
  • INXS
  • The Black Keys