This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
A historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
The Black Bull Tavern, located in the heart of downtown at 298 Queen Street West, has been serving pints to a range of patrons, from punk rockers to condo dwellers, since 1833.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In a social media post Friday, the tavern shared how its impending closure signifies the end of an era.
“Queen West is changing and sadly, what was once one of the biggest, sunniest patios in Toronto is cast in the shadows of high rise buildings,” the post reads.
“After the owner Bobby Taylor passed, it was time for our family to say goodbye to the corner of Queen and Soho.”
Taylor, a former CFL player, bought The Black Bull in 1975 and ran it up until he died of cancer last year.
“We would like to thank The Black Bull staff for their dedication and commitment over the years. We are happy so many of you found your life partners at the bar. We know all of you have colourful memories to remember your time here,” the post continued.
The bar’s staff created memorabilia for nostalgic patrons looking to bring a piece of the historical venue home with them. There’s a cap, T-shirt and long-sleeved shirt featuring The Black Bull’s logo, ranging from $30 to $40 in price, with all of the proceeds going to the staff.
“I hope the Black Bull continues to be a bar for decades to come and future owners pay homage to the building’s history,” the post concluded.
The tavern has Heritage Property Designation, protecting it from demolition.
Torontonians can stop by the bar until April 3, when it officially shuts down for good.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Is it cold, flu or norovirus? Symptoms explained
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
London Drugs expected to give update on store status following 'cybersecurity incident'
Days after dozens of London Drugs locations closed due to a 'cybersecurity incident,' a spokesperson for the company says an update on the stores' status is expected Wednesday morning.
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.