The hallowed doors to Clinton's Tavern opened on a fateful snow free November of 1937 as freshly minted king George VI nickels, dimes and quarters were filling the pockets of the bar keeps.
The main floor was your typical watering hole, but the upstairs held an exclusive 'members only' club (nudge, wink), a known favorite of Old Blue Eyes, yes, that Frank Sinatra. The space is ironically now the XO Karaoke club where his fans continue to drunkenly bellow out his iconic tunes. Always one step ahead of the herd, opened the bar up to women in 1955. Imagine that. Men could finally enjoy their brew with a classy dame by their sides. Much later, but keeping with the progressive spirit, was the addition of the vegetarian poutine!
The economic, and comedic, heyday of the 80s saw Clinton's favoured by SCTV stars like John Candy, who had a table permanently reserved, with extra seating for the man of stature.
By 1985, the back was finally opened for live shows. A young Jeff Healy lived out a rock star hopeful's dream as Bob Dylan caught his show, and took a shine to him. Their meeting at Clinton's sparked a long-term friendship which ultimately helped propel Healy's career to the next level.
The concert space has since become well known as a launch pad for a wide range of seminal Canadian acts including Drake, Barenaked Ladies, Die Mannequin, Three Days Grace, Cowboy Junkies, The Cliks, Crystal Castles and many more.
Presently, Clinton's concert space has become well known for their weekend dance parties, like Shake, Rattle, and Roll with the girls of Bangs & Blush and Boy Girl 90's Dance Party.