Downtown Yonge in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Town Tavern

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

1. Town Tavern Marker

Inscription.
The Town Tavern, located here for 23 years, was an important part of the Yonge Street music scene. Opened in 1949 as a theatre restaurant, club owner Sam Berger turned the Town Tavern into a full-time jazz venue in 1955 at the suggestion of legendary Canadian pianist, Oscar Peterson.

It was here, two years later, that Peterson, bassist Ray Brown, and guitarist Herb Ellis recorded their famous live album, On the Town with the Oscar Peterson Trio.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Town Tavern was a popular venue with touring musicians, among them American artists Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, and Lester Young. The Town Tavern closed in 1972 and the building was later demolished.

Erected 2016 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 43° 39.169′ N, 79° 22.7′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge. It is on Queen Street East just west of Victoria Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker

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is mounted at eye-level near the southeast corner of the building at this address, facing Queen Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Queen Street East, Toronto ON M5C 3G7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jackie Shane (1940-2019) (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Canadian Bank of Commerce - Yonge-Queen Branch (1905) (about 90 meters away); Cy McLean (about 120 meters away); Original Site of Toronto Hebrew Congregation Holy Blossom (about 120 meters away); The Bay Queen Street Store / Le Magasin la Baie de la Rue Queen (about 150 meters away); The Association of Provincial Land Surveyors of Ontario (about 150 meters away); Metropolitan United Church (about 150 meters away); ‘Deeds Speak’ Sculptural Reliefs (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederation Life Building (was about 90 meters away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. The Town Tavern: The city’s premier jazz venue.

In 1949, Sam Berger opened his theatre restaurant, the Town Tavern. From Hawaiian singers to ragtime pianists, the Tavern offered daily live entertainment to guests alongside lunch and dinner. By the early 1950s, it was Toronto’s premier jazz venue, with legendary drummer
York University Libraries, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, Toronto Telegram fonds

2. Marker detail: Town Tavern's Distinctive Sign
Hung over the main entrance to the club on Queen Street East on this site.
Archie Alleyne performing on stage almost every night.

(Submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Town Tavern.

Operating between 1949 and 1971, it was one of Toronto's preeminent jazz clubs and a regular performance venue for pianist Oscar Peterson. The Town Tavern was one of Toronto's busiest jazz clubs throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

(Submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Archie Alleyne, 1957 image. Click for full size.

Private collection

3. Marker detail: Archie Alleyne, 1957

The Town Tavern's house drummer for more than a decade, Alleyne helped break racial barriers in the Toronto jazz scene in the 1950s.

Marker detail: Oscar Peterson Trio, 1960s image. Click for full size.

Courtesy INTERFOTO/GetStock.com

4. Marker detail: Oscar Peterson Trio, 1960s

Oscar Peterson performing with the Oscar Peterson Trio in the 1960s. Peterson was a regular performer at the Town Tavern, and in 1971, he played a two-week engagement at the club.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

5. Town Tavern Marker

(marker is near southeast corner of the Bank of Montreal building)

Bank of Montreal Building<br>(<i>southeast corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

6. Bank of Montreal Building
(southeast corner)

(looking north from Queen Street East)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,541 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.