Downtown Yonge in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Le Coq dOr Tavern
Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024
1. Le Coq dOr Tavern Marker
The Le Coq d'Or Tavern was one of the most popular rock'n' roll venues in Toronto in the 1950s and 1960s.
Businessman George Bulucon opened the Le Coq d'Or in the late 1940s on the Yonge Street strip, a raucous entertainment district between Queen and Gerrard Streets. The tavern hosted musicians like Bo Diddley, Solomon Burke, Sam & Dave, and the Cougars, featuring Jay Douglas.
Goldie and the Gingerbreads, the first all-female rock band on a major American record label, also played at the Le Coq d'Or and Montreal band the Beau-Marks recorded a live album there.
The tavern was known for its long association with the musician Ronnie Hawkins and his band, the Hawks. The group first played the Le Coq d'Or in 1958 and later became regular performers. After separating from Hawkins, the Hawks toured and recorded with Bob Dylan, becoming the Band in the late 1960s.
In 1965, Ronnie Hawkins partnered with the Le Coq dOr manager Bill Bulucon to open the Hawk's Nest, a teenage dance club above the Le Coq d'Or that featured local acts like Mandala, the Ugly Ducklings, and the Sparrows (later Steppenwolf). Pioneering soul singer, Jackie Shane, and influential English rock band, the Kinks, also played at the Hawk's Nest.
Amid declining attendance at bars and clubs on Yonge Street, the Le Coq
this page online
Erected 2017 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 1958.
Location. 43° 39.435′ N, 79° 22.878′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge. It is at the intersection of Yonge Street and Gould Street, on the right when traveling north on Yonge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 335A Yonge Street, Toronto ON M5B M5B, 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ryerson Polytechnical Institue (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Toronto Normal School (about 210 meters away); The Toronto Normal and Model School (about 210 meters away); Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Layers of Change (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Ontario College of Pharmacy (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Jean Lumb, C.M., 1919-2002 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Also see . . .
1. Ronnie Hawkins (the Canadian Encyclopedia).
Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024
2. Le Coq dOr Tavern Marker
Beginning in 195960, a succession of Yonge Street nightclubs (most notably Le Coq D'Or and The Hawks Nest) became Hawkinss home base. For many years, he also operated Campbell's Tavern in London, Ontario. By 1961, he had settled in Toronto and in 1964 he became a permanent resident of Canada (retaining his US citizenship). He eventually moved to Mississauga and later near Peterborough, Ontario. He also managed his own record label, Hawk Records.(Submitted on October 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
2. Le Coq d'Or Tavern - The Heart & Soul of Yonge Street's Music Strip.
Le Coq d'Or Tavern was located at 333 Yonge St (between Gould St and Dundas St, on the east side) in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.(Submitted on October 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
In the late 1940s, before the tavern became one of the most renowned rock'n'roll venues in the
heart of the Yonge Street strip, Le Coq d'Or was a fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge. The building's two upper floors were home to Olympia Bowling and Billiards.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024
3. Le Coq dOr Tavern marker photos detail
York University Libraries, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, Toronto Telegram fonds
4. Le Coq dOr Tavern marker photo detail
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
