Le Coq d’Or Tavern

The Le Coq d’Or Tavern was one of Toronto’s most popular rock'n' roll venues in the 1950s and 1960s. Businessman George Bulucon opened it in the late 1940s on the Yonge Street strip, a raucous entertainment district between Queen and Gerrard Streets. The tavern hosted musicians including Bo Diddley, Solomon Burke, Sam and 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 there, and the Montreal band the Beau-Marks recorded a live album at the tavern. It was especially known for its long association with Ronnie Hawkins and his band, the Hawks, who first played there in 1958 and later became regular performers. After separating from Hawkins, the Hawks toured and recorded with Bob Dylan and became the Band in the late 1960s. In 1965, Ronnie Hawkins and manager Bill Bulucon opened the Hawk's Nest, a teenage dance club above the tavern that featured local acts such as Mandala, the Ugly Ducklings, and the Sparrows, later Steppenwolf. Jackie Shane and the Kinks also performed at the Hawk's Nest. Amid declining attendance at bars and clubs on Yonge Street, the Le Coq d’Or closed in 1976.

Ontario · Canada