Music

Toronto's Kool Haus and Guvernment are currently being demolished

by Mark Teo

Love it or hate it, the Guvernment was a key piece of Toronto’s musical fabric—and one of Canada’s best-renowned dance-music venues. As such, we were bummed to hear that it was shutting down: Yes, we loved to complain about its terrible sightlines and questionable soundsystem. Sure, we’d spent hours lining up outside to see, like, Less Than Jake. And yes, maybe we found ourselves dancing alone in the nightclub at 4 a.m., surrounded only by middle-aged singles. But it was our venue, dammit, and even if we don’t love it, we surely miss it.

Last month, though, the Guvernment played its last show—it happened on January 25th, with local boy Deadmau5 headlining. And with that, there was no luv for the Guv; it shuttered promptly. Daniels Corp, who purchased the parcel of land, would soon turn it into condos. But we didn’t expect them to move this fast.

The venue posted this photo on Twitter today, showing the Kool Haus being torn in half.

Good night, sweet prince. We’re pouring out a vodka Red Bull for you.