The Horseshoe Tavern (known as The Horseshoe or The 'Shoe to Toronto locals) is a concert venue located at 370 Queen Street West (northeast corner of Queen at Spadina) in downtown Toronto, and has been in operation since 1947. Owned by "JC", the venue is a significant part of Canadian musical lore. It is captured in the memories of thousands of concertgoers, and in books such as Have Not Been the Same. [1]

HORSESHOE TAVERN TICKETS EVENT DATE AVAILABILITY Arts Fishing Club Tickets 6/9 Jun 09, 2026 Tue, 7:00 PM Paul Anthony's Cash - The Life and Music of Johnny Cash Tickets 6/21 Jun 21, 2026 Sun, 3:00 PM Reverend Horton Heat & The Surfrajettes Tickets 6/24 Jun 24, 2026 Wed, 8:30 PM The Strike Tickets 7/4 Jul 04, 2026 Sat, 8:00 PM Oliver Hazard Tickets 8/6 Aug 06, 2026 Thu, 9:00 PM

History

The building, built in 1861, previously housed a blacksmith. ^[2] Originally known as a Country Roots n' Rockabilly Music Tavern , it was an 87-seat saloon. The Horseshoe Tavern welcomed blues and folk in the 1960s, reggae, mod rock, and punk in the 1970s, new wave and alternative rock in the 1980s, and everything from ska, surf, swing, Celtic and alternative country in the 1990s. International acts that have played concerts include The Police, Etta James, the Ramones, and Talking Heads. Actor Dan Aykroyd was once part-owner. ^[3]

The Horseshoe has made an effort to support new Canadian artists through programs like Tuesday's Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite . Bookman is a Toronto radio DJ for 102.1, The Edge, CFNY. As a result, it has been a springboard for such notable acts as Bryan Adams, Blue Rodeo, The Tragically Hip, The Watchmen, Big Sugar, Wide Mouth Mason, Great Big Sea, Stompin' Tom Connors, The Band, Helix, Prairie Oyster, and Our Lady Peace.

The Horseshoe Tavern celebrated it's "60th anniversary" in 2007 with 6 shows in a row by Joel Plaskett. Plaskett played his entire catalouge during the six days (with each night devoted to one full album). Special guest apperances during the celebrations included: Peter Elkas, Sarah Harmer and Gord Downie.

Media appearances

In 1978, it was the setting for the Colin Brunton's punk rock documentary The Last Pogo , featuring bands the Scenics, the Cardboard Brains, the Secrets, the Mods, the Ugly, the Viletones, and Teenage Head. An archival photo montage of the Horseshoe Tavern's history will be featured in Colin Brunton's up-coming feature film ''The Last Pogo Jumps Again.

The Horseshoe was featured on Live on MTV in September 1997, when The Rolling Stones began their No Security Tour with a thundering 75 minute show.

In 1998, the club was immortalized in the Tragically Hip song "Bobcaygeon."

In 2000 it was the home to the Humble & Fred "Gift of Christmas" broadcast.

Footnotes