The Dakota Tavern
Bar in Toronto, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Dakota Tavern was a live music venue and bar in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The stage of The Dakota Tavern in 2014 | |
 Interactive map of The Dakota Tavern | |
| Address | 249 Ossington Ave Toronto, Ontario M6J 3A1 Toronto Canada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43.649770°N 79.420630°W |
| Owner | Shawn Creamer Shannon Kohlmeier Stephen Reid |
| Capacity | 130[1] |
| Type | Music Venue |
| Events | Bluegrass Country music Rock and roll |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 2006[2] |
Years active | 2006-2024 |
| Website | |
| thedakotatavern | |
History
The Dakota opened in December 2006. It was co-owned by business partners Shawn Creamer and Shannon Kohlmeier.[3] It is located in the Little Portugal neighbourhood of Toronto.
The bar participated as a venue yearly for North by Northeast.[4] The venue also hosts a recurring event on weekends called Bluegrass Brunch.[5][needs update]
In 2020, owners of the bar expressed concerns about rising insurance prices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto and considered closing.[6][7]
In October 2024 it was sold to new owners, 1001020185 Ontario Inc., and closed temporarily.[8] In March 2025, media reports said that the new owners planned to replace the Dakota with a new business, Mickey Limbos.[8]
Notable acts
- Skydiggers[1]
- Ron Sexsmith[1]
- Blue Rodeo[1]
- Broken Social Scene[1]
- Kathleen Edwards[1]
- Luke Doucet[1]
- Cowboy Junkies[1]
- The Sadies[1]
- Marlon Chaplin[9]
- Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party[10]
- Suitcase Sam[11]
- Lady A[1]
- Jason Collett[1]
- Barenaked Ladies[2]
- Lindi Ortega[4]
- Corb Lund[4]
- Gord Downie[4]
- The Avett Brothers[4]
- Slow Down, Molasses[4]
- Sleepy Sun[4]
- Tuns[12]
- Del Barber
House band
The house band for the venue are The Beauties.[4][5]