History, Drake’s new concert hall in the Beaches, joins other new and revitalized Toronto venues opening post-pandemic

Toronto’s about to make History.

Now that the province of Ontario has lifted pandemic restrictions affecting live venues, History, the new Live Nation-owned, Drake-associated concert hall is finally opening its doors Sunday with a concert by Bleachers, Taylor Swift, Lorde and Lana Del Rey producer Jack Antonoff’s band, and you can bet the Canadian concert giant is breathing a sigh of relief.

“The pandemic obviously put everything on its head,” Wayne Zronik, Live Nation Canada’s president of business operations, said Wednesday. “We’re just excited to finally be able to use it.”

There have been a few false starts concerning the newly constructed, 2,500-seat venue at 1663 Queen St. E. (historytoronto.com), the site of the old Woodbine Off-Track Betting business: initially it was supposed to host Maryland rockers All Time Low in mid-October and then British one-man folk crew Passenger on Nov. 1.

“Obviously we’ve had to cancel shows not only at History, but all over in all kinds of venues … then reschedule them,” Zronik said. “It’s not the ideal way to open a venue, but we’re finally able to use it, and we’ve got a great band in the Bleachers and a bunch of sold-out shows, so we’re excited.”

Zronik says History can operate in various configurations — seated, general admission, special events with tables — and also features a second level VIP section with permanent seating.

“It’s a music-driven venue and we want it to be the best venue of its type in the city, if not North America, world class. The whole fan experience from when you arrive, we hope they enjoy the food offerings, the drink offerings — we have great VIP amenities — we don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house, not going to be bad sound. We worked really hard to make sure it’s the best experience.”

And you can thank Toronto superstar rapper Drake for some of that experience; he acted as a consultant as construction progressed.

“He’s been around the world. He plays the best music venues in the world, so he knows what a great fan experience is; he knows what a great artist experience is, and he’s really helped us curate that artist experience and what it’s like to play in those clubs.”

Whether Drake will actually perform at the venue is up in the air. Zronik didn’t indicate there were any surprise appearances in the works.

“We’re still working through what the opening period looks. Obviously this has happened very quickly; we found out we were open a few days ago,” he said.

Whether Drake books a gig at History or not, there are plenty of acts appearing in the near and distant future to secure music fan interest: aside from the Nov. 7 opening featuring Bleachers, future dates include Thundercat (Nov. 11); Zeds Dead’s (Nov. 12-13); Teyana Taylor (Nov. 18); CHVRCHES (Nov. 24); a Big Wreck and Monster Truck double bill (Dec. 4); and December appearances by July Talk, Silverstein, USS, BADBADNOTGOOD and Kaytranada.

Concertgoers will need to show proof of double vaccination and to wear masks, except when eating or drinking.

While History is certainly generating excitement around the city, it’s not the only venue that has arisen after 18 months of closed doors.

Here is a list of fairly new music spots stretching from Pickering to Niagara Falls.

THE NEW

Venue: The Axis Club

Capacity: 618

Location: 722 College St.

Literally rising from the ashes of the Mod Club, Axis seems intent on presenting the same eclectic mix of talent, with updated sound and lighting. (theaxisclub.com)

Future bookings: Ohgheesy, U4RIA Trance Collective (Nov. 19); Lindsay Ell with Robyn Ottolini (Nov. 25); Crown Lands (Dec. 1); Roosevelt (Dec. 3)

Venues: Allied Music Centre, the Basement Bar, the Club

Capacity: TBD

Location: 178 Victoria St.

The Allied Music Centre is connected to the revitalized Massey Hall and the combined complex will offer three new venues for music lovers to enjoy new and established acts. The Basement Bar, in the bowels of Massey Hall, has a rumoured capacity of 150. A fourth floor tentatively named “The Club” will offer a capacity of 500, but won’t open until spring or summer 2022, with one more smaller space on the sixth floor. (alliedmusiccentre.mhrth.com)

Venue: CityView Drive-In

Capacity: 1,200 vehicles

Location: 20 Polson St.

The CityView’s conversion into a live outdoor music venue has been around since physical distancing measures were implemented in 2020. The venue was created by Charles Khabouth as a boost to the then-dead concert scene. Over the past year, it has hosted everyone from deadmau5 to Blue Rodeo to dvsn. (cityviewtoronto.com)

Future bookings: TBD

Venue: Streetcar Crowsnest

Capacity: 200-350

Location: 345 Carlaw Ave.

This venue offers a mixed bag of entertainment that is theatre-dominant but makes occasional room for concerts by singer-songwriters. There’s music in the lobby and talk of continuing some sort of concert series after December. (crowstheatre.com)

Future Bookings: TBD

Venue: Fallsview Casino Entertainment Centre

Capacity: 5,000

Location: 6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls

This newly constructed theatre — to be operated in tandem with the smaller Avalon Theatre — was ready to hold its grand opening with Brad Paisley when COVID-19 thwarted its plans. Now Hong Kong and Cantopop singer Joey Yung will christen the place, but not until April 24, 2022. (fallsviewcasinoresort.com)

Future Bookings: Larry the Cable Guy (May 5, 2022); ZZ Top (May 6); Brad Paisley (May 28); Paul Anka (June 18)

Venue: The Arena

Location: Pickering Casino Resort, 888 Durham Live Ave., Pickering

Capacity: 2,500

The Arena is part of the multi-complex resort that opened Oct. 25. It’s expected to vie for recording acts that frequent the casino circuit, but not until 2022, as it’s still under construction. (pickeringcasino.com)

REVITALIZED

Venue: Massey Hall

Capacity: 3,300

Location: 178 Victoria St.

It’s taken three years and $135 million, but the renovated Massey Hall is probably the most anticipated reopening of any venue in Toronto’s storied music history. Additions include the adjoining building known as the Allied Music Centre, which houses artist dressing rooms, a loading dock to make life easier for touring crews and an orchestra pit that can accommodate seated or standing room crowds. Who else but the inimitable Gordon Lightfoot should reopen it, Nov. 25 to 27? (alliedmusiccentre.mhrth.com)

Future Bookings: Buffy Sainte-Marie (Nov. 30); Mustafa (Dec. 1); Majid Jordan (Dec. 2); Andy Kim Christmas (Dec. 8); City and Colour (Dec. 9-12, 14)

Venue: The El Mocambo

Capacity: 458

Location: 464 Spadina Ave.

The space under the neon palms reportedly cost new owner Michael Wekerle over $30 million to renovate, but his additions of a recording studio and a streaming stage bode well for its future. Although Our Lady Peace officially opened the venue last weekend, the El Mo has hosted a number of streaming events and showcases since minimal occupancy was allowed, and you can bet Wekerle is banking on concert streaming being a big part of the club’s future. (elmocambo.com)

Future bookings: The Carpet Frogs (Nov. 5); Paul James (Nov. 6); The Spoons (Nov. 13); Rush cover band Permanent Waves (Nov. 27)

RESURRECTED

Venue: Hugh’s Room Live

Capacity: 465 for the El Mocambo; 150 for 3030 Dundas West

Locations: 464 Spadina Ave.; 3030 Dundas St. W.

After favourite folk venue Hugh’s Room was forced out of its Dundas West location due to higher rent, Hugh’s Room Live continued to be a presence with a few online concerts. While still searching for a permanent home, Hugh’s Room Live is back, sharing space at the El Mo and 3030 Dundas West venues. (hughsroomlive.com)

Future bookings: Dala (Nov. 5, 3030 Dundas); Paul James (El Mo, Nov. 6); Sammy Jackson (3030 Dundas, Nov. 25); Kellylee Evans (3030 Dundas, Dec. 16)