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Cameron House

408 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A7

416-703-0811 | Website

Located just west of Spadina on Queen Street West, the Cameron is a gritty relic of Old Queen West.

Category: Bars/Clubs
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What:

Music Genres | Country, Folk
Payment | Visa

Where:

Neighbourhood | Downtown
Getting There | Queen or Spadina streetcar
Cross Street | Cameron & Queen

When:

Daily 4PM-2AM

Schedule of Events

Date Event Description
13-Mar-10 to 05-Mar-11 The Cameron Family Singers Acoustic country, every Saturday night at the Cameron House. 
14-Mar-10 to 06-Mar-11 Kevin Quain and the Mad Bastards Kevin Quain is a musician, songwriter, playwright and bar fly. 

Profile Last Updated: October 23, 2008

Storied History
Established as a hotel and tavern over eighty years ago, the Cameron was converted from its original purpose to an avant-garde arts project in 1981. For over two decades now, the Cameron has been a member of the art community. It is a place to go for a beer, to see a play, hear a band, catch a book launch or reading, look at art, and be in the company of those who make it all happen. In a certain sense, the Cameron even fancies itself as Toronto's answer to New York’s CGBG and London’s Matrix.

A Varied Venue
What you will find when you enter are two smallish spaces which serve individual purposes. The back room hosts original plays and music, and the front room is where you will encounter most literary events and more intimate musical performances. But then, of course, such distinctions are anathema to the building’s spirit, so don’t be surprised. Just grab a seat and have a pint.

Art & Music
What you will find in terms of company is anyone's guess. Indeed, both the ordinary and extraordinary may be found here. Handfuls of locals regularly gather on the small fenced-in patio to enjoy a pint on a sunny afternoon. Similarly, the next Atwood or Lightfoot may well spend their off-time here as well. After all, Blue Rodeo once played the back room on a regular basis, and Ron Sexsmith was still playing it when he became Elvis Costello’s favourite singer/songwriter.

Details

Atmosphere: The walls here are covered in art and funky graffiti, which adds to the mood.