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The Dakota Tavern was founded in 2006 by business partners Shawn Creamer, Maggie Ruhl and Jennifer Haslett. The venue became a º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøinstitution, known for its live music and for its weekly “Bluegrass Brunch,” which took place each Sunday. 

The 130-capacity venue also attracted a long list of larger acts looking to play at a more intimate venue, including Blue Rodeo, Gord Downie, Kathleen Edwards, Broken Social Scene, Jason Collett, Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith.

Last October, the Dakota announced  that it was under new ownership, and would “be closed for a period of time to undergo renovations before reopening.”

The post seemed to suggest that the venue would eventually reopen as a live music venue: “We wish the new ownership the very best in what is going to be an exciting period of renewal and rejuvenation for the Dakota Tavern,” it read. “We hope that all of you will be part of this exciting future that will help to keep live music in º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøvibrant and successful.”

However, in January, an Instagram account called LIMBOS! shared a series of photos that showed the inside of the Dakota . The building at 249 Ossington Ave. was registered under the name Mickey Limbos on February 2025.

The former owners of the Dakota did not respond to the Star’s request for comment.

“I discovered many artists at this bar,” music writer David McPherson told the Star, describing the venue as a “special place” where local musicians would hang out when not touring, often making a surprise appearance during live shows.

“Since the bar was not at street level, even the act of going down from the street into the confines of this bar felt like you were entering another world,” McPherson said.“It was also a true listening room. With no cell reception, the focus was on the stage and the moment happening not on sharing your experience on social media.”

The Dakota Tavern is the latest º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍømusic venue to close over the past few years.

Among the venues that have disappeared since 2017 are on Bathurst Street, the Silver Dollar on Spadina Avenue, the Matador on Dovercourt Road, the Orbit Room on College Street and  Queen West.

Last fall, the Phoenix Concert Theatre announced that it was closing this January after its location on Sherbourne Street was slated for condo development. A few weeks later, the venue announced that it would remain open at its original location through 2026 after striking a new agreement with its landlord.

Correction - March 25, 2025

This article was updated from a previous version to include the correct founders of the venue. The Dakota Tavern was founded in 2006 by business partners Shawn Creamer, Maggie Ruhl and Jennifer Haslett.