Риволи: Легендарный клуб Торонто с богатой историей

Toronto club

The Rivoli is a bar, restaurant and performance space, established in 1982, on Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The club originally earned a reputation as one of Canada's hippest music clubs, and many major Canadian comedy and musical performers have played on its stage, including The Kids in the Hall, Gordon Downie, The Frantics, Sean Cullen and the infamous Dark Shows. The Drowsy Chaperone premiered at the Rivoli and went on to subsequent productions and eventually a highly successful run on Broadway.

The venue is divided into three main areas, the front, the upstairs and the back. The front of the venue has a bar along most of its west wall. The east side of the front room, separated from the bar by a dividing wall, are tables for dining. Upstairs there is a pool hall with 11 vintage and antique tables. The space is large and sometimes dance nights or private parties are hosted there. The back room of the venue contains a stage at the back. There is a smaller bar in the back room, and some bar seating along the side walls. The audience area is sometimes open for standing room, sometimes tables and chairs are set up, and sometimes chairs are set up in rows. Seating is rarely assigned or reserved. Patrons are typically free to eat or drink in the front room without paying for admission to shows. The Rivoli's menu is known for an eclectic and upscale motif. The Rivoli sign, seen outside the club on Queen Street West, features the handwriting of musician Mary Margaret O'Hara.

Launched in 1982 by the hospitality entrepreneurs Andre Rosenbaum, David Stearn, and Jeff Strasburg (already partners, since 1978, in Queen Mother Cafe down the street), their new venture the Rivoli almost immediately became synonymous with Toronto's 1980s black garbed Queen West scene. Mike Myers' Saturday Night Live German club character Dieter was inspired by a Rivoli waiter. This reputation waned as the club's clientele became more eclectic and upscale, but the Rivoli's atmosphere is still unique.

The Rivoli has had a long association with alternative comedy, of the sketch, improv, and stand up variety. Additionally, primarily through its Monday night comedy shows, the venue developed a reputation as a breeding ground or career springboard for talented comedy performers, some of whom would go on to prominent careers in the entertainment industry. Talent scouts for Montreal's Just For Laughs comedy festival and the major television networks still routinely trawl the Monday night comedy shows.

In 2014, the original owners sold the business to Jenna Wood, Sarah Henning, and Jessica McHardy. In May 2022, on the occasion of The Kids in the Hall television show returning after 27 years, the Rivoli unveiled a plaque honouring the troupe and recognizing its association with the venue.