The .@RivoliTO re-launches June 14 - #Toronto // #rivoliTO

The Rivoli announces "The Rivolution"

Beloved Queen Street West hub re-launches on June 14, 2016 

New owners, new energy

 

 #rivoliTO 

Founded in 1982, downtown venue, restaurant, bar and pool hall The Rivoli (334 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada) has always prided itself for being a hub in the heart of the city that offers something for everyone. It's a spirited stronghold on an ever-changing street in Toronto that has served has a longtime watering hole and stage for musicians and comedians, a restaurant with much loved classics like Pad Thai, an easy place to pull up a stool at the bar, and one of the only remaining central places with an army of newly-felted pool tables.   Legacy tales of Iggy Pop performing with Dave Grohl on drums in the Back Room music venue (capacity 240), first Toronto shows from current chart-toppers Adele, Hozier & Mumford & Sons, free-wheeling Jazz fest glimpses, the birthplace of Kids in the Hall comedy shows, fill this loved locale with years of history. After all, everyone has a Rivoli story.   With new young Rivoli owner entrepreneurs Jenna Wood (29), Jessica McHardy (31) and Sarah Henning (31) at the helm for just under two years, this June, they extend an invite to Toronto to come enjoy the venue once more and notice how they've approached the space with fresh new energy.   The Rivolution - June 14 re-launch On Tuesday, June 14, the Rivoli opens at 11:30 a.m. and "The Rivolution" begins. The Rivoli invites Toronto try out the freshly updated patio, with new flower boxes, cedar railing upgrades and twinkling strings of lights which replace the former yellow and blue awning and wrought iron decor. Local foodie heros Kung Fu Dawg will be adding to the patio festivities, serving up their signature corn dogs and hot dogs, and the brand new snowcone machine will be put to the test.   Inside, the upstairs pool tables will be free all day and night and visitors can also try out the brand new Rivoli photo booth with all proceeds from the booth on June 14 going to Billy Talent drummer Aaron Solowoniuk's F.U.MS organization which aids the Multiple Sclerosis community. (More details at turningangerintohope.com/)   The new Toronto themed cocktail menu also officially launches on June 14, curated by Dyl Pickle and Mop Drop, boasting sure-to-be-future-classics like Champagne Papi, José Blue Jay, Toronto Island Iced Tea and Bellwoods Sangria, among others.   The Back Room music venue will be open to the public as of 10 p.m. with a mystery line-up of free live bands and DJs. Local rock n' roll photographer Vanessa Heins opens her photography show at 6 p.m., filling the main floor with her evocative backstage and onstage live images including shots of Sloan, Hawksley Workman, The Kills and Bruce Springsteen.   Additional updates to The Rivoli A graduate of George Brown's Culinary Arts program, Chef Jessica McHardy (who helmed The Federal's nights, spent time in private dining and at the Ritz Carlton before becoming a Rivoli owner) made sure the comfort classics remained on the menu all while adding some new items to update the menu.   Brunch is back on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. with menu items including some refreshing twists such as Banana Bread French Toast, a Breakfast Salad or a Blue Cheese BLT providing new options for the many new locals in the ever-expanding downtown condo neighbourhoods.

Everyone has a Rivoli story. Whether it was seeing Adele in her first ever Toronto concert, or laughing with Kids in the Hall, brushing shoulders with Gord Downie, or falling in love over the Riv's classic Pad Thai, they want to hear about it. Send in your stories and photos to stories@rivoli.ca    Follow The Rivoli on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Tag us using #RivoliTO