I haven't been here in years, but I was so happy to see its personality is still top-notch. My partner Todd and I went to see Wang Chung perform. It was a personal, intimate concert with great sound - the band was awesome - a real blast from the past! Ah, memories... But I also have to mention the staff - particularly Michael (Mike). As someone who has had to adjust to being slightly disabled (I have to use a walker), it can obviously be a challenge. Mike was professional, but also very charming, while he took us to a comfortable spot by the stage for the show. He was very attentive, and even checked back on us a couple times before the band hit the stage - he was such a pleasure. He is truly an asset to the ElMo. He was definitely one of the highlights of the night for us. Thank you Mike! You're a Rockstar...we can't thank you enough. read more

An icon in the city We almost lost it recently Tough times for concerts compared to the glory days I saw Mike Myers here in early 90s, he was alone and people left him alone, that was nice read more

El Mocambo - a man on a bike in front of a theater - Music Venues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Back in the year of our lord 1996 it was a badge of honour to be tossed out fo the El Mo was having one too many Labatt Blue's. But you'd have to be born with a silver spoon so far up your keister to afford that many drinks at this place now. Is it so much to ask that our classic music venues stay affordable? When I was there recently a rum and coke was north of what cover charge would have been to watch no Doubt live in 1998 - at least $17. Ever since Wekerel took over the joint it feels like it's more about the Banjamin's than it is about the Jagger's. Don't get me start on the bathrooms. Now I might be old school, but I like toilets with seats. read more

Great venue. we saw an amazing Indie band called Fighting Chance. I have mobility issues so it was great to have a club that I could be comfortable in read more

If you live and breathe in Toronto and are a fan of music, you must check out the El Mo at some point. (Side note: I know how tired it is to ask someone if they like music. Everyone likes music. I just didn't want to start with: go check out their website and if you like the set list, you can't pass on The El Mocambo!) My point is, the El Mo is a venue that's been around since the 50's. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Black Flag has made an appearance there; it's a true piece of T.O history. As such, if you live in this city or are visiting, it's a spot that has some great shows that is worth checking out. Other good points: the cover charge is consistently lower than other concert venues, and while it has gone through a reno, still has the intimate feel lacking from other bigger places. read more

El Mocambo - Music Venues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Best Sound System in Toronto. Get in there and catch a show in this intimate venue. Support Live Music. read more

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I went to a concert at El Mocambo yesterday. I didn't even know there was such a venue on the Spadina strip. I don't know what I would dub this joint, I guess concert venue, although I don't know if they have other stuff throughout the week. First impression, not very good. The bouncer guy at the front was quite strict with my friend. She had a container of juice, which she packed from lunch (she came straight after work), and the guy made her dump it out! It actually was funny because he kept saying "if I open the bottle, will there be water". And confused, she kept saying "no, it's juice". This went on for a minute or so and finally she dumped it out.... So word of warning, do not bring outside food! The concert was on the 1st floor. I didn't realize that there were multiple floors, the place is bigger than it looks! There are some seats on both sides, as well as a very low couch near the AV booth. That's where I spent the majority of the night. The venue is very cozy and seeing a band play there is awesome. There's some very sensual about being a small venue and so close to the stage. Great couch, great music, pretty good venue! read more

El Mocambo - Music Venues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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was just at this venue for battlecross excellent sound excellent set up beer was a bit expensive(8 bucks for a tall boy?!) read more

With Michael Wekerle at the helm with his flamboyant style & rolodex of the who's who in Toronto and a planned Spring/Summer opening and a fresh new/old look and new signage it will do well. The key to these Venues surviving is owning the building or having a sympathetic landlord that is not greedy and wants a long term tenant with long term cash flow. As a music label owner/promoter I am looking forward to the re-opening of this historic Venue. Only hope Michael Wekerle books in some of my high quality musicians in 2018. Trevor Jones Barracuda Music & Talent Management North America barracudamusic@outlook.com trevorjones911@hotmail.com read more

Went to see Paul James Band. First time out to a bar in 2 years....nand was great..the service not so much....not once was our table cleaned! No covid sanitation at all...and now all 2bif us have Covid.We have been sick for about 9 days.We felt we needed to let u know as we have to withrhe Heakth Dept. read more

For anyone who is going to the elmo other than for the pure love of music then you just better go home. TO is full of places where you can sit around, pay big bucks and feel pretty. Elmo not only has history, it's got a soul. It's the real deal. If you are going there, go for the music, go for the bands, and MOST IMPORTANTLY.....I repeat, MOST IMPORTANTLY: GO BECAUSE EVERY ADDITIONAL PROFIT GAINED FROM THIS PLACE (not the profit for the bands but concert hall rental profit etc) GOES TO CHARITY! These people are there for a reason. If some bartender didn't give you a nice smile, that's probably because they were up the night before making sandwiches for the homeless of TO, and are too tired at the moment to smile...literally. Do the research on CBC or CityTV news and you are sure to come across some of their stories. read more

I visited the El Mocambo for the Music BC showcase at Canadian Music week. I was told of legendary live recordings by Elvis Costello and the Rolling Stones in the 70s and I can understand why this venue is considered by some to be a landmark in Toronto's music scene. The bar itself is a bit run-down and the beer a bit pricey but overall it was a great place to see some live music. There is a large main room on the ground floor with a raised stage and plenty of room to dance or take in a show. Make sure to check out the long darker room on the second floor. The neon palm tree sign outside is super photo-worthy. Nothing crazy special overall IMO but a nice, dirty venue to watch some dirty rock n' roll read more

This place is pretty dingy but I saw this band called KC Roberts and the live revolution and they blew my mind!!! read more

El Mocambo - Kc Roberts and the live revolution at the Elmo - Music Venues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The El Mo is a venue that always seems to rented out by bands you've never heard of, making it consistently one of the best places to enjoy local music. The El Mo has 2 floors. The main floor is dark and a bit grimey, but it has a huge concert venue space. It's so huge, that there could be bands playing, and you could easily sit by the window (past the bar) and have yourself a regular conversation. Of course, that's in plain view of the stage, so there's also a chance you'll be the subject of some ridicule from whomever has the mic. Just sayin'... Upstairs is a smaller venue, and it has a bit of a homier feel to it, but one that quickly dissolves when it fills up. If there's lots of people, it'll be a party. I've seen the upstairs used for non-music things, like stand up comedy. It's a good venue for things like that, too. The beers here are reasonably priced, with a bottle being in the $4 range. read more

Well, well, well.. what do you know.. The lord works in mysterious ways.. . The famous (infamous) trader, Michael Wekerle (of Griffths MacBurney fame and now Dragons Den) sidled up to the bar with a large cheque...... There is an interesting photo of him standing outside the joint on Spadina with his tonge hanging out, showing off his tatoo... In the financial press it was related that a money manager is suing Wek for a bunch of money...... Has anybody been to a show lately ? read more

I don't want to hate on this place because it is a pretty cool spot and I had a hell of a time here but as a venue for bands it's kind of lacking. Upstairs: The stage is super tiny. The (abnormally long) room is divided in half by a unfortunately placed pillar. The acoustics are garbage. The sound system sucks. The coolest thing about this place is behind where they have the stage there is what feels like a VIP lounge. Super cool spot to sit and have a drink at intermission. Theres not much to be said since I've only been there once. It would be nice if they had a bit more seating in that huge empty space near the bar for those people who just want to chill out and enjoy the music. After all watching how some of the patrons dance is pretty awesome and hilarious all at once. The music was really good when I went! (We seen Whiskey Collective) I wouldn't rule out going to this place for another show, and I have already recommended it to my friends. Only now that I am writing a review did I really notice all the flaws while trying to be completely honest with all the readers. But to be completely honest I'd have to emphasize that you won't notice these flaws in the moment, you'll be too busy having a blast with your pals! read more

I don't think I'm allowed to hate the El Mo. It's been around too long, it has too much history with the city, and it has too much history with me. Smaller bands and dance nights generally happen on either the main floor or upstairs, and how good your night goes really depends on what you're going to see. The last concert I went to there was mind-blowing -- not only was I going to see one of my favourite musicians, but I was with good company and the place was quiet and insanely intimate. I've been here for other things, from comedy shows to punk shows to dance parties, and the level of fun all depends on what's going on. The El Mo for sound quality is not amazing, but the El Mo for booze is great -- awesome bartenders and cheap prices. And they carry 50, so that means I can get as much beer as possible for my $20 bill. If you're in the city, don't come to the El Mo just to go there -- odds are, you'll be stuck in the middle of an all ages show or something else lame and weird. But if you see something that looks fun, it probably will be, and the El Mocambo is a good place to see a great show. Note: El Mo in the summertime = NO. I've had a couple nights where the upstairs was so hot I was covered in other people's sweat, and one night there was even a fire! (Maybe from the combination of dirty dancing and humidity? I say yes). read more

Nice venue at college and Spadina, 2 stages available with daily concerts. Bar sympa juste au croisement de College et Spadina. 2 scènes de concert, une à chaque étage. read more

The El Mo has been around since before dirt. The Rolling Stones played there a lot as the story goes, and thus a legend is born. As for the rest of it: it's two floors that hold about 400 at capacity each. The old set up was far more rock and roll, the new is a bit like venue meets ballet class. When I was in high school I used to go tot he all-ages shows, and as far as I know, they still do lots of them. I've been to some amazing concerts here, so has everyone from Toronto, but I have been to far more terrible ones. The bartenders are nice, and quick, considering they pour pop from 2L bottles instead of off a pop gun. There are no frills here at all. It's definitely a place for people who want to see a specific show or have a specific plan, not so much a spot that is consistent night after night or every weekend. read more

While not my favorite venue in the city, you can't deny the presence and history that the El Mo brings to the table. For one thing, you can definitely feel the years won layers of blood sweat and tears that have gone into the many amazing shows that have gone down here. The time of year when I think this venue really shines is during NXNE or any other large scale musical happening. With two floors often running simultaneous shows (often of wildly varying genre or quality), you can find a whole lot of different people thrown together for the love of the music. Considering the surroundings, it would seem odd to have it any other way. I can't say that the bar itself holds any special or totemic sway, but I will say that the staff here are always professional while still maintaining a genial air, as one would hope that working at a venue like this would at the very least be an interesting experience. I wouldn't pick a random show to check out the El Mocambo, but if a band you like or know is playing here, it is definitely worth checking out. For my own experience I have definitely spent some time in the wee hours of the morning dancing away, even while the band is getting ready to pack up and head out. read more

Normally I have frequented bigger venues in the past and this is only one of the few smaller venues that I have attended for a concert. I can't complain about smaller venue shows. I read the reviews about El MO prior to attending the concert and went in having no expectations of this place. I thought the venue was pretty good as there were a few seats that you could sit on instead of having your poor feet feel like they are going to fall off by the end of the show. I felt that the limited seating gave the venue a nice homey /cozy atmosphere as though you were sitting in someones living room. Mind you, most people like to stand so you may not get a good view of the performance if you sit the entire night. Contrary to other reviews, they were not forcing anyone to check in your coat. There were no coat checks at all. I'm not sure if it was because we were on the first floor that it was so close to the door, but it felt really cold like the heat was not on cold. I wore a fall jacket thinking that I would get hot during the show, however, I kept the jacket on the entire night and still felt chilly. The staff was really efficient and friendly. I would recommend that you go check out this venue if your favourite artist/band is going to perform here. read more

I used to go to the Elmo back in the day and it was THE PLACE TO GO. I am in Toronto for a visit and we decided to go there this weekend to hear some soul that was advertised on CBC. Not only was it SAD to see that the famous El Mocambo neon lights were not working but the place was so run down and dirty that it made me want to cry. We arrived at 8:45 because the web site and poster stated that the doors opened at 9 and the show began at 10. Hah! We waited outside in the cold until 9:45 and then we waited and waited for the show. There were hardly any seats, the band was still doing sound check and the whole thing was dismal. I finally told my friend we should get our money back and go elsewhere. When I went to the door to ask for my refund another couple showed requesting the same thing. The woman was quite upset stating that they drove all the way from St. Catherines to see the show and could no longer wait. The girl taking tickets was flustered and asked us to wait while she got the producer of the show. this is where it gets really interesting. The producer, a young axxxhole shows ups, begins yelling at us, saying that it is not his fault, it is difficult to control a band and he was stressed. I am in the music business and have been for 25 years. I stated that there are ways to deal with this but basically all 4 of us wanted to go home. He then proceeded to call the SECURITY who came dressed in black tshirts looking bewildered while this little runt yells "Get them out of here, they are complaining too much." Then he grabbed my arms and began physically pushing me backwards out. I am a woman. He is a young guy. Everybody was aghast. The other woman told him "You are nuts. What kind of drugs are you on?" Everybody was trying to stop him. He was out of control. I found out his name was Jay Leary and that his company is called Make it funky. I tried to get some kind of action from the El Mocambo manager who was a young guy who also looked angry and confused. Oh lord, the poor El Mo. It was a nightmare of an experience and I can only weep at the memories that have been ground into the dirt by scum such as this. read more

*2.5 stars* It's right in between "Meh" and "A-Ok" I have mixed feeling about the El Mo. On the whole, when i've gone there the only reason i've had a good night is because of the specific bands i've gone to see, not because of the venue. I know i know "It's an institution! It's got such a history!" I do try to give the El Mo some props for that, but really... do you stay with a dirty, lazy, broken old boyfriend just because you had some good times 20 years ago? No. Keep the memories of the good times alive, but move on. The ladies bathroom looks like it's had some work done. That's a good thing. But it still needs some work too. What really gets me, and i've wrote about this before at other places, is when you pay cover to go somewhere, you get inside and they tell you it's mandatory to check your coat. AND they charge you for that too! What?! It just really pisses me off. If there was just a tip jar for the coat attendant that would be a different story. But a set charge added to the cover charge i already paid seems like a money grab. Especially because i was wearing a light little sweater-like jacket that i wanted to keep on. The bouncer told me I HAD to check it. I said "But this is like my sweater". No dice. Tons of other peeps were strolling in with huge sweaters and hoodies, but not me. I was on her naughty list. I went back outside to find my friend and she followed me and I could see her whispering at the other bouncers and pointing at me. Oh dear. I'm the jacket trouble-maker i guess. read more

went here for CMW festival concert. from outside the place looks pretty dodgy. all the walls have marker/pen writings by guests... so doesn't really add to the cleanliness of the place. but it works out as the music venue. it fits lots of people. the bar is spacious and bartenders are very attentive. also liked the decorative lamps everywhere. read more

I liked it, went and saw a friends band play there, and thought it was fine. It wasent packed the night we went, but thats ok and I didin't find the bartendors any worse then anywhere else. Like what are they suppose to be doing kissing your butt everytime you go up there a little bit more drunk?. They seemed decent to me. The bathrooms are a little dark but if your so drunk you cant find the toilet , is that really the biggest problem you have? since really its not that bad!. Id spend 10 bucks to get back in, np. read more

Truly a staple in the Toronto music scene. The El Mocambo has changed hands a few times and definitely changed moods along the way, but its ability to draw enthusiastic crowds and eclectic international and local acts makes this a choice spot on to check out on any night of the week. read more

FINALLY closed its doors ! Let's hope it never opens again. Place was run like a disco..... good riddance !! Barely ok for underground music supporters like myself. Fuck 'em ! Sadly, I hafta rate this hole so I'll give it a one but I don't really mean it. read more

I am completely unsatisfied with this location. I came for a charity show and simply because I am "underage" (left my ID at home since I cannot drink atm) I am not allowed to go outside and have a smoke and return inside EVEN THOUGH the advertisement for this event says "you are more than welcome to leave and come back so please don't feel trapped". The bouncers at this location need to know their facts before making someone feel literally trapped inside their location for a charity event. Also I witnessed multiple underage kids getting beers and drinking them, while the bouncer walked past and did nothing. The staff at this establishment has a lot of room for improvement. read more