I’m so happy that Velvet Underground, a Toronto Queen St classic, is back up and running.

Last summer, they had got bought out by another entertainment group, and they shut the place down. It was a real… dive bar. But not in a gross way. This was where all the odd-balls could come out and have a great time. You didn’t have to be young. You didn’t have to be dressed fancy, or preppy. You didn’t have to pay over 10$ for a drink. There was never too many people on the dance floor so you could dance however you wanted and take up as much room as you liked. Plus, there were always chairs and tables to sit at in case you got tired, or wanted to put your coat down.

Except for some minor, minor changes – Velvet is back in it’s full glory. On most weekends now there’s going to be more live music and dj’s, and a bit more of a ticketed event but still won’t break the bank to get in. We went back on DJ Lazarus night, just for old times sakes and it seems like he was better? Maybe it was just us and that it’s been so long. But he was still playing the 80-90s alt rock, he had some good mixes in there too. They got rid of the pool tables, and the chairs but that’s really the only decor changes they made.

It was so strange though, to be there on a Sunday night (of the long weekend) and have the place packed. There was still the fabulous mix of the goth kids dressed up, and the older generation, but it was a pleasant surprise to see a younger demographic come in (aka, my age group, and maybe a bit younger). Not that it hasn’t happened before, but it’s not very often that happens.

I’m so excited to see what new changes this brings and if it continues to bring such a crowd. I hope so, because I will be much more upset to lose this place again!