Beloved Toronto bar Clinton's is officially closed after rollercoaster few years

Beloved Toronto bar-turned-restaurant, Clinton's, has closed permanently — seemingly for good this time — after years of ups and downs.

This isn't the first time that Clinton's has made waves for a closure, though. Back in 2020, the bar abruptly closed due to what was then referred to by staff as a "careless owner" before reopening months later under new ownership.

The bar was purchased by the folks behind Echo Karaoke, Clinton's' upstairs neighbour, and began serving Korean takeout during the pandemic.

Since then, Clinton's has operated normally, though fans of the original spot note that the bar's original charm, including their decades dance parties and Choir! Choir! Choir! singalongs, has been nowhere to be found since the transfer of ownership.

In any event, the legendary Koreatown spot was an institution in the area, spending 86 years in its location at the corner of Bloor and Clinton before recently announcing — via a note posted in their door — that they've officially closed.

A post in a Palmerston-Little Italy Facebook group announces the closure.

It remains to be see whether Clinton's will come under the care of an owner who wants to restore it to its former glory or if there's something entirely new for the space in store.

Clinton's was formerly located at 693 Bloor West.