The owners of Toronto venue the Dakota Tavern are expanding their reach a little further along the shores of Lake Ontario. They've just purchased the Hayloft Dancehall, located in Cherry Valley in Prince Edward County, Ontario, and they're planning to re-launch with a summer season of music showcases.
Dakota Tavern owners Shawn Creamer and Shannon Kohlmeier, who also run Toronto's Whippoorwill Restaurant & Tavern, have installed a stage in the Hayloft. Throughout the summer, the room will host live music every week from Thursday to Sunday, with a special focus on blues, roots, country and rock.
Creamer said in a statement, "When our friend Trisha Cook (co-owner and manager of the Hayloft Dancehall, former manager at the Dakota) first sent us information about the Hayloft, it was a thrilling idea. As a touring musician I've played in a lot of roadhouses and hotel bars, and there is something incredibly authentic and cool about this place. It is a bar in a barn on a beautiful stretch of Lake Ontario's shoreline — I think I may have willed it into existence. We fell so much in love with the spot that my wife and I bought a home here as well."
The grand relaunch is on May 15, when Elliott Brood will share a bill with the Beauties and Prince Edward County's own Instant Rivalry. A week later, on May 22, the venue will host the Strumbellas.
The Hayloft Dancehall has been around for 47 years and is located a couple of hours' drive from Toronto (about an hour from Kingston). The new owners will also offer an expanded beverage menu and private rentals for large events.
Dakota Tavern owners Shawn Creamer and Shannon Kohlmeier, who also run Toronto's Whippoorwill Restaurant & Tavern, have installed a stage in the Hayloft. Throughout the summer, the room will host live music every week from Thursday to Sunday, with a special focus on blues, roots, country and rock.
Creamer said in a statement, "When our friend Trisha Cook (co-owner and manager of the Hayloft Dancehall, former manager at the Dakota) first sent us information about the Hayloft, it was a thrilling idea. As a touring musician I've played in a lot of roadhouses and hotel bars, and there is something incredibly authentic and cool about this place. It is a bar in a barn on a beautiful stretch of Lake Ontario's shoreline — I think I may have willed it into existence. We fell so much in love with the spot that my wife and I bought a home here as well."
The grand relaunch is on May 15, when Elliott Brood will share a bill with the Beauties and Prince Edward County's own Instant Rivalry. A week later, on May 22, the venue will host the Strumbellas.
The Hayloft Dancehall has been around for 47 years and is located a couple of hours' drive from Toronto (about an hour from Kingston). The new owners will also offer an expanded beverage menu and private rentals for large events.
