Docks loses Liqour Licence

[ElChico]

Islanders vs. The Docks: Nightclub to go Dry

The Docks nightclub issued a press release on their website today informing patrons that after a lengthy delay the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has decided to revoke their liquor license.

Citing pressure from Toronto Islands residents and the actions of City Councillors McConnell and Fletcher specifically, nightclub lawyer Nicholas Macos of Black Sutherland LLP appealed to patrons to voice their concerns to city officials. He also expressed plans for an appeal to the decision:

"The Docks will be appealing and seeking a stay of the decision of the AGCO to permit it to stay open until the appeal. It will remain open until the Courts make a decision on the appeal. If unsuccessful then over 350 employees will be out of work. We believe that the actions of the City and the AGCO will detrimentally impact the waterfront."

The recent AGCO decision is the newest development in an ongoing saga that comes after years of noise complaints from Ward's Island residents. A little more than just 1000m (of mostly open water) separates the two factions. The Docks entertainment complex has been in operation for 11 years.

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Last call at the Docks nightclub being appealed

CTV.ca News Staff

The Docks nightclub was told last call would come early on Monday after the bar and concert venue's liquor license was pulled. But the company will keep the drinks flowing while appealing the decision.

Revoking the Docks' license to sell alcohol is the result of pressure from Toronto Island residents.

People living on the island directly across from the nightclub have long complained of loud noise and music echoing across the water late at night. Lobbying city council, the residents have made their frustration known.

Effective at 5 p.m. Monday, the provincial liquor board declared the bar should be dry.

People who enjoy a drink and the club's party atmosphere are not happy with the decision.

"Absolutely ridiculous," one female patron said Monday.

That sentiment is echoed by the company's lawyer Nick Macos.

A written statement from Macos posted on the company's website Monday called the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's ruling a "narrow view of the public interest as being represented by the needs and wishes of the Toronto Islands residential community."

Macos notes that the AGCO found no misconduct by the Docks.

An appeal of the AGCO decision would temporarily allow the bar to keep serving drinks.

Macos said the company will file an appeal and remain operating until the courts have made a decision.

"If unsuccessful, then over 350 employees will be out of work," Macos added.

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[Madchester]

It's not like this decision is going to help the venue's acoustics. One of the worst concert theatres in Toronto. It's like listening to music through a straw.

[x86asm]

Those residents have been complaining about that club for a number of years. Well I guess this is a solid example of the speed of beauracracies :).

[B0000rt]

url?
I can't find it on the ctv.ca website.

[nano]

dayum right before carabana weekend personally i think the docks is the worst club in toronto

[ElChico]

url?
I can't find it on the ctv.ca website.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060724/docks_liquor_license_060724/20060724?hub=TorontoHome

The words are the same. But there's video... :)

[B0000rt]

Thanks,

Wow that sucks bigtime, my cousin is having a party there this Friday, I wonder what he's going to do.

Edit: Nevermind looks like they're open until the appeal.

[jayslay]

yea that does suck for the business and the employees, but i didnt like the docks anyways, much prefer richmond/john clubs downtown

[duckdown]

that place is annoying anyway.. i've been to many jungle parties there, i could care less for it

[tinlunlau]

i was there for the first time on last friday and noticed how hostile the security guards are.

my friend was escorting another friend because he was extremely intoxicated with alcohol. they were already exiting the docks. then, i see this butch b!tch shoving them and ordering them to exit the niteclub. my friend was displeased with this type of behavior and expressed how he doesn't like this hostile attitude. but now since there is a possibility that the employees may get laid off, there is probably no point to file a complaint.

[hyperion]

Oh well, Docks sucks anyway.

[jvangilst]

Maybe they should have just invested in some solid noise-proofing. Now they're screwed (the bar).

[GuiltySpark]

A few years ago a company I was employed by had some buisness there, so I was there for a few months. What a sh_tty bar. Has lots of potential, but run like crap and completely horrendous acoustics...just brutal.
However: You have to wonder how a club in downtown T.O is getting closed for noise complaints. I mean seriously, the Island people have to get thier heads on straight and look around. This is not Orillia and you have a FEW slightly noisy neighbours. This is by no means excusing the Docks for obviously not being decent neighbours, but all in all it's pretty laughable.

[RonyPal]

Wow no good comments about the club, But i do know there are tons of preeteens drinkign there so maybe its' a good thing. I just feel bad for a friend who promotes there. :(

yeah seriously just soundproof the thing and keep the teeny boppers outta there and your good (and improve acoustics)

[AirBosh]

Wheres all the asians(brown and yellow) going to go on Friday now??

[Neovingian]

I agree although the sounds at the club isn't top notch, it is bearable. It makes you woner how they keep having concerts there & are able to bring in some of the best bands and why they would perform there. If the sounds was that ppor im sure those bands would request an alternate venue.

I will vouch for their bartenders, they ahve some of the hottest bartender chicks I've ever seen in the GTA. Now it looks like some of these hot bar-tenders will AOL & MIA & out of work for a while. I doubt since most work p/t there?

[NeilMcduck]

I've never been to the docks and probably will never go because i'm not into the whole club scene, but i think it's ridiculous that a group of crotchety residents can have the place shut down.

That whole area down there is pretty industrial--in fact, i think the only residential areas are on the island. There's noise from the Gardiner & from the factories along the waterfront. What's next? Shut them down too?

Come to think of it, there's a noisy street car line that runs past my house 24 hours a day--let's get rid of that as well.

As someone mentioned, we're not living in Orillia--Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and cities are noisy. I think we should start a petition to kick the islanders out of town.

[jedijome]

didn't they try that already?

[Ben31]

for those interested....
http://nightlifeinfo.com/fl/2006/20060728_2/docksopen.jpg
http://nightlifeinfo.com/fl/2006/20060728_2/Text.gif

[rilhouse]

I've never been to the docks and probably will never go because i'm not into the whole club scene, but i think it's ridiculous that a group of crotchety residents can have the place shut down.

That whole area down there is pretty industrial--in fact, i think the only residential areas are on the island. There's noise from the Gardiner & from the factories along the waterfront. What's next? Shut them down too?

Come to think of it, there's a noisy street car line that runs past my house 24 hours a day--let's get rid of that as well.

As someone mentioned, we're not living in Orillia--Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and cities are noisy. I think we should start a petition to kick the islanders out of town.

yah, it's always the rich few (ie the island residents) who have political influence that think they have more rights then the common folk. if it was your average folk complaining nothing would have happened.


if you want silence and a lake front view MOVE OUT OF THE CITY.