What to know
- The developer has withdrawn its application to build a 16-storey condo above Sneaky Dee’s.
- Months of public pushback and organizing helped save the legendary venue.
- The redevelopment proposal is officially off the table, at least for now.
- Sneaky Dee’s remains open, and the community is celebrating a major win.
Sneaky Dee’s is safe, for now. Plans for a 16-storey condo above the bar have been scrapped, saving the iconic dive bar from redevelopment.
For the last few months, Sneeky Dee’s and the Toronto community have been fighting to save the beloved music venue, often described as one of Toronto’s most welcoming and affordable cultural spaces.
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On July 8, Sneeky Dee’s future would’ve been held to a vote, but that’s not the case anymore.
How did this happen?
On Friday, the Goldberg Group decided to withdraw their application to build a residential building above Sneeky Dee’s, meaning Sneeky Dee’s is saved.
“I have been instructed by the President of my client’s companies to formally withdraw the subject application, which this email is doing. With this formal action taken by the owner, this withdrawn application should also be withdrawn from the agenda of the July 8, 2026 Community Council meeting,” part of the email reads.
Martin Perez, who’s been working on saving Sneeky Dee’s for the past few months, posted a reel, celebrating the save.
He and other advocates removed the redevelopment notice from the side of the building, jumped on it, and thanked the community.
“We did it. We saved Sneeky Dee’s,” Perez said in the video.
Another advocate, Mon, added, “Thank you to everybody who emailed, every band that submitted a video, anyone who made their voice heard. This is all because of you.”
“Community power forever,” Sneeky Dee’s fans are proud to have saved the establishment
Mayor Olivia Chow commented, “Congratulations on all your organizing!”
She could later be seen eating at the establishment as well.
Other commenters also congratulated and celebrated the win.
“You’re all heroes, amazing work,” one Instagram user wrote.
“Organizing works. Community power forever,” another said.
“Thank you all for leading the way and keeping us updated every step of the way! Sneak’s is like a second home to so many people, couldn’t imagine Toronto without it! <3,” another added.
“This is literally the best news and what I needed today!!” another user commented.
Councillor Josh Matlow, who has backed Sneeky Dee’s from the start, is also seen celebrating the win.
