What to know
- Imperial Pub, a Toronto bar since 1944, officially closed on Nov. 15, 2025, after eight decades of service.
- The pub, located at Dundas St. E., was a beloved spot for students, workers, and live music lovers.
- The emotional farewell weekend saw massive crowds as people gathered for one last drink and celebration.
- Loyal patrons shared their memories online, from the iconic circular bar to the jazz nights that defined the Imperial’s charm.
- A petition to save the pub and preserve its legacy has gained over 1,400 signatures.
After more than eight decades of serving the city, one of Toronto’s most iconic bars has officially shuttered its doors, and people are sharing their memories and reactions online.
Imperial Pub, formerly located at 54 Dundas St. E., offered its last call to the community over this past weekend, with massive crowds lining up to celebrate, commemorate, and experience the historic site for a final tap.
In late September, the bar announced on its website that it would be closing its pub doors to the public on Nov. 15, 2025, noting that “it has been an honour and a delight to serve” the community.
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A STAPLE OF TORONTO’S HISTORY
The iconic pub located at the corner of Dundas St. E. and just shy of Victoria and Yonge Streets, first opened its doors in 1944 during the Second World War. At the time, liquor laws were more restrictive, and bars enforced gender segregation.
Over the years, Imperial Pub grew into a post-study haven for Toronto Metropolitan (TMU) students, a hangout for nearby workers and residents, and a beloved spot to catch live music, chat, grab a bite, or relax on the second-floor library bar.
TORONTONIANS REACT TO THE HISTORIC CLOSURE ONLINE
The announcement of Imperial’s closure, along with its final farewell weekend, has sparked an outpouring of emotional reactions from loyal Imperial-goers and regulars alike, with some sharing their most fascinating memories.
“Gonna miss you. Thanks for all the memories ❤️” one Instagram user said.
“We’ll always remember you,” another Instagram user said.
“Gonna miss the circular bar and fish tank. You just won’t ever see a bar like this again in this city,” one Reddit user said.
“Loved listening to the jazz band on Friday nights. Hoping they find a new home to continue playing,” another Redditor added.
“I’ll never forget being taken here by my boss to be told I was being fired, the whole time being late for a class at Second City and just trying to leave as soon as possible,” one X user said.
“I went last weekend for a final visit, and it was almost at capacity then,” one X user commented.
“RIP to a great bar, never got to go unfortunately:( legend,” another X user said.
Meanwhile, a petition to save the Imperial Pub and preserve its legacy has surfaced online, with a total of 1,422 verified signatures accumulated at the time of publishing.
Now Toronto reached out to imperial pub for comment and is still waiting for a response.
