\u201cTonight, we say goodbye to 750 College St. \u2013 a place that became so much more than four walls. It became a home, a stage, a refuge, a family, and a place where so many of us were able to laugh, dance, love, celebrate, and simply be ourselves,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n
Since 1992, El Convento Rico had served as a popular nightspot in Little Italy that played a mix of Latin and Top 40 music. It also hosted a midnight drag show that featured dozens of local performers for more than three decades.<\/p>\n
The club had been selling tickets for events slated to happen on Friday and Saturday, which have since been cancelled.<\/p>\n
The sudden and unexpected closure elicited a strong reaction from Canada\u2019s Drag Race star Van Goth, who recalled \u201cmany memorable nights\u201d playing some of her first gigs at the underground nightclub.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe news about Rico\u2019s closing is very sad,\u201d the artist told CityNews. \u201cNightlife, and specifically queer nightlife, has taken hit after hit since the pandemic and with the current political climate it\u2019s disheartening to see a space that has been a staple in Toronto for 35 years close down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other patrons also responded with shock and sadness, noting a \u201cmassive loss for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
CityNews reached out to the nightclub\u2019s owner to learn more about the circumstances leading to the closure, but has yet to receive a response.<\/p>\n
\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n
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