Queen West’s The Social may have ended its six-and-a-half year run earlier this month, but when one door closes, another one opens. Or in this case, two doors. Owners Richard Lambert and Jesse Girard are planning on opening a British pub in The Social’s space, and they’re are also working with Kenny Hotz (of Kenny vs. Spenny) and Embrace Productions on The Hoxton, a new nightclub set to open August 6.
The yet-to-be-named pub that will be taking over 1100 Queen Street West is aiming to open in October or November of this year. For those familiar with The Social, the venue will be “unrecognizable,” Girard says. A kitchen will be added, along with the chef stylings of Parts and Labour’s Matty Matheson. Girard says the English-inspired pub will be a “cozy, comfortable place … not corporate.”
The Hoxton will have a much different vibe. The 650-person event space will take on the appearance of an art gallery. With white walls, white beams and a black ceiling, it’s going to be “clean and clear,” says Lambert. The space, located at 69 Bathurst Street, has been vacant or two years. Before that it was home to the State Theatre nightclub.
Now with a venue that can legitimately be run as a nightclub — unlike The Social, which had been fighting a continual licensing battle with the city as of late — larger corporate events, concerts and DJs can be showcased. On the music front, “Fridays will probably be house and Saturdays more electronic,” says Girard.