College Street Landmark El Convento Rico Shuts Doors After 35 Years
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The long-running Latin dance club announced an immediate closure of its 750 College St. location, citing circumstances beyond its control.
A staple of the College Street community has vanished overnight. El Convento Rico, a Latin dance club that operated for 35 years, announced on Thursday, Oct. 1, that it is closing its doors immediately.
According to reporting from BlogTO, the business shared the news via an Instagram post, stating the closure was due to "circumstances beyond our control." The establishment, located at 750 College St., had built a reputation as an LGBTQ+-friendly space and a refuge for artists and performers over three decades of operation.
In their farewell message, the owners thanked the staff, performers, and patrons who formed the "heart and soul" of the venue. While the physical location is gone, the owners indicated that this is not a permanent end for the business. The post noted that while this chapter is closing, "El Convento Rico will rise again," promising that the closure is not a "goodbye forever."