The ladies of Dolce (Photos by Karon Liu)
Yet another dance club at King and Bathurst awaits downtown condo dwellers who made it to this side of the recession with some cash in their pockets. Dolce Social Ballroom, which opened this past weekend, is the latest venture from Travis Agresti—the man who, at 22 years old, linked up with Vince Carter to open Kai and Inside Entertainment Complex (all three are now history). Agresti is back, having spent 16 months and $2 million merging an Indian restaurant with a derelict lounge to create Dolce, a venue aimed squarely at mature partiers (dubbed “sophisticats” in press materials). “It seems there is a lack of nightclubs for the 30-something crowd to let loose in. You’ve got kiddie-land on Richmond and pockets here and there on Ossington, but that’s about it,” says Agresti, himself 28 years old. “We’re trying to discourage the younger crowd who spray champagne and go wild.”
To achieve this, Dolce is trying to exude an upmarket attitude. At a recent preview, guests were greeted with (not sprayed by) sparkling wine and a bevy of long-limbed hostesses in skin-tight uniforms designed by Toronto’s Joeffer Caoc. The decor strives for moneyed glitz and was handled by Charles Doell of the California firm Mister Important: sheets of crumpled gold metal line the columns and the ceiling, giving the illusion of rippling water. Psychedelic atom-shaped lamps hang over booths, and unisex bathroom stalls feature clear doors that turn opaque when locked (we’re told they cost $8,000 each).
It’s an ambitious venture for Agresti, and we’re not sure if Torontonians—be they sophisticats or not—are in need of more $20 covers and $200 bottles, particularly in a part of town increasingly saturated with similar options (Cheval, Cobra, The Roosevelt Room). Then again, the ever-changing whims of club-goers could tip in Agresti’s favour. With money starting to trickle back onto Bay Street, its denizens will need somewhere to spend it.
Dolce Social Ballroom, 647 King St. W. (at Bathurst), 416-361-9111, dolcesocial.com.
In response to the last post, yes the dj did mix a little too much but his selection of music was fantastic so that made up for it. Negative was that it was very difficult to get a drink at the bar and I love to be able to enjoy many..LOL! I’ve been to Dolce a few times now and I’ll definitively be back. Crowd is amazing, no edhardy printed T-shirts and great looking guys and girls. Decor is not Toronto at all its like walking into another city, service staff was also fantastic. A lot of Celeb sightings as well, Saturday night Mats Sundin and Tie Domi were there with some other Leafs and on the other side of the room in a booth was Carmen Electra and friends… Whoa! def Toronto’s new hotspot!
May 3, 2010 at 4:51 pm | by MichelleBrought my staff there on Saturday! Place was packed! Good people no kids (i.e 19-25yr olds). We had a great time, rumor is they have a big patio opening… Can’t wait for that!!!!
May 3, 2010 at 4:56 pm | by Michael ElliottThe club looks nice but its small. Good upscale bar with nice decor and good looking people. (Went Mid July ’10)
Odd thing is that once you wait inline outside the club you got to wait inside in another line if you want to go to the patio. Which is tuff if you have a large group
Music was okay… but the audio quality was terrible… and for some reason they just kept cranking it up which annoyed me
Drinks are cover are mad expensive $7.50 drinks and $20 cover but that what you get if you want to party with a mature crowd.
Overall average nite…. but i guess it all depends on the nites crowd.. cheers!
July 26, 2010 at 6:24 pm | by John SThis place will die a FAST death soon like Circo. Where is the mature money crowd they were/are hoping to get ? went there & the 20 somethings were in the guest list line – the bottle service line was so young they were asking for ID & credit card & poor thing could not find a credit card.
So, after being on the so called guest list, had to join another long line which were all guest list people. Sp pretencious and strange from the outside I said to my friend and the bouncers who possiblt make minimum wage – F**K you and went back to Century. Really screwed up place
August 2, 2010 at 2:53 am | by Peeok – then help! i need a place for a stagette. we’re all over 35 and all urban. and all want to dance. but loathe obvious 905′ers, and do not want to be surrounded by 20 year old PYTs. any recommendations????
September 5, 2010 at 5:15 pm | by gert.