Halloween at Circa (Image: Divya Thakur)
Circa’s doors have been shut for a month, but today the Star is officially confirming that the John Street über-club has filed for bankruptcy.
A closed sign is posted on the club’s home page along with the message “Thank you for supporting us over the years”; Nelly Furtado’s “All Good Things (Come to an End)” plays in the background. The relationship between the “good things” and Circa remain unclear, although we’re pretty sure they are not referring to the nightclub’s $2.1 million in debt.
According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Circa closed because the creditor petitioned the licensee into bankruptcy, but the Star says insiders blame the closure on infighting, cutbacks and loans with high interest rates. Before the club opened in October 2007, it had already suffered a number of problems, including an 11-month wait for a liquor licence because its original owner, Cornwall native Peter Gatien, was deported from the States in 2003 after going to jail for tax evasion.
With filming for Tdot (the tentative name for Toronto’s Jersey Shore) scheduled for June, producers should start shopping around now for Circa alternatives that can provide a flashy backdrop for cast members’ smooshing.
• Circa nightclub declares bankruptcy [Toronto Star]
too bad not so sad. And really, Tdot, how creative.
April 22, 2010 at 1:25 am | by TorontoGirlThis club was the worst venue to see concerts. I cannot believe they weren’t forced close sooner. Actually. I’m surprised no one ever got trampled to death during a concert there. good riddance!
April 22, 2010 at 6:00 pm | by Toronto Jenthe building had No cell reception!!! With thousands of people how is anyone supposed to find their friends?
July 8, 2010 at 10:45 am | by mollyI am a huge fan of Peter Gatien clubs. But Circa was trying to bring a vibe to Toronto’s clubland that only really works in other cities where there is a very strong link between the arts and nightlife. Like the Guvernment, Circa had a very cool decor but they needed to concentrate on the music without putting art/lifestyle first – people go to these places to dance. The Superclub phenom is officially dead. RIP Circa.
July 13, 2010 at 3:16 pm | by briani dont know what any of you are talking about, circa was the club to clubbers guide. you shouldnt need a cell phone everywere you went cool people were their nd fun times were always rolling. the vibe was set and you all turned your backs on it. i suppoert circa all the way 100% and hope that the critics open up their eyes
March 5, 2011 at 11:24 pm | by ryelyI went there once. It was good.
September 21, 2011 at 4:39 am | by *requireThat was best club i went to in toronto. Every other clubs (upscale / downscale) are shithole. Toronto has pathetic club culture. Awful hip/hop crap music and ugly people in most clubs because options are less. I like spacious club not standing on sweat of people all the time. Unfortunately there was only one circa. Waiting for big club to open again. Government is teeny popper club with teeny bopper music.
December 3, 2011 at 11:59 am | by alexGatien… we miss you here in america :-(
April 5, 2012 at 9:15 pm | by Rich M