Part 3: Trader Vic's (Hotel Toronto)
Trader Vic Bergeron was late to Toronto's Tiki scene just squeaking into Toronto's Golden Tiki Age in 1975 when he opened a Trader Vic's inside the newly built Hotel Toronto at 145 Richmond Street W.Toronto, Ontario
Though last to the TO scene His was the longest surviving Tiki Bar lasting from 1975-1993. For awhile it was the talk of the town playing host to many Athletes and Showbiz personalities inluding Anne Murray who booked her annual Christmas parties there for 15 consecutive years.
The Hotels' parent company operated by United Airlines which ran the company from 1970 to 1987, changing the hotel's name to the Toronto Westin in 1980. In 1987 it became the Hilton Harbour Castle and today it's simple known as the Toronto Hilton. Had it lasted a few more years it would have made it to the great Tiki revival of the late 1990's but sadly it faded away with little fanfare as Tiki itself had and now replaced by a Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Source: Globe and Mail, March 8, 1978: On dreary winter nights, when the scent of sunny islands is the only promise of springtime, this Polynesian hideaway is the ideal refuge. Those whose spirits aren’t raised by bamboo alone can relax in the arms of a giant rattan chair, and let the soft lights and silky Hawaiian music wash over them while sipping the fragrant—and fresh—fruit concoctions for which Trader’s is justifiably famous throughout the world. (A word of warning—the velvet hand of the bartenders with pineapple, mango, coconut and lime gentles liquor to a lethal whisper, but it packs more punch than navy grog.) – Toronto Calendar, in its 3/5 star rating of Trader Vic’s, December 1978..
(Pictured below are the Ads, Hotel, Ads, Articles, Today sourced from Jamie Bradburn's Tales of Toronto)
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