The Guvernment

To bad this place closed its doors I wanted to go again. I’ve had many great memories here; even though I’ve only been here a handful of times. Great club, great city, great people… now what? Overpriced condos I bet!

Guv — RIP
This seems pointless since my second home closed in January but damn — will I miss this place! Good times and great memories but, it’s probably for the best. Good riddance GUV, see you in another life

It’s closed now… back in the day it was quite the venue.

Great place. Visiting from London UK and enjoy my EDM. This place definitely compares to some of London’s super clubs like Fabric and Egg.
I was concerned slightly as I heard bad things about the rude staff so I tried being extra polite to the staff to not cause any aggro. Security were fine, they just give very short sharp answers but I did have a disagreement with the guy checking tickets as I was uncertain he was legit and he grabbed my ticket but I apologised to the rude guy as I was not letting him ruin my night. Bar staff were very nice, especially one lady who was super polite and smiling all night.

We came here during [Canadian] Thanksgiving weekend for their 18^th Anniversary party for Henry Fong, Tommy Trash & Benny Benassi. The line was wrapped around the block and we were able to line cut for $ 20 CAD per person. It was extremely crowded to the point where we couldn’t move, so our experience was less than enjoyable. The crowd was young but the energy was great. The sound system and the lighting effects were mediocre. A cool special effect was when the room filled with fog which was so intense, you could barely see anything. Drinks were decently priced. When you’re ready to go home, there is an abundance of cabs surrounding the vicinity.
Overall, Guvernment an «A-​OK» experience and I’m glad that I finally was able to check out this world famous club before it closes its doors permanently in January.

NOOOOO IT’S CLOSING DOWN SOOOON :(
Eat sleep rave repeat while you still can, kiddies! .And by kiddies, I mean kiddies. Bouncers aren’t strict at all, which is good for you if you’re a little high school kid but horrible for everybody else because how awkward would it be seeing a ¹⁶⁄₁₇ year old at a club. I always see short asian boys wandering around, and you can just TELL that they’re underage. Gross. Probably won’t be revisiting guv before it closes just because I don’t want to pull a ‘accidental pedophilia’ case.
Other than that, I don’t have much negativity towards guvernment! It’s always a fun time and the music is amazing. People that like raves, but don’t have the $ to go to the bigger events — just come here a lot and it’s around the same. Almost. The DJ’s are usually on point and know how to drop a beat. EDM lovers, this is your place.
I love how big this club is, It feels like I’m never done «exploring» when I’m here, I end up on every side of the room and I’m ok with that. I dance everywhere and fist pump until I can no longer move, and I still want more.
The crowd here is a lot better than your typical clubbing crowd, the douchebag factor is minimal because most people here are only here for the music — of course there are still horny assholes everywhere you go and ratchet girls peeing in the parking lot (yes, this was witnessed), but other than that he atmosphere is INSANE.
I don’t know how much drinks are here because I’ve never paid for it (*hair flip* lol just kidding) but bartenders are pretty attentive.

The Guv is one of the oldest nightclubs in Toronto. I highly recommend you go here before it closes and falls to the sad demise of condos. I was here a few weeks ago for a friends birthday. Everytime I go to the club I always get bottle service therefore my experience is guranteed to be top notch! (Ballin outta kuntrol is always fun!) There were about 25 ppl in our group and we booked bottles in the Main Room. The hostess, security guards, and ticket ppl were all very very friendly towards us. Seeing how we were dropping a Mortgage payment on one night they usually treat us like gold which is the way it should be.
Our booth was spacious right near the stage and our mixes, ice, and anything else we needed throughout the night was quickly attended too. The Music was amazing and it got super packed around midnight. It was all EDM all night and we could see nothing but fog, glowsticks, and flashing lights.
The cool thing about the Guv is that this place is MASSIVE. It has 5 rooms that play a variety of music to your liking. Try not to get lost in the maze of the Guv and you will have a great time! Get bottle service when you go and I gurantee that you will have a great time!

Monday, September 1, 2014:
DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist! Their first stop on the tour where they played Afrika Bambastta’s records.
(Truly excellent show – the best DJ gig I have ever witnessed.)
For a huge space where the emphasis is more on dancing than standing and watching, this place is good. I was able to get a drink easily enough at the beginning and didn’t have to pay too much for it. Security seemed fine. Sight lines were OK. Sound was good. Again, this isn’t the 4 Seasons, right?
I was even able to get a bus for the ride home.
I’d go again if somebody was playing that I really wanted to see.

Always a good time coming here. I’m really sad that it will be closing at the end of the year. Summer here is always fun at skybar on the rooftop patio. But sometimes it can smell a bit strange being so close to the water. They always have great Street food after parties and I don’t just mean hot dogs, but Jamaican food, as well! The drinks here are really pricy though compared to other bars and clubs, so sometimes bottle service is your best bet. The loblaws parking lot can be extremely overpriced so try some of the other lots nearby. Check it out for an event before the end of the year.

I have been to my fair share of nightclubs, and Guvernment beats its competition… No wonder it’s been around for about 17 years or so, whereas most nightclubs shut down in about 3. It’s sad that this entertainment complex is finally going to close its doors on generations of its fanbase. But it’s been a great journey, nevertheless.
Why the Guv did as well as they did?
1. Catered to a larger demographic — from underaged teens trying to get in, to mid 20s and 30s.
2. Live music /​concerts — well known DJs and artists performed in this complex.
3. The Euro feel — outdoor patio, fun crowd that don’t just come out to clubs to grind on strangers. I’ve had some pretty amazing conversations with people on this patio.
4. Non-​creepy men — I haven’t come across pick-​uppers at Guv, as much as I do at other clubs.
5. No perfect 10s in their 6 inch heels — they don’t come to Guv either.
People go to Guv for the music, and for a really good time. And that’s it. And that’s what I’ve most enjoyed about this place.

«GOT THAT MONEY IN THE BANK, SHAWTY WHATCHA DRANK!!!»
I’ve been to my share of nightclubs over the years, but somehow none seem to be able to entice the older, more boring version of myself… except Guvernment of course.
The first time I came to this Club? Lounge? Entertainment Complex? whatever, I was 18 (yes, I am aware the legal drinking age in Ontario is 19… I had a life before you Unilocalers knew me), newly Greek, and ready for a killer weekend. The hot and trending song of the moment was understandably «Money in the Bank» by Young Buck and it was definitely part of the playlist on my maiden voyage here.
To date, that night is the only night I have ever 1. drank to the point of throwing up at a club and miraculously rallied, continued drinking, and kept the night going. 2. Didn’t have Rol Jiu after a night out in TO, and 3. Managed to keep my skirt from exposing myself. That’s right, no young skanky exposure is a milestone in itself. Of course I later totally voided that out at Afterlife… ah story for another time.
Regardless, this place is insane. It’s packed, as in, you will lose your friends almost immediately if you don’t tether yourself firmly to them. In addition it’s a very popular venue for extremely popular artists which attracts an even larger crowd.
What I am most impressed about is that it’s still open. This place has outlasted Circa and many other insane clubs and it’s still going strong. This is literally the only constant in my former life of my annual trip spending Caribana weekend partying with other Greeks in TO. To me, that says something. I’ve seen clubs in many cities worldwide die off, and disappear altogether. Whatever The Guvernment is doing is clearly working for them.
All I know is that the next time, I rally myself (and my liver) into making another trip to Toronto, I’ll definitely make it a point to stop here. If you haven’t been and you’re up for a wild night, this place should be on your list!

The only reason why I come here is to support my favourite A-​list DJs. Regular Guv nights with their resident Dj Mark Oliver isn’t the greatest. Their style of music is more like elevator house music where I live for the drops. Guv is pretty good with attracting A-​list artists, previous performers include: Armin, W&W, Myon and Shane 54, Cosmic Gate, Bingo Players [now bingo player, rip paul :’(], many many many more.
The sound system is by far the best I’ve been to comparing to all the nightclubs I’ve been to, including New City Gas in Montréal. Lights, my fellow ravers will know what I’m talking about, what can beat lasers corresponding to the beat of the music?. plus when it gets super hot in there, cooling nitrogen air will spray out when the beat drops !!!
Tips for virgin ravers:
1. Girls, DONT WEAR HEELS. You won’t survive, and we don’t want to be stepped on, I would highly recommend a pair of beat up gym shoes. Any new shoe entering Guv will become an old beat up pair in one night.
2. Wear comfortable attire — trust me, no one is paying attention to what you’re wearing.
3. Keep your phone close by: there are many people pick pocketing, so avoid putting your phone in your back pocket.
4. Girls, Don’t wear a gigantic purse: you will have your stuff stolen, and it’s super annoying to carry around.
5. Please wear deodorant: you WILL sweat.
6. Sleep before the event, as party doesn’t die till 5am.
7. If your energy level is still high at 5am, there are many after hour venues such as comfort zone.
8. Main DJ usually come on around 12−1am, but the room will be packed at 11:30, so arrive early!
9. Be prepared to be pushed around, it’s chest-​to-​chest in there!
10. If you have sensitive hearing, wear ear plugs. Your ear will ring for 3 days after.
11. Wear sunglasses. There are many people in the crowd giving lightshows!
12. DON’T BREAK THE SEAL: busy nights at guv means LOOONNNNNNGGGG washroom line ups!
Hope these help!
Peace. Love. Unity. Respect.

If you are coming to guvernment expecting an up-​scale classy nightclub. You are in the wrong place.
Yes, it’s a ‘nightclub” but nothing is really nightclubby about it unless you consider a whole bunch of people getting together to party nightclubby.
I will further define what a whole bunch of people getting together to party means.
Music — The sound system here cannot be beat by any other nightclub in Toronto. They have the best local talents. This is what we come for.
Clothing — It don’t matter what you’re wearing. I normally wear the oldest running shoes I own, tank top and shorts.
People — Yes there are quite a bit of OGs coming. Again this is not your typical club where usher wants to make love in
Lights — Need I mention how awesome the lights go with the music?
Space — 4 rooms each with a different style and lights.
If the DJ doesn’t matter to you, or you must look a 10 out of 10 with heels and push-​up bra or suit and tie, if you mind partying with older people, and if you just want to dance in a confined dark place. Sorry honey, the guvlife is not for you.
Not saying these people are stuck up but people don’t like change and want to stick with what they’re used to (top 40s, young hormone filled adults and lots of booze) right?
Of course there are stuff they can work on, coat-​check, line-​ups and service blah blah but we are lucky to have a place like Guv so close to home. Tourists love this place and why can’t we?

Out of all the other venues in Toronto this one by far the best one that offers a huge space for a rave to happen especially when they include the koolhaus side its honestly the best ive seen. Although I am looking forward to see how the Solaris winter music festival at the direct energy centre will do which I have high hopes for but all ages not really in the mood to see little kids playing tag at like the other event at the better living centre for Avicii.
Im very deeply sadden to hear about the closure of guvernment although I have a love and hate relationship with this place but mostly when we are in the front we tend to stay away from all the drunk and obnoxious people. Its great how recently guvernment is bringing DJs from around the world I really look forward to seeing Tommy Trash on Dec 21 and W&W for new years!
I really hate when youre in the main room of the guvernment since its usually really packed for example when Afrojack was here for GUV17. Literally there was no space to move around anywhere but koolhaus side had a decent amount of space to move around. I assumed everyone just wanted to see Afrojack for the hell of it. I suggest you check this out before its gone!!!

The Good: There has yet to be a club in Toronto (since System closed down) that can rival their sound system. The lights are pretty impressive. When it’s not crammed and there’s enough dance room, you’ll thoroughly enjoy everything and possibly everyone that’s around you.
It’s been open for over 16 years for a reason. It was revamped 5 years ago with a swankier exterior (compared to the once was more properly named «Warehouse») with top to bottom lights while moving the DJ from the top right floor to the more central stage. Makes for better pictures, I’m sure. And there really isn’t any other venue that has pulled in the amount of talent and big names in EDM like this club has for this long.
With the option to open up the Kool Haus, the all-​access is worth it just to come to the club once if you haven’t been.
The Bad: It’s a sardine can. Don’t get me wrong, that’s probably proof that this club after so many year is still thumping hard, but it often gets to the point of beyond capacity. The temperature can and will make you feel like you’re a hot yoga studio with people pushing and sweating all over you. If you’re up for that, to each their own. Let’s just say, sobriety won’t be your friend if you want to stay the whole night.
During the winters, they don’t turn on the heat lamps outside in the smoking area. So what’s the point of having them there?
The Overall: It just isn’t the same like it use to be 10 years ago. The crowd has changed (inevitably). Bottle service tables take up half the dance floor now. What is now the stage use to be where all the party-​goers could just hang out.
Yes, the age of the crowd is hard to gauge. In one corner, you’ll see 40 – 60 year olds. At the front you’ll see 19 – 22 year olds. Dispersed through out the club will be all the other ages. Can’t say that happens at other clubs.
Tip — go upstairs to the lounge where you can overlook the whole main room (if it’s open). There’s more air and space up there. If you can, just get your tickets ahead of time. Line-​ups are going to be long, no question. Even when you have a ticket you’ll have to wait a good 30 – 45 minutes during all-​access events.
Revisit: Only if there’s a DJ that I’m dying to see that I know won’t be playing elsewhere.

Short version: Long wait time no matter how early you get here, and the bouncers and line/​crowd control staff are rude and obnoxious. Cover and concert tickets at the door border on ridiculous, so always buy in advance. Getting in is a pain but once you do, its hugeee and always fun. Great EDM/​House venue.
Long version: The basic summary of every experience at the Guv — it’s an absolute blast, IF you overlook the ridiculous wait time to get in and the ridiculous cover. Seen Steve Aoki, Deadmau5, Dada Life, and Benny Benassi — they have a lot of great EDM concerts.
I’ve been to at least four concerts in the past two months, and I can tell you every time has been about the same. First off, getting here is a bit of a pain. I’ve never tried to drive, but public transit is very annoying. Supposedly, there’s at least two bus lines that drop you off right at the door, but they come like once every 30 minutes and I’ve only managed to catch it once. In the end, we always just get fed up of waiting and walk; the Guv is located in the middle of nowhere, so it’s a realllllly sketchy walk past 15 minutes of abandoned warehouses, wolf-​whistling hobos and parking lots, especially at night in heels.
The line to get in is such a perfect experiment in price elasticity it should be in an economics textbook. The regular line to get in moves at a glacial pace — there have been times when I’ve arrived at 11pm and waited two hours to get in. You wonder why the line is moving so slowly, then you realize that people can pay the bouncers $ 20 – 30 a person to cut the line (this is just for the line, so in addition to cover or a concert ticket!!).
This would be fine BUT the bouncers give the line cutters preference, so if it’s a big enough event they end up totally ignoring the main line because they’re too busy checking the shorter, second line of payers that has formed. The longer the wait in the regular line, the more people get fed up and just opt to pay instead, and the even slower the regular line moves. It’s such a weird system but it literally has happened every single time I’ve been here.
ALLLWAYYYS, I repeat always buy your tickets in advance, either online or via a promoter. Prices at the door are obscenely inflated — at the Benny Benassi concert, tickets were $ 30 online (plus a $ 4 service fee) the evening of. At the door, they were $ 60 — that’s a 100% markup (!!!). They also don’t really honor guest list, or those «free if you’re wearing neon/​swimwear/​white» advertisements. They search at the door very thoroughly — we’re talking pockets, wallets, everything.
Once you get inside, it’s hugeeee. I always have an awesome time once I get in — the woe and boredom of waiting in line is quickly forgotten. Fantastic lights, great sound system, energetic crowds.

Really shady and really busy. Bouncers are the rudest i’ve ever met (i guess that’s likely to happen at a busy place like this). Pretty much everyone in there looks 19 at the oldest, i felt like an old creep at 25. It’s massive inside, if you go with friends pick a meeting spot because you’ll definitely get separated.
Smoking area is like a 25′ by 25′ pen that they stuff everyone into.
Seems to be a tourist thing. People visit Toronto and don’t know where to go, so they go to Guvernment. Other than for a special event i don’t think i’d ever recommend anyone go here.

This club is pretty shady. I came here with friends after Sensation at Rogers Centre. We paid $ 20 to get in the door, and were immediately ushered onto a crowded dance floor. The DJ was great, but it was so dark inside you rely entirely on strobe lights to temporarily illuminate the bar so you can find your way. I don’t know Toronto and I’d never been here before, but it felt like there was a very strong gang presence at Guvernment which made me nervous. The next day I learned that there had been a shooting here only a few weeks before. Yikes! Nevertheless, I feel obligated to give The Guvernment 2 stars because I did have a good time here. Music was fun, and while the crowd seemed a bit rough, nobody started anything. Maybe I’ll be back?

Ghetto. It felt like something that would have been REALLY cool if I were 19 or 22 or so and wanting to party/​dance my face off bouncing around with other really excited sweaty folks. But I’m not 19. I’m not 22.
The rooftop could have been nice… but when we went, it was packed with very little air anywhere (and yes, it’s outside on the roof… and it was that packed).
No thanks.

I now give Guv a 3.5÷5 because of the amazing time I had at Glow 2012 this past weekend.
My friend and I got in line around 11ish and didn’t get in a bit after midnight. That was already annoying because we were already sobering up. Afterwards, we find out that we had to pay the $ 20 cover. This made me very annoyed because it clearly says on their website that if you wear neon coloured clothing and get in before 1, you would get in free. I told this to one of the girls who worked there and she said it was at midnight. False advertising!
Besides those two things that lowered my rating, the Glow party was awesome! We fist pumped all night that my shoulders were sore the next day and I lost 1 lb (y). It was pretty busy inside but not as packed as the Benny Benassi concert in February. And of course I showered as soon as I got home.
Would I go back for their next Glow party? Definitely! I’ll just make sure I get in super early.