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El Mocambo
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
10 reviews for El Mocambo
The El Mo's been kicking around for a looooong time. I neither like or dislike it, it's just sort of "there." Let's put it this way: if I hear that a band I like is playing here, I'm both excited and not. Excited because I know it'll be cheap (under $12) and easy to get to (506 College or 510 Spadina streetcar) but underwhelmed because it's as dark as the cellar in Silence Of The Lambs, the sound quality is questionable and they try to force you to check your coat in the winter. And I really hate that.
I recently saw Telefon Tel Aviv now (deadly show) and the bass was so fucking loud that the projector broadcasting the visuals kept getting shaken right off the screen. As in, with each thump it'd get rattled an inch to the right until it was eventually projecting onto another surface entirely. A tech had to keep climbing up on a chair to readjust the projector. Needless to say, the sound quality need some work. Also file under: loud as fuck.
What's up with the weird, long front room as you enter? It's got a motorcycle on display, some plants, a few issues of NOW magazine and a couch that I've never seen anyone sit on. What is that even used for??
I have seen a lot of shows at the El Mocambo so regardless what I think of it as a venue, they put on enough quality shows to keep me coming back. Having said that, this is not exactly my favourite place to see a concert in Toronto. First of all, the men's washrooms on the main floor (in the basement) are absolutely revolting. One time I was there the urinals (there's only two) were flooded so you had to basically wizz while standing in puddles. Not cool. Plus the smell makes you want to gag.
Continuing with the downstairs: the sound is terrible. Depending on the genre and how on-point the sound man is you are not going to get the best quality when it comes to audio. Did I mention they also have no air-conditioning? They have a gigantic fan like the ones you see on the back of a hovercraft. The layout is just a bunch of random chairs to one side and tables on the other, with pillars in the middle. It all seems very random and disorganised to me.
If you thought the downstairs was bad, the upstairs is even worse. It's just a giant empty room with no character. In the back is a small bar that looks like it was made out of plywood. The sound is also terrible up there as are the bathrooms. If you are seeing a show at the El Mo and it's downstairs then consider yourself lucky. If you are in a band and you are booked upstairs? Prepare for a long night.
Also, it's located on the corner of College and Spadina with other fine establishments such as 7-11, Burger King and Popeye's. Uggh.
On the plus side! The staff there are friendly and fast. Plus this place was renovated a few years ago and it's a million times better as far as layout and appearance goes. But over the years since they re-opened they've not really kept up and now there are just random boxes stacked here and there. I don't think anyone cleans this place.
I don't want to hate on this place because it is a pretty cool spot and I had a hell of a time here but as a venue for bands it's kind of lacking.
Upstairs:
The stage is super tiny. The (abnormally long) room is divided in half by a unfortunately placed pillar. The acoustics are garbage. The sound system sucks.
The coolest thing about this place is behind where they have the stage there is what feels like a VIP lounge. Super cool spot to sit and have a drink at intermission.
Theres not much to be said since I've only been there once. It would be nice if they had a bit more seating in that huge empty space near the bar for those people who just want to chill out and enjoy the music. After all watching how some of the patrons dance is pretty awesome and hilarious all at once.
The music was really good when I went! (We seen Whiskey Collective)
I wouldn't rule out going to this place for another show, and I have already recommended it to my friends. Only now that I am writing a review did I really notice all the flaws while trying to be completely honest with all the readers. But to be completely honest I'd have to emphasize that you won't notice these flaws in the moment, you'll be too busy having a blast with your pals!
This place has definitely prettied itself up since that whole fearsome buyout debacle. After successful petitions and town hall meetings hosted by community flag-waver Olivia Chow, the El Mo remained a concert venue on the main floor, much to the heaving sighs of local live music fans.
Though it did keep its promise, the space has definitely lost its street cred and attracts way fewer punks (are there any punks left in Toronto?) than I remember seeing before. I hate to say it, but it's kind of lost the personal touch it had with the more intimate, ramshackle seat layout and stage off to the right: small to moderate sized crowds made the place cozy. In the reno'ed venue, with the stage at one end and a long empty space before the bar starts at the back, there's an empty awkwardness that lingers in the air.
At the same time, there's lots of tradition here. It holds vastly more people and attracts good quality local and international acts that should be getting more attention. Go on a weekend and don't waste your time in the back by the bar, standing away from the crowds.
I don't think I'm allowed to hate the El Mo. It's been around too long, it has too much history with the city, and it has too much history with me.
Smaller bands and dance nights generally happen on either the main floor or upstairs, and how good your night goes really depends on what you're going to see. The last concert I went to there was mind-blowing -- not only was I going to see one of my favourite musicians, but I was with good company and the place was quiet and insanely intimate.
I've been here for other things, from comedy shows to punk shows to dance parties, and the level of fun all depends on what's going on. The El Mo for sound quality is not amazing, but the El Mo for booze is great -- awesome bartenders and cheap prices. And they carry 50, so that means I can get as much beer as possible for my $20 bill.
If you're in the city, don't come to the El Mo just to go there -- odds are, you'll be stuck in the middle of an all ages show or something else lame and weird. But if you see something that looks fun, it probably will be, and the El Mocambo is a good place to see a great show.
Note: El Mo in the summertime = NO. I've had a couple nights where the upstairs was so hot I was covered in other people's sweat, and one night there was even a fire! (Maybe from the combination of dirty dancing and humidity? I say yes).
If you live and breathe in Toronto and are a fan of music, you must check out the El Mo at some point.
(Side note: I know how tired it is to ask someone if they like music. Everyone likes music. I just didn't want to start with: go check out their website and if you like the set list, you can't pass on The El Mocambo!)
My point is, the El Mo is a venue that's been around since the 50's. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Black Flag has made an appearance there; it's a true piece of T.O history. As such, if you live in this city or are visiting, it's a spot that has some great shows that is worth checking out.
Other good points: the cover charge is consistently lower than other concert venues, and while it has gone through a reno, still has the intimate feel lacking from other bigger places.
The El Mo is a venue that always seems to rented out by bands you've never heard of, making it consistently one of the best places to enjoy local music.
The El Mo has 2 floors. The main floor is dark and a bit grimey, but it has a huge concert venue space. It's so huge, that there could be bands playing, and you could easily sit by the window (past the bar) and have yourself a regular conversation. Of course, that's in plain view of the stage, so there's also a chance you'll be the subject of some ridicule from whomever has the mic. Just sayin'...
Upstairs is a smaller venue, and it has a bit of a homier feel to it, but one that quickly dissolves when it fills up. If there's lots of people, it'll be a party. I've seen the upstairs used for non-music things, like stand up comedy. It's a good venue for things like that, too.
The beers here are reasonably priced, with a bottle being in the $4 range.
The El Mo has been around since before dirt.
The Rolling Stones played there a lot as the story goes, and thus a legend is born.
As for the rest of it: it's two floors that hold about 400 at capacity each.
The old set up was far more rock and roll, the new is a bit like venue meets ballet class.
When I was in high school I used to go tot he all-ages shows, and as far as I know, they still do lots of them. I've been to some amazing concerts here, so has everyone from Toronto, but I have been to far more terrible ones.
The bartenders are nice, and quick, considering they pour pop from 2L bottles instead of off a pop gun.
There are no frills here at all. It's definitely a place for people who want to see a specific show or have a specific plan, not so much a spot that is consistent night after night or every weekend.
I went to a concert at El Mocambo yesterday. I didn't even know there was such a venue on the Spadina strip. I don't know what I would dub this joint, I guess concert venue, although I don't know if they have other stuff throughout the week.
First impression, not very good. The bouncer guy at the front was quite strict with my friend. She had a container of juice, which she packed from lunch (she came straight after work), and the guy made her dump it out! It actually was funny because he kept saying "if I open the bottle, will there be water". And confused, she kept saying "no, it's juice". This went on for a minute or so and finally she dumped it out.... So word of warning, do not bring outside food!
The concert was on the 1st floor. I didn't realize that there were multiple floors, the place is bigger than it looks! There are some seats on both sides, as well as a very low couch near the AV booth. That's where I spent the majority of the night. The venue is very cozy and seeing a band play there is awesome. There's some very sensual about being a small venue and so close to the stage.
Great couch, great music, pretty good venue!
While not my favorite venue in the city, you can't deny the presence and history that the El Mo brings to the table. For one thing, you can definitely feel the years won layers of blood sweat and tears that have gone into the many amazing shows that have gone down here.
The time of year when I think this venue really shines is during NXNE or any other large scale musical happening. With two floors often running simultaneous shows (often of wildly varying genre or quality), you can find a whole lot of different people thrown together for the love of the music. Considering the surroundings, it would seem odd to have it any other way.
I can't say that the bar itself holds any special or totemic sway, but I will say that the staff here are always professional while still maintaining a genial air, as one would hope that working at a venue like this would at the very least be an interesting experience. I wouldn't pick a random show to check out the El Mocambo, but if a band you like or know is playing here, it is definitely worth checking out. For my own experience I have definitely spent some time in the wee hours of the morning dancing away, even while the band is getting ready to pack up and head out.
