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| Neighbours say the Brunswick House, known as "the Brunny," is a roaring club that brings in vomiting 905ers. Dylan C. Robertson photo |
Toronto councillors voted Tuesday to oppose an Annex night club's expansion plans after numerous complaints from residents.
Earlier this month, Ye Olde Brunswick House applied for a liquor licence to increase its capacity from 502 patrons to 600. Community groups have mobilized against the proposal, complaining about noise, decency and safety concerns.
With billiard tables, concrete floors and large wooden booths, the 18th-century building at 481 Bloor St. W. was originally a student pub located steps from the University of Toronto's main campus. The Brunny, as it is commonly called by students, now only opens its doors Thursday to Saturday, from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
The club offers cheap drinks and advertises to young people across the GTA, with many coming in from outside the downtown core.
“It's a fun place that everyone knows about,” said Michael Bridge, a fourth-year French student at U of T Scarborough. “Students get a lot of stress; we need that place to relax, some kind of outlet.
Christopher Castillo, a third-year biotechnology student at Durham College in Oshawa, agrees. He visited the bar on weekends this summer and says it's a favourite spot he's willing to travel to.
“It's a great atmosphere; good prices. The music's good and the girls are crazy,” he said.
But Castillo admits the bar can be packed “like a crowded subway station” with lines of 50 people out the front door on weekends. It's because of this overflow that he supports an expansion.
“It's to the advantage of the businesses there,” said Castillo. “You could always not allow them to have more seats, but the customers are there anyways.”
But the Brunswick House has previously been charged with licensing and noise infractions. Local residents say there's little to gain from allowing more people into the club.
“You know when it's Thursday night. Your windows are shaking,” said Balvis Rubess, who has lived on Brunswick St. for 25 years and opposes any expansion of the club.
“We have enough noise and filth,” he said. “I don't think (the club) attracts a respectful clientele and the last thing we need is even more people.”
It's a story echoed by many who live nearby.
“We're totally appalled,” said Peter, a Brunswick St. resident who was uncomfortable giving a last name. “Kids are throwing up on our property every weekend. The whole neighbourhood's trying to get it all to stop.”
Peter said it's “more than just noise and puke” bothering local residents, citing the July 2009 murder of a 23-year-old man who was shot in the alley behind the bar.
Tuesday's motion, brought forth from a Toronto and East York Community Council meeting four weeks ago, was brought forth by Ward 20 councillor Adam Vaughan.
The motion requests the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario turn down the application, pointing to numerous complaints about “public drunkenness, public urination, vandalism, theft, noise and trespassing.” Incidents of public defecation have also been reported.
“Residents in the area are concerned for their safety because of what they perceive to be an increase in violence and vandalism,” the motion reads. It also asks that the city be made part of any licence appeal proceedings.
Not all patrons of the Brunswick House have witnessed the behaviour residents have complained about.
“I understand the concerns of the residents. My girlfriend lives downtown and gets a lot of noise pollution. So it's double-sided,” Bridge said.
“But it's not my crowd. I hear about (such incidents) later on from friends, but I don't see it with the people I go with,” he said.
The AGCO has yet to make a decision on the application, but condemnation from municipal authorities is often enough to thwart an application.
Brunswick House owner Abbis Mahmoud did not respond to a hand-delivered interview request.
The 18th-century building at 481 Bloor St. W. used to be a student pub, but is now a night club.
The Brunswick House has a posted a copy of its liquor licence application to add 25 per cent more seating.
Residents of the area say the club brings out-of-towners with no interest in the community. Complaints have ranged from vomiting to trespassing and public defecation.
Many residents of Brunswick St. have erected shrubs and gates to prevent intoxicated youth from trespassing. A man was shot to death in the alley behind the club in July 2009.
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