Gay bars in Mississauga Ontario

(View of the now defunct Gay Equality in Mississauga social group, marching in Toronto Pride parade in 1990. An old boyfriend of mine Rob M., wearing a blue T-shirt and shorts, is helping to hold the banner at the other end is Ross Chapman in white shorts, now Treasurer of Pride Toronto, but when I knew him, was a shy geeky guy with no personality. He's not shy anymore, but still has no personality. Photo by Don Quixote)


Wednesday February 7, 2007 Inside Story Toronto - A new gay bar called simply T's is set to open in Mississauga Ontario, close to the border of the City of Brampton at 1001 Meyerside Drive at Tomkin (right on the North East corner) said owner Fred Fazzolari. Fazzalori is the owner of T L's Dining Lounge, and is getting help from Peel Pride organization. The bar will be open to queers Thursday to Sunday from 6 pm to close.

At present there are no gay bars in Mississauga, which is hard to believe. Mississauga is Canada's 6th largest city with population of more than 700,000. Mississauga is the home to Pearson International Airport, Canada's largest airport and only city in GTA, with access to seven major highways.

Gay bars in Mississauga come and go fairly regularly. Eager Beaver in Brampton, gay owned and operated, lasted a couple of months from September-December 2003, then went out of business. The owner of Sapphire Bar's at Dixie Rd and Matheson , attempted to start one in 2003, the bar is still there, the gay and lesbian patrons scattered.

I would be surprised if T's last more than 6 months. Since it's off the beaten track in an industrial area, supported by Mississauga gays and lesbians, who are notorious for failing support new gay establisments. It's now wonder so many of Mississauga's new gay bars fold in less than a year.

From the sound of this new place, you need a car to get to it. The longest surviving gay bar in Mississauga was Go West (formerly Buttons) at Lakeshore and Hwy 10, it lasted from 1992 to 1994. Residents could get to it fairly easily by public transportation, car and walk-ins, assuring it's long survival, well three years.

Still I hope this new place does well, and lasts, for more than a few months.

There not much for the GLBTQ community in Mississauga there is no social clubs to strengthen the community.

Many years ago Mississauga queer community had a strong political voice with a group called GEM ( Gay Equality in Mississauga) GEM folded in 1992, it hung around for about 15 years. I belong to GEM, they were glorious days, what with political activism and monthly community dances, held at the Unitarian Hall, South Service Road off Highway 10 and QEW. I marched in several Toronto Pride parades with GEM. Oh, for the good old days! ...Don_Q, editor

Update Monday May 19, 2008 - A Gay Rumour float by me today that T's Dining Lounge, 1001 Meyerside Drive. Mississauga's only gay bar, has gone out of business. Well I was partly wrong, it last a little over a year.