Imperial Room

The 500 seat Imperial Room is a major events venue at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada. The hall is located at the Convention floor of the hotel and has hosted major events, such as addresses to the Empire Club of Canada, but was more important historically as one of the most famous nightclubs in the country.

Prior to renovations in the 1990s, and from its opening date, the Imperial Room was one of the most famous nightclubs in Canada. Situated on a north-south axis, visitors were welcomed into the room by legendary showbusiness maitre'd Louis Jenetta, famous for refusing Bob Dylan entrance because he wasn't wearing a tie; and booking agent, Gino Empry, manager of Tony Bennett for 12 years.

Descending a small flight of stairs into a large rectangular sunken area, round tables were waited upon by dozens of waiters and serving staff. Behind brass rails less important tables viewed the shows. An overly small rectangular stage to the north, with scarce elevation, hosted the grandest international and Hollywood stars, as well as big bands before a tiny pine-wood dancefloor.

The most famous legendary performances by popular American entertainers included: Marlene Dietrich and her farewell tour, the last performances of Johnny Hodges with the Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Pearl Bailey, Eartha Kitt, Peggy Lee, and the first appearances doing comedic impressions in 1982 of future Canadian star, Jim Carrey.

The circuit of grand nightclubs in Canada also included those at railway hotels such as: Chateau Lake Louise, Hotel Saskatchewan, Banff Springs, the Brant Inn in Burlington, Ont., the Savarin Tavern, and the Elmwood Casino in Windsor Ontario. The Imperial Room was always seen as the premiere of these.

External links

* [http://www.ginoempry.com/upclose_imperial.htm]