Tequila Bookworm closing in Toronto after 28 years because of rent hike

After nearly three decades on Queen West, the venerated beer bar, cafe and local hangout Tequila Bookworm has announced it will soon be no more. 

The owners of the longtime spot at 512 Queen St. West took to social media this weekend to announce that, thanks to increasing rent, Tequila Bookworm will shutter its doors for good at the end of January. 

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For the last 27! (28?) years we at Tequila Bookworm have loved serving you on Queen West. We have had the great joy and privilege to open our doors to you (yes, even you Belgian tourist on a Segway who tried to fight us) with food and drink and laughs and music over all these years. Queen Street has changed so much in our many decades on the block, and unfortunately it’s time to say goodbye. Due to a recent rent hike, we will be closing at the end of January. But not before we celebrate! Please come by in the next little while and say hello and good bye and stay tuned for our final jam(s)!

A post shared by Tequila Bookworm (@tequilabookworm) on Dec 14, 2019 at 9:10am PST

"Queen Street has changed so much in our many decades on the block, and unfortunately it's time to say goodbye," they said. 

The two-floored venue, which first moved to its current location from its original spot at 490 Queen St. West in 2007, has long been a local favourite for its homey vibes and sweet beer selection. 

this breaks my heart, in a retrospective kind of way... this place was a real refuge for me for years when i lived in toronto. thank you, tequila b, for being such a warm and welcoming space💚

— elise goyette (@goyette_elise) December 15, 2019

Regulars have flocked to social media to mourn the loss of yet another Toronto institution, felled by the beast that is the Toronto rent crisis. 

Shoot. Had some of the best beers of my entire life at tequila bookworm

— Jesse Wilks (@JesseWilks7) December 16, 2019

No concrete closing date has been announced, though Tequila promises a couple of going-away shebangs before it's gone for good. 

Goodbye, our beloved book-filled bar, it was good while it lasted.