The iconic El Mocambo sign has returned to Toronto's Chinatown
It's official—El Mo is back. After a tumultuous journey of supposed permanent closures, ownership changes, and re-opening dates that never happened, it looks like the legendary music venue is gearing up to open its doors at last.
El Mocambo's neon palm tree sign was unveiled in mint condition today—it's actually a brand new sign, albeit identical—and successfully hoisted onto the El Mo building once more.
The famous El Mocambo sign is back in #Toronto in the heart of Chinatown where it belongs pic.twitter.com/U3n15zPG5E
— blogTO (@blogTO) November 12, 2018
A construction team delivered and lifted the sign up using a towering crane, blocking off the sidewalk and bike lanes on Spadina just south of College while crowds stood by to watch.
The arrival of the sign comes just in time to celebrate the music hall's 70th anniversary.
Renovations on the El Mocambo's interior are still underway so it's hard to tell exactly when it'll re-open.
What we do know is that it'll look a lot different than the venue where the likes of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and most iconically The Rolling Stones in 1977, once graced the stage.
And for those who want to take part in some Toronto history, make sure to check out the sign's official re-lighting ceremony on November 15.
Tanya Mok
