Toronto wants to save Sneaky Dee's for good after thwarted redevelopment

The City of Toronto is making a push to permanently protect local dive bar Sneaky Dee's from redevelopment following a scrapped attempt to redevelop the venerable watering hole at Bathurst and College.

Locals were up in arms over a planned redevelopment of Sneaky Dee's, though the application to redevelop the property was ultimately withdrawn by the applicant on July 3 due to the mistaken inclusion of the RBC bank branch next door in the application, which is under separate ownership from the contested bar.

Patrons were elated following the withdrawal of the application in July, but it's not the first time Sneaky Dee's has been targeted in the crosshairs of developers, though city councillors Dianne Saxe and Josh Matlow are trying to make sure it was the last time.

A new motion from Saxe, seconded by Matlow, seeks to initiate a heritage study for Sneaky Dee's, which could result in the property at 431 College St. being granted protections from future demolition.

The proposed heritage designation study would result in the property's evaluation for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, which protects the design elements of buildings with cultural heritage value – though does not prevent redevelopment outright.

The motion notes that "Sneaky Dee's is a historically and culturally significant music venue," which, for generations, "has been a launching pad for local artists, a gathering place for friends and neighbours."

"It is one of those places that gives our city its character," argues the motion.

And that very character is part of what pushed thousands of local residents to band together in an effort to thwart the redevelopment.

"Residents organized. Musicians spoke out. Neighbours filled meetings, signed petitions, shared ideas, and refused to accept that one of Toronto's most beloved cultural institutions should disappear into yet another condo without exhausting every possible option," the motion reads.

"For everyone who has ever discovered a new band at Sneaky Dee's, fallen in love, celebrated with friends over a plate of nachos, or simply believes Toronto should protect the places that make our city unique, this reprieve is worth celebrating."

The motion will be considered by City Council at its July 29-31 meeting. If adopted, the motion would direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning to evaluate the property for designation and report back to the Toronto Preservation Board, the Planning and Housing Committee, and City Council during the first quarter of 2027.