Owner Bernie Fiedler Genre(s) Folk music. Opened December 1964 | Type Coffeehouse Closed June 25, 1978 Capacity 120 | |
Location 134 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
Canada Similar Yorkville Village, Heritage Toronto, Yorkville - Toronto | ||
The Riverboat Coffee House was a Canadian coffeehouse located at 134 Yorkville Avenue in the Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. It was a key venue for folk rock music and singer songwriter music made famous for featuring high-profile acts, and is considered to be "the best-known coffee house in Canada." It opened in December 1964 and closed June 25, 1978.
Contents
History
The Riverboat was owned by Bernie & Patricia (a.k.a. Sola, a well-known artist) Fiedler. Located in a basement, its decor was modelled after the interior of a boat, featuring port hole windows and intimate booths. Legend has it that American protest singer Phil Ochs wrote one of his best-known songs, "Changes", on the back porch.
Notable performers
Numerous Canadian artists, including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Ian & Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn and Murray Mclaughlan played the Riverboat. A frequent stop on the touring circuit many American artists such as John Lee Hooker, James Taylor, Tim Hardin, Simon and Garfunkle, and Phil Ochs, also played dates.
Live albums recorded
Live at the Riverboat 1969 by Neil Young