Rebel (entertainment complex)
 | |
| Former names | Docks Nightclub & Concert Theater (1996–2007) Sound Academy (2007–2016) |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 Polson St Toronto, ON M5A 1A4 Canada |
| Location | Lower Don Lands |
| Coordinates | 43°38′27″N 79°21′17″W / 43.6409°N 79.3548°W |
| Owner | PowerHouse Corporation |
| Operator | INK Entertainment |
| Capacity | 3,900 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | June 1996 |
| Renovated | 2004, 2016 |
| Website | |
| rebeltoronto | |
Building details | |
| General information | |
| Renovated | January 3 – September 28, 2016 |
| Renovation cost | $10 million |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | Studio Munge |
| Other designers |
|
| Main contractor | Kintel |
Rebel (commonly stylized as REBEL) (originally the Docks Nightclub & Concert Theater and then Sound Academy) is a nightclub and concert venue located on the Polson Pier in Toronto, Canada. Relaunched in October 2016 as Rebel Night Club, the complex is on the edge of Lake Ontario, overlooking the Toronto city skyline. The main room has a 65-foot stage with an installation of LED video walls, as well as outdoor grand terraces. The mezzanine hosts the central bar which includes built-in seating.
The venue opened as "the Docks Nightclub" in 1996. A major renovation in 2016 split the venue into four rooms: "The Main Room", "Noir", "Savage" and the "Purple Room". The entire venue (as a whole) can house 3,700, with the concert venue holding up to 2,500 spectators.
Overview[edit]
The club has gone through several ownership changes over the past two decades. After former Docks owner Jerry Sprackman lost his liquor licence, Polson Pier Entertainment (PPE) took over. A newly formed company called Maya Corp. applied for the liquor license.[1] Charles Khabouth owns 42.5% of Maya, his business partner Daniel Soberano and a group controlled by PPE each own 25%, and Ralph Soberano owns 7.5%. Venture capitalist Michael Kimel soon entered the picture and started a new company with Khabouth and others named "Powerhouse".
At the end of 2015, Khabouth began a reported $10-million renovation of the complex (which was then called Sound Academy) and the adjoining outdoor Cabana Pool Bar.[2] After 10 months, the complex reopened under the name Rebel.[1] The Rebel complex has four rooms, a 65-foot stage, LED video walls, a grand terrace overlooking the city skyline, and a central bar.[3]
Revolution Saturdays[edit]
Rebel is well known in Toronto for their weekly episodic series known as Revolution Saturdays. DJ Jed Harper and MC StokesTheMC are paired together weekly in the Main Room. Rebel has various promoters that push this event weekly, including popular international promoter BestTorontoClubs (Rebel Venue Listing). Through the large-scale promotion that Rebel puts out, this weekly Saturday event averages 1700-2400 guests attending. Rebel has also been known to elicit local and international celebrity talent for events; such as Drake, Future, DJ Pauly D, Tyga, ASAP Rocky, Swae Lee, T-Pain, Justin Bieber, 50 CENT, Lil Jon, Steve Aoki, Sheck Wes, DaBaby, French Montana, Cardi B, Tiesto, Pete Tong, Loud Luxury, ASAP Ferg, Lil Tecca, Dr. Fresch and many others.
During Revolution Saturdays, Rebel operates at least 3 of the 4 rooms: The Main Room, The Purple Room, The Savage Room, and, from time to time, the NOIR Room. The NOIR room will also sometimes house a guest DJ and operate on a different ticket system. Most of the time, however, patrons are invited to visit all 4 rooms with one entry ticket. The cover charge for these events is typically $20.00 CAD but is also subject to change based on the event. Certain promoters (like the previously mentioned BestTorontoClubs) offer free guestlist options, where ladies can enjoy a night out at Rebel for no charge.
Major events hosted[edit]
- July 22, 2018: Slammiversary XVI, a professional wrestling event produced by Impact Wrestling.[4]
- April 28, 2019: Rebellion, a professional wrestling event produced by Impact Wrestling.[5]
- April 16, 2023: Rebellion, a professional wrestling event produced by Impact Wrestling.[6][7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Ritchie, Kevin (February 3, 2017). "Rebel resurrects battle over noise on Toronto's waterfront". NOW. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Smee, Michael (January 18, 2017). "Residents fear a 15,000-person nightclub could appear on the old Docks site". CBC News. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Ritchie, Kevin (August 25, 2016). "Goodbye Sound Academy, Hello Rebel". NOW. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Boone, Matt (April 23, 2018). "Impact Wrestling Announces Slammiversary XVI Coming To Toronto This July". eWrestling. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (February 2, 2019). "Impact Wrestling's next PPV set for Toronto". F4WOnline.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (January 13, 2023). "IMPACT Wrestling Announces Rebellion 2022 PPV Date". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Pollock, John (January 14, 2023). "IMPACT returns to Toronto for Rebellion on 4/16". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.