Think back to Toronto’s most unforgettable music venues, and a few legendary names likely stand out. Maybe it’s The Guvernment, a ravers’ paradise that closed in 2015. Or perhaps you think of The Big Bop, a famous purple venue known for its punk and rock parties on Queen West.
But if your first thought was Sparkles, the iconic disco that was housed on the Observation Level of the CN Tower, then we have some good news for you. For one night only, the city’s beloved discotheque is making a dazzling return. It’s a pop-up event that’s coinciding with the CN Tower’s 50th anniversary, and you definitely don’t want to miss it.
Whether you’re a disco lover or just getting into the scene, here is how Sparkles marked the disco era in Toronto.
The birth of Sparkles
The year was 1979, and the hair was big. Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” was dominating the charts, and a new horizon was approaching Toronto. Just three years after the completion of the historic CN Tower, a new sky-high discotheque on the Tower’s observation level was about to make history.
This is the birth of Sparkles. The club got its name thanks to Thornhill resident Judy Godsman, who won a Toronto Star contest to name the disco. Lauded as the highest nightclub in the world, the glittering new $75k space came complete with 50 strobe lights, neon tube lights, lasers, smoke machines, and of course, disco balls.
It even drew international attention, with The New York Times reporting on the Sparkles opening in a profile titled “A New High for Disco in Toronto’s Towers.” For decades, this would be the city’s most iconic dance venue, drawing disco lovers and even celebrities. I
Or, if you were this writer’s mother, Sparkles served as the fancy destination for your prom night in 1980 — dressed to the nines in a beige and black scoop neck taffeta dress with stiletto black heels.
Heavens Above
A lounge by day and a full-blown disco by night, Sparkles offered something for every kind of crowd. Sundays kicked off with swing and big band shows, while Mondays were reserved for “oldies night”. Sparkles also saw its fair share of jazz, with performances from Jim Galloway and The Metro Stompers, and even Michaele Jordana of The Poles, a Toronto band known for their 1977 hit single “CN Tower”.
At 346 metres high, Sparkles saw many different kinds of social scenes as the years went on into the post-disco era, including new wave and punk. So what was the DJ spinning? According to former Sparkles DJ Alan Gibson, the top songs included Pukka Orchestra’s “Cherry Beach”, Psychedlic Furs’ “Heart Beat”, and TalkTalk’s “It’s My Life”.
Sparkles even had its own signature cocktail: a quintessential ’80s concoction called Heaven’s Above. Made with amber rum, crème de cacao, coffee liqueur, and pineapple juice, it was shaken (not stirred) and served ice-cold in a novelty cup topped with a miniature CN Tower.
Sparkles 2.0
After closing out its legendary run in 1991, Sparkles is no longer just a memory.
On April 10, the iconic disco returns in pop-up form at the CN Tower, hosted by George Andrew — the club’s longest-running resident DJ — alongside his son, DJ Shamz. Expect a night of pure boogie.
There’s no guest list required. Access to Sparkles is included with general admission to the CN Tower, making it easy to drop in and dance the night away.
Whether you’re reliving the glory days or stepping onto the dance floor for the very first time, this is your chance to experience a piece of Toronto nightlife history.
Buy your tickets online or in person at the CN Tower and get ready for disco time!
Sparkles: A Retro Pop-Up
When: Friday, April 10
Where: CN Tower — Main Observation Level
Time: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (last entry at 10 p.m.)
Price: General admission tickets start at $47
