Toronto Bar Pegasus On Church recently marked 30 years in the village of the church-Wellesley village and developed in 1995 from its modest beginnings as a billiard lounge into a community hub that highlights the unique programming and an inviting space for the LGBTQ community offers.
Pegasus originally had Pegasus Billiard Lounge north of its current location. The bar was founded by Robert Knight and Michael Dorman and after four successful years moved to their current address in Church Street, which enabled expansion and more programming.
Christopher Hudspeth, who entered the company as a bartender in autumn 2005, officially took over the ownership of the HR 2013 and is currently acting as President and General Manager of Pegasus.
Despite the successes, the journey of the bar at 30 years was not without hurdles. During the pandemic, Hudspeth served as chairman of the Kirchen-Wellesley Village Bia and worked hard to urge the local government on wage subsidies and rent subsidies for commercial space, especially for small companies.
In 2020 he wrote a warm letter to local politicians and council members to examine the emotional and financial burdens that companies were confronted with at that time.
“I'm sitting here today, almost broken … and look at the end of our livelihood,” wrote Hudspeth at the time. “Pegasus on Church has been an integral part of the LGBTQ community for 25 years now and is more than just a bar. It is one of the few historical meeting points for LGBTQ people that are left in Toronto.”
Although he started again when the CECRA program (Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance) was introduced, he felt defeated when the landlord of Pegasus said he had no interest in taking it into account.
While the bar was faced with many challenges during this time, they finally survived the storm thanks to its loyal customer base.
“We recovered well,” said Hudspeth to Blogto. “We have a good core community that is very supportive. For many people in the city center who live in small rooms, this is a certain extension of their living room where they come together with friends.”
Over the years, the bar has introduced the addition of games such as Ping Pong and Shuffleboard to keep things fresh, as well as thematic events like Dirty Bingo on Tuesdays and are smarter than the Scottish Guy Trivia Thursdays.
“Further programmed events are definitely helping to bring people out and create a sense of community,” said Hudspeth. Another significant change in recent years has been the introduction of sober options for customers.
“Even if you are not a drinker, you still have the opportunity to feel part of the night with your friends when you are on the go.
At the event that took place last Sunday for the 30th anniversary of the bar, many Pegasus tribe guests were visited. Those who could not participate were still trying to thank and congratulate Hudspeth, including a particularly touching note of a man in England who had hit his partner at Pegasus years ago.
“He felt bad that he couldn't make it for the event, and he wanted to congratulate me and thank me for ensuring that Pegasus was still there and reminded me that he and his partner were still there a few years ago Had hit, “said Hudspeth. “It has a special place for you.”
Hudspeth reflects on the endurance of the bar over the years and summarizes the essence of Pegasus with the same slogan that they have been living for years: “Where friends meet”. It is a message that is still hugging Hudspeth.
“It is certainly what we have to do here,” he said. “Pegasus is a place where they meet with their friends, meet new friends and a feeling of community for themselves and the larger community can create the LGBTQ and grow.”
Pegasus in the church is located in the 489b Church St.