Goodbye, Guvernment: Toronto nightclub to host final party Sunday

Armin van Buuren is shown at the Guvernment in this photo shared on Twitter on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. (@The_Guvernment)

Canada’s largest nightclub has become a victim of Toronto’s condo boom, according to its owner.

The Guvernment will close its doors forever on Sunday, after 18 years in business.

The 22,000-square-foot venue has hosted rockers like the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Prince, but was best known for its huge electronic dance parties.

It’s no surprise, then, that its final blowout will feature two big electronic acts: Armin van Buuren and Deamau5.

Armin van Buuren, a Dutch trance DJ, has been spinning at The Guvernment for more than a decade. He will take the stage on Saturday night.

Deadmau5 will host on Sunday. The Niagara Falls-born DJ got his start in one of the venue’s smaller rooms before going on to headline festivals around the world.

Charles Khabouth, whose company INK Entertainment owns The Guvernment, says his best memories include watching a crowd of 5,000 go crazy for Armin van Buuren, and the time he ran into Lady Gaga in a back room.

Khabouth says the building, which is located on Queens Quay East across from Sugar Beach, will be demolished for a condo building and office tower. “That’s the evolution of big cities,” he said.

He says the building’s owner gave them no choice but to leave.

Khabouth recently bought Sound Academy, another large club on Toronto’s waterfront. He plans to host “Guvernment nights” there.

Still, he expects an emotional night Sunday when the last song plays.

“I’m 100 per cent sure there will be a lot of tears.”

With a report from CTV Toronto's Colin D'Mello