Retro restaurant and venue opens in iconic Toronto building
Published October 31, 2025 at 3:38 pm
A Toronto landmark has just opened a new venue with an old-school twist.
The Gladstone House, a Queen Street West institution best known for its iconic hotel, as well as a roster of performance spaces, has seen numerous incarnations in its 136-year history.
Its newest addition, Cassette, which is replacing the former Melody Bar, aims to supply the area with a standard of hospitality and artisanship that the building has become known for, while also evoking a cozy diner-style vibe perfect for any season.
The menu features classics such as burgers, steaks, and schnitzel, all elevated by expertly sourced ingredients and a cocktail menu that keeps pace with every dish, even boasting the “dirtiest martini in the neighbourhood,” according to management.
[A peek at Cassette’s knockout menu. Photo: Cassette]
“It’s meant to be food that’s familiar, a little nostalgic, and done really well. The menu takes cues from diner classics but reworks them with a lighter touch and better ingredients. The cocktail program follows that same idea: simple, confident, and timeless, with a few playful twists,” Alicia Too, Regional General Manager of The Broadview Hotel and Gladstone House, told yourcitywithIN.com via email.
Beyond what is on the menu, Cassette is also aiming to maintain the space’s history as a venue, with a stage that will feature karaoke nights, local acts, and a roster of intimate live shows unlike anywhere in the city.
“From DJ parties, live music performances from local collectives like Soul Suite, comedy with our own team member Kensai, fashion events, karaoke, and of course, our monthly Dinner & Drag with Tynomi Banks. What makes Cassette different is that the performances aren’t treated like side events, but they’re part of the space’s identity,” Izzy Ogieva, Programming Manager for Cassette, told yourcitywithIN.com via email.
[Showtime at Cassette. Photo: Cassette]
Ogieva continued to note that, from the ground up, Cassette has been designed to be an accessible experience, where guests can pop in for a quick drink, and then find themselves staying for a selection of shows that highlight the incredibly diverse selection of artists Toronto has to offer.
As for decor, the design team for Cassette didn’t waste any time, as while the space is lined with booths that nail the retro feel alongside its bar space, the venue is also designed with the interior of the building in mind, complementing the over a century old infrastructure with a focus on making both the restaurant and venue mesh in such a storied space.
“We wanted the space to feel timeless rather than themed, blending the building’s historic architecture with a sense of modern energy. That connection to art also continues through original works by local artist Erin McGean, whose retro-inspired images with a contemporary twist perfectly mirror the restaurant’s aesthetic,” Lee Petrie, art curator for the space, told yourcitywithIN.com via email.
As for what the team behind Cassette wants to see this space become known for as it forges its own identity, team members like Too — in a city known for noisy spaces that come and go — wants to keep things as simple as possible, stating, “It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about doing the basics really well and creating an atmosphere where people want to linger.”