flip-book-test

Parkside Continental was
opened in 1973 by Vance
Campbell, a businessman and
gay bar owner from Vancouver,
and a few local partners. The
venue was named after one of
Toronto’s famous gay venues,
the Parkside Tavern. Most nights,
the last song of the night would
be Maureen McGovern’s song,
“The Continental”.
Eventually, the Parkside opened
a second bar, The Green Room,
which expanded into the upstairs.
In April of 1976, the Imperial
Sovereign Court of the Chinook
Arch was founded there. The very
first coronation would follow in
January of 1977.
The Parkside Continental ran
from 1973-1986. Its location
is currently home to Shelf Life
Books which opened in 2010.
1302 4TH ST SW
“Drag legend, Sandy St.
Peters who grew up in
Calgary and lived and
performed across Canada,
entertained occasionally
at the Parkside. After a
big Saturday night at the
bar, she would run across
the street to campily
welcome churchgoers
arriving Sunday morning
for early service at the
First Baptist Church.”
—Kevin Allen
PARKSIDE CONTINETAL
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