Club Abstract

This was one of the best places to go out to drink and dance and have fun in the region. Didn’t matter if you were dressed to the nines or dressed goth or just came in your pj’s, Club Abstract was a place for everyone, regardless of background to mingle. It was sold to another owner in 2015 who ran it for a bit as a club on weekends and a rentable space during the week, but it was a shadow of it’s former self, and eventually closed.

Not yet certain what the exact plan is for the building. Construction fencing is up around the property but no work has begun.

From an article in The Record:

It's been 24 years since Michael Ibrahim opened Club Abstract and he's decided it's time to throw in the bar towel.

For more than two decades, Club Abstract has been the go-to alternative nightclub in Kitchener drawing generations of clubgoers.

Ibrahim said he was starting to serve the children of people he served two decades ago.

"I wanted to leave before serving their grandchildren," He joked.

Turning 60 this year, Ibrahim decided to retire, close Club Abstract and lease out the building to a new club slated to open May 1 — one week after Club Abstract serves its last round of drinks.

He feels good about passing the torch to young club owners, but it will be bittersweet for throngs of loyal customers and longtime staff who were like family to Ibrahim.

He was deeply moved by the flood of social media messages from customers and staff.

"I'm really touched … I know it meant a lot to a lot of people," he said.

It was 1991 when Club Abstract first opened its doors at 667 King St. W. and Ibrahim wanted to create an inclusive bar.

From ishootthings:

After the sale of Abstract in 2015, it continued to function as the District Nightclub and also was an event space as well from time to time as the club was open 2 days a week (pretty standard).

In March 2020 when the Pandemic came to CANADA and the cases started to pop up, John Tsai, one of the owners of the District, came to be the first confirmed passing from a case of COVID19 in the Region and it took him in less than 12 days. He was well loved and respected for his contributions to the entertainment scene as this club was not his only business venture in the Tricities.

Johns passing and the continued state of the pandemic, keeping bars and clubs closed or capped on capacity, eventually led to the PERMANENT CLOSING of the District in June 2021.