The "Zone" is run by Cosmic Steve who also runs the legendary blues bar The Silver Dollar. Cosmic Steve has been an integral part of the Toronto music scene for many years. A tall scraggly character, he can often be seen at many live gigs in and around the city, and he'll never forget your name. The club's ambience is to say the least, interesting. The ceilings are about ten feet high and the place is furnished by what seems to be the remnants of a garage sale. The sound is usually inconsistent going from excellent one night to barely audible other nights. All of these intricacies add to the overall character and feel of the club.

What separates The Comfort Zone from other music venues in the city is the talent it attracts. There have been many memorable shows that have occurred in this smoke filled, sweat drenched heaven. Merl Saunders and One Step Beyond playing to all hours of the night, The Dude of Life having the whole audience dance on stage with him during "Suzy Greenberg", Derek Trucks, Jazz is Dead, Zen Tricksters, Michael Ray and The Kosmic Krew and upcoming shows that include Karl Denson and Hot Tuna. The Comfort Zone has also served as a launching pad for many of Canada's top jambands. The Burt Neilson Band, New Deal, Milky Way, Fat Cats and Would Be Travellers Promenade have all plied their trade at this soon to be legendary venue. This past new years eve, The Burt Neilson Band and The Fat Cats played till four in the morning. The New Deals first album, "This is Live" was recorded there.

Many bands that have come from south of the border have been surprised at the size of the venue. Jazz is Dead played back in December and were obviously shocked at the size of the venue. See, The Comfort Zone is very small, height and width. The stage is about two inches off the ground and the sightlines are limited to about two vantage points. The place can probably hold about four hundred but on big nights usually packs in about six hundred making it about as hot as the Caribbean.

The Comfort Zone is a dive but it's a dive with character and history. There have been many times where I've been dragged there kicking and screaming only to end up having a memorable evening. The Zone is the best live music venue north of the Wetlands and Toronto fans are thankful for its existence.