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Charles Burke's club had to move due to the construction of the Bonaventure Expressway. As he noted, “most cities in America and Canada, when they built these freeways, the rich people said, don’t come near my property with no outlet. So they went…

Founded in 1957 by Charlie Burke, the Black Bottom opened at 1350 rue Saint-Antoine Ouest in Petite-Burgundy, the heart of Montreal’s Black community. The club quickly became one of the city’s most vibrant venues, celebrated for its affordable…

Charles Burke grew up on Coursol Street in Montreal and, after finishing school, worked as a railway porter. His seniority on the railway allowed him to select a schedule that left his weekends free, which gave him the opportunity to start a side…