Nightclubs Charged With Selling Liquor
Dublin Core
Title
Nightclubs Charged With Selling Liquor
Subject
Liquor Laws
Description
In 1928 Rufus Rockhead applied for a beer license, only to be told by the commissioner, “You know we don’t give licenses to coloured people.” Undeterred, Rockhead spent eleven months navigating bureaucracy, leveraging connections, and persistently advocating for himself. His efforts paid off when he became Montreal’s first Black citizen to hold a tavern license.
The struggle did not end there. Over the next five years, Rockhead fought to obtain a hard-liquor license, ultimately transforming Rockhead’s Paradise into a full-fledged cocktail bar, a significant milestone that allowed him to compete with other venues in the city.
A year later, Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis revoked licenses for ethnically owned establishments, a precursor to the 1937 Padlock Act, resulting in frequent police visits and legal charges against the club.
Through all these challenges, Rockhead’s experience, determination, and network of allies enabled him to navigate the legal and social obstacles with skill. He successfully regained his license, demonstrating not only personal resilience but also the capacity of Black entrepreneurs to resist systemic discrimination and assert their place in Montreal’s nightlife and cultural scene. Rockhead’s tenacity set a precedent, paving the way for other Black-owned businesses to claim space in the city’s entertainment landscape.
The struggle did not end there. Over the next five years, Rockhead fought to obtain a hard-liquor license, ultimately transforming Rockhead’s Paradise into a full-fledged cocktail bar, a significant milestone that allowed him to compete with other venues in the city.
A year later, Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis revoked licenses for ethnically owned establishments, a precursor to the 1937 Padlock Act, resulting in frequent police visits and legal charges against the club.
Through all these challenges, Rockhead’s experience, determination, and network of allies enabled him to navigate the legal and social obstacles with skill. He successfully regained his license, demonstrating not only personal resilience but also the capacity of Black entrepreneurs to resist systemic discrimination and assert their place in Montreal’s nightlife and cultural scene. Rockhead’s tenacity set a precedent, paving the way for other Black-owned businesses to claim space in the city’s entertainment landscape.
Creator
The Montreal Star
Source
“Nightclubs Charged With Selling Liquor,” The Montreal Star, March 15, 1935, 3 https://www.newspapers.com
Publisher
The Montreal Star
Date
March 15, 1935
Contributor
The Montreal Star
Rights
The Montreal Star
Type
Image
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Newspaper
Files
Citation
The Montreal Star, “Nightclubs Charged With Selling Liquor,” Black Canadian History Exhibit, accessed December 5, 2025, http://omeka.uottawa.ca/mathieu-black-canadian-history-exhibit/items/show/389.