“We wanted every single person who walked into the space to experience some sort of freeing sensory overload. There is something sensual and exciting to look at and touch in every inch of the space.``
Toronto’s nightlife scene has reached a new high with the opening of its hottest new club, Rebel.
Making its grand debut in October, Rebel has exceeded its promise in offering club goers a truly distinctive and transformative nightclub destination in the city. The place is the brainchild of INK Entertainment President Charles Khabouth, and was brought to life by Toronto interior design company Studio Munge.
“Nightlife and hospitality is engrained in Charles Khabouth. He is a veteran in the nightclub industry,” says Maxime Bocken, the creative brand director for Studio Munge.
The once legendary Guvernment, Tattoo, Dragonfly, Uniun and Cube are included in Khabouth’s impressive portfolio of nightclubs, and the addition of Rebel marks the fifth installment in his entertainment empire.
“Rebel merges unrivaled customer service, extraordinary design, and state-of-the-art technology in a new extravagant entertainment space that has never been seen or experienced in Canada,” says Kristen Hunter, Senior Publicist at Ink Entertainment.
Formerly known as the Sound Academy, Rebel underwent a yearlong, $10-million overhaul to be transformed into a Vegas-like space equipped with distinct rooms, LED video walls and light installations never before seen in a Canadian nightclub.
Bocken says the unique design of the 45,000 square-foot space was inspired by the Miami, New York and Las Vegas nightlife scenes.
“Knowing we wanted to set new standards and change the Canadian nightlife expectation to appeal to a range of clientele, this space had to be exhilarating yet adaptable,” says Bocken.
It is without a doubt that Rebel has set the stage for the greatest party spot in the city.
“I have been working here for just a few weeks now and I can already see the hype escalading as the weeks go on. More and more people are lining up just to experience what all the fuss is about. It is with no doubt that people are spreading the word,” says Ink Entertainment promoter Natasha Bruno.
Ink Entertainment’s main objection is to have their guests leaving the space wowed and ready to book their next concert, DJ tour, corporate event, VIP experience, or simply a girl’s or guy’s night out.
The main room boasts a dramatic 65-foot stage with an expansive installation of LED video walls, and as well as a grand terrace overlooking Lake Ontario with stellar views of the city. Hanging above the main room is an monumental 32-foot wide central lighting structure with three concentric rings rotating independently over the entire main dance floor, fully synced with the music.
The mezzanine hosts a remarkable setting- equipped with a grand central bar with a striking light installation hung above, with VIP booths surrounding the area with great views of the main stage.
“We wanted every single person who walked into the space to experience some sort of freeing sensory overload. There is something sensual and exciting to look at and touch in every inch of the space,” says Bocken.
``Nightlife and hospitality is engrained in Charles Khabouth. He is a veteran in the nightclub industry.``
“Rebel merges unrivaled customer service, extraordinary design, and state-of-the-art technology in a new extravagant entertainment space that has never been seen or experienced in Canada.``
Created By: Adrian DiStefano
Timeline images courtesy of Ink Entertainment