If you’ve ever strolled along Burlington’s scenic waterfront, you’ve likely admired the view of Lake Ontario. But did you know that this peaceful promenade was once the site of an internationally renowned hotspot? Yes, right there on the grounds of Spencer Smith Park, where families now play and geese gather, the Brant Inn once stood—a glamorous beacon of entertainment that attracted some of the biggest stars of the 20th century…
For over thirty years, from the 1930s to the 1960s, the Brant Inn was the place to be. North America’s top entertainers performed in an elegant venue that could accommodate over a thousand guests. The music was so captivating that it was broadcast on radio stations across Canada and the United States, allowing listeners from coast to coast to share in the magic.
“The Brant Inn transformed many times since its inception as a Country Club at the original Brant Hotel,” explains Lynna Nguyen, Acting Curator of the Museums of Burlington. “It solidified itself as Ontario’s entertainment capital during its heyday, boasting an impressive venue that was as grand as its performers.”
The Brant Inn’s stage saw the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Lawrence Welk, Johnny Mathis, Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, The Ink Spots, and Liberace, just to name a few. The crowds they drew were enormous—so much so that when Benny Goodman’s band played, the police had to step in to manage the traffic jams.
The Inn’s rise to fame was largely due to John Murray Anderson, a visionary in the entertainment world. His innovative ideas transformed the Brant Inn into a cultural hub. The venue even hosted the Miss Canada pageant for several years, drawing even more attention to this already popular spot.
During the Heyday of the Brant Inn, Burlington positively glittered with stars.
Not even Hollywood could resist the charm of the Brant Inn. In 1952, while filming in Niagara Falls, Marilyn Monroe arrived in Burlington on Anderson’s yacht. Imagine her mingling with glamorous stars like Jayne Mansfield as a ship’s bell rang out to the song “Anchors Aweigh,” kicking off another night at the nautically themed inn.
But it wasn’t all glitz and glamour. Some of those who worked at the Brant Inn have tales of a ghostly figure appearing on the stairs adding adding a touch of the eerie to this place.
End of an era
In the late sixties, as rock and roll gained popularity over traditional big band music, the Inn’s appeal began to fade. The Brant Inn closed its doors in 1968 and was demolished a year later, with its contents auctioned off as cherished mementos.
The Brant Inn may be gone, but its story is far from forgotten. A visit to the Joseph Brant Museum will give you a glimpse into its glamorous past.
Just this past June, folks gathered to pay tribute to the iconic landmark. At the Marquis Gardens at the Waterfront Hotel, an evening of dining, dancing, and swing music brought back the spirit of the Brant Inn, raising funds for the Museums of Burlington. The event, aptly named “An Evening at the Brant Inn,” was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, complete with the lively atmosphere that made the original venue so beloved.
“When Benny Goodman’s band played, the police had to step in to manage the traffic jams.”
As Lynna Nguyen put it, “The Brant Inn was more than just a place to dine and party. It held warm memories for many families in the community—they celebrated special occasions, traditions emerged, or it was even someone’s first job. Many people look back at the Brant Inn with fond memories.”
Next time you find yourself on the Burlington waterfront, keep an eye out for the heritage plaque provided by the Burlington Historical Society—a small but fitting tribute to a place that once brought joy to so many.
Take a moment to imagine the music, the laughter, and the countless memories that were made on that very spot.
BY LISA THORNBURY
