Can Can dancers and tourists
Can Can dancers teach tourists how to high kick during a live performance at Diamond Tooth Gerties, in Dawson City

Diamond Tooth Gerties is open for the summer. Now that Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are mostly lifted, it’s back to having loads of fun and barrels of laughs at the famous party spot in Dawson City. Known for its casino games and entertaining vaudeville shows, people from all over come to check out this must-see entertainment destination in the great North.

Party in the North!

The building that is used to house Gerties is not hard to miss. It is a large white building with dark-green accents and a pointed roof. Before this building became home to a gambling hall, it used to be home for a different social scene called the Arctic Brotherhood.

Many know that Dawson was a key city during the gold-rush days, between 1896 and 1899. Shortly after the peak of the gold rush, the building that now houses Gerties was built in 1901. It was built as a space for the Arctic Brotherhood, a social club for men living in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Northern B.C.

The brotherhood was first founded in 1899 by Captain William Connell, while he was sailing from Seattle to Skagway. The ship was always full of jovial men seeking gold. The captain thought a social club would be a great way for men from the Northwest to meet one another and exchange stories over drinks and food.

The first club location, or Camp Skagway No. 1, as it was called, was located in Skagway, Alaska. By the end of the first month, over 300 men had joined the association. Shortly after, more clubs were created in surrounding cities such as Atlin, B.C. (Camp Atlin No. 3), and Bennett, B.C. (Camp Bennett No. 2). Camp Dawson No. 4 was founded in Dawson City. The brotherhood would go on to form an additional 28 club locations.

As the club progressed, it became super exclusive. Members included business men, lawyers, doctors and politicians. The club also boasted an impressive honorary member list that included King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom, U.S. presidents Warren Harding, Teddy Roosevelt and William McKinley. As the exclusivity and popularity grew, rules and mandates were drawn up. Members could only gain entry if they were nominated by an existing member. There was even a membership committee that would have the final say on prospective members being accepted or declined. There were also badges that the members could wear to indicate various achievements, such as the extent of their drinking habits.

However, all good things must come to an end, and in 1925 the brotherhood ceased to exist. In 1971, Diamond Tooth Gerties was opened by the Klondike Visitors Association. The hall is named after Gertie Lovejoy, who was a singer during the gold-rush era and was known for having a diamond in-between her two front teeth.

While the Arctic Brotherhood is no more, there is plenty of fun for everyone at Diamond Tooth Gerties. Viki Paulins is the current manager of Gerties, and she could not be more excited about what the summer season holds. “This summer, there will be shows five nights a week, being held three times each night. Each of the shows will be different, so patrons stand to be wowed three times in one visit for only $20.”

During the pandemic, Gerties was closed from March to July in 2020. “Our biggest hardship during this time was not being able to provide our staff with work and not being able to offer the space to the community. Aside from the gambling and entertainment, Gerties is very much a community space, and we were devastated not to be able to host our local community members for such long periods of time,” said Paulins.

With the reopening of Gerties (on May 13), a few Covid protocols are strongly recommended, such as wearing a mask in parts of the building where there cannot be physical distancing, as well as sanitizing hands regularly and not visiting if you are feeling unwell.

In addition to the shows, Gerties also has several casino-style games to partake in, such as poker, roulette, black jack, red dog and money wheel, as well as slot machines. For detailed information about musical acts, hours and show times, you can visit the Diamond Tooth Gerties website at www.diamondtoothgerties.ca.

If you do go to Dawson to enjoy the festivities at Gerties, take a stroll over to the Sourdough Saloon (located inside the Downtown Hotel) and try the infamous Sourtoe Cocktail. The cocktail consists of a shot of whiskey in a glass with a very-well-preserved severed toe. Story has it that the toes came from a few northern explorers, in the 1920s, who lost their toes due to frostbite.

Apparently there are about 10 toes in rotation—and accidentally swallowing one will land you a hefty fine of $2,500. The rule is your lips must touch the toe while you drink the cocktail. Upon successful completion, you will get a certificate. “I have done the cocktail four times,” said Paulins. “It’s honestly not gross, and it makes for a great story when you are trying to humour folks travelling outside of the Yukon!”

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