The artsy Queen West scene was always a curious mix, even back in the eighties, with the new music Rivoli, Cameron House, and Horseshoe tavern balanced by neighbourhood institutions which served the working artists (not yet driven out by high rents) like the wonderful old Stem Diner - and Active Surplus - forever Freddy's to me (since the tech I apprenticed-with, just down the street, knew it's owner so well).