A look inside Drake’s swanky, members-only club at the Air Canada Centre

A look inside Drake’s swanky, members-only club at the Air Canada Centre

When the NBA All-Star Game hits Toronto on February 14, the centre of the action will be Sher Club, Drake’s members-only hangout on the second level of the ACC. Few have entered; few will. Here’s what happens inside

Membership: It costs roughly $7,000 a year and comes by invite only, reserved for what the club calls “tastemakers.” A committee of MLSE execs decides who qualifies. The chosen few receive a black-and-gold membership card. To date, there are roughly 100 members. Each is allowed one guest per visit, subject to capacity.

The Moniker
(Image: Dave Gillespie)

The Moniker: Named after Drake’s maternal grandparents, Reuben and Evelyn Sher (pronounced “Share”).

The Look: The vampire-in-Vegas vibe is the brainchild of GTA-based luxury designer Ferris Rafauli, the guy behind many of Oakville’s palatial estates. Among his go-to textures: red velvet, cowhide, leather, high-gloss exotic wood, marble and bronze.

The Space: The 4,000-square-foot club, which opened in May 2015, occupies a former cafeteria for MLSE employees.

The Patio
(Image: Dave Gillespie)

The Patio: It leads off of the main room and overlooks the plebes entering through Gate 1. Often there’s a Sher Club photo booth set up at one end for official snaps—the only photos allowed in the place.

The Lights: The blood-droplet chandeliers comprise more than 2,500 hand-blown glass balls.

The Rules: No autographs and no photos—not even a surreptitious selfie. Punishment: a stern talking-to from a beefy bouncer.

Drake's Digs
(Image: Dave Gillespie)

Drake’s Digs: The inner sanctum is called the Champagne Room. It’s a hedonistic playground of white leather, mirrors, a mammoth TV and exactly 66 bottles of Dom Pérignon lining the walls. Ultra-VIPs can reserve it when Drake’s not in the building. Security are on guard—so don’t even think about sneaking in.

The Menu: The snacks are complimentary and simply appear—nothing’s ordered. Drinks are a different story: bottle service runs from $70 for a 2013 Tiefenbrunner pinot grigio to $3,750 for a bottle of Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac.

The Loos
(Image: courtesy of MLSE)

The Loos: The OVO palette is in effect: black toilet, marble floors and soap; golden faucet, mirror frame and sconces.

who's made it past security

Gerard Butler
Highland thespian
Janet Jackson
Nip-slip queen
Joe Carter
SkyDome legend
Will Smith
Star of Wild Wild West
Isiah Thomas
NBA Hall of Famer
Adam Silver
NBA commish
George Chuvalo
CanCon pugilist
Lennox Lewis
Former heavyweight
Montell Jordan
R&B crooner
Kathleen Wynne
QP MC
Lewis Hamilton
Formula One speed demon
Sebastian Giovinco and Jonathan Osorio
Toronto FC studs
Marcus Stroman
Marcus Stroman
Blue Jay
Chris Colabello
Blue Jay
Ryan Goins
Ryan Goins
Blue Jay
Shawn Booth and Kaitlyn Bristowe
Shawn Booth and Kaitlyn Bristowe
Lusty Bachelorette couple

(Images: Panorama by Dave Gillespie; all headshots by Getty Images)