In the heart of Kingston’s music scene, few places held as much magic as Dollar Bill’s. Between the late 1970s and 1980s, the legendary bar on Ontario Street—now the site of Tir nan Òg—was the epicentre of blues and rock, hosting icons like John Lee Hooker and David Wilcox.
For music lover Stephen Berofe, it wasn’t just a bar— it was a way of life. “I was down there four nights a week,” he recalls. “It was the most fun ever—getting good seats, hearing great live music and having the chance to talk with the musicians after their shows.”
Years after Dollar Bill’s closed, Stephen found himself on a mission to bring its legacy back to life—not just for nostalgia, but for a cause close to his heart. He helped organize a successful fundraising concert in 2014, where rare recordings from the venue were released on CD and raised $30,000 for Kingston Health Sciences Centre cancer programs through University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF). With that success, he knew there was more to be done.
Then, in 2018, life threw Stephen a curveball: he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
“When there is blood in your urine, that scares you. But I knew to go to the hospital immediately and get it checked,” Stephen admits. Fortunately, this action saved his life because the cancer was caught early and eventually removed with a laser procedure. “Without that laser tool, I’d be dead,” he says.
Grateful for the care he received, he dedicated himself to using the legacy of Dollar Bill’s to support cancer care through UHKF, ensuring that others could have access to life-saving treatments.
That’s how Dollar Bill’s Private Stock Premium Ale and Dollar Bill’s Private Stock Coffee were born.
“The Dollar Bill’s logo was originally designed for a beer can,” Stephen explains. “So, I thought, why not make a beer to raise funds for the hospitals?”
Partnering with Spearhead Brewing, Dollar Bill’s Premium Ale was launched in 2023. The response was overwhelming—30,000 cans sold in the first year. It is available at Spearhead Brewing Company on Development Drive in Kingston, as well as select Beer Store and LCBO locations.
After that success, Stephen jokingly says he wanted to expand his “beverage empire,” so he worked with North Roast Coffee earlier this year to launch an organic, high-quality brew. It can be ordered online through the North Roast Coffee website or purchased at the North Roast Coffee office on Progress Avenue.
The nostalgia surrounding Dollar Bill’s has been a driving force in the success of both products.
“The reason the beer started selling was that people recognized the Dollar Bill’s logo,” Stephen says. “People remember the bar, the music and the good times.”
With every sip of beer or cup of coffee, Kingston residents are not just indulging in high-quality beverages; they are contributing to a legacy of care.
For Stephen, this mission is personal, and he has no plans to stop.
“I hope sales of the coffee and beer continue for a long time,” he says.
Stephen’s story is a testament to the power of music, memory and giving back—proving that even decades later, the spirit of Dollar Bill’s still has the power to change lives.