Art Gallery of Ontario: Locals were thrilled with Toronto native Frank Gehry’s renovation of the AGO—the design brilliantly revised (and expanded) the space. The fabulous circular, floating staircase is especially impressive. There’s a lot to see here beyond the building itself, of…
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Toronto Attractions
Toronto has a wealth of diverse attractions. If your pleasure is simply getting to know the city, head to Toronto's downtown core, and you’re off to the races: The many things to do, see, and taste in the city's bustling downtown heart together offer an easy Introduction 101 to Toronto. The major museums, art galleries, and sports venues are here; plus, given the residential nature of the heart of the city, these top attractions are located in neighborhoods also worth exploring. There are day trips to consider, too: True wilderness, sublime beaches, a giant theme park and equally impressive zoo, and pretty regions of wine country that are also culinary destinations in their own right are all a drive, or train ride, away.
A Real Deal—You can save a lot of money visiting Toronto’s attractions by purchasing a Toronto CityPASS. See the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Casa Loma, the Ontario Science Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Toronto Zoo for $88 adults, $59 kids 4 to 12. Each booklet of tickets is valid for 9 days from the time the first one is used. Note: Buyers have the option of either the zoo or the science center, but not both. It's available for purchase online, and also at any of the aforementioned attractions that accept the CityPASS.
63 Results
- Museum
Aga Khan Museum
When the Aga, spiritual leader of Shiite Ismaili Muslims, was looking for a place to build a museum dedicated to Islamic arts and objects, he was enamored by Toronto’s pluralism. In a letter the Aga Khan penned in 2008, he said that the impetus behind the museum was “to bridge the… - The Performing Arts
Air Canada Centre
Better known as a sports venue (it's home to the Maple Leafs and the Raptors), the Air Canada Centre also hosts popular musical acts. Neil Young has performed here, as have Tom Petty, Michael Buble, and Mariah Carey. - Sports Venue
Air Canada Centre
This sports and entertainment complex is home to the Maple Leafs (hockey) and the Raptors (basketball). Longtime fans were crushed when the Leafs moved here in 1999 from Maple Leaf Gardens -- the arena that had housed the team since 1931 -- but the Air Canada Centre has quickly… - Park/Garden
Allan Gardens
Toronto’s first civic park is lackluster (and a bit dangerous after dark), but plant fanatics flock here en masse to enjoy the 1,486-sq.-m (16,000-sq.-ft.) Victorian greenhouses. Inside are citrus trees, palms, cacti, and colorful tropical flowers including rare orchids and… Art Gallery of Ontario
If you go to only one major attraction while you're in Toronto, let it be the AGO. After its top-to-bottom renovation—and reinvention—by Toronto-born Frank Gehry, the AGO emerged from its scaffolding cocoon as a bona fide wonder.Gehry’s vision is throughout; the fabulous, circular…- Museum
Art Museum at the University of Toronto
In 2014, the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and the University of Toronto Art Centre were federated. Steps from each other, these two galleries forged a new, joint identity. Located in Hart House, the Barnicke is a two-room gallery that features an ever-changing series of monthly… - Sports Venue
BMO Field
With a capacity of 40,000, this arena is home to Canada's national soccer team, as well as the popular Toronto FC. In 2016, the field also became the Toronto Argonauts football HQ, after renovations to the field lengthened the pitch to make it suitable for Canadian football. (During… - Museum
Bata Shoe Museum
Imelda Marcos, eat your heart out. This modern museum houses the shoe-magnate Bata family’s 10,000-item collection. The attractive building, designed by Raymond Moriyama, suggests a whimsical shoebox. The main gallery, “All About Shoes,” traces the history of footwear, beginning with… - Museum
Black Creek Pioneer Village
In this quaint reconstruction of a Victorian-era village, costumed interpreters cheerily answer questions about life in the 19th century. The original pioneers on this land were Daniel and Elizabeth Strong, a newlywed couple in 1816 who cleared 40 hectares (99 acres) of wilderness… - Attraction
CN Tower
The CN Tower may no longer be the world's tallest freestanding structure (thanks, Burj Dubai), but it's still an impressive attraction—even if it's something that most locals agree is better to visit than to live with. However you approach Toronto—on an island-airport flight or on… - Historic Site
Campbell House
This lovely old house has a small art gallery filled with rotating exhibitions. An 1822 mansion, it belonged to Sir William Campbell, a Loyalist and sixth chief justice of Upper Canada. The man’s home has been beautifully restored (complete with a lovely collection of period… - The Performing Arts
Canon Theatre
This beautiful venue has had a tumultuous history. It got its start as the Pantages Theatre in 1920, and its opulent design (by the famous theater architect Thomas Lamb) was widely admired. However, the theater's fortunes sank in 1929 -- not because of the stock-market crash, but… - Castle
Casa Loma
A kitschy glitch in the city’s skyline to locals, this castle on a hill offers an inspiring view of the sweep of the city. But while you can admire the view for free, it’s worth visiting the interior of the castle, too. The elegant rooms and period furniture are appropriately grand.… - Architecture
City Hall
The city’s fourth city hall, it was built between 1958 and 1965 in modern sculptural style. It’s the symbol of Toronto’s postwar dynamism, although not everyone felt that way when it was completed. According to Pierre Berton, Frank Lloyd Wright said of it, “You’ve got a headmarker… - Historic Site
Colborne Lodge
This charming, English-style Regency cottage with a three-sided veranda was built from 1836 to 1837 to take advantage of the view of Lake Ontario and the Humber River. Today, it's set amid downtown's soaring office towers, but in the 1830s, it was considered way out in the country… - Museum
Design Exchange
Located in the old Stock Exchange Building, the Design Exchange—or DX, as it prefers to be known—has become an important Canadian design museum. It features work from a range of disciplines, from architecture to fashion, landscape design to interactive media design. Engaging exhibits… - Neighborhood
Distillery District
This was home to the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, founded in 1832 and once Canada’s largest distilling company. In 2003, the 45-building complex (empty save the film crews that used it as a set) was reinvented as a historic district with galleries and cafes inhabiting the… - Park/Garden
Edwards Gardens
This quiet, formal 14-hectare (35-acre) garden is part of a series of parks that stretch over 240 hectares (593 acres) along the Don Valley. It's not easily reached by public transit, so be prepared to make a special and long trip. Gracious bridges arch over a creek, rock gardens… - Cultural complex
Evergreen Brick Works
Be prepared: You have to hike it here on foot over a lush path, take a shuttle from Broadview subway station, or drive and pay for parking. Once the home of the city’s founding brick factory, it has been reinvented by the dynamic Evergreen foundation (national in scope; its business… - Historic Site
Fort York
For those interested in history—especially military history—this is a treat. This historic base was established by Lt. Gov. John Graves Simcoe in 1793 to defend “little muddy York,” as Toronto was then known. Americans sacked it in April 1813, but the British rebuilt that same… - Museum
Gardiner Museum
It’s a rarity: a museum dedicated to the ceramic arts. There’s plenty to see here, from pre-Columbian artifacts to Canada’s most important collection of European porcelain, all housed within one of the city’s architectural gems. It’s clearly a collection curated with passion. Among… - The Performing Arts
Glenn Gould Studio
Located on the main floor of the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, this 341-seat radio concert hall offers chamber music, jazz, roots music, and spoken-word performances. Its name celebrates the great, eccentric Toronto pianist whose life was cut short by a stroke in 1982. - Cultural complex
Harbourfront Centre
This cultural center encompasses a four-hectare (10-acre) strip of waterfront land, once-abandoned warehouses, charming piers, and an old smokestack. The center, which opened in 1974, is a stunning urban playground and one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors… - Park/Garden
High Park
This 161-hectare (398-acre) park in the far west of Midtown was architect John G. Howard's gift to the city. He lived in Colborne Lodge, which still stands in the park. There's a large lake here called Grenadier Pond (great for ice skating in winter); a small zoo; a swimming pool;… - Museum
Hockey Hall of Fame
It's not just Canada's largest collection of hockey history and memorabilia—this was the world's first museum for ice hockey. Start by browsing exhibits of uniforms, skates, and other equipment of famous players, including Terry Sawchuck’s goalie gear, Newsy Lalonde’s skates, and the…Brookfield Place, Yonge at Front Street, museum entrance downstairs
- Park
Ireland Park
In 1847, Toronto was a city of 20,000—until 38,000 Irish immigrants arrived that summer. On June 21, 2007, this memorial to the Irish Famine was opened at Éireann Quay by Mary McAleese, president of Ireland. The park was inspired by Rowan Gillespie’s “Departure” series of famine… Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House
Hart House is the cultural heart of the University of Toronto community, and the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery is one of its treasures. A tiny treasure, it nonetheless houses a fine collection of Group of Seven paintings and other Canadian artworks, both historical and contemporary.…- Sports Venue
Lamport Stadium
Apart from football, Canada doesn’t sustain that many national sports leagues. Typically, we tend to play in the American leagues (like the NHL or MLB). Our newest Rugby League team, however, has taken this to the next level. The Toronto Wolfpack plays in the British Rugby Football… - Historic Site
Mackenzie House
This Greek Revival brick row house dates from the mid-19th century. It was once the home of William Lyon Mackenzie, a fiery orator and newspaper editor who had a most unusual career. He became Toronto's first mayor in 1836 . . . and then, in 1837, he led the Upper Canada rebellion… - The Performing Arts
Massey Hall
This landmark 1892 building is one of Canada’s premier music venues. It has hosted now-legendary concerts from the likes of Charlie Parker and Neil Young, and its programming runs the gamut from classical to pop to rock to jazz. Recent visitors have included Norah Jones, Diana Krall,… - Museum
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
If you have access to a car and happen to be a fan of Canadian landscape painters (such as the Group of Seven, David Milne, and Emily Carr), drive the 40km (25 miles) north to Kleinburg for this very beautiful gallery. The McMichael sits on 40 hectares (99 acres) of conserved land, a…Village of Kleinburg, 35km (22 miles) northeast of Toronto - Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada
Like a teenager telling his mom he’s no longer Billy, he’s William, MOCCA is now going by MOCA, or simply, the Museum of Contemporary Art (they dropped the C for Canadian from their acronym). This name change comes with a 2018 relocation. Toronto’s largest collection dedicated to the… - Landmark
Necropolis
If you have a fascination with historic cemeteries, definitely make a stop here. Located in Downtown North East, this is one of the city's oldest cemeteries, dating to 1850. Some of the remains were originally buried in Potter's Field, where Yorkville stands today.Buried here is… - Landmark
Ontario Legislature
At the northern end of University Avenue, with University of Toronto buildings to the east and west, lies Queen’s Park, a lovely green place in the heart of the city. Embedded in its center is the rose-tinted sandstone-and-granite Ontario Legislature, which has stood here since 1893.… - Theme Park
Ontario Place
For all its Space Age looks, this is really just a fun amusement park, more thrilling than Centreville on Centre Island, but small in comparison with Paramount Canada's Wonderland . From a distance, you'll see five steel-and-glass pods suspended on columns 32m (105 ft.) above the… - Museum
Ontario Science Centre
Since this pioneering interactive science museum opened in 1969, generations of Toronto’s kids, and their offspring, have proven loyal fans. It’s not surprising: The hands-on approach to exploring the wide world of science is absolutely thrilling. With more than 800 exhibits, there… - Theme Park
Paramount Canada's Wonderland
An hour north of Toronto lies what some say is Canada’s answer to Disney World. The sprawling park features more than 200 attractions, including 70 rides, a water park, two play areas for tots (KidZville and Planet Snoopy), and live shows. Because the park relies on a local audience… - Aquarium
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Underwater marvels from around the world are divided into 10 galleries at Canada’s largest aquarium. The Great Lakes’ deep-dwelling denizens get their due in the first exhibit where prehistoric-looking paddlefish and sturgeon prowl. After being impressed by the macrofauna that lives… - Attraction
Riverdale Farm
Situated on the edge of the Don Valley Ravine, this 7.5 acre working farm is located right in the city. Small tots enjoy watching the cows, pigs, turkeys, and ducks—and can get close enough to pet many animals, such as the rabbits. Because this really is a working farm, you'll see… - Sports Venue
Rogers Centre
This is home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. The opening in 1989 of this stadium, then known as SkyDome, was a gala event. The stadium is an engineering feat, featuring the world’s first fully retractable roof and a gigantic video scoreboard. It is so large that a 31-story… - Park
Rouge Park
This is Canada’s first national urban park, and it's still growing. Rouge Park will eventually encompass 79 sq. km (30 sq. miles) of parkland made up of rivers, beaches, wetlands, historic farms, and meadows. Once fully established, the park will be the largest urban protected area… - Landmark
Royal Bank Plaza
Shimmering in the sun, Royal Bank Plaza looks like a pillar of gold, and with good reason. During its construction, 70,874g (2,500 oz.) of gold went into the building's 14,000 windows as a coloring agent. More important, the structure is a masterpiece of architectural design. Two… - Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
This is Canada’s largest museum, with 13 million objects in its collections. The massive and controversial 2007 renovation by starchitect Daniel Libeskind has had mixed reviews from visitors and locals: Some love it; others decry the design. The new crystal wing, the Michael Lee-Chin… - Natural Attraction
Scarborough Bluffs
On the eastern edge of Toronto is a natural wonder that’s well worth a half-day visit. The Scarborough Bluffs are unique in North America, and their layers of sand and clay offer a remarkable geological record of the great Ice Age. Rising up to 90m (300 ft.) above Lake Ontario, they… - Sports Venue
Scotiabank Arena
This multi-use complex is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey) and the Toronto Raptors (basketball). Longtime fans were crushed when the Leafs moved here in 1999 from Maple Leaf Gardens—the arena that had housed the team since 1931—but the Scotiabank Arena (previously called the… - Historic Site
Spadina Museum Historic House & Garden
This circa-1866 mansion with spectacular seasonal gardens reopened in 2010 after an extensive, expensive renovation. The result is worth a visit: Now run year-round by the City of Toronto, the museum gives visitors a sense of domestic life in Toronto in the 1920s and ’30s. The garden… - Architecture
St. James Cathedral
his Gothic Revival Anglican cathedral is home to Toronto’s oldest congregation, founded in 1797. The first church built here in 1807 was constructed out of wood. In 1818, the building was enlarged, and a bell tower—which did double duty as York’s fire bell as well as its church… - Religious Site
St. James' Cathedral
This early English Gothic-style Anglican cathedral owes its existence at least in part to a group of American Loyalists. They joined with a group of British immigrants to found a congregation in 1797, and they were given a plot of land, which today is bounded by Church, King, Jarvis,… - Religious Site
St. Michael's Cathedral
The principal seat of the Catholic archdiocese of Toronto, St. Michael's is another 19th-century neo-Gothic structure. Built between 1845 and 1848, it originally had a plain interior design with clear-glass windows and white walls. That changed in 1850, when Armand de Charbonnel… - Museum
Textile Museum of Canada
This museum is internationally recognized for its collection of historic and ethnographic textiles and related artifacts; although, due to its specialized nature, it’s really suited to those with a keen interest in the wide world of fabrics. It has fine Oriental rugs and tapestries…Downtown - The Performing Arts
The Carlu
Located on the seventh floor of College Park, this was considered one of the grandest concert halls in Canada when it opened in 1931. Like so many other venues in Toronto, the Carlu was shuttered in the 1970s. Now, the 1,200-seat concert hall is back in favor, and its architecture is… - Neighborhood
The Distillery District
This was home to the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, founded in 1832 and once Canada's largest distilling company. In 2003, this 45-building complex (empty save the film crews that used it as a set) was reinvented as an historic district with galleries and cafes inhabiting the 19th… - The Performing Arts
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
These landmark theaters first opened their doors in 1913, and the Centre is now a designated National Historic Site, owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. Both the Elgin and the Winter Garden have been restored to their Edwardian gilded glory, and the theaters vie with… - Park/Garden
The Toronto Islands
In under 10 minutes, an 800-passenger ferry delivers you to 245 hectares (605 acres) of island parkland crisscrossed by shaded paths and quiet waterways—a glorious spot to walk, bike, picnic, feed the ducks, putter around in boats, picnic, or soak up the sun. Of the 14 islands, the… - Park/Garden
Toronto Botanical Garden
Best visited during the late spring, summer and early autumn, the Toronto Botanical Garden is located entirely outdoors, which means blooms are dependent on the season. Divided into 17 different gardens, which range from native Carolinian Forest habitat to Renaissance-inspired formal… - The Performing Arts
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
This world-renowned group first performed in Massey Hall in 1895. Today, it calls Roy Thomson Hall home. Its repertoire ranges from Verdi's Requiem, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and Handel's Messiah to the soundtrack of Schindler's List. TMC has recorded for Naxos and EMI. - Park/Garden
Toronto Music Garden
Toronto is a city of gardens, but this one along Toronto’s waterfront is a favorite of many locals. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy created the Toronto Music Garden to invoke Bach’s “The First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello.” The prelude is represented by… - Library/University
Toronto Reference Library
Step inside -- a pool and a waterfall gently screen out the street noise, and the space opens dramatically to the sky. Light and air flood every corner. This 1977 six-story structure is another masterwork by Toronto architect Raymond Moriyama, who also designed the Bata Shoe Museum.… - Zoo/Aquarium
Toronto Zoo
At 283 hectares (700 acres) of parkland, it's one of the largest zoos in the world, with some 5,000 animals representing more than 500 species, plus an extensive botanical collection. Five indoor tropical pavilions—including Africa, Indomalaya, Australasia, and the Americas—and… - Park
Trillium Park
A decommissioned Ontario Place parking lot has been turned into a splendid lake-skirting provincial park, complete with vertical landscaping that has brought rolling hills to the previously flat patch of asphalt. Various Ontario landscapes, including ravines, bluffs, and evergreen… - Neighborhood
Trinity Bellwoods
This gorgeous neighborhood park was originally part of a military reserve when Toronto was still a small town called York and the British troops were garrisoned at Fort York. Eventually, parcels were sold to retiring officers, but in 1851, Bishop John Strachan bought up some of the… - Park
Trinity Bellwoods Park
This gorgeous neighborhood park was originally part of a military reserve when Toronto was still a small town called York and the British troops were garrisoned at Fort York. Eventually, parcels were sold to retiring officers, but in 1851, Bishop John Strachan bought up some of the… University of Toronto Art Centre
This is a real find -- and one that very few people outside the Toronto university community know about. You enter the center from the University College quad, an Oxford-style cloistered garden that in itself is a work of art. Inside, you'll find a gallery housing the Malcove…
More About Toronto Attractions
Toronto Shopping
Toronto is a city renowned for its high-end shopping and original fashions. Head to Yorkville for exclusive shopping at Holt Renfrew and Hazelton Lanes. Queen West is the place for original fashions at shops like Fashion Crimes. Chinatown includes lots of Asian specialities - culinary and otherwise - as well as the city's famed Kensington Market. St Lawrence Market, the city's oldest in Old Toronto, has been selling goods since 1803.
70 Results
- Fashion
Advice from a Caterpillar
To ensure that their collection of designer baby togs is ahead of the Toronto trends, the owners of this Rosedale boutique make frequent jaunts to Paris. Designer brands in mini sizes include Stella McCartney and Nellystella. Advice from a Caterpillar carries far more than wardrobe… - Jewelry
Anice
Brittany Hopkins inherited many things from her grandmother Anice, including her infectious joie de vivre and her magpie-like love for anything shimmering and sparkly. At her wee Ossington shop, named after the aforementioned grandmother, she transforms vintage jewels (be they… - Art
Bau-Xi Gallery
When artist Bau-Xi Huang immigrated to Vancouver at 23, he took a job at a cedar shingle mill. During the day, he’d work for less than minimum wage, while at night he’d create wall-sized abstract paintings. Despite winning numerous art prizes, Huang struggled to find a gallery that… - Electronics
Bay Bloor Radio
Sol Mandlsohn opened a small radio shop in 1946. Seven-plus decades later, this is still the top spot for FM dials, though it sells far more than radios these days. High-fidelity turntables, top-tier headphones (in all the permutations, including in-ear, wireless, Bluetooth,… - Gifts
Beau and Bauble
This charming Junction gem caters to girls of all ages, be they 12-year-olds with a penchant for lava lamps and hip printed backpacks, or well-heeled dames who like the Scandinavian frocks and on-trend sunglasses. The store is a dream to browse: No matter where you turn, there’s… - Housewares
Bergo Designs
Get everything from kitchen basics (if you can call an $160 truffle slicer or an $145 breadbox basic) to funky items like a dachshund-shaped butter dish at this Distillery District shop. Kitchenware brands of note for sale here include Alessi, Bodum, Georg Jensen, and Seletti. - Antiques
Bernardi's Antiques
For over 4 decades, this Davisville spot has been the go-to destination for collectors in the know. Repoussé sterling tea sets from the 1830s? They’ve got it. Louis XVI period porcelain? Pick your pattern. Art Nouveau desks? Of course—though lugging home a leather-topped table might… - Antiques
Blackbird Vintage Finds
Paula DiRenzo scours flea markets, garage sales and antique barns up north for only the most visually appealing artifacts. A rare Koh-I-Noor Cast Iron Pencil Sharpener, circa 1900, is about as useful as a paperweight, but its retro graphics make it a covetable ornament. The offerings… - Bookstores
Book City
For a small chain, Book City offers big discounts—many titles are discounted by 10% to 30%. The selection of international magazines is particularly good. Book City also has several branches around the city, including 2354 Bloor St. W (tel. 416/961-4496), 1950 Queen St. E.… - Fashion
Canon Blanc
A few months after moving to Toronto from Paris, Caroline and Matéo Masquelier opened a charming Queen West boutique specializing in small designers that reflect the multiculturalism of their adopted city. The sunny shop focuses on international artisans like Marie-Laure Chamorel—a… - Fashion
Coal Miner's Daughter
Co-owner Krysten Caddy’s great-grandmother was a real coal miner’s daughter, but none of the cute frocks or stylish jumpers here scream modern-day miner. The look here is elegant, yet whimsical, with an emphasis on locally made garb (the shop’s goal is to have no less than 80%… - Fashion
Comrags
Designers Judy Cornish and Joyce Gunhouse create retro-inspired clothing that looks great on a range of body types. It’s a label beloved for dresses, especially. Suits and coats are snazzy, too. - Housewares
Cookery
Kitchen essentials—cast-iron pans, cutting boards, Dutch ovens, KitchenAids, along with heaps of other gadgets and gizmos that make cooking easier and more efficient—line the shelves of this cheery Roncesvalles shop. Check out the website for a list of classes taught in-store, like… - Art
Craft Ontario
This octogenarian not-for-profit with a mandate to promote and nurture Ontario’s craftsmen through mentoring and scholarships, has been hard hit by Etsy and its online ilk. After closing its Yorkville outpost (which had been visited by the likes of Christopher Plummer, Bill Clinton,… - Gifts
Curiosa
No, the door handle of this Parkdale shop isn’t a portkey that’s transported you into Ollivander’s wand shop. This Harry Potter–inspired gift shop is decked with cauldrons stirring themselves, quills, wands, palmistry posters, bowtruckle pin badges, and other shiny treasures. Not… - Antiques
Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery & Antiques
The vintage jewelry selection at this King West room is unparalleled: engagement rings to rival Kate Middleton’s, cocktail rings made with emeralds, star sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and many more shiny baubles are sure to suit any taste from modern to Art Deco and Edwardian. - Cosmetics
Gee Beauty
Well-heeled Rosedale mavens head here for youth-restoring treatments like skin tightening and blue light therapy. Their trust-funded daughters come for the fancy facials and eyelash extensions, and to keep their nails and brows on point. - Fashion
Gerhard Supply
Head to this Junction boutique for high-end menswear without an ounce of the pretension usually found at places peddling this price point. Owner Langton Willms is a delight. His well-curated selection focuses on Canadian-made apparel such as cashmere outerwear by Wings+Horns and… - Shoes
Getoutside
With its utilitarian shelving and lighting, this store doesn’t look like much, but it stocks an amazing variety of sneakers from manufacturers around the world. - Bookstores
Glad Day Bookshop
n 2016, the world's oldest surviving gay bookstore moved into a larger space. It was a bold move in an era of shuttering shops. To make the math work, Glad Day wears many hats: it’s still a bookstore selling top LGBTQ titles, but now it’s also a cafe and restaurant serving diner nosh… - Antiques
Green's Antiques
If walking by the stunningly maintained Victorian houses in Cabbagetown evokes a hankering for some pre-WWI antiques, pop into Green’s. The family-run shop (passed down over three generations) carries everything from crystal chandeliers to Victorian side tables and bronze statues. - Fashion
Hayley Elsaesser
If Lisa Frank and Ed Hardy banded together to design a clothing line for a Japanese cartoon universe, the result would be Hayley Elsaesser. The Toronto-based, Australia-educated designer has become a favorite among pop singers like Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, who love Elsaesser’s… - Electronics
Henry's
Whether you’re looking for a new zoom lens fit for a safari or an ultra-fast SD card, this camera emporium is sure to have what you’re hankering after. Photo geeks on a budget will be particularly impressed by the used camera lens selection. This bi-level shop deals in analog and… Holt Renfrew
“Say, what’s the dividing line between upper-middle-middle class and lower-upper-middle class?” asks a character in an Edward Albee play. If Zoo Story had been set in Canada, the answer would have been the latter shops at Holts, the former at The Bay. The Canadian equivalent of Saks,…- Housewares
Hopson Grace
For Martha Stewart wannabes, this Summerhill showroom is a must. An avid entertainer’s dream store, Hopson Grace carries products with an emphasis on sustainability. The massive selection ranges from fun and quirky (a Donna Wilson TV tray with a cute anthropomorphic cat design) to… - Jewelry
Jenny Bird
According to Jenny Bird, “The market does not need more soulless, short-lived fashion jewelry, nor does it need overpriced plated pieces,” which is why the jeweler has sought to create fairly priced, well-made jewelry with an artistic flare. The resulting pieces are fashion-forward… - Shoes
John Fluevog
Famous for his Goth footwear, this Vancouver designer also creates shoes and boots in a kaleidoscope of colors. These shoes aren't for shrinking violets, but their funky chic will get your attention without having to stomp your feet. - Fashion
KOTN
Founders Helali, Mackenzie Yeates, and Benjamin Sehl source directly from Egyptian farmers who grow what they think is the softest, most breathable cotton in the world. They’re applying farm-to-table practices to clothes: buying at fair prices, and then transforming the raw material… Kensington Market
This colorful, lively area should not be missed. You’ll hear Caribbean, Portuguese, Italian, and many other languages and dialects as merchants spread out their wares. Think: squid and crabs in pails; local breads; cheese from around the world; apples, pears, peppers, ginger, and…- Antiques
Klaus by Nienkämper
In 1965, Klaus Nienkämper, Sr., moved here from Germany with $36 in his pocket. Three years later, he became the first Torontonian to import contemporary European furniture. In the ’80s, the importer established an eponymous line of locally made pieces that were streamlined, elegant,… - Food
Kristapsons
Since 1953, this family-owned shop has been crafting some of the best cold-smoked salmon in Ontario. Ardent fans argue that the lox is some of the best east of B.C. The Coho salmon has a hint of sweetness, and the 24-hour flameless smoking technique yields lox just oily enough to… - Gifts
Likely General
Owner Brooke Manning is an artist who has always had a collaborative bent. When opening her 21st-century general store (she carries everything from decorative macramé plant holders to fancy bath salts, Australia-made watches and attractive stationary), she wanted to support the… - Fashion
Lilliput Hats
If you're a hat fan, then Lilliput's is a must-visit for stunning designs made by the owner Karyn Gingras. Her creations have been worn by Celine Dion and Whoopi Goldberg, among others. - Antiques
MADE DESIGN
Owner Shaun Moore’s well-curated collection of Canadian-designed crafts and furniture abides by a mostly avant-garde aesthetic. A Tapermoon Sky floor lamp by Zeed, for instance, looks like a Cubist cactus, while a Jeremy Hutch porcelain platter appears to be made from hundreds of… - Jewelry
Made You Look
More than 100 different artists sell their wares at this Parkdale shop. Rather than an owner curating the selection, up-and-coming jewelers rent space, which means there’s no telling what you’ll find from one visit to the next. The expansive selection ranges from affordable funky… - Shoes
Mephisto
These shoes are made for walking—particularly because they're made from all-natural materials. Devotees of this shop, now in its third decade, swear that it's impossible to wear out Mephisto footwear. - Fashion
Mini Mioche
Most clothing companies this size don’t have a mission statement, but Canadian-made kids apparel brand Mini Mioche was founded with the mandate to offer the world’s best ethically made, premium organic fashion basics for babies and kids. The well-constructed children’s threads are a… - Antiques
Mjölk
Specializing in Japanese and Scandinavian design, this Junction shop run by husband-and-wife team John and Juli Bake feels more like an art gallery than a store. Exclusive product collections explore the theme of daily rituals. This translates to wine openers meant to be displayed,… - Fashion
Model Citizen
In 2004, Model Citizen opened as a silk-screening studio. Today, they still run silk-screening classes and sell T-shirts printed with funky custom designs like a Modigliani-reminiscent bullfighter in a neon pink matador outfit. But it’s their collection of menswear that has voguish… - Bookstores
Monkey's Paw
This emporium for old and unusual books is home to the world’s only Biblio-Mat: a randomized book vending machine. Pop in a toonie, and it spits out a surprise tome—maybe 250 pages about modern dance, or a slim paperback on Slavic demonology. There’s no telling what you’ll get, but… - Electronics
Moog Audio
Sound engineers and DJs flock to this Montreal-based audio store (with two locations: one in La Belle Province, a second in T.O.). Bands and musicians such as Arcade Fire, Kid Koala, and Tiga all shop Moog for mixers, synthesizers, effect pedals, or even for new mics or amps. - Antiques
Morba
Those with Eames tastes and IKEA budgets will be delighted by the convincing replicas for sale at this Queen West establishment. Faux Tom Dixon pendant lights and Xavier Pauchard knockoffs share shelf space with curiosities (mounted deer heads, preserved beetles) and genuine designer… - Fashion
Muttonhead
These unisex clothes are smart enough to wear in the city, but are built to withstand backcountry camping adventures. The clothing, and even many of the fabrics they’re made from, are crafted in the GTA under the supervision of Muttonhead co-founders, sisters Meg and Mel Sinclair.… - Art
Nicholas Metivier Gallery
This Corktown gallery is one of the largest contemporary art showrooms in Canada. Artists represented by Nicholas Metivier include international heavyweights like photographers Chuck Close and Gordon Parks, as well as up-and-coming local talent such as painter Stephen Appleby-Barr,… - Art
Olga Korper Gallery
This impressive gallery is located in a former foundry and mattress factory, just north of busy Dundas West. The soaring ceilings allow for oversized installations that few other independent spaces in the city can accommodate. Natural light pouring down from the roof makes exhibits… - Food
Ontario Spring Water Sake Company
During a trip to Japan, Ken Valvur became obsessed with unpasteurized sake. To him, it tasted magical. However, he couldn’t get it back home in Toronto (because it needs to be kept refrigerated, it’s prohibitively expensive to import). So, to slake his raw sake cravings, in 2010… - Housewares
Placewares
Squeezed between fishmongers and produce vendors is one St. Lawrence Market stall that carries everything needed to throw the perfect dinner party, plus everything you’ll need to neatly store the leftovers after the guests have gone. - Cosmetics
Province Apothecary
The Dundas West headquarters for the eponymous skincare brand delivers on its apothecary promises. Wooden shelves lined with jars of petals, roots, and leaves remind customers that the products here are all natural, derived from plant oils, waxes, and herbs. Owner Julie Clark, a… - Music
Rotate This
When Prince popped by this record store, he had his bodyguard flip through the records for him. When Quentin Tarantino stopped by in the late ’90s, the auteur was impressed by the film collection. After almost 30 years selling records, Rotate This remains a favorite among both local… - Food
SOMA Chocolatemaker
Thinking about purveyors of first-class chocolate delights, the mind is pulled to Belgium, Switzerland, and then France. Chocolate aficionados, though, know that some of the best chocolate bars in the world are coming out of Canada. After winning gold at the International Chocolate… - Food
Sanko Trading Co.
Whether you’re shopping for sushi-grade sea bream flown in from the Toyosu market in Tokyo that morning, or you’re just hankering after a mochi snack, this Japanese purveyor of food, ceramics, and knives carries just about everything that’s big in Japan. - Lingerie
Secrets From Your Sister
Thanks to Oprah, we know that the vast majority of women in North America are wearing the wrong bra size. That won't be true of you if you visit this store, which carries a terrific selection of bras to suit figures as dissimilar as Audrey Hepburn and Jayne Mansfield, and everything… - Fashion
Serpentine
Owners Paul Mailing and Stephen George have stocked their Yorkville boutique with brands that find the midpoint between avant-garde haute couture and rock-and-roll fashion (think distressed hoodies with opulent fur details). The room, done up with industrial-era antiques and arty… - Bookstores
Silver Snail
Toronto’s premier comic-book store carries everything from dorky T-shirts to action figures and, of course, all the hot-off-the-press, must-have comics a self-avowed nerd could hope for. There’s also an excellent cafe located in the store (Black Canary Espresso Bar), where you can… - Antiques
Smash Salvage
Since 2008, this sprawling Junction showroom has been a not-so-well-kept secret among the city’s best designers. Dealing primarily in oversized pieces that appeal to those keen on the distressed Industrial aesthetic, Smash Salvage is the place to find Depression-era marquee signs,… - Music
Sonic Boom
Canada’s largest record store has tens of thousands of vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs for sale. The mix of new and used records means you might stumble on a rare funk 45, though this is a better place to find new pressings from your favorite Scandinavian black metal band. Even Top 40… - Music
Soundscapes
Since 1999, Soundscapes has been helping fledgling bands kick-start music dynasties. Of Montreal and Feist both played intimate shows here when starting out. Today, the shop welcomes up-and-coming musicians to sell their albums among chart topping re-releases and LPs by indie… St Lawrence Market
This handsome food market occupies two buildings. The primary market, called the South Market, runs throughout the week in a vast building constructed around the facade of the city's second city hall, built in 1850. Vendors sell meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, as…- Bookstores
Swipe Design
Looking for a gift for the aesthete in your life? This design and architecture shop is a must-visit for bookworms and shopaholics alike. The selection of obscure design books is impressive, but it’s also easy to get distracted by the funky designer items on display. Adults will be… - Gifts
Teatro Verde
t’s easy to get distracted by the vibrant blooms here—cases stuffed with magenta dahlias the size of dinner plates, flamingo pink pin-cushion proteas, and gigantic star-gazer lilies actually being arranged for the stars (Lady Gaga is a fan of the flowers here). While the flora… The Bay
Striped Bay blankets evoke almost as much patriotic pride as the flag. It may sound silly, but this department store is more than twice as old as Canada. Founded in 1670, North America’s oldest company far predates confederation. Back then, the British fur-trading company dealt…- Food
The Cheese Boutique
While browsing aisles of cold-pressed olive oils and balsamic vinegars old enough to vote—before you even make it to the cheese and charcuterie counters—you’ll be offered an espresso, and maybe a Belgian chocolate, to sate you while you explore the gourmet offerings at this foodie… - Cosmetics
The Cure Apothecary
The organic non-GMO Whole Foods demographic is ga-ga for the green beauty products sold at the Cure. Selection focuses on Canadian, Kiwi, Swedish, and American beauty brands that tout themselves as clean products that are just as good for the environment as they are for your skin. - Food
The Spice Trader & The Olive Pit
This contemporary apothecary shop doesn’t deal in herbal remedies; it deals in fair-trade organic herbs, dried and blended in small batches. Neatly arranged tins contain esoteric spices like sumac berries, urfa pepper, and calamus root, alongside common kitchen staples. Even baking… - Housewares
Tosho Knife Arts
When Michelin-starred chefs visit Toronto, most make sure to stop by this Annex boîte renowned for its fancy Japanese blades. The knives come in five different types of steel (from Damascus to Honyaki), and knife handles are made from rare materials such as rosewood, ho wood,… - Fashion
Trove
Trove started out primarily as a jewelry store, but expanded both in size and goods to now include groovy shoes, fun hats, and other accessories, plus a good selection of handbags. It’s a bit of a trek out to the Junction (where Trove recently relocated to), but the entire strip… - Bookstores
Type Books
Type is a love story—a love story about two people who both love books. Canadian books, specifically. Samara Walbohm and Joanne Saul met while studying CanLit in the ’90s, and despite the doom and gloom of Amazon looming on the horizon, the academic duo dreamed of opening an eclectic… - Bookstores
University of Toronto Bookstore
This is one of the best-stocked independent booksellers in town, with textbooks galore, fiction, non-fiction, medical tomes, and impressive collections of Classics and Can Lit. As of year-end—that's May for college students—there's an annual blow-out sale. - Gifts
V de V
Imagine a cooler, independent Anthropologie and you’ve got V de V: a Montreal-based retailer that brought its effortlessly on-trend style to Ossington in 2016. Locals head here for the modestly priced midcentury modern furniture: sleek velvet sitting chairs, embroidered pillows, and… - Gifts
Varsity Brown
A supporter of the slow fashion movement, leathersmith Matt Boston crafts bags, wallets, and belts that are durable enough to endure the test of time, and stylish enough to outlast any trend cycle. The Toronto-based company bills itself as a micro fashion house that combines heritage…
More About Toronto Shopping
Toronto Nightlife
Toronto is home to one of North America's most vibrant theatre scenes. Most venues, including Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, are located within the Entertainment District. Sports are also popular in Toronto, especially Canada's beloved hockey, with venues located near the Harbourfront. Watch hockey or basketball games at Air Canada Centre, then head for a beer at Wayne Gretzky's or PJ O'Brien. Toronto's high-energy gay nightlife is centred in the Church-Wellesley district.
99 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Allen's
Allen's sports a great bar that offers more than 150 beer selections and 278 single malts. Guinness is the drink of choice on Tuesday and Saturday nights, when folks reel and jig to the Celtic entertainment. - Bars & Pubs
Bar Raval
- Bars & Pubs
BarChef
BarChef ★★★[em]A night at BarChef is two parts boundary-pushing mixology, one part theatricality, and a dash of enchantment. Owner Frankie Solarik’s objective at this Queen West destination is to “create an experience involving all the senses: a visceral and emotional journey of… - Bars & Pubs
Bellwoods Brewery
In 2012, two budding brewers turned an old mechanic’s garage into one of the city’s top breweries. In summer, it’s nearly impossible to nab a table on the white-picket fenced-in patio. There, social media influencers snap selfies of themselves sipping beers with names like Jelly King…$$ - Bars & Pubs
Birreria Volo
What was once an alleyway next to the Royal Cinema has been transformed into a beer-lover’s paradise. (The two brick walls are actually the walls of the neighboring buildings, which explains why the space is oh-so-very narrow.) Brothers Julian and Tomas Morana pull 26 beers—the taps… - Bars & Pubs
Blood Brothers Brewing
An industrial stretch north of Dupont street has come alive with amazing restaurants, bars, and this top craft brewery. Here, brothers Justin and Brayden Jones make innovative beers. Every beer is perfectly balanced: The Shumei IPA begins bitter, then finishes with pine punch, while…$$ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Proudly provocative, this not-for-profit company has been dedicated to queer theatrical expression since its founding in 1979. Buddies’ artistic mandate is to develop and present voices that question sexual and cultural norms; the artist-in-residence program has produced many amazing…Budweiser Stage
The pleasure of listening to music by the shores of Lake Ontario makes this a favorite summer spot. The amphitheater seats 9,000, the cheaper lawn section another 7,000. The Budweiser Stage regularly draws some of the biggest names in rock, pop, and country. Recent headliners have…- Bars & Pubs
Burdock
At Burdock, first came the music-venue aspect (this is a great spot to catch indie and folk sets). Then, the restaurant component: The from-scratch nosh is superb—especially the bread made using 100-year-old French sourdough starter. Finally, the fermenting tanks were installed. But…$$ - Classical
Canadian Opera Company
Canadian Opera Company ★★★[em]Performances take place in downtown Toronto at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Canada’s first purpose-built opera house, which opened in 2006. Special $22 tickets for the under-30 crowd and discounted rush tickets are available, subject… - Performing Arts Venues
Canadian Stage
This company performs an eclectic variety of Canadian (from the likes of Michel Tremblay and Robert Lepage) and international plays. Their productions are often groundbreaking. They perform at the Bluma Appel Theatre, which seats 868, and the Berkeley Theatre, a more avant-garde,… - Bars & Pubs
Cold Tea
There’s no signage on the street indicating that the derelict Kensington Market mall might house one of the coolest bars in town. Instead, walk past the closed bric-a-brac dealers and look for the red light that shines above an industrial-looking door. Inside, you’ll find a hip… - Comedy Clubs
Comedy Bar
This new kid on the comedy block has quickly proved popular. It stresses sketch and improv comedy over stand-up (it’s co-owned by Gary Rideout, Jr., of sketch troupe the Sketchersons). - Gay & Lesbian Bars
Crews & Tango
Located in a Victorian house, this three-in-one club promises something for everyone. Crews is a gay bar for men and is known for its pubby atmosphere and drag shows, which start at 11pm. The dance floor and lounge of the upstairs Tangos bar gets wild on weekends. Then there’s the… - Dance Clubs
Crocodile Rock
There’s something sweet about the fact that a club as untrendy and blue-collar as Crocodile Rock can survive in the heart of the entertainment district downtown. It caters to a slightly older crowd, for whom ‘80s pop will never die. - The Performing Arts
Dancemakers
Now under the artistic direction of choreographer Amelia Ehrhardt, Dancemakers has, over the past 4 decades, gained international recognition for its provocative mix of stylized physical movement and theater. It is based in the Distillery District, in a state-of-the-art 98-seat… - Bars & Pubs
Dora Keogh
Comfortable and friendly, with a decidedly authentic atmosphere, this is a good spot for a hearty meal and a pint. But the real reason to come is the music. Saturday afternoons feature topnotch jazz, while traditional Celtic melodies are served up on Thursdays at 9pm and Sundays at… - Bars & Pubs
Dundas Video
This Dundas West dive bar feeds on ’80s nostalgia. Old-school Nintendo consoles (N64, NES, and SNES) are hooked up to cathode-ray TVs. The no-frills room is undergrad chic: picnic tables, a few old movie-theater seats, and the odd unframed poster effuse the joint’s je ne care pas…$$ - Performing Arts Venues
Ed Mirvish Theatre
This beautiful venue has had a tumultuous history. It got its start as the Pantages Theatre in 1920, and its opulent design (by the famous theater architect Thomas Lamb) was widely admired. But the theater’s fortunes sank in 1929—not because of the stock-market crash, but because its… - Gay & Lesbian Bars
El Convento Rico
The Latin beat beckons one and all—straight, gay, and otherwise—to this lively club. It has welcomed a diverse crowd for nearly a quarter-century. If you don’t know how to salsa, meringue, or cha-cha, you can pick up the basics at the Friday-night dance lessons, but even if you don’t… El Mocambo
This world-renowned rock-[‘]n’-roll institution hosted an infamous Rolling Stones show in the [‘]70s, while the likes of U2 and Elvis Costello also graced its stage in their early years. Its famous neon sign blinked no more when the club closed for a few years. After trading hands a…- Performing Arts Venue
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
These landmark theaters first opened their doors in 1913, and the Centre is now a designated National Historic Site, owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. Both the Elgin and the Winter Garden have been restored to their Edwardian gilded glory, and the theaters vie with… Factory Theatre
Since it opened in 1970, the Factory Theatre has focused on presenting Canadian plays, from political dramas to over-the-top comedies. The theater likes to call itself “the home of the Canadian playwright.” Performances showcase up-and-coming scribes, as well as such established…- Performing Arts Venues
Fleck Dance Theatre
Part of the sprawling Harbourfront Centre by the waterfront, this 446-seat theater (formerly the Premiere Dance Theatre) is specifically designed for dance performances and is where you can catch some of Toronto’s leading contemporary dance companies. - Performing Arts Venues
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Toronto’s opera house, which opened in 2006, is a stunner. Designed by architect Jack Diamond of the renowned Toronto firm Diamond and Schmitt, it has a simple exterior, resembling a house of glass. Inside, in the tradition of truly grand opera houses, there are three stages: main,… - Bars & Pubs
Get Well
The type of late 20-something who lists thrifting as a top hobby on a dating profile is likely to choose Get Well for a first date with their Tinder match du jour. The eclectic space is a mismatch of Formica tables, disco balls, depression-era lights; the bar is crowned by a golden… - Bars & Pubs
Godspeed Brewery
In 2017, the Toronto Star called Godspeed’s launch the “most anticipated brewery opening of the year.” The brewery was a long time in the making. Originally, owner Luc Lafontaine had planned to open a brewery in Tokyo with his Japanese wife, Eri Kuramasu. Unfortunately, Japanese…$$ - Bars & Pubs
Hemingway's
Don’t be fooled by its literary name. This Toronto institution has been a favorite among the sporty, party-loving set for decades. Although the many flatscreens play everything from hockey to football (American and European), Hemmo’s is one of the few places in town that screens… Hugh's Room
Call this a folk supper club for baby boomers. Around since 2001, the 200-seat venue has good sound and sightlines (except at the bar) and decent food. The booking policy ranges from folk legends like Judy Collins and the Strawbs to emerging roots singer/songwriters.- Bars & Pubs
Indie Alehouse Brewing Co.
Belgian sours, double IPAs, and English porters are the focus at this Junction brew house that likes to color outside the lines. “We’re not fans of rules, beer style guidelines, or people telling us what we can or can’t do,” they proudly aver on their website. Leaning into their…$$ - Bars & Pubs
Irish Embassy
Located in a stunning 1873 bank building in the Financial District, this pub fills up after the closing bell rings at the Toronto Stock Exchange. Guinness is just one of the many brews on tap, and the excellent pub-grub menu will help tide you over. - Performing Arts Venues
Koerner Hall
Opened in 2009, this is a jewel on Toronto’s performing arts scene. Designed by the renowned KPMB Architects group, the concert hall seats 1,135 patrons. The centerpiece of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, it has received rave reviews for… Lee's Palace
Versailles this ain’t, but ignore Lee’s patina of grunge and focus instead on the excellent sightlines, high stage, and good sound. Such alternative-rock icons as Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers have played the 600-capacity club, and indie rock remains the primary focus these days.…- Nightlife
Library Bar
Toronto's gracious, historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel has been dealing with a mess for several years: because of the renovation of Union Station, which is just to the south, Front Street right outside has been torn up and partially closed to traffic. But don't let the…$$$Financial District: 1st floor of Fairmont Royal York Hotel, across the street from Union Station Lula Lounge
Want to sip a well-mixed mojito or caipirinha, feast on fine Latin cuisine, and catch some great music without leaving your table? If so, make a date with Lula. Located on the outskirts of Little Portugal, this vibrant and spacious room is well worth the trek. It has the feel of a…- Bars & Pubs
Madison Avenue Pub
This is a favorite haunt of University of Toronto students, but older patrons will also feel welcome. Beer is the beverage of choice here, with more than 150 varieties available on tap. The original pub at 14 Madison Avenue has gobbled up its neighbors at 16 and 18, and now this spot… - Bars & Pubs
Mahjong Bar
You’d be excused for walking by and thinking this Pepto-Bismol pink bodega was just a place to buy Korean cosmetics and hard-to-find instant ramen. Those in the know head to the curtained doorway, behind which is Mahjong Bar: a sumptuous room with a Hong Kong speakeasy vibe. - Bars & Pubs
Mill Street Brew Pub
Situated in the historic site of an old brewery, this pub features an award-winning array of beers brewed in small batches (some are available only seasonally). The Tankhouse Pale Ale is a constant, with its five malts blended for a particularly complex flavor.$$ - Bars & Pubs
Motel
Historic art pieces grace the walls, the Britpop and local content on the jukebox impresses, and the cozy place (capacity: 40) exudes a laid-back vibe. Guest bartenders and DJs will take care of your beverage and aural needs. Too bad you can’t book a room. - Bars & Pubs
Muzik
Even Toronto's non-clubgoers know about this hotspot now, after infamous Toronto Mayor Rob Ford decided to party here in the middle of his media mess. The club is located on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition, in the former Horticultural Building. Drive or plan to cab it…$$$On the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition - The Performing Arts
National Ballet of Canada
Perhaps the most beloved and famous of Toronto’s cultural icons is the National Ballet of Canada. English ballerina Celia Franca launched the company in Toronto in 1951 and served as director, principal dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Over the years, the company has achieved… Native Earth Performing Arts Inc.
A small company dedicated to performing works that express and dramatize the Indigenous experience in Canada, and to encouraging the use of theater as a form of communication within First Nations communities. Playwright Tomson Highway, author of Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing,…- Gay & Lesbian Bars
Pegasus Bar
This relaxed pub draws a gay and lesbian crowd with its four professional-size billiard tables, trivia nights, video games, pinball machines, and gigantic TV (tuned to gay dramas). The staff is warm and welcoming. Phoenix Concert Theatre
The Phoenix is an old-school rock venue and has a loyal local following. It has showcased such legends as the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, and Gang of Four, while newer stars such as Grimes and the Raveonettes have also gigged here. On the weekends, it gets the crowds dancing with a…- Performing Arts Venues
Princess of Wales Theatre
This spectacular 2,000-seat, state-of-the-art facility was built for the Toronto run of Miss Saigon, with a stage large enough to accommodate the landing of the helicopter in that production. Later, it was home to The Lion King, Hairspray, and the ill-fated stage adaptation of the… - Dance Clubs
Rebel
A favorite among the Gen Z cohort, this 4,180sq m (45,000 sq.-ft.) dance club plays a hip hop–heavy top-40 soundtrack to get the crowd moving. The two-story space, complete with a wraparound mezzanine, looks like a neo-Gaudí cathedral inside—if, that is, the Catalonian architect was… Reservoir Lounge
]This joint feels like a contemporary speakeasy. The cramped space—it seats only 100—is below street level, yet feels intimate rather than claustrophobic. Live jazz—Dixieland, vocal jazz, or swing—and Motown belts out 7 nights a week. Defunct elsewhere, the swing dance craze lives on…Rogers Centre
The biggest venue in the city, the Rogers Centre is the home of the MLB Toronto Blue Jays. It's not used regularly for music concerts but occasionally draws superstars like U2 and AC/DC. This venue is about as intimate as a parking lot. If you’re seated in the 400 or 500 levels,…- Bars & Pubs
Rorschach Brewing Co.
After a day spent sunning on Toronto’s east end beaches, jump off the westbound streetcar on the way back downtown and head here for a sundowner. All 16 taps pull draught that’s been brewed in-house. The suds have on-theme psychotherapy-inspired names. An order of Positive…$$ - Performing Arts Venue
Roy Thomson Hall
This important concert hall bears the name of newspaper magnate Lord Thomson of Fleet (a Canadian press baron who wound up taking a seat in the British House of Lords). Built between 1972 and 1982, and designed by Arthur Erickson, the building’s exterior looks very Space Age. Inside,…Entertainment District - Performing Arts Venue
Royal Alexandra Theatre
Built in 1907, this historic, elegant venue is the oldest continuously operating legitimate theater in North America. You might find its 1,497 seats rather "cozy," and if you don't like heights don't opt for a second-balcony seat (the balcony is crazy steep). But there's a real charm…Entertainment District - Gay & Lesbian Bars
Sailor
This bar is attached to Woody’s but has a livelier atmosphere; unlike Woody’s, you won’t see many women here. Every Thursday, there’s a Best Chest competition; every Friday, the prize is for Best Ass. In the evening, a DJ spins an assortment of dance and alternative tunes. Scotiabank Arena
Better known as a sports venue—it’s home to the Maple Leafs and the Raptors—the Scotiabank Arena (formerly the Air Canada Centre) also hosts popular musical acts. Neil Young has performed here, as have Tom Petty, Radiohead, and Lady Gaga.- Comedy Clubs
Second City
Sacred ground to comedy aficionados. This was where Mike Myers received his formal—and improvisational—comic training. Over the years, the legendary Second City nurtured the likes of John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, and Eugene Levy. It continues to… - Bars & Pubs
Snakes & Lattes
Board-game zealots, and even those whose gaming experience starts and stops at Monopoly, head to this funky gaming paradise, where the $5 admission gets you access to over 1,000 different games, and the ever-chipper staff (all game masters) will teach you the rules to any game you…$Around Town - Bars & Pubs
Snakes and Lagers Board Game Bar
The sister bar of the popular Snakes & Lattes Café (at 600 Bloor St. West, with its 300+ board and card games), this happy Koreatown joint calls itself a "gastro-games-pub." Frankly, I can't think of a better name for it! Patrons are charged a $5 admission that covers the use of…$$Koreatown; just west of Bathurst near Markham Street - Dance Clubs
Sneaky Dee's
The antidote to the glut of posh clubs that have been proliferating in Toronto, this long-established oasis of a dive bar boasts the city’s best nachos, cheap beer, rowdy [’]90s-themed dance nights, and excellent live music. The graffiti-layered walls are a testament to the many… - Dance Clubs
SoSo Food Club
Until 10pm, this is primarily a restaurant where stylish patrons slurp spicy biang biang noodles and other mainland Chinese delicacies, accompanied by copious amounts of sake chaser. As the night grows later, the vibe shifts, and the space becomes a riotous dance hall with a… - Performing Arts Venues
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
In 2010 this building celebrated its 50th birthday with a $30-million facelift—quite the gift, but then this is quite the venue. Artists who have appeared in this storied venue range from Richard Burton and Liz Taylor to Bob Dylan, the Clash, and Radiohead. Star architect Daniel… - Performing Arts Venues
Soulpepper
Founded in 1997, this artist-created classical repertory company began by presenting theatrical masterpieces of the 20th century. They’ve now commissioned a slew of successful plays, such as Spoon River, that have since toured abroad to great acclaim. Education and youth outreach are… - Bars & Pubs
Spin
You don’t need Forrest Gump’s table-tennis skills to enjoy this ping-pong "social club." The sleekly sprawling, 12,000-square-foot King West space boasts a dozen tables, which are best reserved in advance at peak bar times. Prices for a table vary from $15 for a weekday walk-in at…$$ Supermarket
Kensington Market is famous for its food stores, so it seems appropriate that this new club is playing on the name. It offers a wide assortment of live jazz, soul, roots, and rock. Earlier in the evening, Supermarket is an affordable Asian fusion restaurant, and it occasionally hosts…- Bars & Pubs
Sweaty Betty's
This low-key, unpretentious place won’t be to everyone’s taste—a good thing, since the seating capacity is limited to roughly 60 people (and that includes the patio). Famous for its snarky bartenders, this is a great spot for meeting others, since the close quarters means you’ll hear… TIFF Bell LIghtbox
During September, this glitzy cinema is ground zero for A-listers, who come to town for TIFF, Toronto’s annual international film festival. The rest of the year, the red carpet is rolled up, and the TIFF Bell Lightbox becomes a great place to catch obscure 1950s Japanese films…- Classical
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir
This internationally acclaimed ensemble plays baroque compositions by the likes of Handel, Bach, and Mozart on authentic period instruments. The annual Messiah concerts always sell out. Visiting musicians frequently join the permanent performers. Tarragon Theatre
Opened in 1971, Tarragon produces original works by such famous Canadian literary figures as Michel Tremblay, Michael Ondaatje, and Judith Thompson, alongside works from the likes of David Hare and David Mamet, as well as the occasional classic. There are two small theaters…- Bars & Pubs
The Ballroom
On game night, hundreds of fans gather at this sporty destination to cheer on the home team. Over 5 dozen flatscreens promise that the action is never out of sight. Those who prefer to play, not watch, can avail themselves of the nine bowling lanes on the lower level and a second…Around Town - Gay & Lesbian Bars
The Beaver
The name probably tells you most of what you need to know. Located between the Gladstone and the Drake, and blessed with a great patio, this cozy watering hole has good food and on-point DJs that can read a room to keep parties going well into the night. - Bars & Pubs
The Caledonian
What’s a pair of Scots to do when craving some good whisky and a Scotch egg, but they’re a full red-eye away from home? Let Donna and David Wolff banish any homesickness at this homey Scottish pub. The convivial atmosphere takes work—the Wolffs chat with regulars, introduce new… - Bars & Pubs
The Communist's Daughter
Not the easiest place to find (look for the Nazare Snack Bar sign), but well worth the quest. A tiny, laid-back spot with Formica tables, it possesses one of the city’s best jukeboxes. There’s excellent live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (jazz and country, respectively). The Dakota Tavern
This basement honky-tonk has quickly turned into a mecca for roots, bluegrass, and country rock in Toronto. High-profile singer/songwriters like Ron Sexsmith (a local resident), Serena Ryder, and John Doe (of X) have graced the small stage under the disco ball. Excellent Mexican and…The Danforth Music Hall
From 1919 until the 1970s, this Palladian building functioned as a first-run movie theater. As the Danforth neighborhood became progressively more Greek in the [’]60s, the theater began to lose its viability, and it was eventually sold and turned into a Greek-language cinema, before…- Bars & Pubs
The Drake Lounge
The bar at the Drake Hotel is a perfect perch for sipping martinis and envisioning yourself in a glamorous bygone era. The Lounge is designed to evoke a mid-20th-century feel. It's dressed-up, grown-up fun, and it attracts a crowd of devoted locals and suburbanites. The Drake Underground
In the basement of the Drake Hotel, this venue was designed with flexibility in mind. It’s a good thing, too, because the performers who appear here range from local and visiting musical acts in a wide variety of genres to burlesque artists.- Bars & Pubs
The Fountain
The excellent, eclectic music ranges from Hank Snow crooning to obscure shoe-gazer tracks, but don’t try and make any requests. The sassy bartenders here run the show. The small room is one of the few spots on quickly gentrifying Dundas West where the artistically inclined locals… The Garrison
Since opening in 2009, this club has quickly become a valued member of Toronto’s live music scene. A petite venue (capacity 300), it sports good sightlines and sound, and has a separate bar area up front if your ears need a break. It is co-owned and booked by scene veteran (Sneaky…- Nightlife
The Guvernment Entertainment Complex
If you want to make new friends by the thousands and you don't mind chest-to-chest, sweaty crowds, The Guv is the place for you. At 22,000–square–feet, with eight different rooms, each with a different theme and music, it's Toronto's largest nightclub. Cutting-edge sound and lighting…$$Waterfront area, east of Yonge Street The Horseshoe Tavern
Since 1947, this much-loved honky-tonk has played a crucial role in Toronto’s music community. The country and blues sounds it showcased in the ‘60s and early ‘70s gave way to punk and New Wave, while its current booking policy primarily concentrates on modern rock and roots music…The Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Another successful festival that’s found a brick-and-mortar home is Hot Docs. Now, the film festival dedicated to documentary flicks from around the world showcases biopics, docs, and Q&As year-round. Films span the gamut from flicks about flat-earthers to biopics about famed…- Bars & Pubs
The Lockhart
Muggles hoping to sip on butterbeer should come to this Harry Potter–inspired bar, where the magic is in the presentation. The Befuddlement Draught, for example, comes to the table ablaze (fire is, after all, listed as an ingredient on the drinks card). The snug room is… - Jazz
The Melody Bar
After the live music wraps up on Fridays and Saturdays around 10pm, this becomes Toronto’s favorite karaoke bar. Skinny-jean-clad cool kids get silly with the mic, belting out [’]80s love ballades, Spice Girls hits, and heaps of Bowie, Queen, and Rolling Stones. When karaoke’s not in… The Mod Club Theatre
One of Toronto's best mid-sized live music venues, it's co-owned by Mark Holmes, former frontman of '80s rock faves Platinum Blonde. The Killers, Amy Winehouse, and Canadian favorites like Metric and Stars have all performed here; the concert hall morphs into a dance club later at…- Dance Clubs
The Piston
The cozy front room, with its checkerboard floor and exposed brick attracts a mature crowd, who comes to listen to obscure Motown while knocking back local craft tall cans. The ambience changes gears in the much younger back room, the site of some of the city’s best low-key dance… - Bars & Pubs
The Queen & Beaver Public House
Every good pub must have a competent kitchen. This British pub has a superb kitchen. Everything is made from scratch, even the breads and sausages. The full English breakfast is one of the most authentic, rib-sticking portions this side of the Atlantic. (The black pudding is simply… The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar
The busiest jazz club in the city, the Rex presents two or even three different acts daily, 7 days a week. A casual watering hole lacking the pretensions of some jazz joints, it has been drawing jazz fans since it opened in 1951. The decor hasn’t changed much since the old days, but…- Comedy Clubs
The Rivoli
While the Riv is also known for its music performances, the Monday-night ALT.COMedy Lounge is a huge biggest draw. The Riv features local and visiting stand-ups, and is best known as the place where the comedy troupe Kids in the Hall got their start. Shows take place in the intimate… The Rivoli
It may not quite be the mainstay of the local music scene it once was, but Riv’s Back Room now hosts an eclectic mix of performances, including roots, rock, jazz, comedy, and poetry reading. Tori Amos and Norah Jones made their Toronto debuts here, and Toronto comedy legends the Kids…- Dance Clubs
The Rock 'N' Horse Saloon
Why yes, that is a mechanical bull in the back corner with a bride-to-be about to be flipped off the rearing electric bovine. And, wait, did the servers just break out into a well-choreographed line dance? They sure as heck did, partner. This faux Southern saloon is as close as… - Performing Arts Venues
The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
For 3 decades, the St. Lawrence Centre has presented topnotch theater, music, and dance performances. The facade of the building is unattractive, but the theaters inside are comfortable (and there’s more legroom here than, say, the Royal Alex). The Bluma Appel Theatre stages many… Theatre Passe Muraille
his theater started in the late 1960s, when a pool of actors began experimenting and improvising original Canadian material. It continues to produce innovative, provocative theater by such contemporary Canadian playwrights as John Mighton, Daniel David Moses, and Wajdi Mouawad. There…- Performing Arts Venues
Toronto Centre for the Arts
Built in 1993, this gigantic complex is a half-hour subway ride from downtown and located in a neighborhood with generally ho-hum food options. Best advice: Have a really early pre-theater dinner before making the trek. Programming is varied; one day the Tafelmusik presents a series… - The Performing Arts
Toronto Dance Theatre
The city's leading contemporary-dance company was founded in 1968, bringing an inventive spirit and original Canadian dance to the stage. Christopher House has been the company's director since 1994. House's choreography is widely acclaimed and has earned him multiple awards. - Classical
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The TSO has was revitalized under the direction of Peter Oundjian (to be replaced in 2020 by Spanish maestro Gustavo Gimeno) and the improved acoustics of their home venue. The orchestra performs anything from classics to jazzy Broadway tunes to new Canadian works at Roy Thomson Hall… - Bars & Pubs
Track & Field Bar
Here, games generally played by your grandpa are cool again. Maybe that's why this large subterranean space is a top pick for birthday parties—it's got intergenerational appeal. Trendy kids born with a smartphone in hand sip complicated cocktails while playing leisurely lawn games…$$ - Gay & Lesbian Bars
Woody's
A local institution, immortalized in the television series "Queer As Folk," Woody's is still the reigning men’s bar in the village, welcoming women and heteros. Best Chest contests, drag shows, and DJs are all featured on different nights. It’s a popular meeting spot, especially for… - Performing Arts Venues
Yonge-Dundas Square
Toronto’s open-air entertainment venue is across the street from the Eaton Centre. Summer is its liveliest season: Events include Yoga in the Square on Mondays, indie concert Fridays, and the odd movie to round out the mix. Events such as NXNE and Pride often host special free… - Performing Arts Venues
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
This was once the home of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, Canada’s largest distilling company in the 19th century. The 45-building complex is an outstanding example of industrial design from the Victorian age. In 2003, it was reinvented as the Distillery District, which includes… Young People's Theatre
Toronto is such a theater town that even tiny tots (and the rest of the family) get their own performance center. For more than 50 years, the always-enjoyable YPT has mounted whimsical productions such as Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (by the late, great Mordecai Richler) and…- Comedy Clubs
Yuk Yuk's Toronto
Yuk Yuk’s is Canada’s original home of stand-up comedy. Comic Mark Breslin founded the place in 1976, inspired by New York’s Catch a Rising Star and Los Angeles’s Comedy Store. Famous alumni include Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel, and Norm MacDonald. Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Sandra…
More About Toronto Nightlife
More To Do in Toronto
Best Free Things to Do in Toronto
Catch a Movie under the Stars: Throughout the summer a number of city parks screen films after dusk. Christie Pits, thanks to its natural bowl shape, is one of the best spots to settle in for an alfresco viewing party. Selections vary from classics like Casablanca to indie flicks…
Frommer's Favorite Experiences in Toronto
Taking in the Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario: Locals are thrilled with local boy Frank Gehry's renovation of the AGO. His design has brilliantly revised (and expanded) the space, but the very best thing about the updated AGO is the 2,000 works of art (great…
