From the area immediately surrounding the Anndore House, it may not seem like you’re plugged into the best of Toronto’s nightlife. But with the gay village just south, Yorkville to the north, and many lively destinations to the west, you absolutely are!
Yorkville
Yorkville is home to some pretty upscale cocktail bars like the elegant Alo Bar. More casual options include The Oxley Public House (a Brit-style pub), the ultra-popular Hemingway’s and the solid standby The Pilot, where Saturday nights are jazz nights.
The Gay Village
For a more raucous time, hit the gay village. Woody’s (which was featured in Queer As Folk) is also big and fun and has nightly DJs. For watching sports and playing games, try Pegasus.
Chinatown
Many Chinatown restaurants stay open deep into the night. To get there by foot, go west to Spadina Avenue and south to Dundas Street West; by public transit, take the subway from Bloor station or Wellesley Station to Dundas station and get the streetcar (there’s a bus at the moment) west to Spadina. Alternately, you could take an Uber, Lyft or taxi. Lots of the places, like Swatow Restaurant at 309 Spadina Avenue, are colourful and lively and full of good food, and we hear that if you order “Cold Tea,” you’ll get served something better.
Ossington
Then there’s the Ossington strip, a relatively new party spot. Get a ride or take the subway from Bloor station or Wellesley Station to Dundas station and get the streetcar or bus west to Ossington. Some of the many cool places around here are The Painted Lady, Get Well, The Dakota Tavern and Opera Bob’s. If it’s a Monday, walk down Ossington to Reposado to catch local celeb Sean Dean spinning vinyl.
Queen Street West
Popular nightspots on Queen Street West are the Bovine Sex Club (it’s not a sex club) for rock and punk music, sister establishments The Dime and the Warehouse, and serious cocktail bars like BarChef. During certain events and festivals, the Bovine, the nearby Paddock and a scattering of other downtown bars have a 4am last call. Getting to this neighbourhood is easy: take the subway to Queen Station and grab the westbound Queen streetcar. These destinations are all between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street.
King Street West
King Street West is a hub of excitement, with notable venues being the arty and cool Early Mercy and the beer-centric Odd Thomas (which serves cute mini-kegs). Or you can eat, drink and play ping-pong at SPIN. Get to these places by taking the subway to King Station and the King streetcar west.
The subway closes at 1:30 am daily but the Blue Night bus runs up Yonge Street. Get off at the Charles Street stop and you’ll be steps from your bed. Have a wonderful night!