Toronto

Founded in 1793, the city originally known as York was populated by many fleeing Loyalists from the United States. Resentment lingered for some time after US forces raided and pillaged the community during the War of 1812. In 1834, the city became known as Toronto, from tkaronto, the Mohawk name for the narrows.
Growing rapidly since the end of the 19th century, metropolitan Toronto now has over five million people. Almost half the city's residents were born outside Canada, making this a multicultural as well as an economic powerhouse. Ranked among the 14 most visited world cities, there's plenty of gay life and lots of businesses competing for the pink dollar.

Getting there

Pearson International Airport has express bus service for $20 in Canadian currency. It's just over $5 on the city's public transit system.

Getting around

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Metrolinx Go transit systems have buses and subways that cover the metropolitan area and connect with other regional systems. Multi-ticket and day pass plans are available. AT Find The Way  they hav a portal for all transportation infromation in Greater Toronto and Hamilton.

Neighborhoods

The Gay Village, around the intersection of Church and Wellesley, contains many sophisticated bars, cafes, and restaurants. There's an interesting street scene of guys and girls strolling up and down the sidewalks, particularly on Church Street. Take advantage of the window seats at any of the bars or grab a table at the many patio restaurants to watch the passing parade. The increasingly gay West Queen West, (start your explorations at the Gladstone Hotel), is a vibrant district mixing together all kinds of young, creative and alternative types.

Local media

About, a glossy magazine, has gay entertainment and lifestyle coverage.
fab, biweekly magazine, covers gay scene from nightclubs to galleries, fashion to music. See the daily calendar for good Toronto events listings.
Xtra, the LGBT weekly, has Toronto and Canadian news, commentary, events, listings, arts, classifieds, photos, online links and forums.

In Toronto is a gay lifestyle magazine, with website. Queer West/Inside Story, has news, reviews and listings from the other side of Toronto.

The website of Church Wellesley Village has info on the Toronto Gay Village district.

Now Toronto Magazine is a local general public lifestyle and listings resource.

See our map & listings pages for locations and website links for businesses listed below, and other gay and gay-friendly places in Toronto.
 

Accommodations

Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen W; 416-531- 4635) in Queer West, boutique hotel, 37 artist-designed rooms, bar.
House On McGill (110 McGill; 416-351- 1503) longtime favorite, straight/gay clientele, mostly shared bathrooms.
Hyatt Regency Toronto (370 King; 416-343-1234) convenient downtown hotel.
Isabella Boutique Hotel (556 Sherbourne; 416-922- 2203) landmark building, cozy rooms.
Marriot Courtyard (475 Yonge; 416-924- 0611) gay area, full service hotel, free internet.
Neill Wycik (96 Gerrard E; 416-977-2320) student residence, individuals and groups, summer budget rates.
Toronto Marriott Bloor (90 Bloor E; 416-961-8000) sophisticated shopping quarter hotel, walk to gay bars.
Town Inn Suites (620 Church; 416-964- 3311) kitchens, work spaces, living and sleeping areas.
Sutton Place Hotel (955 Bay; 416-924-9221) European elegance, rooms and suites, near gay attractions.
Victoria's Mansion (68 Gloucester; 416-921- 4625) affordable rates, private baths.
 

Bars & Clubs: Gay Village

Black Eagle (457 Church) bi-level leather, fetish and cruise bar, patio, barbecues, bear and naked nights.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander) innovative theater productions, bar after 10:30pm Friday and Saturday.
Boutique Bar (506 Church) mostly guys at this "gourmet" cocktail bar with great patio overlooking the Church Street parade.
Byzantium (499 Church) upscale crowd, mixed ages, martini bar and restaurant, weekend DJs.
Churchmouse & Firkin Pub (475 Church) central location, pub ambiance, summer patio, comfort food, many beers on tap.
Flash on Church (463 Church St), men, dancing, a dash of nudity and porn: "things guys don’t do when the girls are around.”
Gladaman's Den (502A Yonge) closed recently.
Goodhandy's (120 Church St) queer pansexual playground, live sex on- and off-stage, porn stars, hot DJs.
Lola (7 Maitland) stylish downtown cocktail lounge.
O'Grady's Tap and Grill (518 Church) cozy pub and restaurant, fireplaces, patios, Friday night bears.
Pegasus On Church (489 Church) upstairs neighborhood bar, games galore, pool tables, big TVs screen sports and gay-faves.
Play On Church (504 Church) cabaret and piano bar, daily bingo, classic drag, younger Latin weekend dance crowd.
Remingtons (377 Yonge) male strip club, private encounter booths.
Sailor (465 Church) next door to Woody's, in heart of gay village.
Woody's (467 Church) city's busiest bar, cavernous complex, view of street, hot men shows, bartender hunks.
 

Bars & Clubs: West Queen West
 

Baby Huey (70 Ossington) mixed crowd of hipsters and expats, casual ambience, good local DJs.
Beaver (1192 Queen West) popular diner and bar, perfect paninis, great evening music, patio, diverse crowd.
Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington) country music bar, live performers, burgers and chili, Sunday brunch.
Levack Block (88 Ossington) vintage bar, brunch and dinner, energetic Wednesday to Saturday after- dinner dance club.
Melody Bar at Gladstone Hotel (Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen West) 1930s-era decor, piano bar, live entertainment, ballroom dance parties.
Mitzi's Sister (1554 Queen West) mixed space for lunch, brunch, dinner, burlesque, live bands.
Naco Gallery Cafe (1665 Dundas West) authentic and spicy Mexican food, art gallery, third Fridays Latin dance party.
 

Dance clubs

Barn (418 Church) big space, underwear parties, top-floor dark room, after-hours dancing.
Comfort Zone (480 Spadina) Sunday after- hours dancing goes on well into Monday.
El Convento Rico (750 College) gay, straight, tranny mix, hot and sweaty Latin dance club, legendary drag shows.
Flash (463 Church), x-rated holiday Sunday nights dance parties, live sex shows - also an every-night members sex club and bar.
Fly (8 Gloucester) warehouse-size club, great sound and light systems, local and guest DJs, dance videos, open late Saturdays.
Wrongbar (1279 Queen West) huge dance floor, serious DJs, first Fridays queer hip-hop party.
Zipperz (72 Carlton) piano lounge, classic drag cabaret, secluded patio, inner dance club.
 

Restaurants

Baskin Robbins (536 Church) cones, sundaes, shakes, and frozen yogurt.
Byzantium (499 Church) chic martini lounge and restaurant, glass front opens to summer patio.
Cafe California (538 Church) relaxed Mediterranean-fusion restaurant.
Churchmouse & Firkin Pub (475 Church) daily specials, pub-style fish and chips, savory pies, pleasant patio.
Commensal (655 Bay) vegetarian-vegan heaven, hot and cold buffets, breakfast from 7am.
Fire On The East Side (6 Gloucester) southern- inspired cooking with global flair, wine or before-club cocktails.
Fuzion (580 Church) top-tier restaurant, garden oasis, fine dining in great mansion, nightly events, celebrities galore.
Guu Izakaya (398 Church St), popular Japanese, striking design, warm lively atmosphere, take friends to sample/share.
Hair of the Dog (425 Church) upscale neighborhood pub, patio, varied menu, generous servings, late hours.
Kokoni Izakaya (459 Church St) Japanese, lunch and dinner, good food, extensive menu, gracious staff.
O'Grady's Tap and Grill (518 Church) breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, homemade pub grub, packed patio.
Old Nick (123 Danforth) live music, pub fare and comfort food, many beers on tap, patio, organic weekend brunch.
Olympic 76 Pizza (8 Gloucester) Italian specialties, tasty pizzas and panzarotti.
Sambucas On Church (489 Church) two-level Italian restaurant and cocktail bar.
Voglie (582 Church) art-deco lounge and restaurant in Victorian mansion, seasonal patios.
Zelda's (692 Yonge Street) recently moved, drag shows, dining, weekend theme parties, fabulous happenings in heels, popular patio.
 

Saunas & sex clubs

Cellar (78 Wellesley) subterranean recess, famous for exceptionally dark ambiance.
Flash (463 Church), 7-night members sex club and bar; x-rated dance parties, live sex shows.
Spa Excess (105 Carlton) glass and tile wet area, big whirlpool, videos, sling, St Andrew's cross, bar, rooftop sun deck.
Steamworks Toronto (540 Church, 2nd floor) gorgeous steel and glass design, full gym, steamy amenities, 18- plus crowd.
Urge (199 Church St), play room, videos, glory holes, dark rooms, weekends until 4am.

Gyms

L3 Fitness (9 St. Joseph) gay body factory, cardio funk, kickboxing, Pilates, yoga, spinning.
YMCA (20 Grosvenor) gayest of the YMCAs, first- time visitors get in free, gym, pool, sports facility.

Shopping
Glad Day Bookshop (598A Yong) famous queer icon, gay literature, periodicals, videos, music and novelties.
Northbound Leather (586 Yonge) world of fetish fashions, leather clothing, lingerie, kinky gear and accessories.
Priape (501 Church) big sportswear, leather, rubber fashion boutique, sex and fetish toys, magazines and videos.
Stag Shop (449 Church, and 239 Yonge) and Love Shop (489 Church) are adult retail stores in the gay neighborhood.