Now that it is Pride Month, it is the best moment to talk about how Toronto ranked as the most LGBTQ+ friendly city in the whole world, on an index that takes into account data regarding public attitudes, gay-friendly districts, Pride celebrations and legislation. What all these different aspects tell us, is that being an LGBTQ+ friendly city is having a safe space for the community, where they are protected and recognized by laws, but where they can also have fun freely.
Here at Lokafy, we want to continue celebrating Pride by talking about welcoming Toronto and some of the places that are the favorite for the local LGBTQ+ community. Part of the importance of Pride is using different platforms to shine a light on LGBTQ+-owned or friendly businesses, thus highlighting the people who have been building a sense of community and multiple safe spaces for everyone to be authentic. On this blog, we’re going to focus on Toronto’s vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife, (although we’re focusing more on bars than clubs) as well as its delicious gastronomic scene. Honestly, this is just a glimpse of everything that the city has to offer, but it will paint you a great picture on just how much fun you can have in Toronto, not only during Pride Month, but throughout the year!
Tammy’s Wine Bar:
We’re going to begin with Tammy’s Wine Bar, which opened in December 2021, that is the sister location of the very well known Tommy’s Wine Bar. It is a queer-owned bar that is very popular among younger members of the LGBTQ+ community, who love to participate in the events organized there on Sunday nights, with different hosts making everyone feel at home. Tammy’s is a bar and café with a minimalist style, and it is more laid-back than other places that we’ll later see on the Top. As we’ve said before, something really important about the spots that we’re going to see, is that they aim to create a safe space, and Tammy’s Wine Bar has done it by having a staff made up of women, nonbinary and queer people, and creating an atmosphere free of prejudice. We would say that absolutely everyone’s favorite Sunday activity at Tammy’s is the “Everybody Flirts” queer karaoke, which attracts a huge crowd of people ready to sing their hearts out. As its name indicates, the speciality of the bar is wine, so take the opportunity to enjoy the natural wine program that has been carefully curated at Tammy’s.
Tammy’s Wine Bar is beloved among the LGBTQ+ community due to its queer karaoke called “Everybody Flirts” .
Banu:
Now, we wanted to talk about a beloved restaurant in Toronto, that truly encapsulates its essence as an open-minded and diverse city. We’re talking about Banu, an Iranian family restaurant that will allow you to taste the most authentic Persian cuisine, while also learning about Iran’s culture and history. As a family restaurant, all of the Mohyeddin siblings have participated in it, but it was Samira Mohyeddin, who first thought about the idea of creating this kind of place to express herself as an Iranian, lesbian woman, and try to fight all of the stereotypes and hurtful ideas that others might have. What Samira and all of her siblings have noticed is that Banu has become a tool for their activism, because it has allowed them to help refugees that come from Iran, as well as educate the local community on what authentic Iran looks like, with warm people and delicious food. Something unmissable when visiting Banu is the Pomegranate Beef Tenderloin, their most exquisite dish.
Banu is a family-owned Iranian restaurant where everyone can learn about the magic history of Iran, its people and its culture.
Mandy’s Bistro:
Mandy Goodhandy was the first transgender woman stand-up comedian of Canada, as well as a famous singer, author and advocate that has been at the center of the country’s LGBTQ+ scene for a long time. And now, she’s the owner of her own restaurant and pub, called Mandy’s Bistro, which will give everyone, but specially LGBTQ+ people, a great opportunity to enjoy from comedy nights, live music and some delicious food. Just as Tammy’s Wine Bar, this is more of a laid-back place, perfect for anyone who’s looking for a spot to drink some cocktails and hang out while listening to live jazz music or stand-up comedians. Aside from being owned by Mandy, the Bistro is also queer-operated, so you can bet it is a safe space for any LGBTQ+ person who would like to have a relaxing and fun night out in Toronto.
Mandy’s Bistro is the latest adventure of Mandy Goodhandy, an icon around Canada.
El Convento Rico:
For now, that’s enough for a quiet or laid-back night. It is time that we give you a taste of what Toronto’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is truly like. Since it was opened in 1992, El Convento Rico nightclub has been a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, creating a welcoming space and tearing down barriers, while being one of the most exciting and energetic places to dance to the best Latin music. On Fridays and Saturdays, Rico hosts a dance party, a drag show, a salsa dancing lesson and a pageant all in one. We give you a heads up now, so that it doesn’t become overwhelming once you get there and see everyone having the time of their lives. The music that you’ll hear blasting through the speakers will be a mix of Latin and Top 40 music, so dance and sing all you want, and let the professional entertainers lead the night. Bear in mind that El Convento Rico is located in a college street far west, so it would be better to go accompanied or knowing how to get home late at night. Can’t you feel your feet already beginning to move from excitement?
El Convento Rico is the perfect example of Toronto’s nature: diverse and multicultural.
Sweaty Betty’s:
Toronto is quite known for its dive bars, so we thought that Sweaty Betty’s would be a great spot to finish off our Top 5. This bar is one of the most famous ones in Toronto, and it was one of the precursors of the now popular bar and restaurant area between Queen West, Ossington and Dundas West. What started over 18 years ago, has become a symbol of the perfect dive bar culture of the city, and has championed the LGBTQ+ community through a safe atmosphere and a space made by and for a community. Coming to Sweaty Betty’s means listening to great music, drinking some pretty strong -and classic- cocktails and eating some delicious snacks. Nothing is better than enjoying this kind of night after a long day of sightseeing in Toronto, knowing that you’re being part of what happens in one of the best bars in all of Toronto. We will not tell you what cocktail you should order, because the menu changes seasonally, so we’ll leave it up to you and the time of the year you visit Toronto.
Sweaty Betty’s is one of the most iconic dive-bars in Toronto.
What do you think about our Top? Of course, this is just a small sneak-peak into Toronto’s more lighthearted and calm nightlife, and it is designed for those who want to relax, have some fun and simply eat something delicious. Actually, any of the choices of our Top would be a great spot to begin the night, and later on move on to El Convento Rico to a bit crazier type of fun. For Pride Month, we wanted to highlight those special places that were built with the LGBTQ+ community and the safety and wellbeing in mind, those that simply wanted to be a safe place and somewhere they could truly be themselves. Ready for your next night in Toronto?
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