Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community is vibrant and thriving. Church-Wellesley Village, also known as the Toronto Gay Village, is a welcoming neighbourhood for all, with many hotspots to see and explore. Whether you are visiting Toronto during Pride Toronto for the Pride Festival and Pride Parade for Pride celebrations during Pride Month, or just visiting for fun, here’s your pride guide to Toronto, Canada.
“Home is not where you live but where they understand you,” said Christian Morgenstern and at Hair of the Dog, it seems like no one is a stranger to each other. Grab a brunch dish or a half pound burger at the home of Church Street’s no. 1 patio. The award-winning pub was voted best place to have a first date, and “according to our staff, it’s a great place to dump someone, too!”
Glad Day Bookshop was the first gay bookshop in Canada, serving the LGBTQ+ community since 1970, and is currently the world’s oldest surviving LGBTQ+ bookstore. Peruse the sections of different voices, from LGBTQ+ Teen Fiction to Queerly Canadian. Books and brunch go great together, as Glad Day Bookshop also hosts Drag Brunch with Erin Brockobic on weekends.
Established in 1979, Buddies in Bad Times is the largest and longest-running queer theatre in the world, welcoming over one million audience members and premiering over 1,000 works of art on stage. Championing the values of difference, excellence, and community, the shows at Buddies in Bad Times promote stories and perspectives that are challenging and alternative that support the queer community.
If you’re looking to celebrate pride in Toronto properly, attend an event hosted by the Green Space Festival. With a history of booking world-class DJs and musicians plus drag queen performances, all proceeds go to 519, the largest LGBTQ2S community centre in Canada.
Music? Check. Nachos? Check. At Sneaky Dee’s, musicians and foodies unite under roof for Tex-Mex and rock songs. Since 2011, local musicians have been invited to create signature dishes, like Sparrows’ “Fifth Helena Homefries” and Lights’ “Cactus in The Valley Nachos.” With an alt-energy mixed with live performances, this iconic venue is a must-visit when coming to Toronto.
Book your stay at Best Western Premier Toronto Airport Carlingtonview Hotel.