Mingle-worthy Valentine’s Day fun in Toronto
This year, skip the Valentines-Day flowers and candlelit dinner and hit the town with a group of pals. Our list of Love Week hotspots has you covered from Kensington to Riverside, from dance parties to laid back locals. Check out OKStupid at Handlebar for hilariously awful online dating conversations read live or hit up the Wavelength music festival and discover Canada’s best new underground music. Who needs Cupid, anyway?
Handlebar
159 Augusta Ave, Toronto ON M5T 2L4OK Stupid presents a dramatic reading of hilariously awful online dating conversations at Handlebar. Bring your best worst Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Grindr, OKCupid and Bumble conversations and perform them live in front of a sympathetic audience. Handlebar will have a $10 beer-and-shot combo to keep the laughs going all night long.
Apt 200
1034 Queen St W, Toronto ON M6J 1H7If you’re looking for an upscale house party vibe, Apt. 200 is the place for you. This Queen West spot has a low-key, loungey feel early in the night, transitioning to a club vibe later in the evening. With a to-die-for cocktail list, video games and a pool table, this is where the cool kids go to party.
Lee's Palace
529 Bloor St W, Toronto ON M5S 1Y5Everybody’s favorite mash-up DJ (Girl Talk) is playing Lee’s Palace on the Friday night of V-Day weekend, and trust us, the beloved Annex music venue is a Toronto classic for a reason. Soak up the tunes and enjoy the mingle-friendly crowd all for a good cause – this party is in support of the Rock on Foundation.
Hi Lo
753 Queen St E, Toronto ON M4M 1H3Heading out on the eastside? Check out the good vibes and great selection of craft beers at the Hi-Lo. Located in Riverside on Queen East and Grant, this local watering hole is where east enders like to unwind after a long week – that is, among arcade games, great music, and a very eligible crowd of cool Toronto-ites. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the Opera House Anti-Valentines party, this is your one-stop pre-game.
The Opera House
735 Queen St E, Toronto ON M4M 1H1Chocolate and flowers not your thing? Head to the Opera House for the Anti-Valentines Ball on February 12. With DJs spinning all night long, and arty, fetish themed exhibitions, this party is $20 at the door with no advance tickets.
The Garrison
1197 Dundas St W, Toronto ON M6J 1X3If you’re looking for some new underground music this V-Day, check out Wavelength Music Festival at the Garrison. Wavelength is a festival dedicated to genre bending and innovative music. Get romantic with lovers and pals at three nights in a row of the best new music in Canada.
Get Well
1179 Dundas St W, Toronto ON M6J 1X3Known for its vintage games and solid selection of craft beer, Get Well is Toronto’s cure for the Valentine’s blues. This is a mingle-friendly zone so stop in for a couple of pints with your pals and get lost in some old school arcade games. And don’t forget to grab a hot slice of ‘za from the in-house collaboration with North of Brooklyn Pizzeria.
