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Questions swirl surrounding alleged High Park attack

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high park attackIn Toronto, it's not unusual for stories to blow up after getting shared on Facebook groups such as Bunz Trading Zone and its affiliated forums. The latest one, however, involves an alleged attack that happened in the High Park area this past weekend.

On October 8, Trung Nguyen posted to Facebook that he and his partner Tyler were attacked by a stranger while walking home from a Thanksgiving dinner. Nguyen notes he and his partner were heckled when they moved passed a group sitting on a patio.

"It was around 2 am as we walked past a patio where a group of people made some comments at us," writes Nguyen.

"Realizing they were not interested in friendly conversation, we walk away. One of them follows us to continue his heckling. We are only a few blocks from home (High Park) so we try to avoid confrontation but he begins to physically assault us when we ignore him. Tyler endures a sucker punch to the face and I sustain injuries to my head and knee. I black out and begin seizuring from my injuries."

high park attackNguyen's post, which included graphic images, received nearly 10,000 likes and was shared more than 7,000 times. In it, he claimed the police didn't believe his and his partner's story and discouraged them from pursuing it further.

Yesterday, City News released an article saying that the incident may not have been as clear cut. The media outlet quoted an alleged witness named Katie, a server at the The Wicket.

"Basically, as my friends and I were standing on the sidewalk having a cigarette, three guys ran past us and smacked us on the ass," Katie told City News. "They all seemed to be laughing and having a good time. We assumed they were together." They continued running, she said, and attempted to climb a chain fence when one of them fell.

Today, Nguyen posted an update to Facebook thanking friends, family and commenters for their support as well as reiterating his story.

"My intention was simple: we were attacked, and I was voicing sadness and frustration for not getting justice or a chance to be heard," he writes about why he posted on Facebook in the first place.

"I felt hopeless and was looking for advice on how to cope with the situation and to understand why our interaction with the police was so disappointing. At that time, the investigation was closed by the police, and I simply wanted to know how I could find my own closure. I've never been in any kind of fight."

"And while getting hurt is traumatic, what stunned me the most was that in a situation where my partner and I were the victims, we were treated with such disregard and disrespect."

While this is a complicated story with many moving parts, including an open police investigation, it points to a commonplace occurrence in Toronto: trial by social media.

From the recent Blue Jays beer can tossing fiasco and La Carnita's offensive Instagram caption, to the recent social media storm surrounding the Painted Lady, it seems like everyone in the city is ready with a hot take, regardless of what the facts might say.


Toronto bubble tea shop serves its drinks in lightbulbs

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royalteaIf you're tired of the usual plastic cup this newish bubble tea chain from China has a new way of serving you something refreshing.

Read my profile of Royaltea in the cafes section.

You can soon eat ramen burgers in Toronto

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ramen burgerToronto's been craving ramen burgers. So much so that one enterprising Instagrammer even started selling DIY ramen burger kits. But instead of assembling this gluttonous fusion food at home, you'll soon be able to grab one from a new restaurant opening near Queen and Broadview.

Kaboom Chicken will soon be up-and-running at 722 Queen St. E. It'll serve up a menu centred on Korean fried chicken (or KFC) as well as bao and sides like bibimbap salad, corn and fries.

This incoming restaurant announced its most awesome-sounding food item on Instagram a couple of days ago, hinting that'd be offering them up sooner rather than later.

So if you can wait just a tiny bit longer, you can soon stuff your face with ramen burgers on Toronto's east side. But don't expect a beef patty on your ramen bun - these burgers will feature fried chicken.

Photo via @kaboomchicken.

What kind of house does $1.5 million get you in Toronto?

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million dollar house torontoThe $1.5 million price point in Toronto real estate is something of a breakthrough number. Once you have this much to spend, you're guaranteed a nice home in a nice area. It's frightening to think that it costs that much to reach such a designation, but such is the reality of the Toronto housing market.

Here's what a $1.5 million house looks like in Toronto.

$1,488,000 in Riverdale
Detached homes are finally within reach at this price point, and this three storey home with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a finished basement offers a lot of space for a relatively central location. It's been recently renovated and features three decks on which to soak up the sun.

million dollar house toronto$1,479,000 in the Beaches
Located just north of the bustling Queen East stretch of the Beaches, this two storey detached home has been completely renovated in a rather neutral/conservative style that will suit a variety of tastes. There's only three bedrooms to work with, but you're paying for location and the good looking outdoor space.

million dollar house toronto$1,495,000 in Rosedale
This one will go over the asking price. Located at the border of Rosedale and Moore Park, the lot size is huge, while the interior attains a great balance between classic and modern design. The kitchen alone is worth a bidding war, and there's plenty of space for families.

million dollar house toronto$1,495,000 in Lawrence Park
This cozy Lawrence Park home has a great backyard and makes good use of the available space to appear more airy than it actually is. Prospective buyers will have to check their dreams of a grand master bedroom, but you can imagine a mid-sized family being more than comfortable here. The hardwood actually seems a bit cold here, so be prepared to invest in some rugs to warm the place up.

million dollar house toronto$1,499,000 near Little Italy
Here's one that underscores the unfairness of Toronto real estate prices. Stacked up against the home in Rosedale listed above, this just doesn't compete, but it's also got a far better walk score and proximity to lively neighbourhood. There's nothing wrong with it, of course - it's just tough to believe that it'll fetch $1.5 million (but you know it will).

SeventyNine ConstructionThanks to SeventyNine Construction for sponsoring this post.

Toronto Food Events: OktoberFEAST, Toronto Bakers Market, Cask Days, Eatable Film Fest, Pigstock

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Toronto food eventsToronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious festivals, pop-ups, winemaker dinners, supper clubs and other food related happenings in Toronto this week and next. You can find us here every Friday morning.

THIS WEEK

UPCOMING

  • Cask Days returns to the Evergreen Brick Works from Oct. 21 to 23.
  • The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is on Oct. 21 at the Opera House on Oct. 21
  • Watch foodie films with a feast at the Eatable Film Fest on from Oct. 22 to 25.
  • The cruelty-free Vegan Oktoberfest is happening on Oct. 22 at Nest
  • Pigstock, the annual festival celebrating the mangalitsa pig is on Oct. 23. Tickets are $125 and include a meal by Toronto's Albert Ponzo and Michigan's Brian Polcyn.
  • Learn to make chaat and chai from scratch at Bombay Street Food on Oct. 24 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
  • The foodie fundraiser The Nightcap, in support of Action Against Hunger, is on Oct. 26 at the George Brown Culinary School. Tickets are $49.99.

Know of a Toronto food event coming up? Email editors@blogto.com

Photo of Halo Brewery by Hector Vasquez.

Giant beer hall coming to Toronto's Financial District

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king taps torontoToronto's Financial District is already flush with restaurants, upscale bars and watering holes. But the city's business centre is about to get one more when this massive beer hall moves into First Canadian Place at 100 King St. West.

King Taps is coming to this high-traffic complex. According to a recent job posting, this incoming eatery and craft beer bar will sprawl out over two storeys and will include lots of seating for those who need a drink after a long day at the office.

Once the weather warms up, it'll also feature a patio because more patios are always a good thing. Expect to find 50 beers on tap - there's no word yet on what this new beer bar will be pouring.

King Taps is slated to open some time in 2017.

TTC creates stages for buskers in subway stations

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TTC BuskerTTC subway buskers have included Juno award winners, Royal Conservatory of Music graduates, symphony performers, published musicians and up and coming talents. But they're often walked by, ignored and nearly trampled on during rush hour. That's all about to change.

The TTC is going to be experimenting with stages in their stations to literally give musicians more of a platform so that commuters don't assume they are random musically minded folks strumming in a corner.

The TTC wants the stages to push they idea that the performers are associated with the transit system and not just random street buskers.

The pilot project is happening at four different subway stations - Bloor-Yonge, Spadina, Main Street and Finch - with stages made up of vinyl wrap-around decal displayed from the wall behind the musicians to the floor underneath their stomping feet.

The TTC hopes that the stages will encourage people to dish out more change at musicians.

Photo by Jennifer Tse.

Find the perfect pumpkin patch and farm near Toronto

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Pumpkin Patch torontoA visit to a pumpkin patch or local farm in Toronto is an October ritual for many. While your local grocery store is always an option for procuring your seasonal jack-o'-lantern, a pumpkin patch definitely has a more festive atmosphere. Just beware - buying pumpkins direct from a pumpkin patch aren't necessarily a cheaper option. If low price is a factor, you'll be better off at No Frills.

Here's where to find a pumpkin patch near Toronto.

Albion Orchards
This Caledon apple farm and country market sells hundreds of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. In addition to pumpkin picking you can spend your visit picking apples from their orchard.

Andrew's Scenic Acres
This Milton farm comes with wagon rides and a field where everyone can select their favourite pumpkin from a tiny 5 lbs. to a massive 80 lbs. They also offer guided tours for $7 where you can take in the fall colours on a 90 minute tour around the farm.

Brooks Farms
This Mount Albert farm will charge you $14 to attend their Fall Fun Festival which runs all October. With this fee you get access to their Barnyard Playland, pig races and a pumpkin cannon show.

Cooper's CSA Farm & Maze
This Zephyr farm has a popular u-pick option where a single pumpkin can be had for $4 or three for $10. The farm also has a 10 acre Game of Thrones themed corn maze, an asparagus mini maze, hay climb and wagon rides but you need to pony up a $9 admission fee.

Downey's Farm Market
It's all about fall fun at this Inglewood farm. They're open daily in October for their annual Pumpkinfest where you can select pumpkins, take a ride on a wagon, walk through their corn maze, say hi to the farm animals and indulge in tasty treats. The fun, however, comes at a price - $9 during the week and $14 on weekends.

Forsythe Family Farms
This Uxbridge farm runs their annual Harvest Festival from Thanksgiving weekend until Halloween. The festival includes pumpkin picking, access to their corn maze and wagon rides and an animal cuddle station on weekends. Admission will set you back $3.50 on weekdays and $7.95 on weekends.

Pingle's Farm Market
This Hampton farm will give you a free wagon ride to their pumpkin patch where you can select your perfect front porch accessory. They're open daily and offer fun farm activities like an 8 acre corn maze, mini golf, sandbox and visits to the farm animals. Admission for activities is $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends.

Reesor's Farm Market
This Markham farm has hundreds of pumpkins to choose from in all sizes. You can fill one of their wheelbarrows full of pumpkins for $35 or pick 3 for $25. It's free to enter the pumpkin patch but if you want to get in on their corn maze it will set you back $3 per person or $10 for the whole family. Closed Sundays.

Springridge Farm
This Milton farm's Harvest Festival runs every weekend in October. Find a wide variety of pumpkins in their market or take in one of their puppet shows, a wagon ride, pipe slides or visit the farm animals. Admission is $12.

Whittamore's Farm
This Markham farm is famous for their Pumpkinland and Harvest Festival Weekends. Admission ($9 on weekdays and $13 on weekends) will give you access to a spooky forest, mazes, swings and shows.

Photo by Will Guerrero via the blogTO Flickr pool.


Gravy and mashed potato cakes have arrived in Toronto

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mashed potato cakeA heaping plate of Christmas dinner with all the fixings is a year long craving and fantasy for some of us. One (or two or three) of those plates is a special time for our mouths and stomach's once a year. One Toronto baker is taking this to the next level by putting the meal in cake form.

The Pop Shop, who will also have a booth at the huge bakers market this weekend, has created a savoury cake "layered with cornbread, mac & cheese, candied yams, cranberry sauce and stuffing." It's topped with a mashed potato "icing", gravy and big pile of chicken wings, truthfully advertised as an entire meal in once slice.

The Pop Shop doesn't have retail location but is taking orders for the holidays already. The whole cake costs $75, and slices dubbed "leftover plates" are $15.

gravy cakePhotos via Pop Shop's Instagram.

Toronto's newest beer bar also does great snacks

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Laylow TorontoAnother beer bar has sprung up in Toronto, but with a focus on European German and Belgian style beers rather than the all-local fare favoured by many bars recently. Me & Mine may be gone, but it's been replaced with another hideout where you can down a Sierra Nevada Nooner and munch on some porchetta poutine in a chill space.

Read my profile of Laylow in the bars section.

Deadmau5 asked to create new anthem for Maple Leafs

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Deadmau5With a new star saving the team, a fresh logo, and a lot of hype surrounding the 2016/17 Maple Leafs season comes news of an updated anthem for the franchise.

Toronto DJ/producer/stage musical muse Deadmau5 will produce a brand new anthem for the team. It will debut as they skate onto the ice to take on Boston at the ACC tomorrow.

Asked to come up with "something simple, original and different," the electronic music maker didn't use any samples and tried to appeal to the very large hockey audience who will be tuning in every game.

It'll be something "driving and anthem-ish," he descriptively told the Maple Leafs website. A dance song meant to pump energy into the 100 year old organization and announce a new chapter for the team.

The Best Farmers Markets in Toronto

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farmers market torontoThe best farmers' markets in Toronto make it easy for you to stock up on fresh produce, organic meat and a slew of scratch-made baked goods and artisanal prepared foods. These bustling marketplaces set up shop throughout the week, making it easy for you to get out and support local producers.

Here are the best farmers' markets in Toronto.

St. Lawrence Market Saturdays
The St. Lawrence Market gets super busy on Saturday mornings when farmers sell fresh produce inside the white tent just south of the main market. There are all sorts of vendors here selling local cheese, fruit, vegetables, baked goods and flowers.

Leslieville Farmers Market
This popular market takes over Jonathan Ashbridge Park every Sunday from May to October. Head to this east side neighbourhood to shop outdoors for fresh produce, meat, dairy and other artisanal products. There's also always hot items like tacos, waffles and Caribbean breakfast sandwiches, along with live music.

Evergreen Brick Works
It's always a good idea to head to the Brick Works, but one of the best times to visit is on Saturday and Sundays for the weekly farmers' market. There are always vendors selling delicious hot food, bread, fruit and vegetables and sometimes, there's craft beer on tap too.

The Stop's Farmers' Market at Artscape Wychwood Barns
While many farmers' markets close up shop in the cooler months, this one at Artscape Wychwood Barns runs all year round Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There's a huge roster of vendors selling everything from produce to pickles and freshly baked bread.

Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market
This farmers' market also runs year round and aims to give the nearby community access to organic fruits and veggies. It's open on Thursday afternoons and evenings from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. - could there be a better place to pick up dinner?

Sorauren Farmers' Market
Started by the West End Food Co-op, this weekly market in the city's west side gives the neighbourhood access to fresh produce and other yummy prepared foods.

Junction Farmers Market
This farmers' market in the Junction runs from May until early November on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Along with produce, meat and dairy, you can find prepared food and wine, if you're looking to whip up a boozy weekend brunch.

farmers market torontoEast Lynn Farmers' Market
If you're looking for a farmers' market on Toronto's east side, visit East Lynn Park (by the Danforth) on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m to stock your pantry, fridge and belly for the weekend.

Humber Bay Shores Farmers' Market
This neighbourhood might be condo central, but that didn't stop the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association from starting a weekly farmers' market. It's on every Saturday from early June to mid-October at Humber Bay Park West.

Photos by Jesse Milns.

Toronto Public Library sends mean tweet to Cleveland

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toronto public library blue jaysThe Toronto Public Library is back at it again with the mean tweets. Okay, maybe mean is a bit harsh, but the TPL has some fighting words for Cleveland in anticipation of tonight's game between the Blue Jays and Indians.

In a show of support for the home team, the TPL posted its latest book spine poem. This time, it included rain boots in a nod to Josh "Bringer of Rain" Donaldson's Division Series-winning run.

The poem says, "Early warning Cleveland, extreme weather. One hundred percent rain."

Tonight's game starts at 8:08 p.m. at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Photo via @torontolibrary.

Someone created an unbelievable tunnel in Toronto park

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budapest parkToronto has its fair share of stunning public art installations, including sculptures and paintings located both inside and outside some of the city's most high-profile buildings and condominiums. The newest project is located by the water in Budapest Park at 1757 Lake Shore Blvd. West.

This so-called time tunnel, created by Hungarian designers, commemorates the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. During this time, some 37,000 Hungarian refugees came to Canada.

This new installation isn't the only monument in Budapest Park. There's another sculpture by Victor Tolgesy that went up in 1966, ten years after the revolution.

budapest parkPhotos by mooncall2012 in the blogTO Flickr pool and alatrz on Instagram.

Blue Jays fans react to game one loss in Cleveland


The Best Green Roofs in Toronto

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green roof torontoHaving a green roof in Toronto is great for the environment because it helps improve air quality and divert waste from landfills. In this city, green roofs also create lovely public spaces and even urban farms that grow a slew of fruit, veggies and herbs.

Here are the best green roofs in Toronto.

The Big Carrot
Find this green roof atop the The Big Carrot on the Danforth. It's especially fitting this roof is located atop one of the city's best green grocers. It features seating areas, gardens and space for community events.

Fairmont Royal York
This 4,000 square foot green roof is located on the 14th floor of one Toronto's most iconic hotels. It grows herbs, edible flowers, fruits and veggies that the Royal York chefs use to whip up fresh meals on site.

Mountain Equipment Co-op
When you visit this King West storefront, you might not realize it's sitting below a 10,000 square foot living green roof that grows flowers, herbs and shrubs.

Ryerson University
This innovative green roof - called the Andrew and Valerie Pringle Environmental Green Roof - on top of the George Vari Engineering building is not only beautiful, it's also an urban farm that grows crops like beans, tomatoes and garlic.

Toronto City Hall
You can walk around this 35,000 square foot green roof on the podium at city hall. It's open all year long if you want to wander around in a lush green space above the city.

Toronto Public Library - Fort York Branch
Toronto's 99th public library is pretty high-tech thanks to its digital innovation hub. But it's earthy thanks to its very own green roof.

Native Child and Family Services
The green roof on top of the Native Child and Family Services building not only has a positive environmental impact, but it also provides a beautiful event and community space.

Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre
Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke has one of Canada's biggest green roofs. This mammoth space is 120,000 square feet.

Lassonde building at York University
It's not surprising that the engineering and computer science building has an innovative green roof. This facility, dating back to 2001, is apparently one of the first green buildings to crop up in Ontario.

Photos of City Hall by Gabriel Li in the blogTO Flickr pool.

These guys are Toronto's version of Chippendales

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HIM TorontoDid you know Toronto has an all-male dancer troupe who takes off their clothes for entertainment? It's true, we do, and they're just like Chippendales except they're from Toronto and they're slightly more attainable.

"It's not just the show itself, it's a full experience," say Chris Cecile, the creator and founder of Handsome International Men. "Meeting the guys makes it so that it's more than just pure fantasy, you actually talk to them and get to know them."

Chris and his troupe of eight to ten semi-naked hunks perform about nine shows a year, and many of them happen at Union Nightclub. Women and men are welcome to show up, step into the beauty lounge, get dolled up (it's part of your ticket), meet the guys, watch their hour long show and then take photos with the boys afterwards.

"We're not male strippers per say and we're not burlesque," Cecile says of his classy show. "We don't have the comedic element, so we've carved a niche between the two, it's a challenge for marketing."

HIM TorontoBut what could be the challenge? It's a pile of beefcakes teasing you with choreographed dances and lots of audience participation - it's an adult entertainment no brainer.

"The [audience] needs to see skin or they will go on stage and rip our clothes off," Cecile explains. "We've had that before where we're hearing shouts from the audience after the first number.... Take everything off!"

Don't worry, they eventually do take everything off. No full frontals, but lots of bare butts to appease the hungry viewers.

HIM Toronto"Women are active members of the show and we often ask for volunteers," he says. "Our last show a woman stormed on stage and almost broke into a cat fight with another woman to get her spot in the chair.

"We're going to try to have more opportunities during the interactive part of our show to help alleviate that issue in the future."

Maybe it's the fascination with flesh, the increase in sexy films like Magic Mike or Fifty Shades of Grey or the idea that landing one of these guys is possible; HIM are having no trouble filling a 400-person room or landing private gigs.

HIM Toronto"We don't have a cookie-cutter versions of our men," Cecile says. "We prefer handsome men obviously, but physique-wise we like real guys as well. We want them to attainable, fantasy, but at the same time, they're not all beefed up muscle guys.

"We want boy next door, tattoo guy, handsome suit guy, young college guy, we want a variety of characters... there are so many tastes we want to cater to as many as we can."

Photos by Joel Gael and Liz Gareri.

Ryerson making big changes to downtown campus

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Ryerson UniversityRyerson University has undergone some significant changes over the past few years. It took over Maple Leaf Gardens (or at least part of it) with the Mattamy Athletic Centre, turned Gould into a pedestrian-only street, built the glowing Image Arts Centre and recently unveiled its brand new Student Learning Centre, complete with a beach-inspired floor.

So what's next for the downtown campus? Communications director Michael Forbes says the school will be focusing on its public spaces with its new public realm policy, which came out earlier this month.

"The whole idea is that we want to reinforce the Ryerson identity, so that when you're on the Ryerson campus, you know you're on the Ryerson campus," he says.

While the term public realm policy might sound rather drab, what it actually entails is rather exciting. Ryerson, as Forbes notes, will use good design principles to animate public areas - like laneways and spaces between buildings - as well as to improve safety and accessibility all around campus. As Metro reports, councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam said the city's give $2 million towards this plan.

Since Gould Street - which has been car-free since 2011 - is at the heart of the campus, the plan suggests raising the existing roadway to the sidewalk to make it a single, level surface.

Other design solutions include better lighting, more public art installations, enhanced green spaces and clear campus entrances at Yonge and Gould and Dundas and Victoria. But even though Ryerson is now focusing on these more ground-level projects, it still has a few major buildings in the works.

The Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex is under construction on Church north of Dundas. When it's complete it'll include 100 residential units (i.e. dorms) as well as numerous faculties, including the nursing, midwifery, the school of nutrition and the school of occupational and public health.

Forbes explains that as part of Ryerson's people-focused master plan, it'll connect students from Church to Bond Street.

There's also a massive residence building going in at 186-188 Jarvis St. When it's finished, this 30-storey tower will play host to 593 students.

And, just this week, Ryerson's Theatre School bid farewell to its home at 44 Gerrard St., and hello to its new 17,400 square feet space in the SLC.

"Now that we have all of these tremendous buildings," says Forbes, "we're really looking at how do we improve the precinct, how do we improve the campus? How do we improve the pedestrian experience at Ryerson?"

Next time you walk through Ryerson, you might just see how.

Just opened Toronto snack bar does falafel and beer

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Hungry Amoo TorontoWhen downing some beers in your favourite neighbourhood, you can always use a variety of great late night snacks to go with it. This new family-run snack bar is serving chicken wings, scotch eggs, and falafel, but keeping it classy with elevated ingredients and presentation.

Read my profile of Hungry Amoo in the restaurants section.

The top 10 monthly dance parties at Toronto bars

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dancing torontoMonthly dance parties at Toronto bars will make you want to get out and move. You'll want to save this list in your phone for the next little while and treat it as a weekend guide to the city's dance floors. These parties range in venue, music, and crowd, but don't vary in their quality and staying power.

Here are my picks for the top monthly dance parties at Toronto bars.

Footprints
Many Torontonians will tell you that this is the best in the city. It's unlike any other. Created by General Electric and Jason Palma, it happens at The Rivoli and is an inclusive, unpretentious mix of funk, soul, Afrobeat, Latin, Brazilian, dub, reggae, brokenbeat, electro, house, hip hop and live visuals.

Chronologic
This party plays the greatest hits of all time, from all time. No joke. It all goes down at The Garrison and it starts with classical music hits, all the way to modern day smashes at around 1:3 0a.m. It's a party by the Goin' Steady DJs that's been around for nearly a decade.

Big Primpin'
This hip hop for homos banger has been around for well over a decade and stays relevant by featuring local DJs who know how to spin hip hop, R&B and reggae. What started as a reaction to often homophobic hip hop lyrics has evolved into one of the fiercest and most reliably sweaty and inclusive gay dance parties in TO.

Beam Me Up!
This disco rager at The Piston is the only place to be if you're craving good quality, well-researched and amazing sounding disco. A Digital Needle DJ duo and Cyclist collaborate to throw this sexy and successful monthly dance party that happens under a spinning mirror ball.

Course of Time
This monthly party has been keeping Toronto's dance music gears well oiled for five years. It's at the Drake Underground and is for people who love good music, not a specific genre or vibe. The goal is to feature the "best in contemporary dance music," whatever that may be.

Yes Yes Y'all
This party has been hailed by many as one of the finest queer events Toronto has the pleasure of hosting. The Yes Yes Y'all crew consistently books amazing queer talent from around the globe, creating of the city's grimiest dancehall, hip hop and reggae parties at Nest. They push buttons and they dance hard.

Evening Standard
This one was too easy. Evening Standard is a monthly by Members Only at Bambi's and it's one of the longest running dance nights at this basement bar. Their guest DJs are impressive and they run alongside other near-perfect dance nights like Softstroke, HELP and Love Below.

Motown Party
This groovy dance party happens once a month at Studio Bar (for now) and is a celebration of everything Motown. It's a full out attack on the senses and everyone pretty much leave soaking wet.

Essence Brown
This is The Steady's longest running dance party, which is a night where "three Toronto boys spinning classic hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall mixed wit summa dat new shit." It's one of the smoothest and sexiest back room dance parties with a steady following and tight soundtrack. It takes over the bar the last Friday of every month.

Love Saves the Day
There are many fun and unique monthlies at The Beaver, but it's Love Saves the Day that takes the cake because it represents everything the bar and its legendary former owner Will Munro were all about. Inclusiveness, queerness, community and good dance music (leaning towards disco) is what you'll find at this welcoming, loving, sweaty little party.

Are there monthly dance parties in bars that you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments!

Photo by Yannick Anton from the Yes Yes Y'all Facebook page.

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