Last night's rain didn't seem to put a damper on the annual Diner en Blanc, a secret dinner party where guests must dress all in white to participate.

To join in, folks must sign up in advance, however, they don't know where they're dining until they arrive at the outdoor venue, which changes every year.

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For 2017, it was at Canoe Landing Park. Diner en Blanc has previously popped up in the Canary District, in the Distillery District, at Fort York and by the Harbourfront. 

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Last night's weather conditions might not have been ideal for this event, but attendees didn't seem to mind as they clutched white umbrellas and donned transparent rain ponchos.

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Apparently, the first time it rained in Diner en Blanc history was in Toronto back in 2012. You can always count on Toronto's weird summer weather to break some sort of record.

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Diner en Blanc started in Paris back in 1978 and it's since expanded to cities around the world. 

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People come out to enjoy an elegant dinner under the stars that always concludes with dancing. 

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OCAD U will shut down Richmond Street, between Simcoe and Duncan, on September 16 to celebrate the grand opening of Toronto's newest contemporary art gallery.

OCAD U's new Onsite Gallery will make its debut with two exhibitions: the group exhibition raise a flag: works from the Indigenous Art Collection (2000-2015) and For This Land: Inside Elemental, a multi-media installation by 2Ro Media (Jackson 2bears and Janet Rogers).

To mark the occasion, Onsite will host a grand opening street party featuring performances and presentations from Indigenous artists.

Those slated to take the stage include  DJ Classic Roots, Duke Redbird, Janet Rogers, Long Branch, Charlena Russell and Red Sky.

The event runs from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 16. 

Rustic retreats aren't too difficult to find in cottage country, especially if you don't mind roughing it in the woods.

But if you're looking for something bucolic, with all the amenities of a Toronto-area mansion, feast your eyes on this over-the-top log cabin in Muskoka.

It's situated on the beautiful Lake of Bays near Dwight, Ontario and it's currently on sale for $9,790,000.

Wood, of course, is featured throughout this cottage mansion, so if you're a fan of wooden beams and columns, you'll feel right at home.

The whole place sort of feels like a modern-day hunting lodge thanks to the animal horn fixtures, but if that's not your thing, you can always change them.

With more than 5,000 square feet of living space, six bedrooms and five bathrooms, you could easily entertain here. And why wouldn't you when you've got a pad that looks like a Scandinave Spa?

Even the boathouse looks like it belongs in the middle of the woods. But it has multiple boat slips as well as sun-drenched patio, so you can spend time lakeside all summer long.

One Toronto's newest bakery cafes might be related to Uncle Tetsu, but it does way more than Japanese cheesecake. 

HCafe, which serves ice cream, at 4750 Yonge St. (Yonge and Sheppard) is Uncle Tetsu's latest foray in the city. There's also an HCafe on picturesque Main Street in Unionville.

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HCafe serves Japanese-style cheesecake, as well as Madeleines, rusks (cheesecakes in cupcake form), no-bake cheesecakes (including one that's sakura flavoured) and rounded cheesecake "hats."

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However, the treats that are popping up all over Instagram are fruit-filled mochi, ice cream cones and sundaes.

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The mochi comes stuffed with strawberries, kiwis, bananas and more.

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You can find ice cream flavours like black sesame, taro, coconut, matcha and taro here.

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So go ahead, you know you want to treat yourself. 

Many of us don't think too fondly about public washrooms. They're a necessary nuisance that are often deemed passable if they're accessible, include a lock and are somewhat clean.

Yet, bars, restaurants and other such establishments across the city are upping the ante with their rest rooms. Not only are they spotless, but they're also becoming popular spots for Instagram photos.

We have some very pretty water closets in the city. Here are some of them.

Otto's Bierhalle

Press the big red button at this West Queen West beer hall and transform your bathroom into a disco!

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Broadview Hotel

Walk down a flight of stairs from the rooftop at the city's newest boutique hotel to find washrooms with wallpaper featuring pinup girls, a nod to the former resident Jilly's.

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Grey Gardens

This whole Kensington Market restaurant is aesthetically stunning, but the washrooms, especially the one with floral paper, are a dream. Some selfies here have gotten a little racy. 

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Apt 200

With white subway tiles, vintage TVs and trendy light fixtures, the bathrooms at this West Queen West bar are right of the moment.

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Doomie's

With art by Vegan Sidekick, the washrooms at this Parkdale vegan restaurant are literally made for selfies. 

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El Furniture Warehouse

If you manage to brave the lineup at the Annex spot, you'll be rewarded with a graffitied washroom complete with selfie lighting on the mirror!

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The Toronto International Film Festival is nearly upon us and as we wait for celebrities to flood our streets, TIFF has released its new strategic plan.

According to the Toronto Star, TIFF will look to offer "transformative experiences through film." That's its response to a world where it seems to be harder and harder to get folks out of their houses to watch movies.

The Star reports that 49,000 fewer people attended screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in 2016 than in 2015. These, of course, are screenings that occur outside of the 10-day film festival.

TIFF will also stop staging large-scale exhibitions at the Lightbox, like the ones on Stanely Kubrick and Andy Warhol, because apparently they weren't bringing in enough money.

Instead, TIFF will focus on other experiential initiatives, such as its digiPlaySpace, among others. 

Here's a blooper that you can bet will make the year-end highlight reels even though it has nothing to do with an actual sports play.

Sportsnet reporter Hazel Mae was in the midst of interviewing Justin Smoak when pitcher Ryan Tepera completely doused her with an entire bucket of Gatorade following yesterday's big win for the club.

Oops. @thehazelmae ate all of that one. @BlueJays#BlueJayspic.twitter.com/GoqSQ5bXta

— Ryan MacLeod (@CTVRyan) August 17, 2017

The target, of course, was Smoak, but he got off mostly unscathed while Mae took the brunt of the icy orange drink head-on. It's almost uncanny just how much of the stuff hits her.

Tepera's got location issues 😢👎https://t.co/UYZ5YH6Nyx

— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) August 17, 2017

Needless to say, it's not an auspicious sign for a pitcher to miss so profoundly, something which Mae made light of on Twitter after the incident. At least everyone kept their humour about the botched celebration. 

I may have learned the finer points of pitching over my career, Powerade showers? Not so much. @thehazelmae: the dry cleaning bill is on me!

— Ryan Tepera (@RTepera) August 18, 2017

Now let's hope it's not an omen for the rest of the Jays season.

Wine and cheese should always be consumed in tandem, which is why Toronto's newest cheese shop will also double as a bar space. 

Good Cheese, at 614 Gerrard St. E. in East Chinatown, is open now and operating as a regular neighbourhood cheese shop, but in the coming weeks it'll roll out a selection of craft beer and wine to enjoy while savouring the amazing cheese on offer. 

Look for a mix of local and European beer offerings and an eclectic selection of wine that's focused on drawing out the best attributes of the cheese on offer at any given time. 

After stuffing your face with cheese, you can always take a stroll across the street to Wong's Ice Cream — because there's no such thing as too much dairy, right? 

Pablo Cheese Tart opened its doors in Toronto today causing a frenzy all along Dundas West. Crowds arrived for their opening special, a deal that would see the first 150 people through the door walk away with a free cheese tart.

People started lining up just before noon, more than four hours in advance of the opening at 4 p.m.

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Everyone seemed to be in a good mood despite the long waits. This is the first location of the Japanese bakery in Canada. They're famous for their fresh baked cheese tarts which come in a variety of sizes and flavours.

Cops were also on hand doing crowd control which they might need more of once those who don't score the free deal realize they need to fork over $15 for a whole tart.

For more modest budgets, slices go for between $4 and $6 depending on the type of tart. 

Tarts are cooked to medium rare for extra ooziness or regular which has a consistency more like jello.

There's also a variety of drinks as well as soft serve.

The CNE is going to be a bit different this year, and not just because of all the new attractions, the spaghetti donut balls and other outrageous food.

In a bit of an under-the-radar move, the CNE has confirmed they've cancelled the popular Youth Day after a six year run.

For those unfamiliar, Youth Day was the one day each season when the CNE would make the amusement park more accessible to those under the age of 17 with discounted tickets.

But Youth Day has proven to be a problem over the years. Last year the CNE closed three hours early after fights broke out. 

And in 2015 the CNE was forced to close an hour early after misbehaving teenagers got out of hand.

Are we going to start cancelling #community events whenever there's an incident? Accidents happen and sometimes people make poor decisions.

— Kevin Vuong 🇨🇦 (@VuongKevin) August 18, 2017

Also today, the CNE announced they'll be beefing up security at The Ex this year in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Spain.

Toronto's home to plenty of nice houses, but there's an upper echelon out there that are really envy-worthy. Such is the case with 421 The Kingsway, a stunning contemporary mansion that overlooks the exclusive St. Georges Golf and Country Club in Etobicoke. 

While you won't find an indoor pool or in-house movie theatre at this house, it's got pretty much everything else. From fireplaces in nearly every important room to an enormous open concept kitchen to multiple terraces and decks, this is luxury and high design rolled into one. 

The house was actually built in 2002 to designs by  Toronto-based Altius Architecture. In a previous iteration it looked a bit quirky with hyper-modern furnishings and touches of purple all over the place, but the staging here reveals a more reserved touch, which is a far better fit. 

The Essentials

• Address: 421 The Kingsway
• Type: Detached house
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 6
• Lot size: 100 x 286.54 feet
• Realtor: David Anderson Oey
• Hit the market at: $4,980,000
• Time on market: Six days
• Sold for: $5,120,000

Why it sold for what it did

It's not surprising to see this one go for a bit over-asking. Regardless of the current state of the market, this is a unique property that was ripe to attract multiple offers from buyers in the luxury market. 

Was it worth it?

Considering that this home was also listed for $4,980,000 in 2015, a selling price of just over $5 million seems well worth it. Not everyone will love the design, but it's hard to argue that this isn't a standout property 

The CNE of the 1970s was a technicolor super dream of deep-fried food, neon lights, and eye-popping paint. For 18 days every year, the Tornado rollercoaster hurtled around its metal track, the Sky Diver ferris wheel tipped screaming riders through endless, nauseating barrel rolls, and the erratic Wild Mouse dispensed whiplash injuries.

Elsewhere, the popular menagerie included everything from bright orange Honey Dew Orange Drink to bingo and underwater diving displays. Some of the attractions live on, others have (sadly) disappeared as the fair has evolved.

Behold, the psychedelic CNE of the 1970s.

Aerial view of the CNE grounds, the Princes' Gates, and the city skyline minus the CN Tower. August 20, 1972.

Partial view of the Wild Mouse rollercoaster and the streetcar line entering the CNE grounds.

CNE grounds and midway, Aug. 20, 1972.

Aerial view including a streetcar loop packed with PCC streetcars.

Aerial view of the Sky Diver Ferris wheel from the Shell Tower observation deck, Aug. 20, 1972.

Exhibition Stadium from the Shell Tower, Aug 20, 1972.

The observation deck of the Shell Tower in 1972.

View of roller coaster from Shell tower. August 20, 1972.

Tornado roller coaster.

Riders take the plunge on the Tornado in 1974.

The Tornado prepares to claim four more victims.

Ferris wheel with bingo and casino buildings, August 20, 1972.

Blue sky, bright clothes, and a view of the cable car.

Press Building, formerly the Administrative Building.

"Honey Dew Orange Drink!!" concession stand. Check out those pink flares.

Crowds in front of a deli, Sept. 4, 1978.

The display tank of the Underwater Club of Canada ("Quality Skin and Scuba Diving Instruction") on Aug. 25, 1974.

A new two-level GO car, a PCC streetcar, and a vintage TTC bus on September 4, 1978.

Warren Riddell and his son in front of the CNE fire hall, Aug. 31, 1979.

The steel-and-glass Shell Oil Tower in the 1960s. The observation deck, a CNE landmark, opened in 1955 with a giant analogue clock face. It was later upgraded to digital before being demolished in 1985.

Carillon Tower branded as the Carlsberg Carillon some time after 1974. It was presented to the CNE by Carling-O'Keefe Breweries that year.

Rides at the CNE from the Ontario Place Parking lot. July 7, 1973. Note the digital display atop the Shell Tower.

CNE rides from a parking lot. Half-finished CN Tower rising in the background. Aug. 25, 1974.

Rides in action as viewed from the CNE parking lot. Aug. 25, 1974.

Restaurants for first dates in Toronto, in my opinion, should be dimly lit, somewhat romantic spots that give you the option to nibble on snacks and shareable plates, or order multi-course meals if thing are going well. Choose your own adventure!

Here are my picks for restaurants for a first date in Toronto.

People's Eatery

There's lots to share at this eclectic, dimly lit restaurant in Chinatown. If you're not feeling like a full dinner, you can try to snag a seat at the bar.

Miss Thing's

Have some fun with rum-based drinks at this tiki bar and restaurant in Parkdale. But, don't just stop at bevies; order some mains too and sit back and relax as hopefully, the sparks fly between you two.

Burdock

Craft beer lovers will find lots to lake at this Bloordale restaurant and music venue. Start with dinner and drinks (there is a brewery on site, afterall) and then hit up a concert if you don't feel like talking anymore.

Dolly's

Grab dishes and drinks at this Filipino mojito bar in Bloordale. There's lots to try here, and the decor is sure to impress too.

Si Lom

If your date is going less than stellar, you can grab boozy slushie buckets at this Thai restaurant in Church-Wellesley Village. If they don't get the conversation flowing, nothing will.

Chula Taberna Mexicana

The giant, tiki-inspired patio at this Leslieville Mexican spot make it perfect for summertime dates. But, if you're heading out in the middle of winter, the colourful interior murals should brighten things up.

Otto's Bierhalle

You can actually make reservations at this beer hall in West Queen West. It has all sorts of locally brewed craft beer on the menu as well as a German-inspired menu with lots of sharable platters.

Wish

This restaurant near Yonge and Wellesley is a go-to first date spot for many because the interior is so darn cute. Brunch dates would also be suitable here. 

The Wren

If your date is into country music, take them to this saloon-inspired  restaurant on Danforth East. Even if the Wild West's not your thing, you'll both find lots to like at this aesthetically pleasing establishment. 

Kwan

With dim sum, you can order as much or as little as you want, so play it by ear at this restaurant in York Mills. You might even end up sitting and ordering round after round of dumplings; who knows?

Although the former municipalities of Etobicoke, North York, York, and Scarborough are sometimes still referred to as suburbs of Toronto, development in these areas over the last 30 years and the sprawl that's given birth to the Greater Toronto Area should probably mute such references.

While not as dense as the downtown core, wide areas of Toronto's former suburbs have become more and more urbanized over the years, a process which continues to take place as steep real estate prices drive would-be home owners further and further from the core.

Mid-century suburban cul-de-sac, 1961.

But what did they look like before this process took place?

Let's be honest, there aren't a lot of surprises here. Sure there are a few shots of streets and intersections that have changed dramatically over the years, but the thing about suburban architecture is that its individual features tend to blend in with one another.

Are we in North York or Etobicoke? It's tough to tell once you get to the residential streets. The design of these places speaks more to the time period in which they were built rather than the specific place they're located. 

Car-ports were standard issue in North York back in the 1950s.

There is, however, plenty that's fascinating about the birth of the suburbs in Toronto. In addition to demonstrating how mass car ownership transformed planning principles, there's something else to be spotted in these photos.

There's this strange combination of optimism and fear that seems built into the very form of these communities, from their well manicured but generally empty front yards to the eerie preponderance of abandoned tricycles. This is the stuff nostalgia is made out of.

Here's what Toronto's suburbs used to look like.

Don Mills

Looking down on Don Mills in 1968.

Urban planners survey their work in Don Mills, ca. 1950s.

Unidentified Don Mills street in 1956.

Scarborough

Cliffside Drive, 1961.

Better days at the Roycroft Motel, Kingston Road.

Esso gas station on Kingston Road.

North York

Another abandoned tricycle, 1961.

Now that's a nice car-port, 1961.

North York model home, 1961.

Dominion at Parkwoods Plaza.

Yonge-Finch plaza, 1972.

Etobicoke

Rexdale, 1950s.

West Deane Park, 1961.

Near Queensway and Royal York, 1961.

Near Queensway and Royal York, 1961.

Alderwood area, 1968.

Alderwood area, 1968.

Thistletown, late 1960s.

Near Martingrove and Westway, 1960s.

Near Martingrove and Westway, 1960s.

Richview Plaza, 1960s.

Queensway and Wolgar, 1960s.

Unidentified communal pool, 1960s.

East York

The apartment building arrives on the scene in Flemingdon Park, 1960s.

Townhouse complex in Flemingdon Park, 1961.

Steinbergs' at Thorncliffe Plaza.

Bramalea

Unidentified development, 1961.

Mid-century architecture at its finest. 

More mid-century residential architecture.

There's sad news for east-side brunch denizens as longtime Leslieville stalwart Edward Levesque Kitchen is closing after a 16 year run.

The restaurant, which re-branded to Edward's 1920 last year, was at the forefront of the Leslieville dining scene before the neighbourhood made it onto the rest of Toronto's radar.

Owned and operated by Edward Levesque himself, the restaurant which was once known for its long brunch lineups and all-day breakfast, was a fixture on the city's best brunch lists for years but was also open for dinner five days a week.

Meat and produce were sourced where possible from nearby farms and the open kitchen at the front of the restaurant was were Levesque himself could often be found when he wasn't greeting customers.

According to an e-mail sent today by the restaurant, the last day will be tomorrow, Sunday August 20, with a final brunch service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Toronto is no longer in short supply for places to fill up on ribs, chicken, brisket and other barbecue favourites. And while the usual names surface on lists of the best barbecue in town, there are plenty of other spots where juicy and slow cooked meat is deserving of an audience. 

Here's a round-up of barbecue joints in Toronto you need to try.

Aft Kitchen & Bar

This Riverside restaurant does smoke-infused fare like chicken wings and ribs through the week along with Texas-style brisket, side ribs, country sausage, pulled pork and BBQ chicken on weekends.

Appalachia BBQ

With two Toronto locations, down home BBQ is never too far away. Everything here is smoked in house and they make all their sauces and sides too.

Smoke Signals

This Southern-style barbecue joint on Dundas West is where you'll find moist brisket prepared Texas style, jalapeno cheddar sausage and sides like mac n' cheese and frito pie.

Smoque N Bones

Ribs, pulled pork, brisket, andouille sausage and wings all grace the menu at this West Queen West restaurant. Baked beans, collard greens,  mac n' cheese, coleslaw and shoestring potatoes are among the side options worth craving here.

Greenwood Smokehouse BBQ

Make sure you're with a group of hungry carnivores when coming to this restaurant at Danforth and Pape. They're known for their barbecue platter that comes with a rack of ribs, a pound of pulled pork, a pound of brisket, a pound of wings and three sides.

Smoke Bourbon Bar-B-Q House

This Harbord Village destination serves all the usual Southern-style favourites like baby back ribs, smoked chicken and pulled pork.

Uncle Smoke Cookhouse

This tiny shop at the tip of Roncesvalles dishes out excellent pork back ribs, pulled pork, smoked beef brisket and smoked chicken wings. They also have barbecue sandwiches and over half a dozen sides.

Memphis BBQ

This Woodbridge institution has a reputation for some of the best ribs in the area.

Stack Restaurant

The Ultimate Platter is the thing to get at this restaurant near Yonge and Lawrence. The baby back ribs, smoked chicken wings, pulled pork and brisket with feed a small family along with the sides of fries, mac & cheese, corn bread, smoky molasses beans and slaw.

Wilson’s Haus of Lechon

While technically not a barbecue joint in the traditional sense, the food at this Little Manila restaurant is the ultimate destination for Filipino barbecue feasts. Get the lechon as well as the chicken and barbecue fish.

When you've had too much to drink and it's past last call, it's time to satisfy those late night munchies. Don't sweat the calories but trust the the wisdom of crowds. These places might be just what you're looking for when judgment has abandoned you. 

Here are my picks for the top restaurants in Toronto to eat at when you're drunk

Poutini's

There's nothing better than a bowl of fries, curds and gravy in the wee hours of the morning. Among the city's best is this mini-chain with  locations near King and Portland as well as The Drake on West Queen West.

The Lakeview

On weekends, there's actually a bouncer doing crowd control outside this Dundas West 24-hour mainstay where late night diners fill up on full breakfasts, poutine and deep-fried pickles.

Rol San

Chinese food is delicious any time of the day, but it's always nice when you can order a plate of greasy noodles after the bar. Expect a lineup at this popular Chinatown restaurant.

Thompson Diner

The restaurant at the bottom of the Thompson Hotel near King and Bathurst is no longer open through the night, but there's still plenty of time to mosey on over after last call to splurge on their truffle mac and cheese.

Bagel House

Just like in Montreal, you can get lox and schmear on a bagel 24 hours a day. Find the Avenue Road location in midtown open for all your snacking needs.

College Falafel

Shawarma, falafel, donairs and really good homemade baklava taste even better after a night of too much drinking. Even better yet, it's right outside a bus stop at the corner of Collage and Ossington.

Vesta Lunch

Some might say you probably want to eat at this greasy spoon only when you're intoxicated. It's open 24 hours a day and its yellow sign shines like a beacon at Bathurst and Dupont when you're in need of some drunk eats.

Pizza Fresca

Pizza is always a good idea for late night eats near Little Italy. Find this popular College St. spot slinging out pies until the wee hours of the morning.

Burrito Boyz

A rival only to the nearby Smoke's Poutinerie for post-bar sustenance on the east side of the Entertainment District, the Adelaide location of this burrito chain usually has a line out the door on Friday and Saturday nights. Eat your burrito on site, or cradle it in your arms until you get home. 

Belly Buster Submarines

For many, Belly's is a late-night tradition in North Toronto. Sure, you can grab something from Subway, which is usually open late, but head to Yonge and Lawrence for a locally based alternative.

The CNE is one of the longest running major events in Toronto, and with that deep history comes lots of quirky facts and trivia. From freak shows to modernist architecture, the Ex has been home to an array of fascinating cultural phenomenon over the years. We tend to forget this diverse history, but that makes it all the more fascinating to recall.

Here are some quirky things you might not know about the CNE.

1. The CNE was originally called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition and was founded in 1879 to showcase the latest developments in technology and innovation (it took its current name in 1912). Entertainment wasn't its primary raison d'etre until the 20th century.

2. The Exhibition grounds were once home to the most beautiful building in Toronto. The Crystal Palace was completed in 1878 and rivalled similar steel and glass buildings in London, Dublin, and New York. A spark ignited a massive fire in 1906 and the structure burned to the ground.

Participants lineup in the Miss Toronto pageant at Exhibition Stadium.

3. One of the highlights of the CNE in the mid 20th century was the Miss Toronto pageant, which took the stage at the grand stand near the end of the Ex. The competition actually lasted until the 1990s before the city pulled the plug.

4. The midway used to feature real freak shows, and not during the sleazy era of the 70s and 80s but back in the early 1900s. Signs advertised "giants, midgets, and bearded ladies!"

5. Speaking of the 70s and 80s, most remember these decades as the Conklin period, but the amusement company actually ran the midway and rides at the CNE between 1937 and 2004. It was Conklin that built the Mighty Flyer roller coaster in 1953, which was an Exhibition icon until in was torn down in the 1990s.

The incredible high dive, a popular act at the turn of the century.

6. Perhaps the most outrageous and visually stunning event of the Ex of old was the high dive, where on top of plunging into relatively shallow water from dizzying heights, participants would often set themselves on fire.

7. The final day of the Ex was regularly referred to as Black Monday in the late 1970s and throughout the 80s. The expression is generally tied to mischievous activity youthful visitors got up to on Labour Day and has some highly problematic racial overtones, but the etymology of the phrase goes back way before the Ex.

8. Toronto's oldest building is located at the Exhibition grounds. Scadding Cabin dates all the way back to 1794, though it was originally located on the west bank of the Don River near Queen Street before it was moved in 1879 for the first year of the CNE.

The Shell Oil Tower rises above the colourful midway of the 1970s.

9. The Ex was a breeding ground for modernist architecture in the 1950s and '60s. Landmark examples include the Food Building (1954), Peter Dickinson's Queen Elizabeth Building (1956), the now-demolished Shell Oil Tower (1955), and the Dufferin Gates (1959).

10. One of the darker aspects of Toronto's past played out at the Stanley Barracks on the Ex grounds during World War I when residents of German, Hungarian, and Turkish decent were interned there as "enemy aliens."

Cheap craft beer in Toronto is important to know where to find. Sometimes money is tight but you could really use a pint and other times your beer consumption needs simply require so much quantity that it's only frugal to seek out the most reasonably priced offerings.

Here are my picks for the top cheap craft beer deals you can score in Toronto right now.

Tallboys

Steam Whistle is available for $5 any day of the week at this Bloorcourt bar until 6 p.m. On Wednesdays they do $5 cans of Wellington and on Sundays a pint from their tap will set you back $6.

The Bar With No Name

Presumably you don't need a name for your bar when you're offering up discounted beer multiple times a week. If you like pitchers, this bar near High Park is offering it for $12 both Monday and Wednesday.

Wvrst

Mondays after 5 p.m. the folks at this King West beer hall are doing their best to help you discover the province's great beer. Get select offerings of Ontario craft beer for just $5, leaving you some dough to spend on your sausage.

Dog & Bear

Every Tuesday you can score both domestic and craft beer tall cans for just $5 at this pub near Queen and Dovercourt.

Scotland Yard

Go for the Tall Boy Tuesdays at this pub near St. Lawrence Market. Every Tuesday tall cans of Junction Conductor’s Craft Ale, Sidelaunch Wheat Beer, Sidelaunch Pale Ale, Sidelaunch Mountain Lager and Brickworks: 1904 are $4.40.

Whelan's Gate

Every Thursday this Irish pub near High Park offers $5 tall cans from a slew of Ontario breweries.

Bar Hop

Both locations of this beer bar offers select pours for $5 on Sundays. Usually the discount offerings are those beers that come in at less than 7% alcohol just to keep things respectable. It's Sunday after all.

The Office Pub

Both their John St. and King St. locations offer a craft beer deal on Sunday. Select craft pints are available for $5.50 all day - even during brunch.

Only Cafe

This Danforth East favourite doesn't mess around with this "select" pints business for their cheap beer night. Instead, they offer up every beer on top for just $5 every Sunday after 5 p.m.

Thirsty and Miserable

If you've never been to Kensington Market's down and dirty craft beer bar, you're missing out on their $5.75 a pint specials every Sunday.

Corporate events and after-work social functions in Toronto are always a little awkward, but they don't have to be. These ideas will enable your team to let loose without too much booze flowing. 

Here are my picks for corporate events and after-work social functions in Toronto.

Plan your great escape

There's nothing that builds a team quite like getting locked in a room together. Work your way out by solving all sorts of puzzles at one of the many escape games situated throughout Toronto. This is best for smaller teams, but if you're a big group, try the game at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Get nostalgic at an arcade

The Rec Room is pretty swanky, so this arcade is definitely suitable for adults who like to have fun. It accommodates groups of all sizes, including those with 100 or more people. 

Play some ping pong

Whether your office is located on the east or west side of the city, you're in luck if your team's into ping pong. Either Spin on King West or Smash in Riverside should be able to accommodate your group along with food and drinks.

Drink some booze

Spirit of York in the Distillery District has plenty of space to accommodate a group up of to 140 people. Take your team to learn the finer points of making vodka and gin, all in a relaxed but refined atmosphere.

Get creative

Throw on a smock, pick up a paint brush, and spend a night a painting at a bar with your team. Paint lounge,  Paint Cabin and Pinot's Palette are all good options.

Host a games night

Snakes and Lattes might not take reservations, but the folks here will bring the games and Game Gurus to you! Look into Snake and Lattes on the Go and transform your board room into a board game cafe.

Jump around

Let off some steam by jumping around at Sky Zone. Sure, it might be best know for kids birthday parties, but for adventurous adults you can organize games of trampoline dodgeball. 

Party on a boat

If no one on your crew gets sea sick, considering renting out a boat - like the Mariposa, the River Gambler or a tall ship - for a quaint (and often booze-soaked) cruise around the harbour.

Play tag

There's nothing childish about tag when you're playing with bow and arrows. Venues such as Archery District and Battle Sports are happy to host you corporate event.

Throw some knives or axes

Challenge your co-workers to an axe throwing competition at one of the many facilities located all over the city. BATL and Bad Axe Throwing are two of Toronto's leading options while TKTO will let your group throw knives.