More than 200 local music venues are being invited to register for a program that could see their liquor licenses extended this summer until 4 a.m. every weekend.
Toronto Music Passport, a not-for-profit live music event series, is calling upon the city for an increase in late licensing rates this summer.
Allowing more venues to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. will not only boost tourism in Toronto, say organizers, but help struggling local businesses stay afloat during what is traditionally a slow time for the indoor music scene.
"Late licensing is an important component of most music festivals that run in Toronto," said Nocturne nightclub owner Spencer Sutherland to CBC News this week. "More bars want to participate. They're willing to do bigger and better shows."
The Music Passport program launched last year "in response to the alarming closures of music venues in 2016 and 2017," according to its website.
Only 12 of the bars and clubs that participated were approved for a late liquor license in 2017, but Sutherland, who sits on Toronto's relatively new Music Industry Advisory Council, wants to see that number double, at the very least, for this summer.
Even if only 24 venues gets extended licenses this summer, that's 24 places people in Toronto can go to drink after hours every single weekend between July and September — which is nothing to sneeze at (unless you live in Montreal.)
Bound by Jarvis Street to its west, this block of green space encompasses a playground, two off-leash dog parks, and its prized centrepiece: an Edwardian-era conservatory that’s over a century old.
Surrounding the conservatory are planters and benches that often become communal meeting grounds throughout the day. You’ll usually find locals in this area, who congregate around the raised structure, sort of like villagers around a city centre.
Open every day of the year, the glass ceilings of this conservatory house six interconnected sections and are home to some of the most beautiful plants you’ll see in the city.
Named after former mayor of Toronto and Speaker of the Senate of Canada, George William Allan, the garden and property were donated to the Toronto Horticultural Society in 1857 and named after its benefactor in 1901, when Allan died. 
Likely the closest thing you’ll ever experience to the flower scene in Alice in Wonderland – not on drugs, anyway – walking into Allan’s Conservatory truly feels like waltzing into a different world.
The domed ceiling of The Palm House looks even more impressive from the inside than from the outside. Built in 1910, the main hall was constructed after the original Great Pavilion burned down eight years prior.
The Palm House acts as an entryway to the rest of the greenhouse and offers an assortment of palms, bamboo, tropical vines and bright seasonal flowers.
There's no entry fee, so it’s a wonder that the space isn’t busier on a daily basis. Sometimes you’ll see a small group being led around on a guided tour. You can actually 
Follow the tight paths and you’ll find yourself in the Cool Temperate House, which is where plants like tulips, citrus trees, pines and purple hyacinths flourish.
This area is particularly beautiful in spring, featuring plants from Australia and the Mediterranean.
Toward the end of the section you’ll find a tiny pond full of Koi fish and a little statue of a lady (her name is Leda) with her pet swan.
Next is The Tropical Landscape House which is lined with hanging orchids and other epiphyte plants, which take in their moisture and nutrients from the air.
The jade vine is particularly amazing. 
The second tropical house also features a wall of orchids behind glass.
Follow the sound of trickling water and you'll find yourself on a bridge as you circle around back to the entrance. 
Here is where you’ll find a big water wheel and dozens of turtles doing what they do best: chilling. 
Likely the happiest turtles in Toronto, these creatures sum up the vibe of the conservatory: happy, peaceful, and a little sleepy.
Filled with a strange assortment of businesses, a couple of noteworthy restaurants and a full floor dedicated to medical and social services, Dragon City is pretty much the hangout spot for the elderly, and the occasional anglophone looking to get some dim sum.
Entering, you’re greeted by a stall to your left that serves Hong Kong egg waffles made fresh to order.
A Dragon City staple, this stall has been here for years, so it’s no surprise prices have invariably gone up yearly.
Right now it’s $3.50 for an order, which should be enough to snack on as you take a tour of the mall. There’s also a fish ball stall facing it on the other side of the entrance vestibule.
Some main features of Dragon City: airy, quiet, and free WiFi – enough said. The mall is also a bit of of an architectural anomaly, with one of the weirdest layouts ever.
Fake plastic plants – the preferred Chinese decoration in the 80s – decorate the tops of the first floor businesses atop synthetic putting green turf. 
A Dairy Queen slash Orange Julius takes up some corner real estate in the mall and acts as a community gathering place. While getting some soft serve isn’t necessarily recommended, it’s clearly the place to hang with the girls before and after your ultrasound on the third floor.
Around the corner, Dai Kuang Wah Herbs sells traditional Chinese ingredients like red dates and black eyed peas, Dun Wa sells books, and a few other mom and pop shops provide absolute necessities like Chinese charms at Chin Sak, women’s lingerie and planned tours.
Downstairs, a slightly depressing pet store and aquarium sells goldfish, bearded dragons and budgies, sometimes at exorbitant prices. To be fair, they do have a pretty good selection of exotic fish, but the hallway to get there is deterrent enough.
Take the escalators, stairs or elevator one floor up to grab some CD’s and DVD’s from Dragon CD Store or get a fresh do Lovely Story Hair Salon.
Walking further East on the walkway you’ll find 
On the other end of the floor is another eatery, Canteen, which serves Chinese meals and some Canto-Western dishes for under $10.
One more floor up is the quietest floor, closed off by glass to maintain a degree of privacy. Though it seems dead here, the third floor is really the lifeline of Dragon City. Dentists, walk-in clinics, plus immigration and health services like DynaCare provide the elderly aid.
Head upstairs and you’ll find the crown jewel business of the mall: 
