With over 500 artists participating in this year’s Nuit Blanche and 130 projects to stare at, the all-night art fest can get a bit overwhelming.
It’s important to remember that this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon and like any well-trained athlete, you’ll need to prepare for the night of adventures lying ahead. Here are some tips on what to take, where to pee and where to grab some munchies. (For those inclined, here’s a list of bars open late too.)
What to take
First things first, this is the only time out of the year when the entire city becomes one giant art installation, so be sure to grab a camera and extra batteries to document your adventure.
Charge your phone before heading out, there’s nothing worse than getting lost, phone-less and without a clue where your friends went.
A raincoat and an umbrella will be useful since it’s supposed to rain on Saturday. But hey, if you meet someone cute during a downpour you can say oh-so-smoothly “you can stand under my umbrella” – pure magic.
Take your personal water bottle to beat the dehydration blues, and to keep you from falling into the bottled water trap.
How to get around
If you’re not an urban dweller or are trekking it from suburbia, it’s a good idea to invest in the Nuit Blanche TTC day pass. For a mere $9 you (and a friend or five kiddies) can ride the TTC all night. Click here for a map of the best Nuit Blanche-friendly transit routes.
This may sound silly but if you’re biking it don’t forget your lock before you pedal away from home.
Walking all night can get tedious so wear a pair of comfy sneaks. Better yet, grab a pair of rubber boots since Environment Canada predicts it’s going to rain all night long (here’s to hoping they’re wrong).
Where to pee
It’s a good idea to look around for 24-hour places like Tim Hortons or the grocery store Metro, their bathrooms are (usually) open to the public and easy to find. Also, hotels are always a win. Just stride in with confidence past the concierge until you stumble upon a washroom.
Zone A
Yonge-Dundas Square has a public bathroom, but it’s hidden. Walk to the T.O. Tix booth and go down the stairs.
The Atrium on Bay (20 Dundas W.)
Bathrooms are on the bottom floor near the McDonald’s.
Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. W.) The public bathroom is located by Queen St. W. and has plenty of stalls.
Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St.) W. bathrooms are open until 3 am.
Zone B
The CN Tower (301 Front St. W.) has bathrooms on its main floor but they close at 10:30 pm.
Union Station (65 Front St. W.) has 24-hour public washrooms but they’re on the GO Train station side
NFB Mediatheque (150 John St) upstairs washrooms will be open into the wee hours of the morning.
Scotia Plaza (40 King St. W.) Bathrooms are open on the concourse level near International News Stand.
Zone C
Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.) Bathrooms open to the public from sundown to sunset.
Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W) Washrooms open all night and morning.
Get your caffeine and food fix at these 24-hour vendors
Zone A
Tim Hortons (250 Bloor Street East) Warm coffee on a chilly night is never a bad thing.
Fran’s Restaurant (20 College St.) is the perfect place to wolf down some pancakes.
Metro Supermarkets (89 Gould St.) grab some cupcakes or pecan pie for a sugar fix that’ll last you at least a few hours.
Zone B
Rabba Fine Foods (252 Queens Quay W.) has all the essentials – junk food, fruit, Gatorade.
Metro Grocers (80 Front St. E)
Zone C
Sam’s Food Store (399 College St.)
Tim Hortons (455 Spadina Ave.)
Any we missed? Add in the comments!
