Bars and event venues in Toronto come and go, and Queer spaces are no exception. But the city has no shortage of places for 2SLGBTQ+ party-goers to get outside and spend time in community, and some of them have been around for a minute.
While Toronto has lost a lot of Queer bars in recent years — R.I.P. The Beaver, Tammy’s, Peaches, and Lavender Wild, to name a few – we’re lucky enough to live in a city with so many 2SLGBTQ-focused nightlife spaces, especially at Church and Wellesley.
So with celebration in mind, and in the run-up to Pride Month, Queer & Now has rounded up 10 2SLGBTQ+ bars in The Village where 2SLGBTQ+ communities are getting their groove on year-round.
Black Eagle
Address: 457 Church St.
A bar that is popular with the leather/kink crowd, Black Eagle is the place to go for jockstrap and leather nights. The venue has a happening social calendar, with a variety of different themed events, and a clothes check available at the door.
It’s open daily from 3 p.m. – 3 a.m., with doors closing and last call set for 2 a.m.
The Drink
Address: 459 Church St., 2nd floor
The Drink is a fun pizza and cocktail bar, bringing fresh energy to Church and Wellesley.
Known for its daily happy hour offerings, fresh-baked pizzas, and nightly drag performances and DJ sets, the venue is open from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
And like most places on this list, the venue has a bumping list of drag performances and other events to check out throughout the summer and beyond.
Flash
Address: 463 Church St.
“We’re here! We’re queer! We’re fabulous … and a bar,” is the tagline of this longstanding Queer institution located on the main Church St. strip, open Thursday-Sunday from 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., and Monday from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
With a packed calendar of events, including regular performances from queens like Scarlett-BoBo, Morgan James, and Barbie Jo Bontemps, if Flash is open, something is going on. Venue officials say that the club offers a “diverse entertainment program which may include nudity and a variety of sexual activities.”
Upstairs at the same address, Cock Bar is a cheekily named club designed for Queer men, with their own lineup of events happening throughout the month.
Woody’s & SAILOR
Address: 467 Church St.
Woody’s is a Church St. staple that first opened its doors on July 25, 1989 and is going strong as one of the most popular spots in The Village. This spot has all the makings of a mainstream Gay bar: Drag shows, dancing, a patio, tourists, and bachelorette parties.
Located at the same address, SAILOR is another long-running Village favourite offering a classic Gay club atmosphere with DJ sets, dance parties, and drink specials throughout the week.
Closed on Mondays, the venues are open Tuesday-Friday from 3 p.m. til 2 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Well
Address: 487 Church St.
Always ready with a DJ set or drag show on deck, this small but mighty watering hole is popular with crowds of all ages, and patrons often include a mix of locals and tourists checking out the vibe. This bar is open Monday-Sunday from 12 p.m. – 2 a.m.
With various regular promotions, The Well’s 3D Monday event series is popular with those looking to go out early in the week. With $3 rail drinks and shots, dancers, drag shows and DJ sets lined up for the first workday of every week, it’s hard to find a better place to party on a Monday. The party starts at 10 p.m. every week.
The Churchmouse
Address: 475 Church St.
Proudly serving The Village since 1987, this Firkin Pub is popular with the older crowd, promising a more low-key vibe and a hearty menu of pub fare and drinks.
A British-style spot, The Churchmouse has a pretty generous Happy Hour menu, with $7 20 oz pints and $5 mixed bar rail drinks or shots from 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 p.m. to close every day.
The Churchmouse is open from Monday-Friday from 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Pegasus On Church
Address: 489B Church St.
Pegasus On Church is another pub with a more low-key vibe, featuring pool tables and regular karaoke nights. Attendees can participate in trivia, catch a drag show, enjoy sports on the TVs, or play pool or air hockey.
Open Monday-Friday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, they also host “Live Music & Beer” nights on Fridays, with performances from local artists
Understory Café
Address: 505 Church St.
Part wine bar, part coffee shop, completely Queer-focused, Understory is one of the newer spaces in The Village, but it’s quickly become a staple for many.
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In addition to operating as a café in the evening and serving vino in the evenings, the space also regularly hosts community events and features laptop/work-free spaces, aimed at encouraging patrons to connect with one another.
Understory is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Crews & Tangos
Address: 508 Church St.
Known for their drag parties and popular with the younger crowd at Church and Wellesley, Crews & Tangos is serving up Queer parties five nights a week after first opening its doors back in 1994.
Open at 9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Crews has DJ sets and dancing from 10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. While the bar is packed every weekend, Wednesdays and Sundays have a more relaxed vibe for those looking to enjoy a drink without busting a move.
O’Grady’s
Address: 518 Church St.
With a large patio and a long lineup of drag performances, O’Grady’s is a great spot for a chilled-out hang with friends and family, a casual drag show/brunch, or as a stop on a night out on the town.
Plus, the venue has another bar upstairs: The Lodge. This space frequently has drag performances, as well as different events like speed dating and singles’ night.
Both levels are open from 10-2 a.m., Monday through Sunday.
