Here's a look at the best new Toronto restaurants, hotels, party rooms, corporate event venues, conference centers, and private rooms. These new and renovated Toronto venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, meetings, business dinners, cocktail parties, conferences, weddings, and more.
The Oliver & Bonacini restaurant Jump celebrated its 20th anniversary last year with a $1 million upgrade and renovation to the dining room, bar, and kitchen. The redesign was taken on by Karen Skobel and Paula Gauci of deSignum Designs who created a warm and refined atmosphere. The 6,000-square-foot space now features elements such as built-in flat screens and dramatic lighting elements including a 46-foot sculptural light fixture. It offers a private dining room for 165 seated or 300 for receptions and two semiprivate spaces.
This 600-seat Grecian-style villa Trinity Taverna opened in July. The space has large white plastered walls, water treatments throughout the main dining room, birch branches tethered to the ceiling, and awnings to create an oversize Mediterranean terrace with lakefront views of the city. Trinity Taverna is separated into three event spaces: the main dining room, the Cove (an open-concept private dining room for 150 guests), and the Upstairs Lounge (equipped with its own bar, dedicated sound system, and private rooftop terrace with seating for 80 guests).
Renovated in 2013, Le Dolci bakery is home to exposed brick walls, large windows, and hand-crafted chandeliers that set the tone for events such as teambuilding gatherings, product launches, or social events. The open-concept bakery close to Trinity Bellwoods Park has a full-service kitchen that can be used for in-house catering or for demos or classes. It seats 30.
With a new location on King Street West, Flirty Girl Fitness now has a 5,000-square-foot studio—said to be the largest pole-dancing room in Toronto—as well as three separate training rooms. For events, the venue offers a licensed bar, spa services, and access to catering and audiovisual services.
Reds Midtown Tavern, which opened in November, is home to funky decor including reclaimed wine bottle chandeliers and communal tables reclaimed from McMaster Library. The 6,800-square-foot space boasts a 90-seat patio on the corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets with private dining rooms available for groups of 12 to enjoy a local craft beer or a Reds specialty cocktail.
A little bit of country is found in the heart of the entertainment district at Rock 'N' Horse Saloon. With its country western theme and Southern hospitality—a wagon-wheel chandelier lights up the saloon—the venue invites guests to ride the mechanical bull or watch a "Spurlesque show," a mash-up of line dancing and burlesque. The saloon, which opened in December and holds 300 for receptions, is available for full buyout and has audiovisual equipment on site. A seasonal rooftop holds 150 for receptions.
The owners of Nota Bene have opened a new space in the original home of CityTV. The 2,500-square-foot Carbon Bar seats 95 and has several options for groups. A 12-person chef’s table allows guests to see chef David Lee in action, while a private dining room overlooking the entire restaurant seats 30 or holds 50 for receptions. It has a private back entrance for V.I.P.s and comes with a 60-inch TV with HDMI connection.
The interior of the sleek Cafe Bar Pasta contains white brick walls, a chandelier made out of dangling silver cutlery, and several art pieces. With an expansive 3,000 square feet, Cafe Bar Pasta offers a 16-seat private dining room adjoining the wine cellar with a collection of corks that spell out the word "wine." It also has audiovisual equipment. Guests can book a seat at executive chef Jay Scaife's table. The main dining room seats 65 people or holds 120 for receptions.
The downstairs at Marben recently underwent a renovation from interior designer Bradley Denton. Denton revamped the 800-square-foot space to give it more of a New York speakeasy feel. The room, which holds 50 seated guests or 80 for cocktail receptions, comes with audiovisual equipment including two flat screens that tuck in and out of the wall as needed and a DJ rig.Â
