Here's a look at the best new Toronto restaurants, corporate event venues, hotels, conference centers, and private and party rooms to open for events this winter. These new and renovated Toronto venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, conferences, meetings, weddings, business dinners, teambuilding activities, cocktail parties, and more.
Opened in January in the Riverside area of Queen Street East, the 1,200-square-foot loft Streetcar Studio is attached to Dark Horse Espresso Bar. With several unique architectural elements and modern lighting, the venue includes a projector and screen, Sonos sound system, and customizable LED lighting. Used for fashion shows, dinners, and wedding receptions, the venue holds 100 for receptions or seats 64 or 84 theater-style.
Lansdowne Brewery, a craft beer destination housed in a former candy factory, opened in Brockton Village in July. The decor has a slight industrial feel with exposed ceilings and pipes and old black-and-white images covering the walls. The 3,000-square-foot venue seats 60 or holds 120 for receptions.
Touted as Canada’s only obstacle course for adults, Pursuit OCR from Wil Mclean and Eddie Chan opened in October. Spread over 10,000 square feet, the warehouse venue has been transformed into an alternative fitness space filled with obstacle course racing, cove walls, and group exercise classes mainly focusing on gymnastics and dynamic flexibility. The space is available for private rental for teambuilding events, receptions, or social gatherings of 300 people.
Metrolinx unveiled its new CIBC Upstairs Lounge, located on the second floor of the UPExpress Station, in September. The lounge, designed by Winkreative, is suited for small private events, meetings, or corporate gatherings. Spread over 1,100 square feet, the lounge holds 90 people for receptions or seats 65. Throughout the space are chairs and couches, fireplaces, a full-service bar, and Canadian art in the lounge from the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Struck Contemporary Gallery is the newest project by Andrew Bockner (head of Andrew Richard Designs). Located in a 4,500-square-foot space in the King East Design District, the gallery has 14-foot ceilings, skylights that span the entire space, and audiovisual equipment. It opened in October and seats 180 or holds 450 for receptions.
In April, H Bar opened on West Queen West with 1,000 square feet of space over two floors. Throughout the venue are stained barn board walls and artwork from local artists, and amenities include full sound, a projector, and a screen. For private events, the first floor seats 24 or holds about 30 for receptions, and the second floor seats 36 or holds about 45 for receptions.
Opened since August, Creeds Coffee Bar is a bright 2,500 square-foot space with a spacious seating area. Throughout the venue, exposed brick walls and partially unfinished concrete floors mix with dark leather seats and custom-made wood-top furniture by Brothers Dressler. It seats 85 or holds 120 for receptions.
Rickshaw Bar, an Asian tapas bar housed in the West Queen West area, opened in September. Spread over 900 square feet on one floor, the space has an industrial feel with lighting fixtures made of copper pipes, exposed brick, and reclaimed wood tables. It seats 40 or holds 60 for receptions. The space has a semiprivate dining area for 15 seated guests.
Opened in June, the vegetarian and vegan restaurant D-Beatstro took over a former bike shop in Bloordale Village. The 1,000-square-foot space is a café/restaurant during the day and an event space at night.
