Based on our recent readers poll, it looks like corporate holiday parties are back in season. Here are some new options for festive events in Toronto.
1. Nightclub owner Travis Agresti unveiled his latest venture—Dolce Social Ballroom—on Saturday. Agresti called on Charles Doell, founder of the California-based firm Mr. Important Design, to create the 6,000-square-foot space at King and Bathurst streets. The venue, Doell's first Canadian project, holds 560 and has custom origami chandeliers (from MADE) and a handcrafted brass ceiling and wall treatment designed by local artist Zac Ridgely. A backlit onyx platform surrounding the private booths doubles as a catwalk for fashion events. A 280-seat patio is slated to open in summer 2010.
2. Open since 1987, the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery—in a renovated 1920s powerhouse building at Harbourfront Centre—is now available as an event space. The venue can host parties of 1,600 on select dates during periods between exhibitions. The North Gallery, available for breakfasts, lunches, and after-hours receptions during the holiday season, can hold 70 seated, 60 in a theatre or auditorium setting, and as many as 100 for receptions.
3. The Cabinet Salon, a new hair studio that opened on Queen Street West in August, is available for small private parties with salon services. Owned by stylists Emma Rose and Alex MacDonald, the Cabinet was designed as a gathering place and inspired by the Old World charms of a private sitting-room salon. The venue, which holds 150 for receptions, is filled with antique furnishings and includes a gallery space called Cabinet Art, which launched on Thursday with a collection of works by Steve Rose.
4. In a century-old venue, the Shamrock Bowl is a retro 12-lane bowling alley on Coxwell Avenue. The space, which reopened in early October following extensive renovations, is available for corporate events and teambuilding activities. The venue holds groups of up to 135. Catering is available on site and custom bowling shirts can be ordered in advance.
5. In a converted boiler room, Buca is an Italian restaurant on King Street West with exposed brick walls, dark floors, high ceilings, and chandeliers featuring bare light bulbs. The restaurant, accessed along the alley next to Cheval, is the latest venture from the team behind Brassaii and Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse. Rob Gentile (One, Bymark, North 44) is the executive chef. Buca, open since September, has a 38-seat wine bar that can be booked as a private room. The entire space holds 102 and is available for buyouts.