Here's a look at the best new venues in Toronto to open this winter with options for cocktail receptions, business dinners, conferences, and corporate entertaining. These venues can accommodate meetings and events large or small with conference rooms, ballrooms, dance floors, DJs, private rooms, and more.
3. Troika Vodka
Opened in November 2012, Troika Vodka Boutique offers 1,800 square feet of space for private events and is available for buyout. The majestic and royal decor was inspired by historic French and Russian elements. The boutique can accommodate as many as 73 people.
Photo: Daniel Gueorguiev
1. The Lot
Located inside Lower Ossington Theatre, the Lot is a new comedy club that seats 80. The space offers bar service, private washrooms, a sound system, and general stage lighting.
Photo: Garrett Jamieson
2. Aria Complex
The new Aria Complex houses four nightclub venues, each with its own high-concept design. Aria is the fourth-floor flagship and has a multitiered dance floor and three V.I.P. sections. The Vanity room has a DJ stage in the center of the room and two bars, Haze nightclub features a dance floor as well as a private V.I.P. booth and full bar, and Pure Patio Club features skyline views as well as DJ and performance areas, three raised V.I.P. sections, and two bars.
Photo: Courtesy of Aria Complex
4. Uniun
Located in the heart of King Street West, Uniun, a 16,000-square-foot club, opened in November. The industrial-chic, 1920s-inspired venue features exposed industrial piping and hardware with metallic accents. Available for private events, the club can hold 1,500 guests.
Photo: Tobias Wang
5. Kanji Sushi
Kanji Sushi, a new Japanese restaurant, opened in October. Serving hibachi and sushi, the 3,800-square-foot space is available for private events and buyouts and can host 120.
Photo: Courtesy of Kanji Sushi
6. Michael's on Simcoe
At the center of Toronto's financial and entertainment districts, Michael's on Simcoe offers U.S.D.A. prime steak, seafood, and pasta. The 5,650-square-foot steak house can accommodate 250 for reception and is available for private events and buyouts.
Photo: Misha Masek
7. Polyhaus
An independent event space, Polyhaus offers clients a variety of furniture options, a full sound system, a video projector, and a modular stage that can be used for live entertainment. The 2,000-square-foot venue also features 18-inch ceilings, a loading dock, and a freight elevator. It can hold 166 guests and as many as 80 for a seated dinner.
Photo: Jake Bros
8. Go Lounge
A new addition to the budding board-game culture in Toronto, Go Lounge is a 650-square-foot space that combines games, food, and drinks. The venue, which opened in November, is available for private events and has a total capacity of 30 guests.
Photo: Alisa Sadler
9. Shangri-La
The long-anticipated Shangri-La Hotel opened in September on University Avenue with 202 rooms. The 90-seat lobby restaurant features an all-day menu inspired by Southeast Asian food vendors and an extensive list of handpicked teas. The Bar, a 30-seat space, serves as the entrance to the hotel's in-house restaurant Bosk, which seats 80 diners and has a private dining room for 30. Event and meeting space is housed on the third floor in nine meeting rooms that stretch out to 14,626 square feet. The rooms are separated into four areas but can be combined by two central corridors to create a single event space. The event rooms are named after prominent Toronto destinations and include a 42-seat screening room, a two-story glass room, and the largest space, Queen’s Park. The latter, which dazzles with 39 crystal chandeliers and occupies 3,670 square feet, can be divided by an air wall that descends from the ceiling. Pivot doors open to reveal a glass wall and an outdoor garden terrace overlooking University Avenue.
Rendering: Courtesy of Shangri-La
10. Momofuku
David Chang's Momofuku opened in September in the new Shangri-La Hotel. Housing four different restaurants, each with a different menu style, the new Toronto outpost draws diners in with tasty options and an eye-catching restaurant-front sculpture by Zhang Huan. The first floor Noodle Bar holds 60 in a communal-seating layout, while Nikai on the second floor holds 50 diners and offers a bar and lounge atmosphere along with a mix of vintage furniture. Daishō on the third floor seats 70 and is focused on large-format dining with gallon growlers of beer and bo ssäm, otherwise known as pork butt. Shōtō is Chang's 22-seat, 10-course tasting menu spot.
Photo: Gabriele Stabile
