This October, Precious Cargo and Sniffies are taking over a Toronto warehouse for a night of sweat, queer bodies and filthy beats. With Sniffies coming to play in my city, It’s only right that I give you my cruising guide to Toronto.
I’ve lived in this city for 15 years and spent the last four producing queer events, including Precious Cargo, YumYum, and events at COMPLEX19, the city’s newest club. Toronto has a reputation for being clean, polite and a little buttoned-up. But the Toronto I know gets much more interesting after midnight—and this city doesn’t give everything away immediately.
Sometimes you need to catch a ferry, follow the right promoter or trust that the address you’ve been sent really does lead to a party. Charge your phone, bring a layer and respect people’s privacy. In our best queer spaces, your camera is usually the least interesting thing you could be using.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re coming for the gay bars and bathhouses, stay close to the Church-Wellesley Village.
If you’re looking for cute shops, cafés, art and eye candy, I’d consider staying in Dundas West, West Queen West or around Geary Avenue. These neighbourhoods have a more local, creative energy, with independent restaurants, galleries, bars, and plenty to look at while you wander.
If you prefer a quieter, more relaxed stay, the east end is still my personal favourite. Puts you near good food, neighbourhood bars and enough cute straight dads pushing strollers to keep the scenery interesting.
WHERE TO WORK OUT
Toronto has no shortage of gyms, so wherever you’re staying, you’ll find somewhere that gets the job done.
For an easy, no-fuss workout, there are GoodLife (some cruisier than others—like 137 Yonge St), YMCA and Hone Fitness locations throughout the city. If you’re willing to spend a little more moola, you’ve also got a handful of Equinox locations, AVANT in Yorkville and Altea in Liberty Village. Expect nicer facilities, better lighting and people whose gym outfits are far more expensive than they should be.
WHERE TO CRUISE
Toronto’s cruising map is as historic as it is diverse—just make sure you’re reading the room.
First up: Hanlan’s Point. This is Canada’s oldest surviving queer space and the site of Toronto’s first Gay Day Picnic in 1971. You can find most of the action along the stretch of bushes running parallel to the water. Take the ferry, head south and bring water. You might also want to check out Cherry Beach. The wooded trails off Regatta Road have been a cruising destination for decades. It’s secluded, industrial and very Toronto. Bring bug spray. Men have cruised Queen’s Park since the early 20th century. The park and nearby Philosopher’s Walk were also heavily monitored by police, giving the area a complicated place in Toronto’s queer history.
For a sure thing, check out Steamworks and Spa Excess. Steamworks at 540 Church Street is the Village bathhouse favourite, while Spa Excess at 105 Carlton has a more social, old-school feeling. Both stay open around the clock because desire does not follow Toronto business hours.
Finally, the public washrooms inside the Sheraton Centre at 123 Queen Street West have a long-standing reputation among downtown cruisers. The nearby PATH offers more corridors, corners and potential for an extended lunch break. Getting lost is part of it.
WHERE TO GO OUT
Toronto has some pretty iconic queer bars: Woody’s and Sailor, Crews & Tangos, Sweaty Betty’s, the Black Eagle and Three Dollar Bill are all worth visiting, but our nightlife really operates through its parties. Follow the producers, not only the venues.
Gay Rights, Pep Rally, and For the Lovers are all doing some really exciting things in the city right now. For something darker and sexier, YumYum regularly brings international talent to COMPLEX19, Toronto’s new queer-owned club, and goes properly late!
Then there’s Precious Cargo, my own contribution to the disorder. I created it to build the kind of dance floor I wanted more of in Toronto: deep sound, no judgement, and room for everybody (and every body) to find their version of the night.
The event has two iterations. Precious Cargo DOWNTOWN is a massive single-room party focused on sound, atmosphere and production. Precious Cargo WAREHOUSE takes over an expansive two-room industrial space where you can explore, disappear and run around until the sun comes up.