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If you find any content that requires correction or feels offensive, please contact us. The neighbourhood buzzes with excitement and a sense of unity, making it an extraordinary and welcoming space for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies to celebrate love and diversity.
Still looking for more things to do in Toronto’s gay village?
Tours & Experiences in Toronto
Toronto is home to Canada’s largest gay community and welcomes visitors from all walks of life.
Known as the starter bar for a night out, Woody’s has a great mix of diversity and includes fun nightly events. Here are the top choices, read more about these bars or click below to see listings of all gay venues in this city.
Toronto Gay Bars
GayMapper brings you a curated selection of accommodation gay destinations around the world, which are in preferred locations and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers.
For even sweeter eye-candy, come out and see the costumed revellers dressed to shock for Halloween. Beyond the all-important bars and clubs, Toronto offers cafes, shops, and restaurants that are popular with the queer community and dotted across the city, including the famous Queer West Village.
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Tours & Experiences in Toronto
GayMapper brings you information about gay bars and cruising bars in the city.
Although October 31 is the apex, you can experience the fun and frivolity of this wicked holiday in the days leading up to the big night.
Toronto is famous as a hub for arts and culture in North America, so it’s no surprise that is has fostered such a diverse and welcoming LGBTQ+ community.
On any given day, hot boys and hot girls fill Church Street with energy, passion and opportunity. Your feedback helps us improve our content and create a welcoming space for all.
When you’re asking about the most 2SLGBTQ+-friendly city in Canada, Toronto stands out, and the Church-Wellesley Village, also known as Toronto Gay Village, plays a large role in that.
Language evolves, and while we aim to use respectful language, we acknowledge its fluidity. Think costumed mayhem, free-flowing cocktails, entertainment and countless cute trick-or-treaters.
But it gets even better. The Gay Village, or “The Village” as the locals call it, is a predominantly gay neighbourhood nestled within Toronto’s downtown core.
Whether you’re visiting Toronto or are new to the area and want to know more about what to do in this vibrant gay neighbourhood, we’ve got you covered.
Toronto’s queer district offers many day and nighttime entertainment with a dynamic lineup of clubs, restaurants, performing arts and events like Pride Toronto.
Woody’s, which opened in 1989, is about as synonymous with The Village as a drag queen is with being fierce.
With concerts, conferences and cultural events throughout, the festival climaxes on its last day with the famous Pride Parade that takes over Toronto’s Yonge Street and fills it with all the colours of the rainbow.
Popular Restaurants and Bars in Church and Wellesley:Hair of the Dog, Sambucas on Church and Storm Crow Manor.
Popular Coffee Shops in Church and Wellesley:Piedmont Coffee Bar, Fuel Plus and Church Street Espresso.
Popular Nightclubs and Nightspots in Church and Wellesley:Crews and Tangos, Woody’s and Club 120.
Popular Shops in Church and Wellesley:Glad Day Bookshop, Out on The Street and Fortune and Strength.
Hotels near Church and Wellesley:Donwtown Home Inn, Wellesley Manor and Courtyard Marriott Toronto Downtown.
Sensitive language disclaimer–Our commitment is to maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all visitors, especially when discussing 2SLGBTQ+ topics in Toronto.
With an electric ambiance that includes billiards, ping pong and other multiplayer games, this queer-friendly bar has less of a nightclub feel and more of a chill-with-friends vibe.
Those are just a few bars, clubs and drag shows in Gay Village Toronto. Note for when you go–it’s a cash-only club.
For a more laid-back night out, head over to Pegasus.
Woody’s has also expanded to include the adjacent SAILOR bar, where you’ll find even more exciting drag performances.
If you’re looking for a gay and lesbian drag bar with karaoke, live performances and two dance floors, each with unique vibes, look no further. Each year in June, Toronto plays host to Pride Month which culminates in one of the largest pride festivals in the world.
It also serves as a village coffee shop and a great place to get some delicious Sunday drag brunch with Erin Brockobić, who will perk up your morning more than coffee ever will.
Also see: The 10 Most Iconic Drag Brunches in Toronto
Explore every inch of this three-story 2SLGBTQ+ store, featuring clothing, accessories, Pride merchandise and more.
The Churchmouse is an iconic Firkin Pub named after a unit of measurement in England and never disappoints if you have a hankering for some pub fare at a great value.