The best outdoor furniture stores in and around Toronto

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Summer is around the corner in Toronto, and everything is in full swing — including the urge to spend as much time outdoors as possible! How does morning coffee in the sunshine sound? Or an afternoon lounging in the fresh air? How about a BBQ night with friends finished off with drinks by the fire pit? If you want to get the most out of your warm weather plans, snagging a few patio pieces is a good first step. To help you get started, here are 11 outdoor furniture stores in Toronto that provide everything you need to make your backyard or patio the place to be for the season.

Inside Out

Bring the indoors outside with stylish patio furniture, bistro sets and dining arrangements — whatever you’re looking for in terms of outdoor living, Inside Out in Eglinton West and Woodbridge has it all. Browse their great selection of fire features, barbecues, privacy screens and accessories to make hosting your next backyard BBQ the event of the season.

Casualife Outdoor Living

Helping you create the outdoor space you’ve always wanted, Casualife in Markham and Mississauga offers elegant patio furniture options and onsite designer assistance. Featuring a curated selection of outdoor living pieces, from country-chic to coastal contemporary, you’ll find the perfect fit for your lifestyle here.

Jardin de Ville

While away the day in the hanging chair of your dreams, or go all out with a customized backyard pavilion fit with modern furnishings. From accent pieces and accessories to full-scale outdoor living and dining setups, Jardin De Ville in North York or on Adelaide Street has you covered.

Wicker Park

Featuring a collection of Canadian-made outdoor furniture, Wicker Park in Mississauga promises to give back to the community by keeping their products locally made and reasonably priced. Head to their showroom to find the perfect patio sofa, sectional or Muskoka lounger (perfectly created for days hanging dockside), or check out the hanging fire bowls — they make a great social centrepiece to any yard.

Moss Danforth

Take a trip to Greektown and explore the delightful outdoor options at Moss. Offering everything from unique planters, outdoor cushions and al fresco accessories to colourful Muskoka chairs and even Acacia Wood patio sets, there’s plenty to choose from at this well-loved shop on the Danforth.

Ard Outdoor

Whether you’re looking to transform a commercial, residential or even small-scale space, Ard Outdoor in North York has the experts you’ll want to make your outdoor vision a reality. Find the perfect weatherproof club chair or chaise lounge to add to your patio, or reimagine your outdoor space entirely with the help of one of their designers.

Southport

With so many unique furniture pieces to transform your outdoor spaces, Southport Outdoor Living in both Toronto and Vaughan will help you complete your dream backyard. The team is knowledgeable and will provide expert advice on picking the perfect pieces from their extensive collection. From full-scale patio furniture sets to eclectic outdoor accents like fire tables, there’s plenty of high-quality options to jazz up your home.

JYSK

If you’re looking to reimagine your outdoor space on a budget, you’ll want to explore the many unbelievable deals at JYSK. With locations in Scarborough and Mississauga, find full patio sets for under $1,000 in many instances — without scrimping on style. Whether you’re looking for wood or rattan-inspired pieces or a sturdy bistro set to enjoy morning coffee in the sun, you’ll find it here.

West Elm

Drop by West Elm to explore a huge collection of outdoor living accessories and find just what you’re looking for. Add some zhuzh to your space with beautiful stone and ceramic planters, or snag a classic wicker patio set with a modern twist. Featuring big-ticket items like outdoor kitchens and quality designer furniture for your every need, West Elm, with a location at Yonge and Eglinton and Liberty Village, will help make spending time in your garden feel like a holiday — every day.

CB2

From sleek stone coffee tables and bird baths to Teak patio sets and more, CB2 on Queen West offers elegant options for an elevated outdoor experience. Whether you’re looking to breathe new life into your home or open-air living space, CB2 promises free expert interior design advice to help create your next favourite spot to spend time in.

Dot Furniture

Featuring the largest selection of outdoor furniture options in Canada, Dot Furniture with locations in Toronto, Mississauga and Woodbridge has endless options to peruse. Revamp your garden space with any number of great outdoor living and dining sets, colourful patio umbrellas, accent pieces and open-air cooking and dining gear.

Five places to see outdoor movies this summer in Toronto and one involves boats

By

Ron Johnson

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5:30 am

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outdoor movies — Toronto Outdoor Picture Show

Everything is better outdoors, and movies are no exception. When the mercury rises, and the sun is out, Torontonians move their lives outside as much as humanly possible. Luckily there are plenty of alfresco entertainment options including outdoor movies. Here are five of our favourite ways to catch a flick under the stars.

Toronto Outdoor Picture Show

The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) is offering a full slate of outdoor movies throughout Toronto from June 12 to Aug. 24. The theme for this season is When We Were Young, and the full program includes events at Fork York, Corktown Common, as well as the popular Christie Pits Film Festival. The Christie Pits Film Festival will run throughout July and August.

The summer season will open with a five-evening opening weekend of film screenings at Fort York, beginning with Baz Luhrmann’s take on Romeo and Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Opening weekend also includes the highly acclaimed I Saw the TV Glow and silver screen classic The Wizard of Oz.

Movies on the River

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If the meandering Humber River is more your speed, Movies on the River returns this summer with a full slate of films that will be shown along the west-end watercourse by Toronto Adventures.
People are welcome to paddle their canoes, kayaks and SUPs to the area and pay $10 per movie, or for those who don’t have a boat, rentals are available and range in price from $40 for a single kayak including the movie to $90 for a large canoe that can fit two adults and three children. All lifejackets and paddles will also be provided.

Those renting boats will have 30 minutes to paddle the river and explore before the movie screening begins on an 80-foot screen located just minutes from the Toronto Adventures boat launch.

Movies on the River kicks off on June 6 with a family-friendly screening of Jurassic Park.

Lavazza IncluCity Festival

The Italian Contemporary Film Festival and The Distillery District are teaming up to bring the 2025 Lavazza IncluCity Festival to the Distillery Historic District from June 27 to July 20.

Festival-goers will be treated to an innovative cinema village set up right on the cobblestone streets of one of the city’s most charming and unique areas.

Outdoor theatres and patios will line Distillery’s Trinity Street and a new innovative theatre space will offer a magical vantage point for festival-goers. Venues will also feature couch seating and large digital screens. In addition to a full lineup of “heartwarming films,” the festival will also offer installations, art exhibits, panel discussions, gourmet tastings, and live performances.

You can check out the full programming and grab tickets now — highlights include a particularly timely screening of Michael Moore’s Canadian Bacon, the North American premiere of Napoli – New York and plenty of fan favourites.

Harbourfront’s Free Flicks

A movie and popcorn along the waterfront on a hot summer’s night? Say no more! Running from July 8–Aug. 26, Harbourfront Centre’s Free Flicks programming offers completely free movie nights on Tuesdays all summer right by the lake.

The lineup for this year hasn’t been announced yet, but expect Academy Award-winning movies — including a special screening of Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed film The Shape of Water on opening night in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival.

The 5 Drive-in Theatre

For those looking for an actual drive-in theatre complete with a snack bar and serious retro vibes, the 5 Drive-in Theatre in Oakville is already open for the season with first-run movies.

The drive-in, which opened way back in 1964, is just west of Toronto and an easy cruise down the QEW. It has three screens and room for more than 1,000 cars.

Check out the schedule on the website.

This Roman chef came for six months. Now he runs Toronto’s hottest supper club

By

Megan Gallant

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5:00 pm

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snapins ai 2996841304261716885 — @gianlucaruggierichef/Instagram

On any given weekend in Toronto, chef Gianluca Ruggieri can be found hand-shaving Parmigiano over plates of truffle-sausage pasta — serving strangers who quickly become friends. When he left Rome in 2019, his plan was just six months in Toronto. Six years later, he’s an in-demand private chef, the driving force behind a popular supper club, and the face of an Instagram following nearing 180,000. And this is only the beginning.

“The best thing is the connection I get with people,” he says. “When I’m doing a supper club and people say, ‘My nonna used to cook this dish for me,’ or, ‘We went there last year and had the exact same thing’—that’s what makes me happy: building that connection with the person, and with the client.”

snapins ai 2677812480531843829 — Chef Ruggieri eating amatriciana in Amatrice

Born and raised in Rome, Ruggieri’s “number one passion” was always food, as he grew up surrounded by a family who liked to cook. But nobody inspired him quite like his father did.

“He would work 12-hour days, come home, open the fridge, and still create a two- or three-course meal that was different every night for us,” he says. “He truly had — and still has — a passion for food. Just by involving me in the kitchen and letting me help with prep, he passed that passion on to me.”

After starting out in psychology at university, Ruggieri quickly realized his heart belonged in the kitchen. He enrolled in an intensive culinary program at Rome’s Italian Chef Academy, where he trained under top chefs in five-star restaurants.

But as an ambitious chef seeking international experience, he chose to come to Toronto — his ‘second home,’ where his mother was born and raised, and where he spent time every year growing up.

“What I always say is that just like people in North America fantasize about the Italian or European lifestyle, for us growing up on the other side, we dream about the North American lifestyle,” he says. “It’s the big houses, the cars, the movies — everything’s cool, everything’s big, it’s amazing.”

When he first moved to Canada, he worked at King Taps downtown, where he learned about hospitality and the diverse clientele he’d be serving.

“For the first time in my life, I was connecting with different cultures, people, and backgrounds. That experience really opened my mind and made me appreciate people a lot more,” he says.

During the pandemic, Ruggieri began working as a chef at Cucinato Italian Culinary Studio and had the chance to work with a private chef which opened his eyes to new possibilities.

snapins ai 3048193142751792078 — @gianlucaruggierichef/Instagram

“I remember going to these events and seeing these beautiful houses, amazing places, and having the chance to cook while people ate my food right in front of me. Seeing their reactions—that’s what really struck me,” he says.

He went full-time as a private chef in August 2023, offering a menu of refined Italian dishes ranging from approachable truffle and fennel sausage pasta to elevated plates like tenderloin or black cod with Sicilian caponata.

Driven by a dream to become a celebrity chef with his own cooking show or cookbook, Ruggieri began building his social media platforms with one clear goal in mind.

“The biggest frustration I’ve had since I moved here was the way Italian food and Italian culture is butchered here. I look at restaurants, I see a menu that’s always the same stuff,” he says.

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He started by reviewing tiramisus at various restaurants around the city, then launched a video series called “Flavours of Italy,” guiding his followers on a culinary tour from north to south by cooking one dish from each Italian region. He now has 179,000 followers on Instagram and 36,000 on TikTok (@theromanochef).

“It’s satisfying to see that what started as a way to teach people about Italian culture and authentic Italian food has grown into what I have today,” he says. “It’s pretty cool, and I’m not stopping.”

As his social media following grew, he realized hiring a private chef could be costly for many, so he started hosting a regular supper club that’s more accessible.

“I wanted to give people what they wanted — dishes from my ‘Flavours of Italy’ series — so they could enjoy them at a more affordable price,” he says. “It’s also a way to connect with the people who follow me and those who helped me get to where I am today. Growing my following and falling in love with content creation opened up more work opportunities.”

The events take place monthly at Rily’s Kitchen in the Junction, where family-style dishes are served at a communal table. Like his private dinners, Ruggieri’s goal is to leave guests with more than just a full stomach.

“I want people to wake up the morning after and say, ‘We did something really cool last night — and we learned about Italian food,’” he says. “I love teaching people what real Italian food is, one supper club after another, one dinner after another.”

These are the 10 chicken sandwiches Toronto can’t stop ordering

By

Jennifer Schembri

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1:26 pm

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Listen up, burger: you might need to watch your buns. According to the 2025 Hot 10 Restaurant Trends report, chicken sandwiches are ruling the roost, with a 26 per cent increase in orders since 2020. The rise in popularity might be due to the fact that chicken sandwiches are a cheaper alternative to beef. And have you seen how often these juicy, sauced-up sandwiches show up on Instagram lately?

With options in Toronto ranging from crispy and spicy to kimchi-brined and hotter than a Nashville summer afternoon, the chicken sandwich is officially the fastest-growing menu item in Canada this year. Here are the 10 best chicken sandwiches in the city to try.

Best Fried Chicken Sandwich: The Wren

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The Wren has a bit of a love affair with chicken sandwiches. Take, for example, the Dave’s Hot Chicken (pictured): buttermilk-fried chicken is tossed in cayenne pepper oil sauce, then coated with even more cayenne pepper spice, peppercorn aioli, pickles, and lettuce and served with fries on a soft and squishy bun. And that’s just one of their many options — for one night only, they present different chicken sandwiches, and if you’re lucky, you may have tasted their inventive creations, which have ranged from spicy blueberry and shawarma-fried to Money Money Hot and honey and spicy dill pickle. Any day is a win at The Wren.

Best Nashville Hot Chicken: Chica’s

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Husband-and-wife team, Carolyn and Matthew Pelechaty love friend chicken. So much so that after a trip to Nashville they opened Chica’s Chicken in the Junction to immediate success. Incorporating their own ideas and flavours, Chica’s has created a unique version of Nashiville hot chicken with each piece dry-brined with a blend of their own in-house spices — even their Carolina reapers and ghost peppers are blended by hand to ensure they are using the hottest peppers possible! Choose from six heat levels that range from plain to hot af (extremely hot) and delicious options that include sandwiches like the OG Nashville-spiced boneless fried chicken topped with slaw, pickles and buttermilk ranch, served on Texas toast, chicken bites and wings.

Best Korean Fried Chicken: NeNe

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NeNe Chicken, South Korea’s largest and most beloved fried chicken chain, has impressed Toronto and now boasts one of the city’s best Korean fried chicken sandwiches. Known for its ultra-crispy, ruffled batter that locks in moisture and clings to sauce, the sandwich delivers intense flavour in every bite. Choose from glazes like soy garlic, sweet and spicy, or the fiery Hot Bling, all served on a soft bun with crisp lettuce and pickles. For something different, the Hawaii-Terri burger comes topped with grilled pineapple and house-made teriyaki sauce.

Best Pulled Chicken Sandwich: Smoque N’ Bones

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Smoque N’ Bones does proper Southern barbecue, and their pulled chicken sandwich is a knockout. The chicken is smoked low and slow over Canadian sugar maple, giving it a deep, woodsy sweetness that’s balanced by tangy coleslaw and tucked into a buttery brioche bun.

Best Sweet + Spicy Chicken Sandwich: PG Clucks

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PG Clucks isn’t big, but it’s considered one of the best spots in the city to get your chicken fix. This tiny counter off College Street turns out some of the city’s most delicious sandwiches, and the Jalapeño & Honey is the one to beat. A slab of dark meat chicken, brined for 24 hours, buttermilk-soaked, and double-dredged for an outrageous crunch, gets dunked in honey, then loaded with pickled jalapeños, jalapeño sauce and ranch. It’s spicy sweet and messy in all the right ways.

Best Chicken Parm: Sugo

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There’s chicken parm, and then there’s Sugo’s chicken parm. This Bloordale favourite has been slinging red-sauce comfort since 2017, earning a cult following for its unapologetically saucy sandwiches and rotating pasta specials. But the chicken parmigiana sandwich is pure, classic perfection: breaded chicken breast, gooey mozzarella, house sugo and fresh basil, all packed into a soft sesame seed bun

Best Jerk Chicken Sandwich: Allwyn’s

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Allwyn’s has been serving jerk chicken since 1994, and their sandwich has earned its following. The chicken is deeply marinated and grilled until smoky, with that signature mix of heat, allspice and thyme coming through in every bite. It’s layered onto soft, slightly sweet coco bread, with creamy coleslaw to cool things down just enough for the next bite.

Best Szechuan Chicken Sandwich: Chen Chen’s

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Chen Chen’s takes Nashville hot chicken and turns up the heat with a Szechuan twist. The fried chicken is crispy and cayenne-spiked, true to its Southern roots, but gets layered with the numbing, peppery burn of Szechuan spice which has a touch of sweetness underneath. It’s served on a toasted brioche bun with slaw, pickles and house-made aioli.

Best Fusion Chicken Sandwich: Juicy Birds

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Juicy Birds brings the heat from two directions with their Tandoori x Nash Sando — a mashup of Indian spice and Southern fried perfection. The chicken is marinated in tandoori seasoning, then fried Nashville-style for a crispy, spicy crust. It’s then layered with red onions, slaw and a punchy tandoori mayo, all tucked into a toasted brioche bun.

Best Chicken Club: The Avenue Diner

At the corner of Avenue and Davenport, the Avenue Diner has been serving up no-nonsense comfort since 1944. Their Avenue Club Sandwich is simple but satisfying: sliced chicken, crispy bacon and fresh tomato stacked just right.

30-minute hovercraft commute from Toronto to Niagara moves closer to launch

By

Nisean Lorde

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11:52 am

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Ontario hovercraft (photo: Hovercraft Ontario Ltd.)

New details about the proposed hovercraft ferry service between downtown Toronto and the Niagara Region have emerged.

As we recently reported, Hoverlink Ontario has already secured a space to develop a docking site at the Port Weller Terminal in St. Catharines (near tons of tourist attractions and public amenities), and the company recently signed a 30-year deal with Ports Toronto that will allow vessels to be docked on a brand-new landing pad connected to Billy Bishop.

The high-speed, biodiesel-powered hovercraft ferry service is meant to be a super convenient and fast new way for people to travel! Instead of a 2-hour drive or train trip, residents can travel between these two top tourist destinations within 30 minutes by hovercraft. Each craft can carry up to 180 passengers and serve up to 3 million passengers a year.

At a Toronto Region Board of Trade event on Wednesday, officials from Hoverlink Ontario further explained how the service will ease traffic congestion. For example, with the service running at full capacity, it could reduce traffic on the QEW by the equivalent of 8,000 cars per day, potentially revitalizing the Golden Horseshoe’s tourism industry.

At the event, Chris Morgan, founder and CEO of Hoverlink, said that the development is “the beginning of a new era of rapid transit,” adding that the service isn’t just a rapid transportation project, but an economic development catalyst or a tourism accelerator.

“Hoverlink would allow Torontonians to quickly visit the wineries and the beautiful hinterland of Niagara-on-the-Lake, or unleash new possibilities for regional tourism, employment, and housing between Toronto and St. Catharines,” Morgan said at the event.

The hovercrafts can float nearly 2 metres over land, water and ice, producing a large volume of air below the hull of the vessel to create a sort of air cushion. Fans and propellers will also help push the crafts forward.

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In an interview with CTV News on Wednesday, Erika Potrz, the president of Hoverlink Ontario, noted that there are plans for Hoverlink-operated shuttle buses to make stops at Fallsview Hilton, Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort George and Niagara College, with possible partnerships with regional shuttle providers and even ticket bundle options with local attractions!

“We will invite some of our key partners to have their shuttle buses come and pick up folks,” she told CTV. “We are looking at how do we package up tickets with entities in Niagara Region, as well as in Toronto, to encourage and ensure that all of our businesses win.”

The company plans to start with around 24 return trips per day (48 lake crossings per day), with service running 365 days a year for up to 18 hours per day.

As of publication, we don’t know the official launch date, and there is no official pricing, but Hoverlink says it’ll be comparable to existing public transit options operating between Toronto and Niagara (again, just with faster transit times).

Click here for more info!

Shawn Mendes is back and he’s already announcing a hometown Toronto show

By

Ron Johnson

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9:50 am

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Shawn Mendes at Neon Demon Studio — Photo Courtesy: neondemonstudio.com

Shawn Mendes is officially back. After stepping away from touring to focus on his mental health and well-being, the multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated artist has announced his return to the stage — and he’s kicking things off with a hometown show in Toronto.

“Here we go, on the road again,” said Mendes, on a social media post announcing his tour.

The Canadian singer-songwriter, who first rose to fame posting song covers on Vine before skyrocketing to global stardom with hits like Stitches, In My Blood, and Treat You Better, is bringing new energy, a fresh perspective, and a lot of love to this next chapter.

here we goo, on the road again ?

presales start wednesday june 4th, general onsale friday june 6th. sign up now for presale access at https://t.co/bEmQqHSGvY

guys we have some real life angels joining us on tour

I came across @itsameeemaro a few years ago and she immediately… pic.twitter.com/29x5XB6DLT

— Shawn Mendes (@ShawnMendes) May 29, 2025

Presales for the tour start Wednesday, June 4, with general onsale beginning Friday, June 6. Fans can sign up now for presale access at shawnmendesofficial.com.

Joining Shawn on tour are a trio of rising stars he’s genuinely excited to share the stage with:

Portuguese singer and songwriter MARO, Lubiana, a Belgian artist with Cameroon roots, and Eddie Benjamin, who Mendes refers to as his brother, is joining the tour in North America.

“Guys we have some real life angels joining us on tour,” he shared.

Guillermo del Toro is hosting a horror film series for TIFF this summer

By

Nisean Lorde

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9:29 am

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Horror fans won’t have to wait until Halloween for their next scare. As part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF’s) lineup of summer programming, acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro is returning to the city to curate a Canadian horror film series!

‘From Rabid to Skinamarink: Canadian Movie Madness’, running July 9-13 at TIFF Lightbox, will take audiences on a spooky journey through the history of Canadian horror, celebrating iconic and boundary-pushing horror flicks from the likes of David Cronenberg, Bruce McDonald and Vincenzo Natali. Expect a slate of brand new 4K film restorations, including Rabid (1977), Cube (1997), Ginger Snaps (2000), Pontypool (2008) and Skinamarink (2022).

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The Oscar-winning director has a deep love for Toronto and often films throughout the city when possible. Parts of the 2017 fantasy hit The Shape of Water were filmed right downtown at Massey Hall, Trinity-Bellwoods Park and the Elgin Theatre! Last year, del Toro visited the city to film his latest masterpiece for Netflix, Frankenstein. During his downtime, he opened up about his favourite bookstores in the city.

And in July, he took to social media to advocate for the preservation of the beloved Revue Cinema, which was facing closure at the time, but has since reached a new lease agreement.

@MayorOliviaChow Can you help save the REVUE, one of Canada’s most beloved, non-profit, cultural landmarks? https://t.co/59TrOEgoqB Almost 20k signatures have been added https://t.co/uvT0DalW6d
If not you, WHO can help? Or HOW can I help? @BhutilaKarpoche @viraniarif @gordperks

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 4, 2024

Oh, and if you haven’t seen del Toro’s The Shape of Water, TIFF is hosting a free, outdoor screening of this romantic dark fantasy on July 8 at Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W).

Click here for TIFF’s full slate of summer programming.

The iconic Mod Club music venue is back in Toronto

By

Nisean Lorde

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5:00 pm

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One of Toronto’s most beloved live music venues is returning to its original name. The Axis Club (formerly known as the Mod Club) has been rebranded once again as The Mod Club.

The Mod Club (722 College St) was co-founded in 2002 by ’80s pop star Mark Holmes, best known as the lead singer in the Toronto-based rock band Platinum Blonde. The two-story, 618-capacity venue was set up in a historic 1920s-era building at the corner of College and Crawford Streets in the heart of Little Italy, and quickly became the place to be for 60s-era UK rock and funk parties.

In the following decades, the space hosted more contemporary artists, including Amy Winehouse, Sia, Florence + the Machine, and Lana Del Rey, and helped to launch the careers of local artists like Daniel Caesar, Jessie Reyez and Charlotte Day Wilson. The Weeknd even made his live debut there in 2011!

After temporarily closing its doors in 2020 due to pandemic measures, the venue relaunched with a new name and vision in 2021: The Axis Club. The new venue name came with major tech upgrades, like state-of-the-art lighting, sound systems and live-streaming capabilities.

On Wednesday, the venue announced it was returning to its roots.

“With a renewed identity that embraces change while honouring its legacy, The Mod Club aims to revive the energy that once made it a cornerstone in Toronto nightlife. Welcome home,” the venue stated in an Instagram post.

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If anything, Toronto music fans seem ready to embrace the change.

“Welcome back i never stopped calling you the mod club” one Insta user said.

“Forever and always The Mod Club! Welcome home” another user stated.

To help celebrate the new (old?) name, Toronto R&B singer Daniel Caesar will take the stage on June 14 to perform an intimate, acoustic performance. It’ll mark nine years since he first stepped onto that very same stage for his concert debut in 2016.

“I’m really glad to be coming back to The Mod Club to play after all these years,” Caesar said in a release. “That place will always have a special place in my heart.”

Click here for all upcoming summer shows at the venue.

There is a national sauna performance championship coming to Toronto this June

By

Nisean Lorde

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3:25 pm

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For those looking to find the best sauna artisans in the country, an upcoming competition might help!

Groupe Nordik announced the launch of Aufgusshow 2025, Canada’s first-ever national sauna performance championship, set to take place from June 17 to 19 inside the Logga Sauna at Thermëa Spa Village in Whitby (which we recently listed as one of the best Nordic spas to visit in Ontario).

This three-day event will bring together some of the country’s top “Aufgussmeisters” (think sauna masters who blend essential oil-infused steam, heat, music and choreographed towel movements to create an immersive European sauna ritual) to compete for a chance to represent Canada at the Aufguss World Master Championship in Verona, Italy, this September!

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The competition will feature 20 competitors from five spas across Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. A panel of four certified European judges will assess each performance based on scent selection, technique, creativity, storytelling and overall sensory experience.

Winners will earn a place on the international stage, marking Canada’s debut as a member of the Aufguss World Master Association, alongside Germany, Italy and Japan!

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“This is more than a competition — it’s a cultural movement,” Martin Paquette, CEO and Founder of Groupe Nordik said in a news release. “Aufguss is where performance meets wellness, and we’re incredibly proud to bring this level of artistry to Canada. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our talent, unite our Spa Villages, and elevate how people experience the sauna.”

The best part is that more than 300 tickets will be available for this three-day event for the public, including access to three competition performances and full-day spa admission! It’ll make for a perfect getaway with a few friends. Click here for ticket sales, event details and performer profiles.

And if you’re still looking for a spa fix, check out some of the best luxury bathhouse spas in the GTA.

Toronto teenager Victoria Mboko makes it to 3rd round at French Open

By

Nisean Lorde

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1:06 pm

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Victoria Mboko may only be 18, but she’s already making huge strides in women’s tennis this year. Her raw athleticism and explosive arrival on the WTA scene have some fans even comparing her to a young Venus Williams! The Toronto-raised teenager, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Congolese parents, is advancing to the third round of the French Open after defeating No. 41-ranked (and 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinalist) Lulu Sun on Sunday (6-1, 7-6) and No. 59-ranked Eva Lys on Wednesday in straight sets (6-4, 6-4).

She’s only the second teenage qualifier to reach the Women’s Singles third round at the French Open in the past decade, after Mirra Andreeva, who was 16 in 2023.

“I was very focused throughout the whole match,” Mboko told reporters on Wednesday after defeating Lys in her second-round match. “Of course, she was a very solid player, especially from the baseline. She really made me earn every single point.”

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Mboko now boasts a 42-5 record after dominating the ITF circuit earlier this year with four titles and 22 consecutive wins. According to Tennis Canada, the teen received wild cards into other major tournaments, like the Miami Open and the Italian Open, where she held her own against top-10 players Paula Badosa and even world No. 2 seed Coco Gauff.

But the French Open marks Mboko’s first Grand Slam appearance at the senior level; impressive, considering her recent struggles with knee pain. In March, she told Tennis Sweet Spot that she hadn’t been able to do much in 2024 due to injury recovery.

“I was training in Europe. I was really far away from home, I didn’t really get a lot of opportunities to play close to home or a lot of tournaments in general. So when I started playing this year, I had a pretty busy schedule. I was really pumped to play a lot of matches and was really excited just to get on the court and just play freely. New Year, clean slate. I’m glad it’s been going well and hopefully, I can continue doing well. So far so good.”

The teenager, who was raised in Burlington, ON, actually comes from a family of tennis players (so, perhaps, another pseudo-similarity to Williams?) She’s the youngest of four Mboko siblings, two boys and two girls, all of whom have played tennis.

According to a recent WTA profile, Mboko’s sister, Gracia, and brother, Kevin, both competed at the college level. Her other brother, David, had to stop playing tennis due to eye problems.

“I just remember watching them from the sidelines and not wanting to be left out,” Mboko told the WTA earlier this month.

“I’ve actually never beaten any of them,” she said. “I never like to lose a lot. I played my sister once in a tournament and I lost 0 and 0. I was absolutely devastated. They still hold that over me to this day!”

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Mboko is currently ranked No. 89 in the live WTA rankings, but that number could be bumped up Friday when she faces world No. 8 seed and Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen in the third round!

The match is scheduled for 5:00 a.m. ET on Court Simonne-Mathieu at Roland Garros.

MasterChef alum is opening a world-class pizzeria just 90 minutes from Toronto

By

Jennifer Schembri

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12:50 pm

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snapins ai 3117113806262617926 — @sonofabish/Instagram

The stunning town of Elora is known for many things, including being a fantastic day trip from Toronto —just 90 minutes away — and offering a picture-perfect setting with stunning 19th-century limestone architecture, waterfalls and scenic parks. Now, a culinary superstar with experience living and working in cities around the globe is opening what promises to be a world-class pizzeria in the heart of town.

Tony’s Sourdough Pizzeria, the latest venture from chef Tony Bish, will serve up inventive takes on the classic pie. Standout creations include the Umami, topped with fior di latte mozzarella, Gruyère, thyme, smoked local mushrooms, nutmeg, chervil and a rich vegetable demi-glace, and the Farmboi, featuring veal sausage, poached egg, smoked ricotta, Gruyère, pecorino romance, roasted fennel, potato, rosemary, dill oil and black pepper. Traditionalists won’t be left out either — classic options like the Plain Red will also be on offer. But there’s a twist: Chef Bish will be crafting only 100 pizzas a day, making each one a coveted slice.

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A Le Cordon Bleu–Dusit graduate, Thai-American chef Tony Bish grew up eating his grandmother’s sourdough pancakes — a treasured family recipe that included a sourdough starter passed down to him. That very starter sparked his passion for baking and sourdough, eventually leading him on a deep dive into the craft. So committed was Bish to mastering the process that he spent an entire year hand-rolling 100 dough balls a day, honing his technique until it became second nature.

Bish has lived and cooked in cities around the world, including Manila, Bangkok, Phuket, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Mumbai and New York. His culinary chops have been showcased on shows like The Next Iron Chef and MasterChef, and he’s helmed a world-class pizzeria recognized by 50 Top Pizza. He’s also cooked shoulder-to-shoulder with Michelin-starred legends. So, to say his Elora pizzeria is highly anticipated would be an understatement.

In addition to the pizza-focused menu, diners can expect a signature meatball (just one — and will most likely be worth it), a classic tiramisu for dessert, and a curated selection of both spirit-free and craft cocktails.

“I’m bringing everything I’ve learned around the world back to a single wood-burning Pavesi oven in Elora that we specially imported from Italy,” Bish says “This place isn’t just about pizza, it’s about dough, process, family, and purpose.”

Tony’s Sourdough Pizzeria is set to open its doors on June 6 at the historic Elora Mews, bringing world-class pizza to the heart of this picturesque town.

Toronto’s Little Italy revival is real — Thanks to these new restaurants

By

Jennifer Schembri

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10:14 am

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snapins ai 3612266507117589702 — @dannyspizzatavern/Instagram

Located on College Street between Bathurst and Ossington, Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood was once the centre of the city’s Italian-Canadian community. From the early 1900s through the 1970s an influx of Italian immigrants arrived in the city, bringing with them their culture, food and traditions.

By the 1950s, nearly 40 per cent of Toronto’s Italian community lived in or around Little Italy. But by the 90s, many had moved to the suburbs, and the neighbourhood started to shift; family-run shops were replaced by bars and nightclubs, giving the area a new vibe.

Today, Little Italy is experiencing a bit of a revival, thanks to a handful of new restaurants that nod to its roots while adding a modern twist.

This includes eateries like Danny’s Pizza Tavern, a popular spot known for its delicious thin-crust pies, killer cocktails and fun vibes, complete with Seinfeld reruns on the TV. It’s so popular that getting a table can be a challenge. That’s part of what inspired co-owner Danny Barna to open Danny’s Next Door, a more laid-back, walk-in bar right beside it, offering the same fun vibe without the long wait.

“We wanted the space to feel like it’s been around for decades,” says Barna. “Even though it’s brand new, the goal was to build something that felt timeless.”

On the menu you’ll find BLTs made with pizza dough, shrimp cocktails, and of course, their signature pies.

snapins ai 2108338395591117500 — Zach Kolomeir and Carmelina Imola Photo: @graydonherriott

A few doors down, the soon-to-open N.L. Ginzburg is already garnering a ton of buzz. It’s the latest project from Carmelina Imola and Zach Kolomeir, the team behind Dreyfus, Taverne Bernhardt’s and Vilda’s. Set to open at 548 College, the restaurant is named after iconic figures in European Jewish history and will bring together Italian slow-food traditions with the flavours of Jewish diaspora cooking.

And then there’s Sal’s Pasta & Chops, slated to open in July 2025 in the former Wolfie space at 614 College. Created by Michael Sangregorio and Fabio Bondi — the team behind Lucia — Sal’s is named after both of their fathers, Italian immigrants who made Little Italy their home in the mid-20th century.

snapins ai 3633244457983683995 — @eatwithlucia

“Both Sals immigrated to Canada with a suitcase and a dream,” they wrote in a recent post. “Like most Italians, they settled on College Street.”

The menu will highlight Italian-Canadian classics — dishes the owners grew up with and that were staples at family gatherings and special occasions.

If you haven’t been to Little Italy in a while, grab a few friends, find a patio, and sip a Negroni or Aperol Spritz while soaking in the vibe. It’s definitely worth the visit.