Dear Winners, We at Torontoist have always been a fan, simply because we can’t avoid your selection. The constantly-changing flow of merchandise is every shopaholic’s dream: Will this be the day that we find our size in half-off Earnest Sewn jeans? Or will you finally have that pair of Steven shoes we saw at Brown’s? Everyone loves a Winners—because everyone loves the cheapy prices on coveted brand name items from other stores in Toronto.... [continue]

This Torontoist was pouting last week when she couldn't find out how to get tickets to the Phoenix show Friday night at Mod Club. After futile searches and thankless queries to Ticketmaster all hope was gone. But at the eleventh hour everything changed: an email-invite from Arts & Crafts suddenly arose from the ashes. The publicized Phoenix gig was actually a special for-those-who-know showcase event—the tickets were so hard to find, you see, because... [continue]

Torontoist is eagerly awaiting celebrity season—aka TIFF season—and this weekend we got a teeny preview of the many sightings to come. Spotted entering her brand-new apartment on Queen West was Canada's Next Top Model winner Andrea. The finalist was looking much more polished than when we last saw her on-air, wearing cute turquoise sweats and carrying a new duvet from Sears. Her residence, if you're interested, is extremely close to the CityTV-mothership. No word on... [continue]

Torontoist is somewhat obsessed with following the local real estate market, albeit a hobby done mostly in vain. While we would love to actually participate in buying and selling, our fascination with all things property is a pastime devoted to monitoring: who's purchasing where, how that house was flipped, and what the current price tag is for each neighbourhood. This week a familiar site appeared in the listings: The building which contains the quietly-trendy bar... [continue]

Torontoist’s favourite novelty act is coming back to the city at the end of the month, and will be gracing scenesters with two performances. Lady Sovereign has just announced* an “Official Toronto After-Party” at the State Theatre following her performance on June 23rd with the Streets. However, after-parties are simply too common for Torontoist’s tastes. Especially after we found out that we could purchase our own date with Miss Sovereign. That’s right: for the low... [continue]

While Cinq-A-Sept is the traditional cocktail hour, Huit-a-Onze is all too often the time dedicated to "running out the door to check if the liquor store is still open." Torontoist knows what it's like to arrive at The Beer Store just as the neon 'OPEN' sign turns off. We've done the late evening drive around the city, and gotten to know 411 operators on a first-name basis while pleading for as many Le CeeBO... [continue]

The best outdoor spot in the city do the forbidden dance? We'll see you there this weekend... 1. Mallory Green (Mallory Crescent and Moore Avenue) Mallory Green is the granddaddy of all outdoor locals for risky activity. The park recovered from its late 80s reputation as ideal homeless housing, and managed to make it though the 90s when it was a rumored drug-drop-off spot. Now Mallory Green only does what is does best: provide an... [continue]

2. The Rosedale Ravine (photo circa 1907) While Torontoist may not have made out in the bleachers as a teen, we did have our fair share of outdoor intimate encounters. Things had to happen outside, though, because finding an empty room is hard when you're a sexually charged teen. Saturday nights were always challenges to find ideal places to get it on, and we're happy to report that times have not changed. Torontoist has become... [continue]

3. Northern Secondary School Bleachers (791 Mt Pleasant Rd.) Torontoist certainly didn't take enough advantage of this one back in the days of gym classes and lunch periods. Bleachers make for the perfect cutesy make-out session, because they are the clichéd site of all fantasy high school hook-ups. Our high school never had cheerleaders, and watching a football game meant sitting on a hill- so the perfect Varsity Blues look of Northern SS evokes a... [continue]

If you've ever felt the urge to bump uglies at one of the city's fine outdoor love venues, the second installment of our Ist List this week should be a good fit. 4. The Front Street Fountain (behind the Gooderham Flatiron building) It started out with some playful splashing; just frivolous flicking of fountain water when no one was looking. But when the water went down the back of his shirt it made him shiver,... [continue]

Torontoist knows how summer operates. It encourages all sorts of things, and we're not just talking about the recent popularity of mint juleps at bars and the fabulous boho skirted look for girls. Summertime is just like your favourite rich friend who doesn't have to work: he shows up and uses his sweet influence to enforce a two-month long sexy party. It always works, especially because the warmth makes us feel extra racy and free... [continue]

Seriously, the heat has been so intense it caused us to forget to post yesterday's entry for the top cool places to stay cool. So today Toronto is lucky; not only do you get a double Ist List entry, but also a little bit of a breeze and cool rain to clear the air. 2. Your Parent's House (Wherever they live) They've been calling you every day since the heat wave started. Thinking, in that... [continue]

Torontoist understands that it has been somewhat painfully hot recently in the city, but quite frankly, we're sick of all the complaining. Yes, you might not have A/C, and yes, your fan's oscillating feature might not work properly. But before you shake your fist at the sun again, think about how annoying your huge winter parka is when you're drinking at a bar without coat check. Okay, so maybe memories of shoveling snow and... [continue]

Cinqo, quatro, tres...uh...dose! 2. Hollywood Gelato (1640 Bayview Ave) Ahh Hollywood Gelato! The Bayview Avenue store has branched out of its Leaside roots to become the favourite ice cream joint for people as far as Mississauga and Thornhill. Renovations over the years may have helped turned the store into a real operation (far from the rumored money laundering scheme it once was) but the gelato remains the same, if not better. And Torontoist will be... [continue]

Up until now, anyone of Torontoist's age who was interested in Harry Potter and his fictional adventures found the need to keep this adoration under wraps. Despite his and J.K. Rowling's global popularity, it was considered trendy to keep distance from the Potter craze. But with the sixth book making more than enough headlines in time for its Saturday release, Torontoist feels it necessary to point out the cooler reasons for picking up a copy... [continue]

1. Eglinton Station (Upstairs, next to Kitchen Table) Skipping straight to the number one pick for creepiest subway washroom...say hello to Eglington Station! As one of the major bus stations on the subway line, Eglington becomes a stopping point for a whole bunch of people. The washrooms are hidden in the back of the station, and get a lot of post-bar-if-I-don't-pee-now-I-will-die business. At the same time, Torontoist can't remember using the public facilities here without... [continue]

For Torontoist, the best part about getting home from work last summer was sitting down to stalk watch Jeopardy champ Ken Jennings. Perhaps it was his beady Mormon eyes, or the way he correctly answered all the questions about Canada: we couldn't get enough of pre-hype Ken Jen. Then the media frenzy started and Torontoist lost interest. But now it seems Ken Jennings is becoming rather unpublicized again. Did you know he is in Toronto... [continue]

Summer is supposed to be a time when everyone you know is either free from responsibilities, or pretending to be. And the friends you know and love congregates back home so Toronto can become the venue for every party, event, and activity possible. So imagine my surprise upon moving home to find out that my He Said/She Said partner in crime, Adrian the Adorable Sports Writer, was moving to cottage country for the summer! It... [continue]

Forget about all the new music making its way to Toronto this summer -- old classics should be given the same coverage. That's why Torontoist and Mom went down to Massey Hall last night to catch Gordon Lightfoot's second concert of the week. There it was discovered that ageing hippies make for a very rowdy audience, with song suggestions and random comments being shouted to Lightfoot at all moments. He joked throughout the show, and... [continue]

If you find yourself attracted to well-dressed and wealthy individuals but never know where to meet them Holt Renfrew has the solution for you. Starting at 7pm tonight the Bloor Street store is joining up with Lavalife to host MiXture, a "singles only shopping event catering to men and women in the market for more than just merchandise." Torontoist approves this type of event, because it means catching the eye (and wallet) of a hot... [continue]