top of page

Toronto Gay Bars

The range of gay nightlife in Toronto is wonderfully eclectic, drawing people from across the spectrum of ages, genders, and orientations. The majority of nightlife venues can be found at the intersection of Church Street and Wellesley street where the atmosphere is buzzing and the bars and clubs host something for everyone every night of the week. Most of the venues here are also super popular destinations for drag shows, so head here for a classically camp night out. Meanwhile in the Queer West Village you can find edgier queer friendly bars offering something a little bit different.

GYG-gaymapper-banner-small.png

Toronto Hotel Deals

Grab a great deal on your trip with GayMapper's hotel partners

4* Yorkville Royal Sonesta
3* Courtyard Toronto Downtown
5* The Hazelton Hotel
4* Holiday Inn Downtown

Bar and Club Suggestions

Black Eagle

Black Eagle

Older Crowd, Fetish, Outdoor Seating, Cruising

This is a popular gay bar with a steamy atmosphere and friendly crowd. It is the original home of leather, denim, and uniform cruising in the Gay Village, with a proudly no attitude vibe that's kept it at the top of everyone's lists. A dark and industrial style interior gives a place a more mature vibe than some other bars in the area, while there's also has a rooftop patio where you can find regular BBQs during the summer.
Read more
The Drink

The Drink

Cocktails, Drag, Food

The Drink offers a morning coffee service with freshly baked goods, as well as cocktails and local brews throughout the day, so it's the perfect space to grab a drink and watch the world go by. The Drink has a particular focus of ethical produce, so all their coffee is Fair Trade and all the ingredients for their baked good are locally and responsibly sourced, so you can enjoy your treats guilt free and support a great local business.
Read more
Church St. Garage Bar

Church St. Garage Bar

Food, Outdoor Seating

Established fairly recently in 2013, Church Street Garage provides a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. It's a family run business that caters to the whole community of the Gay Village, open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The combination of variety in menu, range of great quality pub fare, and excellent service is what makes this a favourite in the Village. The decor and crowd contribute to the chill atmosphere here.
Read more
The Churchmouse

The Churchmouse

Gay Friendly, Cocktails

The Churchmouse is a proudly British style pub in the heart of the Gay Village. They've been pouring classic pints and serving the finest pub fare in the area since 1987, so you can come here for lunch, dinner, and brunch every day of the week. An extensive and vegetarian friendly brunch menu complete with a range of cocktails is particularly popular with the gay community, and the atmosphere of the pub draws everyone in.
Read more
Flash on Church

Flash on Church

Drag, Dancers

Flash is a private men's club with live entertainment nightly including always new and talented dancers. This is unsurprisingly one of the most popular venues in the Gay Village, as you can pay for membership for just one day and still enjoy everything it has to offer. There are three bars across the two floors of the club, and everywhere you look you can find an attractive selection of dancers who will even give personal performances.
Read more
Pegasus On Church

Pegasus On Church

Sports, Outdoor Seating

In the heart of the Gay Village and its community, Pegasus is a place for friends to meet and enjoy a simple drink, as it has been for decades. Its casual and local vibe appeals to both tourists and loyal regulars, who meet here for a game of pool, pinball, and the range of other games on offer. If that's not your thing then sit back with a martini and simply watch the world go by from the patio.
Read more
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Drag, Dancing

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Toronto's leading destination for alternative theatre and a world leader in developing queer voices for the stage. The world's oldest queer theatre company offers an experience like no other as it opens its doors every weekend for two nights of fun and dancing, with all proceeds going to support its theatre and youth programs. From cabaret and gogo dancers to live DJs, the theatre has a bit of everything.
Read more
Woody's & Sailor

Woody's & Sailor

Dancing

Woody's is an institution, not only on the famous Church Street but across the country, since its appearance on Queer As Folk. This bar draws crowds of tourists from across the world as well as loyal locals, seeking great drag shows and regular "best" competitions. The venue boasts multiple levels and a total of five bars, having merged with Sailors, a neighbouring bar, to create an amazing club space that's bigger than you realise.
Read more
Crews & Tangos

Crews & Tangos

Drag, Dancing

Crews & Tangos provides a space for drag performers to grow and develop, with several major annual events throughout the year. Here you can always expect the most over the top drag performances and productions in Toronto, with a lively party atmosphere. There's a main stage performance every night, along with dedicated dancing and karaoke nights throughout the week. At this top party destination, everyone can be themselves and enjoy a brilliantly camp night.
Read more
The Lodge

The Lodge

Drag, Food

Since the Lodge opened as Toronto's newest bar opened its doors right in the heart of the gay village, it's been super popular as a great place to socialise and have fun. With friendly and efficient service, great value happy hours, and a selection of quality food and cocktails, this new destination has already been a hit with locals and tourists. The Lodge also hosts regular events, from comedy nights to drag performances.
Read more

Tours & Experiences in Toronto

Toronto is big, diverse and very easy to fill a day in. Head up the CN Tower, explore St Lawrence Market or take a trip to Niagara Falls, then return to Church-Wellesley Village when you’re ready for dinner, drinks and the evening crowd.

Gay friendly hotels in Toronto

Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village remains the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene, with gay bars, clubs and community spaces concentrated along and around Church Street. Staying in or near the Village means much of the nightlife is walkable, while Downtown gives you a wider choice of hotels and keeps Toronto’s major attractions close. GayMapper’s recommended gay-friendly hotels range from great-value options to landmark luxury stays, giving you plenty of choice whether the Village, sightseeing or a combination of the two is your priority.

GYG-gaymapper-banner-small-v3-728x100.png
bottom of page