17 bars to watch the Super Bowl in Toronto

Bars where you can watch the Super Bowl in Toronto have all the space, beer, snacks and energy you need to take in the big game. Don't get stuck squished on a couch eating cold queso—hit up one of these places that can handle the big day like only the pros know how. 

Here are my picks for bars to watch the Super Bowl in Toronto. 

Rec Room

The big screen at this gigantic Harbourfront barcade will be showing the game, and there'll be MVP platter specials and prizes. 

Rebel

Head to this nightclub in the Port Lands to watch the game on a 34-foot tv. The Bud will be flowing, and there'll be drink specials and traditional snacks. 

Ballroom

Over 50 TVs will be playing the game with the sound on and lots of food and drink specials will be available at this energetic bar in the Entertainment District. 

Rustic Social

Huge 20 oz draft beers on special for $9 at this South Etobicoke restobar for the Super Bowl will ensure you never go thirsty throughout game time, and clear sight lines to TVs mean you won't miss a moment. 

Woodhouse Brewpub has plenty of TVs to watch the big game. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Queen and Beaver

Pint specials on local Steam Whistle and Henderson beers as well as the Sunday Roast at this classic English pub near Yonge and Dundas will make this Super Bowl a memorable one.

The Office Pub on John

There's a big cover charge for entry to the Super Bowl party at this Entertainment District bar, but it includes three drinks, an AYCE buffet, and access to three floors of fun. Plus, look forward to prizes and a half time burlesque show.

The John 3

This quirky Riverside bar will be serving a platter special of wings, pulled pork sliders, poutine and deep-fried pickles.

Woodhouse Brew Pub

It's going to be a classic cookout at this Brockton Village bar with brisket, wings and ribs, and of course, great beer.

Beaches Brewing Company is a good spot to catch the action on Queen East. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Beaches Brewing Company

Grab $5 pints of beer made on site at this Beaches brewery for the game. If suds aren't your thing, there are $5 rail specials as well.

Craft Beer Market

Though this Financial District beer bar with a wide selection may be big and splashy, drinks and eats will start at just $4 on game day.

King Taps

Those seeking a genuine outdoor tailgate experience can head to this Financial District brewpub for an outdoor BBQ roast, traditional tailgate games and drink specials on their heated patio.

Liberty Commons

Beer brewed on site, a Sunday roast and platters will all be on offer as the game plays with the sound on at this Liberty Village bar.

King Taps in the Financial District will be busy on game day. Photo by Jesse Milns.

RS

One of Toronto's best sports bars, this place in the South Core is a hub for Super Bowl fans with the game playing on one of the biggest screens in town.

Batch

There’ll be a beer pong tournament, specials and prizes to be won at this bar in the Financial District.

Local Leaside

Beer specials will be going down for the entire day at this Leaside pub in honour of the Super Bowl.

Union Social Eatery

Find $10 nachos and $4 Buds on game day at Yonge and St. Clair, Mississauga and Yonge and Sheppard locations of this restobar.

The Dizzy

Roncesvalles has this reliable and cozy sports bar where spirits are sure to be high during the Super Bowl.

by Amy Carlberg via blogTO

11 markets and pop-ups in Toronto to shop at this February

The top markets and pop-ups in Toronto for February 2020 give you plenty of opportunities to pick up the perfect gift for that special someone with baked goodies, pretty flowers, handmade gifts and sexy surprises. And if you're riding solo, go ahead and treat yourself. You deserve it.

Events you might want to check out:

Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair (February 1 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Things are getting hot at this arts and crafts market that features one-of-a-kind erotic finds in celebration of DIY sex and romantic culture.
Wellness Market (February 9 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Tools for self care are up for grabs at this wellness market with local artisans selling items with a focus on natural remedies and relaxation.
Pop-Up Bake Shop (February 9 @ bluboho Jewelry)
Colin Asuncion and Mengling Chen from The Great Canadian Baking Show are coming out for this special po-up with lots of sweet treats.
Be My Vegan Valentine (February 9 @ Peter Pan Bistro)
All-vegan everything is on at this Valentine's Day market with a variety of vegan goods like chocolates, health and beauty, gifts, clothing and more.
Makers Market for Australia (February 9 @ Project Spaces King West)
Local makers are donating 100 per cent of their proceeds from this market to Animal Rescue Collective which helps bushfire rescue efforts.
Heart Crafted (February 9 @ The Workroom)
Back again is this special Valentine's Day makers market with a curated selection of vendors selling beautiful, handmade and vintage treasures.
Valentine's Day Flower Pop-Up Shop (February 13-14 @ The Annex Hotel)
2PEONIES is on hand for a special Valentine's pop-shop with contemporary arrangements, statement single-stems, vases and beautiful gift packaging.
Leslieville Flea (February 16 @ The Fermenting Cellar)
Over 50 local vendors are on hand for this edition of the the Leslieville Flea that maintains a special focus on vintage, salvaged and up-cycled goods.
Trinity Bellwoods Flea (February 23 @ The Great Hall)
Shop from a big selection of vendors at this month's Bellwoods Flea with clothing, gifts, food, drinks, confessions, jewellery, art and lots more.
The Wedding Co. Market (February 23 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns)
Arrangements, food, drinks, music, formal wear, makeup and venues are all part of this market that highlights options from local vendors.
Nite Markt x Toronto (February 28 @ Gladstone Hotel)
From Montreal comes this travelling night market featuring 35 artists setting up shop alongside drinks and music for a good cause.

by Lisa Power via blogTO

Toronto's infamous Filmores hotel and strip club is closing

After more than 100 years as an iconic Toronto landmark, the building that's home to Filmores Hotel and its accompanying strip club have been bought by a developer for $31.5 million.

According to the Toronto Star, Menkes Development bought the Dundas East property on January 16.

The building has served several different purposes over the years including a different hotel, another strip club and, originally, apartments units. 

It was deemed a heritage property back in 2016, according to the Star, because of "the building’s decorative brickwork, Edwardian styling and stone detailing."

But soon the beloved spot will be no more, and Toronto residents are left wondering what will become of one of the city's most historic strip clubs. 

Before Jilly's, now it's Filmore's. Old-time Toronto strip clubs are being bought by developers one by one. https://t.co/fJf4Gb8qiN

— David Rider (@dmrider) January 31, 2020

Toronto Reddit users have been throwing around some ideas following the news of its impending closure, and many are expecting yet another massive condo building. 

"I hope the luxury condo building that replaces it will still be called Fillmore's," one user wrote.  

"It's likely a heritage building, so you can at best anticipate the brick remaining with another blah glass tower that is 90 stories tall with 90% bachelor pads for $600k," another said. 

And some can't help but notice that this marks yet another closure of an old-time Toronto strip club, along with so many others. 

"Another one bites the dust," one user said. "The war on strip clubs continues."

by Mira Miller via blogTO

Toronto's first coronavirus patient has now been released from hospital

The patient who was hospitalized with Toronto's first confirmed case of the coronavirus has been discharged and sent home, according to Sunnybrook Hospital. 

The hospital released a statement earlier today saying the man's condition has improved and he no longer needs to be there. 

"This morning, Sunnybrook discharged home the patient who was hospitalized last week with novel coronavirus," the statement reads.

"Over the course of the week, his status continued to improve to the point where he no longer required in-patient care."

Thank you to our staff, as well as our colleagues in @TOPublicHealth, @ONThealth, @TorontoMedics, and many other organizations and agencies who have come together to ensure the safety of patients, staff and the public.

— Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (@Sunnybrook) January 31, 2020

The statement also indicates that the patient will continue to be monitored by Toronto Public Health, and he'll now remain at home in isolation. 

Toronto's second confirmed case of the virus, which is the wife of the first patient, has been at home in self-isolation since she was diagnosed. 

Yesterday, Ontario health officials said they were investigating 27 potential cases of the virus in the province, but there remain only three confirmed cases in all of Canada. 

The virus was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization yesterday, though Toronto's Medical Officer of Health maintains that the risk to the city's residents remains low. 

by Mira Miller via blogTO

Ridiculously huge crowds show up for free Oreo cookie pop-up in Toronto

To market the recent release of its Most Stuf cookie — which has the icing-to-biscuit ratio that dreams are made of — Oreo has opened up a specialty shop in Toronto's Union Station.

Deemed the OREO Stuf Shoppe, the pop-up carries a selection of existing flavours of Oreos as well as some one-of-a-kind variations (but nothing else), all for free.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bianca Woods (@acupcakeandme) on Jan 31, 2020 at 6:42am PST

Quite predictably, people have been coming out in droves to wait in massive lines from the wee hours of the morning to get their hands on the treats, because Toronto just loves a lineup.

View this post on Instagram

Toronto's Madd 😂😂😂 - This The Line Up For A Free Oreo Cookie Going On At An Oreo Pop Up Shop At Union Station - Will Be There From Now Till Feb 1st 📢📢 [Swipe] - - #areacode416ix #toronto

A post shared by AreaCode416ix (@areacode416ix) on Jan 30, 2020 at 1:40pm PST

The main draw is the novelty aspect, of course — types of Oreos you can't get anywhere else in the world? We're in. The pop-up is also only on for three days, so cookie fans are eager to swipe up the goodies while they can. And the fact that everything is free sure doesn't hurt, either.

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A post shared by Toronto Grand Prix Tourist (@instajamesphotographer) on Jan 30, 2020 at 12:30pm PST

Flavours include Oreos covered in popcorn, pretzels, cayenne pepper, coffee and gold chocolatey coating, among others.

But many would call the lines for a few free cookies a little absurd.

Union Station line up for #OREO pop up to try new flavours. BYOmilk pic.twitter.com/eXCv7jEfqh

— Stephanie Matteis (@CBCsteph) January 30, 2020

The location is admittedly super cute, decked out in blue and white, with sweet treats and Oreo branding galore. The staff even wear little chefs hats, and there is some very Instagrammable tiling underfoot that reads "Oreo."

View this post on Instagram

I will never understand why people line up for a novelty item. The latest is the Oreo Stuf Shoppe at Union Station.

A post shared by André 🇨🇦 🇹🇹 🇲🇹 (@andre_darmanin) on Jan 30, 2020 at 11:56am PST

If you're willing to brave the line, the Stuf Shoppe is open beneath the Great Hall in Union Station until 8 p.m. today, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. But a trip to your local grocery store for a normal box of Oreos may be the more sensible move.

by Becky Robertson via blogTO

The Winterlicious photo challenge is back for 2020

Winterlicious is back in Toronto for 2020! Running now until February 13, the annual prix fixe dining event provides one of the greatest ways to sample dishes at some of Toronto's tastiest restaurants. There's lunch and dinner menus offered at hundreds of spots.

Do you plan on partaking in Winterlicious this year? If so, we want to see your photos and might even reward you for your efforts, too.

To participate in this year's photo challenge, just tag your Instagram photos with #blogTOlicious.

We'll be selecting our ten favourite photos before letting you vote for three lucky winners. Prizes for the top three vote-receivers will be gift certificates from the following Toronto restaurants.

• 1st place: $200 gift certificate from Figures
• 2nd place: $150 gift certificate from Bangkok Garden
• 3rd place: $100 gift certificate from Amano Pasta

The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. on February 13, 2020.

by Jaclyn Skrobacky via blogTO

Sold! Toronto home goes for $300K over asking

I don't really know what to say about this Toronto home other than it's just really nice. It's newly built but it doesn't look super cookie cuter. Whoever designed it did a bang up job. 

The main floor is sleek with grey concrete flooring but the touches of wood throughout the home add a sense of warmth. 

The kitchen might not be everyone's taste with the dark cabinetry but it has all the high-end essentials. 

I love the rustic industrial living room.

The big  windows and sky-lights add lots of light and the fun circular shelf is a unique touch. The wood ceilings also add a lot of warmth to the room.

The home has four bedrooms and six bathrooms. 

The master suite is annexed to the third floor, which gives lots of privacy and peace if you have a big rowdy family. It also comes complete with a walk-in closet and a five-piece en suite. 

The basement has lots of extra room with a big rec room. There's also a second kitchen so it could be rented out as a suite if desired. 

The backyard doesn't have any actual grass but rather a sprawling patio and deck which looks luxurious for summertime entertainment. 

The Essentials

• Address: 241 Silver Birch Avenue
• Type: House
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 6
• Size:  22.5 x 120.00 feet
• Realtor: Royal LePage Estate Realty
• Hit the market at: $2,399,999
• Sold for: $2,700,000

Why it sold for what it did?

It's a well designed home that would suit any family's needs. Plus location wise it's only a 30-minute commute to downtown. 

Was it worth it?

Definitely. And the fact that it only lasted three days on the market just proves how desirable this place is. 

by Misha Gajewski via blogTO