While neighbouring neighbourhoods are exploding like crazy, Parkdale remains relatively — and refreshingly — status quo. The old standbys are still standing and while there have been a couple of new developments, it continues to feel like Parkdale proper. Thank god.
OLD STANDBYS The ever reliable Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen W., 416-536-7717) has such a big-ass patio, you can head over with a whole mess of friends and know you’ll be OK there. For rainy days, Stone’s Place (1255 Queen W., 416-536-4242) reigns supreme for multiple seating sections. The Rhino Bar & Grill (1249 Queen W., 416-535-8089) has a parking lot–sized patio with a good view of the ongoing street theatre. Mitzi’s Sister (1554 Queen W., 416-532-2570) is still the go-to place for good food and music with a nice patio in back. And the newer Not My Dog (1510 Queen W., 416-532-2397) is what they call intimate, with a small stage and piano tucked into the corner, but if you go downstairs and then up through the back, it’s like slipping though a revolving bookcase into a patio. (Locals advise against hanging off the planters.)
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Owned by Saigon Flower’s tenacious Catherine Thai, The Parkdale Drink (1292 Queen W., 416-778-8822) fills that previously unarticulated need for bottle service west of the Drake.
Nav Sangha (DJ Nasty Nav) and Chris Harper (DJ Jelly) opened Wrongbar (1279 Queen W., 416-516-8677) less than a year ago and it’s already hosted some of our favourite nights with great shows across multiple genres. Right on.