Events at Stackt Market Toronto

Stackt Market is an interesting space located at 28 Bathurst Street, just north of Old Fort York and the railway lines, and is made of a combination of steel seacans, or shipping containers and a number of buildings, stores, food and beverage vendors and a craft beer brewery. Besides the stores being a reason to visit the area there are a lot of events and festivals put on throughout the year which you can check out on there website.

Outdoor patios, a basketball court, picnic tables, a dog park, art installations (like the hanging umbrellas) and comfy alcoves make the destination a great way to escape the stress of the city and relax with friends.

Tunnel of Love

Keep alert to some of the following events: Chillin’ & Grillin’ on Sundays, Brews and Chews, Art Month in October and Holiday Hills, a free winter festival.

Afro-Caribbean Food Festival Toronto 2025

The party is just getting started in the Stackt Market for the Foodville: Afro-Caribbean Food Festival. The popular shopping, art and food/beverage hotspot is holding the free culinary and cultural event Saturday, July 26 from noon  onwards.

From the fest website, "Foodville Festival is Toronto’s ultimate celebration of African and Caribbean culture through food, music, and community. The festival features over 50 Black-owned vendors offering food, drinks, artisan goods, and fashion. Guests can enjoy cultural cooking classes hosted by chefs from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Haiti, and Ethiopia; live performances; and music by top international DJs, including Bashment Sound and Chromatic Sound. Hosted by Blue Will and Ada Oh, Foodville is a free, one-day event dedicated to connection, representation, and culinary excellence."

Anser Graffiti Neon Art in King Taps Toronto

We went out for a birthday dinner at King Taps in Toronto's First Canadian Place and on the second floor I found a neon art outline of a face, a familiar face for those that seek out graffiti in alleyways of the city. This white neon face was designed by, or based on, the work of Anser Mysterious Date. His work can be found in my post from 2013 here.

I found out that this was Anser's first neon piece.

Toronto's Sneaky Dee's

Finally stopped by the bar with the crazy graffiti signs called Sneaky Dee's at the corner of College and Bathurst streets. It is definitely not a glitzy Tex-Mex restaurant. Described as an unassuming bar that is also a concert venue with live music and DJs.

I just went for a couple of pints and the price of drinks was low and I had two draft amber beers for just a little over $10 dollars, sitting in the sun on the patio and watching the world go by. Apparently the site was to be demolished as part of a redevelopment but the plans are on hold now. This is one of the few old, iconic bars that helped shape entertainment in the city. Hopefully the food, beverages and music will flow for a while longer.

The eclectic establishment is full of wonky graffiti that continues downstairs and into the bathrooms.

They don't take reservations or debit cards so plan accordingly.

Toronto Beaches Ribfest 2024

You know what I like better than possibly great ribs? Good ribs and smaller lineups, plus beer! The Toronto Beaches Northern Heat Rib and Beer Fest is at Woodbine Park from June 14-16, 2024 and there are big lineups you can join, if so inclined.

The website says free entry but the sign at the gate says $2 admission, plus free bag searches. 

The yellow, bendy blow up is wiggling the way to rib Alley, five rib powerhouses with banners and trophies and enough barbecue sauce to wipe out half of Toronto if the bbq dam breaks.

My choice from the Kentucky Smokehouse was delicious; half rack of ribs, slaw and cornbread. Then over to the only booze tent for $9 Cowbell Brewing Co brews to wash it down.

It's family friendly with games and concessions for the kids along with live entertainment through the day.

Typical ribfest prices

Toronto's bull market

It looks like the running of the bull in the Toronto Financial District, just outside Union Station at the corner of Bay and Front Streets. Although this guy is firmly set in place on a rectangular pedestal as a welcome to meat eaters at the the new Blue Bovine Steak and Sushi House, so you can't get gored unless you take a running jump.

The statue is reminiscent of the famous bronze statue in New York but a little smaller in height, like a baby bull - just perfect for Toronto's business area along Bay Street. Plus it very well could be a bull market now. The bull was put in place in late July 2024.

Inside Union Station's east side you can find the Blue Bovine Steak and Sushi House and you are correct, it is not an inexpensive restaurant. But if you are in the mood for some good food check out the restaurant during their happy hour - weekdays from 3 to 6pm where you can find 1/2 price drinks and a special Happy Hour menu while enjoying the art and vibe of the restaurant. We sat at the sushi bar and chowed down on some fabulous food and drink.

Life is Beautiful

Just your average white collar workers in disguise

Toronto Beer and Spirit Festivals 2024

Socialize and get warm and fuzzy at these festivals that feature adult beverages. Some of the festivals have been moved or cancelled due to the impact of Covid-19 on entertainment and public gatherings. For those that survived; it's time to enjoy the festivals and associated activities at the following beer and spirit festivals.

Winter Craft Beer Festival at the Roundhouse Sat, Feb 10.

I (Heart) BEER & Taco Festival Sat, Feb 17
Winter Warmup Beer and Cask Festival Sat, Feb 24 at Henderson Brewing.

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies various Bevies starting Mar TBD.

T.O. Food and Drink Fest Fri to Sun, Apr 5-7.
Spirit of Toronto Sat, May 4.
Toronto Ribfest at Yonge-Dundas Square Fri to Sun, May TBD.

Beaches Rib Fest Fri to Sun, June TBD.
Wine and Spirit Festival Fri to Sat, June TBD.
Toronto Craft Beer Festival Fri to Sun, June TBD.

Wine Fest Toronto at Rendezviews Venue, Summer TBD.

Toronto Festival of Beer Fri to Sun, July 26-28 - see photos from 2017 here. 2024
CNE Craft Beer Festival TBD.
Toronto Cider Festival Fri to Sat, Aug TBD.
Toronto Oktoberfest Sep TBD.
Cask Days at the Evergreen Brick Works Fri to Sun, Oct TBD.
Gourmet Wine and Food Expo Thurs to Sun, Nov TBD.

It's still a little too early to get all the events scheduled but I will update this post when more details are known.

I also like to go to the Georgetown Head for the Hills Craft Beer Festival Sat, Sep TBD. West of Toronto

Booze to dust: the end of the old LCBO Headquarters

Toronto's changing face down along the waterfront area continues to evolve, especially with the continued work in the Cherry Beach area. The old LCBO property which held the headquarters, warehouse and retail outlet was sold to developers in 2016 for $260 million. They moved the retail operation into a new tower to the east. The view at top is from Queens Quay East.

Now the old buildings are being chipped away until only parts of the façade remain which are to be incorporated into the base of the new buildings proposed for the site. New towers will takeover the site with an estimated 3,000 condos being constructed.

The original buildings were built in 1950 and are covered in buff brick and were designated as heritage buildings.

The view from Cooper Street. 

From the Province's news release "Ontario is securing $260 million, subject to closing adjustments, from the sale of the LCBO head office lands, which is composed of over 11 acres of real estate in downtown Toronto near the waterfront, to Menkes Developments Ltd., on behalf of a partnership comprised of Menkes, Greystone Managed Investments and Triovest Realty Advisors.

The government is committed to dedicating the net proceeds generated from the sale to the Trillium Trust, which helps fund transit, transportation and other key infrastructure projects across the province.

Selling the LCBO lands is a key part of the government's plan to unlock the value of its real estate assets in order to help fund the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history - about $160 billion over 12 years. The planned investments are estimated to support 110,000 jobs, on average, each year across the province."

Updated photos from May 21, 2024.

The site is clean and the remaining outside walls are held up in place

Have fun in Storm Crow Manor

I had a chance to check out Toronto's Storm Crow Manor which is a crazy good bar and restaurant in the heart of the Gay Village and I loved the atmosphere, drinks and food! Described as "Toronto's geekiest bar" which opened in 2018 in a mansion at 580 Church Street and featuring a sanity-shattering array of theme rooms, secret doors, catacombs, cyberpunk bars, glowing, bubbling cocktails, randomly-generated burgers and, oh yeah, tentacles."

The gorgeous mansion

The walls of the stairs leading to the bathrooms

Some drinks come with LED ice cubes and dry ice to make them glow and smoke

I loved the cocktail menu with their brilliant names like 'Beetle Juice', She-Hulk's Gamma Juice and the new 'Vader Tiki'. Once I saw the glowing drink make it's way from the bar I was sold on the LED ice cubes and ordered some for my own parties. Plus I started out with a random shot, chosen by a roll of a 20-sided die (if you roll a 20 you get to keep the shot glass), where I desperately hoped that I wouldn't get number 15 - the Xenomorph Brain Fluid "“Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility." Creme de Cacao, Blue Curacao, Grenadine, Baileys **Contains dairy", which would probably looks all brain-like.

Niagara Icewine Festival January 2023

The GTA flocks to the Niagara area to experience wine country and enjoy the fruits of the vines and while winter traffic slows down, many still come for the annual Icewine Festival. We missed the last three years the 2023 festival promises new culinary and wine experiences occurring throughout the Niagara Peninsula. It's a good reason to get out in the cold!

From the news release "New this year, the Cool as Ice Gala kicks off festivities at the spectacular new Niagara Parks Power Station venue on Saturday, January 14. Guests will have the opportunity to explore an incredible array of VQA Icewine, table wine and cocktails, paired with culinary selections from some of Niagara’s most talented chefs. Attendees will also get to immerse themselves in the Power Station experience which includes stunning views of Niagara Falls from ‘The Tunnel’, 180-feet below ground. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival begins its two weekends of celebrations on Friday, January 20 with the Sparkle & Ice Gala at the Courthouse Grand Hall. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village returns and takes place on historic Queen Street on January 21, 22, 28 and 29. The epic Niagara Icewine Cocktail Competition is back on the evening of Saturday, January 28 at the Courthouse Grand Hall."

You can pick up a festival weekend Discovery Pass for VQA Ontario Icewine and food pairings for up to six experiences during January 13-19 (programming Fridays to Sundays) with 28 wineries included in the festival. The participating wineries are listed on the Discovery Pass website.

“Niagara celebrates Icewine like nowhere else in the world. The Niagara Icewine Festival is a magical time to visit Wine Country Ontario and offers wine lovers a taste of something that is authentically Canadian,” said Sylvia Augaitis, Executive Director of Marketing for the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario. “Ontario wine country street festivals and galas are an invitation to uncover the many ways to enjoy Ontario VQA Icewine - from VQA Icewine cocktails to spicy, sweet and savoury VQA Icewine food experiences.”

Also check out Niagara Falls for the Festival of Lights which continues until February 20, 2023.

TD Union Summer 2022 now with colourful art

Sitting in front of Toronto's major transportation hub at Union Station is a large outdoor covered patio with food and drink vendors, a stage for musical performances and films and a colourful art installation. The returning mini-festival runs until Sunday, August 28, 2022 and is free to enter.

From the City's media release: "Union Summer reflects Union Station’s commitment to celebrate the diversity of the city by highlighting local, international and emerging artists. Daily themed programming will include:Big Easy Sunday afternoons, Global music featuring Small World Music artists on Sunday evenings, Blue Mondays in conjunction with Toronto Blue’s Society, Game night Tuesdays featuring musical bingo, live karaoke and trivia, Weekly Wednesday evening movie screenings, Showcase Thursdays featuring Canada’s Music Incubator artists, Lula Nights with Lula Lounge on Thursdays, The best of Union Beats DJs on Friday afternoons, Soul Sessions every Friday evening, Night Market on Saturdays with City Hall Live and Symphony Saturday afternoons with Big Lake Festival"

Vendors include TrulyTO which is a pop-up licensed bar sponsored by Moosehead Breweries along with food by Gus Tacos, Mikey’s Smashburgers, NaanSense by Butter Chicken Roti, and Souvla by Mamakas. The market hours are Sundays to Tuesdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays to Fridays: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mayor John Tory says “Welcome back Union Summer! Union Station is a culinary, cultural and shopping destination. I am excited to see Toronto’s downtown bustling with activity as our strong reopening continues and I look forward to seeing people flock to Union Summer to experience the best of the city’s music, entertainment and food.”

Toronto Festival of Beer is brewing up summer fun for 2022

Beer, food, music. How much better could it be! The premier brewski festival comes back after the Covid-19 break ready to party Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24. The Toronto Festival of Beer presented by the Beer Store has a lineup of musical guests along with fun activities at Bandshell Park in Exhibition Place.

Musical headliners are Nas on Friday, Sam Roberts Band on Saturday and Sunday's entertainment is still to be announced. Both the General Admission, HOPtimized and extra special Club TFOB tickets are on sale now - with some categories already sold out! GA comes with the commemorative festival sampling mug and 5 sampling tokens, HOPtimized adds 5 sampling tokens along with early entry and Club TFOB has a ton of extra features which includes a pool and patio.

From the Festival's website: "From lagers to stouts, fruit beer to ales, we have something for everyone. #TOBeerFest features more than just beer; there are several non-malt based beverages available including cider, spirits, wine, and packaged mixed beverages. There is something for every beer lover to enjoy!"