Ring in a low-key New Year's Eve in Toronto
If you're looking to celebrate the New Year but are dreading the thought of overpowering music, jam-packed crowds and black tie dress codes, read on to see all the gems Toronto has to offer for your ideal end-of-year affair. From hip pubs and cozy eateries to board game cafés and comedy shows, there's sure to be something that fits you just right.
Rush Lane & Co.
563 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B6When it comes to New Year celebrations, Rush Lane may just have it all: a celebratory atmosphere backed by mouth-watering gastropub fare and a seriously impressive list of beer, wine and cocktails. This cocktail bar is the only one in Canada to have an actual laboratory dedicated to the pursuit of cocktail innovation, so you can place yourself comfortably in the bartenders' skilled hands. There will be music to get you bouncing in your seat, a feature menu and cocktails followed by a midnight toast (complete with top hats!), and fun, fun, fun all the way to last call.
Big Crow
176 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 2E6If winter has you missing summer days at the cottage, head on over to Big Crow. The very definition of laid-back and cozy, Big Crow is a backyard barbeque hangout in the summer that transforms into a fully enclosed, winterized log cabin as the cold settles in, complete with candles and blankets to keep you warm. Open till 11 pm on New Year's Eve, this is a meat lover's heaven, and its already stellar menu will feature special additions for the night. So grab a few friends and fill your bellies before heading back into the cold to welcome 2016.
Mill St Brew Pub - Toronto
21 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4Spend some time enjoying the sights and sounds of the Distillery District, North America's largest example of surviving industrial Victorian architecture, and then celebrate the New Year in the warmth of the Mill Street Brew Pub. Enjoy the smooth melodies of a live band while dining with friends over a beer-paired menu; the taps will flow until 2 am on December 31st. The setting is casual and relaxed, but that doesn't mean Mill Street Brew Pub isn't all about quality: the brewery produced Canada's first ever organic lager and has been named Canadian Brewer of the Year three times.
The Emmet Ray
924 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A4Named after a fabled jazz musician, the Emmet Ray is the ideal spot for any whisky aficionados in your party. With over 230 different whiskies from all over the world, a wide assortment of beers, ciders and liqueurs, and a menu featuring items like Curry Roti and Deep Dish Pizza, it really makes for a good time. Enjoy the live entertainment in the backroom or the bar area, or while away the evening in the quieter front “living room” with a glass of your favourite spirit in hand. Last call is at 3 am!
Massey Hall
178 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1T7If dinner and a show sound like the perfect way to celebrate the New Year, grab a bite to eat and then head to Massey Hall for the annual New Year's Eve Comedy Extravaganza. A host of top comedians will keep you laughing all evening with musical entertainment on the side. The event is organized by Yuk Yuk founder Mark Breslin, so it's sure to be a good time. The show, starting at 7:30 pm sharp, only happens once a year, so just be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time.
360 Restaurant CN Tower
301 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6If you're after a quiet, romantic dinner, try 360 Restaurant. Think house-smoked Atlantic salmon or slow braised veal osso bucco served 1,151 feet in the air, with a slow, rotating view of Toronto's skyline in the background. Winos will admire the wine cellar, officially designated by Guinness World Records as the highest in the world and holding an impressive collection of over 550 wines from all over the globe. Any prix fixe meal includes access to the Look Out and Glass Floor levels. While the kitchen closes at 10:15 pm, guests are welcome to stay and count down to midnight.
