Rob's Gay Guide to Toronto

Originally published on Gay.com/travel

Name: Rob
Age: 32
Profession: Management Consultant
City/town: Toronto
Relationship status: Single
Sexuality: Gay

Do you have a hometown crush? If so, describe (but don't name names).
Yes. And he has a charming smile, glasses, and is on the conservative side. He smiles, and I end up smiling, and then I'm putty for days.

What was the last vacation you took? Where did you go? Where do you most want to go?
Vancouver. I always will travel across Canada first if I can, after that, I go back to Italy.

Are any famous people from your town?
Mike Myers, Barenaked Ladies.

What are some of the things you love most about your town?
Different scenes, different people, the multi-culturalism, and the ability to be whomever you so desire...

What are some great restaurants for a romantic gay date? What about these restaurants appeals to you?
Definitely 7West.. The hot place in town for a romantic date.. Small, quaint, happening crowd, mix of gay and straight, and always someone winking at you.

What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs?
Definitely STRAIGHT, and the Gay Nights at various venues in the Queen West part of town such as 'Big Primpin" at Stones Place.

What are your favorite gay parties or events in your town, if any? What is the crowd or scene like at those places?
The best of the best is Gay Pride, where over a million visitors pack the city to make it the largest pride event in North America.

Where is the best public place for a gay person to make out there (or isn't there one)?
Anywhere in a gay club obviously or anywhere quiet and safe. Toronto is a great open city where the gay community is a valued member of it's core family.

What is the gay community like there? Do you consider yourself to be part of any particular "scene?"
There is no particular scene. Sure there is a gay area like most cities, but there are also alternative gay scenes in different parts of town which features different nights. These include hipster scene nights, leather parties, and various themed events. The bars and clubs in Toronto do not cater to 'one' type. There are venues for the young professionals, lesbians, top 40 crowd, piano lounge type, rugged bar types etc.

Where do you shop for clothes?
Bloor Street definitely, or Queen St W. Toronto has malls, (but generally they are visited by tourists). Toronto is an 'on the street' type of shopping city.

Where do you go for other forms of entertainment -- live theater, concerts, movies, art exhibits? Are there any local gay performance groups, bands, or artists that you're a fan of?
Aside from the various galleries and museums, Toronto is also the broadway of the North, with large resident musical productions in town, a resident symphony, opera company as well as dozens of smaller performing arts groups representing all facets of the arts. Toronto is a city where there is always some big concert, show, performance happening, as well as new independent revues taking place.

If you had gay friends visiting from out of town for the first time, what are some "must-dos" you'd recommend?
1. The CN Tower
2. The Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum 3. Canada's Wonderland (amusement park) 4. Church St (gay village) 5. and me of course.

Is there a local cocktail that's popular in your town?
Yes, any with alcohol.

Where do the hot boys in your town tend to hang out?
As someone who visits your traditional 'straight' establishment as often as gay venues, I find hot boys everywhere. The sexiest ones are usually at bars where you'd find a mixed crowd. They tend to be styled up, very masculine, and have the charm and smile to sweep you off your feet.

If you had to describe the "average gay boy" style of your town in two words, what would they be?
Well dressed, well put together, athletic, educated.

Do you have any local celebs?
Yes, and too many to mention.

What bar has the cutest/hottest bartenders? (Don't name people's names)
Woodies.

Do gay men and lesbians hang out together in your town or is that just unheard of?
Lesbians tend to hang out at lesbian establishments.

Has your town ever had a "gay scandal?" If so, describe it -- but don't use names!
The only gay scandal Toronto has had was prior to gay marriage being recognized. It was a brave gay couple from Toronto that fought for this right, and the end result was the law across the land being changed to allow gay marriage to be recognized.