toronto gay bars

Get the night started and dance up a storm at Crews & Tangos. (Photo: Alamy)

Toronto

Divas and Drag Shows: Grab Your Glitter for the Ultimate Toronto Gaycation

Toronto prides itself on accepting and celebrating all modes of sexual orientation, gender identity and self expression. The city’s LGBTQ community is loud, proud and here to stay!

If you’re seeking the ultimate gaycation in Toronto, head to the Gay Village on Church Street, where you’ll find the most famous and oldest LGBTQ bars and clubs in the city. With dazzling drag shows, interactive contests, game-nights, fist-pumping music and booze galore, the Village guarantees a hot night out.

Though Church Street is the hub for Toronto’s gay scene, seek out other LGBTQ-centric bars, clubs and parties around the city that offer live events, music and an “everyone’s welcome” attitude.

Woody’s & Sailor Bar

Woody’s is one of the oldest and hottest gay men’s bars in Toronto. Hang out at one of the five bars, hit the pool tables, watch drag shows and dance to nightly DJs. This spacious bar offers its patrons the ability to chill out, engage in intimate conversations or party like it’s 1999. Did we also mention that it’s home to some of the steamiest men’s contests (best chest, rear and legs) in the city?

Price Point: $-$

Location: 465 Church St.

Crews & Tangos

This gay and lesbian bar offers two dance floors and plays a mix of house, club, pop, hip hop and retro music so you can get your sweat on to whatever your heart desires. Dubbed as Toronto’s best drag bar, the venue features shows seven nights a week from the city’s hottest divas.

Price Point: $-$

Location: 508 Church St.

El Convento Rico

toronto gay bars
Catch a drag show or dance til the wee hours at El Convento. (Photo: El Convento Rico)

Fuego, fuego, fuego! This all-time favorite latin dance club has enough pizzaz to keep you dancing into the wee hours. With an offering of sexy drag shows, sensual salsa lessons and Latin music, El Convento is an all-are-welcome club full of entertainment and surprises.

Whether you’re celebrating a bachelorette or bachelor party, partying with friends, or out on a date, prepare to get super sweaty and whoop it up.

Price Point: $-$

Location: 750 College St.

Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

One of Toronto’s best and oldest queer theaters is also home to some of the city’s coolest parties. Every Saturday night the respected theater throws a themed party and transforms into an all-encompassing, party-till-we-drop nightclub.

Each party is different (one recent event was “Queens of the Night: An Evening With Rihanna” party, which celebrated the singer’s birthday). Music depends on the evening’s theme but the parties generally cater to a mature crowd.

Price Point: $

Location: 12 Alexander St.

Pegasus On Church

You can’t hit the dance floor every night (or maybe you can, but we can’t!). This bar and lounge is a great destination for a laid-back, yet engaging night out. Equipped with pool tables, pinball machines, dart boards, trivia and drag-bingo nights, the place creates a fun and energetic atmosphere for those looking to chill with a drink in hand. It’s a classic alternative to a high-energy dance party.

Price Point: $-$

Location: 489 Church St.