Fun: Of Paramount importance
Inside Out has moved to the new Paramount Cinema, in the heart of clubland along Richmond St W. Yikes! Where are the fun lovin’ queer cineastes supposed to cool their jets over dry martinis after the show?
Never fear. Peter, John and Duncan aren’t just a bunch of suburban yahoos; they’re home to a number of homo-friendly clubs.
And if the weather is nice, just invade any of the patios clustered on the east side of John St, right across from the Paramount cinema.
Here’s Rommel’s day-by-day insider’s guide to this new party territory.
Fluid
217 Richmond St W.
(416) 593-6116.
Fridays are kickin’. Mark Oliver spins progressive house with a touch of soul. Lots of closet-cases – cute ones, too. $10 cover most nights,
Mad Bar
230 Richmond St W.
(416) 340-0089.
Cute little place. Great seats. Fun for dancing on Thursdays with resident DJs John E and Mark Oliver groovin’ da house with soul and house music. There’s a good mix of gay and hetero.
Fridays and Saturdays are also fun; with a little more of a mature crowd on Saturdays.
Whisky Saigon
250 Richmond St W.
(416) 393-4646.
The best place for Retro ’80s. Very interesting place to see cheeze. Three floors of fun. A great place to dance on weekends. Warning: Lots of varsity asses on Sunday nights. $10 cover most nights.
The Joker.
318 Richmond St W.
(416) 598-1313.
A cool mix of a crowd. Fridays and Saturdays are fun, but line-ups are always fun. Retro ’80s on Saturdays. Cool new rock on Thursdays. $10 cover most nights.
Limelight
250 Adelaide St W.
(416) 593-6126.
Great for dancing those Wednesday-blues away. The crowd’s a bit young, but it’s worth it. They have a cool mezzanine level overlooking the dance floor. $8 to $10 cover most nights.
The Living Room
330 Adelaide St W.
(416) 979-6138.
Dancin’, prancin’ and movin’. Very cool spot on Sunday nights. My fave for groovin’. Great mix of queers and straights all dancing on one floor. $10 cover Sunday nights.
Cafe 606
606 King St W.
(416) 504-8740.
A great bar. A fave of industry hierarchies: models and modules, fashion and cigars aficionados. If you feel like groovin’ there’s space in the back.
Bauhaus
31 Mercer St.
(416) 977-9813.
Martini Mondays; shaken, not stirred. Cool on weekends, also.
The Bamboo
312 Queen St W.
(416) 593-5771.
Must check out Tuesdays nights, called Bamboom, when Matt C spins house. There’s a really rockin’ patio.
The Rivoli
334 Queen St W.
(416) 593-5771.
Where the hip crowd still hangs out. Live performances (in back), great eats, wonderful patio for people watching and a pool hall (upstairs).
Gypsy Co-op
817 Queen St W.
(416) 703-5069.
Great ambience, eclectic decor, neo-hippies, great eats. Good on weekends but Tuesdays are fun: industry crowd, very gay. AndWednesdays, DJ Denise Benson spins hard and funky stuff. The Gyspy Co-op has also opened a new space at the corner of Richmond St W and Peter; super patio.
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