Friday, Dec 23
The Ugly (or Nice) Holiday Sweater Party
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a sweater-themed event. Attendees of this dance party are encouraged to wear their favourite sweaters (they can be nice sweaters, but ugly is preferred). The music is supplied by Australia’s drag queen-turned-DJ, DJ Kitty Glitter. And there are sexy go-go boys.
10:30pm–4am. Fly 2.0, 6 Gloucester St. flyyyz.com
Tuesday, Dec 27
Gaystation
Christmas has just ended. You’re finally out of the turkey coma, but you need to save energy for NYE, so what can you do tonight? You can have a relaxing night of drinking and button-mashing your way through video games on a 10-foot screen at a local gay bar. Takes place every Tuesday.
9pm. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. blackeagletoronto.com
Saturday, Dec 31
Sin: New Years 2017
The men who attend this party probably didn’t get anything from Santa this year, because they’ve been naughty (or are about to be). According to billing, this adult entertainment-filled dance party for men starts the New Year with “a lot of banging.” Chicago’s DJ Ted Eiel and Toronto’s Cesar Murillo spin all night long.
9pm–5am. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. facebook.com/sin4menonly
Toastr NYE
Queer women and allies are dancing in the new year. DJs Recklezz and Sticky Cuts spin house, hip hop, dancehall — lots of stuff, like a big casserole of sound. There’s complimentary sparkling wine at midnight. Another Toastr party is taking place simultaneously at a nearby venue. See indicated Girl Play Toronto website for details.
9:30pm–2am. Bunda Lounge, 1108 Dundas St W. girlplaytoronto.com
New Years’ Eve: Fuck 2016!
Orlando, Trump’s election, David Bowie and Prince’s passing — this has been a particularly awful year and we’ll all (hopefully) be better off when it’s over. To party 2016 into non-existence, the entire Buddies complex is opened up for a party hosted by Katinka Kature and Cassandra Moore. DJs Margot, Regina and Relentless spin.
10pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com
The House of Filth NYE
The House of Filth drag collective throws its annual New Years’ Eve “whorefest.” Which is like a regular NYE party, but with lots of drag, and because it’s House of Filth it’s extra whorey. Ring in the new year with a bunch of queens who, according to billing, predict 2017 will be the year of “ugly pretty.” DJ Aeryn Pfaff provides the soundtrack.
10pm–3am. The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. For more info, visit Facebook.
Feministry: New Years Evil Eye
Bringing a little diversity to your celebrations, this relatively new party is focused on queer femmes. DJs Rose Ceremony, Mary Mack and Cam Lee spin house, disco, hyper-pop and “weird stuff.” According to billing, this party grew out of intersectional feminism, the acknowledgement of difference, and love and respect.
10pm–3am. Holy Oak, 1241 Bloor St W. For more info, visit Facebook.
Pitbull New Years Eve 2017
Do you like big men who look like they should be working on oil rigs? Men with muscles and lots of hair in lots of places, and shirts with no sleeves, and probably beards with things living in them? Then this party is for you. Sexy guys dance in multiple rooms to the music of many DJs while go-go dancers shake their hot butts.
10pm–4am. The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St. pitbullevents.com
Go Hard: The Glamorous Life NYE Edition
The ever-stylish DJ Blackcat is back with another of his glamorous parties — this time celebrating the end of one year, and the beginning of another. This time the dress code is “show up and show out.” Blackcat is joined by DJs Pleasure and Prestige for a night of R&B, dancehall, house, hip hop — just about everything.
10pm–4am. 120 Diner, 120 Church St. For more info, visit Facebook.
NYE 2017
For an old school gay clubbing extravaganza, this is the place to be. DJs Geoff Kelleway, Mark Falco and others spin dance house and techno. The evening includes loads of drag from Sofonda Cox, Jada Hudson, Devine Darlin and Donnarama. Devine Darlin also does the club’s official New Years’ Eve countdown.
10pm–5am. Fly 2.0, 6 Gloucester St. flyyyz.com
Cream New Years
The party options for women are few (as always), but at least they’re awesome. Taking over one of the edgiest venues in the village, DJ KLR serenades a crowd of lovely queer ladies with a slew of hip hop and house. It’s all about cheap drinks, good music and champagne (and smooches) at midnight.
10pm–4am. Club 120, 120 Church St. facebook.com/creamtoronto
The New Beginnings Ball
One of the newest gay venues in the city hosts its first ever New Years’ Eve party. Located at Blyss nightclub (the venue formerly occupied by Church on Church, and opened by the owner of the former Zipperz), the new bar hosts a celebration that features DJ Cory Activate spinning and drag performer Farra N Hyte playing hostess.
10pm–4am. Blyss, 504 Church St. facebook.com/blysstoronto
For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events.
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