🦝 Barbecue, Bones, and a Book Nook

Happy snow day West End!

That is beaucoup de snow. I hope everyone’s reading this whilst bundled up nice and warm, sipping hot chocolate.

For those who unfortunately need to commute today, someone on r/Toronto made this cool free website which shows you the live position of all city buses. If the “5 minutes away” alerts give you trust issues, this is your perfect tool. livebus.ca

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

Book Based Bar by Bloor and Bathrurst

Well I’ll B! The birth of Book Bar by Bloor and Bathrust will certainly B one of the bost banticipated bopenings of the spring. Arriving in the new Mirvish Village development on the former site of Honest Ed’s, the new bar will feature thousands of books, a reading lounge, and an upstairs bar with handcrafted cocktails.

Once this opens it will immediately become the best spot in the city to suggest for a first date. Especially if you’re courting someone who at first seems awkward and geeky but will eventually reveal their hidden beauty by removing their glasses and letting down their hair.

Check out their Instagram here.

Barque BBQ Closing For Renovations

Webster’s Dictionary defines Barque Smokehouse as: “A lively local spot for traditional BBQ brisket, ribs, wings & such, with family night on Sunday.” They’ve operated on Roncesvalles for 15 years, developing a loyal following through their tasty food and “No Tips” policy (paying their staff a living wage so they aren’t dependent on tipping).

Last week they announced the restaurant would be closed for most of January as they completely renovate their interior to support classic BBQ-style counter service. The new layout is intended to: “increase the fun and lower the prices”.

More info on their website.

Subway Closures

It’s a closure type of weekend! Line 2 will be shut down from Jane to Ossington all day Saturday and Sunday for signal work. Shuttle buses will be available.

More info here.

Community Initiatives

If you know of a local cause that could use a shoutout, reply to this email.

Soup Season

The Salvation Army Central location (at Bloor & Dovercourt)is looking for a volunteer to help prepare soup for food bank visitors and for their Saturday open meals. If you’re looking to give back to your community there’s no better way than with some good ol’ fashioned soup making.

More info here.

Affordable House of the Week

Check out this cool loft style apartment at 347 Sorauren Ave. It’s a one bed two bath with around 750 square feet of space, plus in-unit laundry, a storage locker, and a 15ft ceiling with skylights. Best of all, you get to live on Sorauren Ave which for my money is one of the Top 3 nicest streets in the West End (and it ain’t #3). All this for just $590k, check out the listing here.

Events

If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.

Thursday and Friday

Art Hive @ MOCA - Thursday 5PM
Free drop-in sessions for creatives at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Details

Buffy Drag Shadowcast @ Three Dollar Bill - Thursday 730PM
"Vampire lovers far and near, come enjoy this cult classic musical episode from the hit show BUFFY. Watch as we play all of the characters, followed by more drag!" $15

Other People's Treasure Bingo @ Drake Underground - Thursday 730PM
Bring a bad Christmas gift to this event, then play Bingo to win someone else's bad Christmas gift. In between rounds the host will share the backstories of the wonderful treasures looking for a new home. Details

Saturday

Explore the PATH @ Eaton Centre - Saturday 8AM
This group walks 10k steps together every Saturday morning. This weekend they'll use those steps to explore the devilish labyrinth that is the PATH system. Details

Creative Youth Exhibition @ MOCA - Saturday 10AM
"Creative Youth’s seasonal youth-led programme! Throughout the day, see their pop-up exhibition, join for drop-in tours, and try your hand at collage." Details

Toronto Photo Walks @ Liberty Village - Saturday 10AM
Get together with a group of photographers and walk around the city taking pictures of stuff. Details

Jamaica in January @ Stackt - Saturday 11AM
A few Jamaican vendors and entertainers, plus a lot of Jamaican food down at Stackt Market. Details

Oddities Market @ Lee's Palace - Saturday 12PM
I've featured a lot of different markets in this newsletter but this is by far the craziest. Their tagline is "Buy Somethin' Dead". Expect taxidermy, bones, and hot sauce. Details

Wine About Books @ 209 Fort York - Saturday 1PM
Wine About Books is a Toronto-based book club for women. In their first meeting of the year this Saturday they'll be making vision boards and discussing their 2026 reading list. Details

Winter Sowing Workshop @ Parkdale Pollinator Gardens - Saturday 130PM
Not a typo! (For once) It's a class where you'll learn how to sow native plants, either in your garden or in a community one. I love sowing! My favourite part is knowing there's no way I'll have to reap later. Details

The Art Of Chocolate @ 25 Liberty - Saturday 130PM
A workshop where you'll make your own bark chocolate. $65

Ceilidh Fundraiser @ BCG St. Albans Club - Saturday 2PM
From a reader: "Beat the January blues with a fundraiser for BCG St. Albans Club. Ceilidh dancing is fun for all ages, and no partner or previous dance experience is required." $10

Intrigue at the Museum @ ROM - Saturday 230PM
A scavenger hunt in the ROM where you'll solve a mysterious murder by finding clues in the museum's collection. Keep an eye out for paintings with spying holes cut out of the eyes. And don't get too comfortable around any sets of armour. Details

Breaktime @ Boogie - Saturday 5PM
A party that ends at 10PM so you can be in bed by midnight. Details

Sugar Shack Burlesque Show @ Junction Underground - Saturday 6PM
This once a month burlesque show is run by a reader and is a big hit in The Junction, grab tickets before they run out! $20

OPHIS @ The Great Hall - Saturday & Sunday Night
Theatrical re-telling of the Medusa myth where all audience members will be required to wear a masquerade mask. I'd recommend going full Tom Cruise and wearing a cape as well. Details

Circus Show @ Lee's Palace - Saturday 9PM
"Canada's Largest Sideshow of the Strange" will follow the Oddities Market, featuring circus performers, human marvels, and performers from Ripley's Believe it or Not. I wonder if all the Ripley's performers are jealous of that lady with the really long fingernails. She totally stole the show in those books. $30

Sunday and Monday

Birding Walk @ High Park - Sunday 10AM
A nice stroll through the park where you'll see only cool and powerful birds, not those weaklings who need to fly South when it gets cold. Details

Puzzle Competition @ Snakes and Ladders - Sunday 1130AM
Race in teams of two to complete a 500-piece puzzle, first to finish winds a prize. Quick tip: always start in the middle and work your way out. Details

2026 Predictions @ 30 Adelaide - Sunday 2PM
CETWEOK! This group is getting together downtown to make predictions about "technology, politics, science, personal goals." All are welcome to join and make predictions of their own. 2026 will be the year the Black-Eyed Peas finally make their comeback. Details

Back to my Roots @ Painted Lady - Sunday 230PM
"Nashville-style writers round" where musicians will perform songs and speak about the process of writing them. Details

Fireside Meditations @ Dovercourt Park - Sunday 3PM
Gather around a campfire and meditate. When you're done you stamina bar will be full and your potions will be replenished. Details

CREATIVE OPS @ East Room - Monday 130PM
A touring half-day masterclass that focuses on the mechanics behind modern brand marketing. Details

9 to 5 @ Revue Cinema - Monday 630PM
Dolly Parton's 80th birthday is on Monday! If you don't already have plans to celebrate, check out this screening of her movie from the 80's. $19

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Nire Nah (Indie) @ Loohoo - Thursday 7PM
🎵 Brigadeiros @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Neu Greek Night @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM

🎵 North Atlantic Drift (Irish) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Henry Heillig & Tania Gill (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Saturday 530PM
🎵 Kurdish Kamāncha (Kurdish) @ Burdock - Saturday 630PM
🎵 Slow Beach, David MacKinnon, Nathan Lawr & Cots (Indie) @ The Brockton - Saturday 8PM
🎵 FRÄNDER (Folk) @ Revival - Saturday 8PM
🎵 RUUTED (House) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 10PM

🎵 Adam Wilson @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Julie Michaels & Kevin Barrett @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM
🎵 SNAFU (Punk) @ The Garrison - Sunday 730PM
🎵 Quinlan Shearer (Country) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Sean McCarthy (Jazz) @ Steadfast Brewing - Monday 7PM
🎵 Brian Morgan @ The Local - Monday 9PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon!

As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca

Have a great weekend, and talk to you next Thursday!
Xavier