🦝 Chicken Parm, Ice Rinks, and Disco

What’s up West End,

Last week, inspired by our beloved Old Cummer station, I asked people to respond with the strangest road name they’ve seen in the city. There were so many hilarious responses, here are some of my favourites:

• Cream Top Lane

• Athol Avenue

• Gooch Avenue

• Hiscock Boulevard

I truly can not believe we have a street called Gooch Avenue. It’s even in the West End!

Let’s get into it

West End Updates

Italian Restaurant Coming to Roncesvalles

A “New York-Italian” restaurant called Proper is opening next month on the West side of Roncesvalles Ave in the space where La Cubana used to be. Their founders say they’re hoping to capture some of the energy from the food scenes on Ossington and Dundas to bring to the heart of Roncy. Menu highlights include truffle mozza sticks, chicken parm, and branzino.

There’s a lot of “New York-Italian” places around but I hardly see any “North York-Italian” joints. If you’re an entrepreneur reading this, I’ve just given you a million-dollar-idea. Enjoy.

Check out their website here.

Small Plates Spot Re-staging

Brace yourselves for an extremely Toronto food scene-y sentence: Vinotecta Pompette (formerly known as Pompette), sister restaurant of the popular Bar Pompette, will be re-opening next month as Bar Allegro. Sorry if that was too much.

The move comes as the team tries to get back to their original goal for the space: a hangout spot offering cocktails, wine, and elevated snacks. The transition will begin on January 4th, more information about the new offerings here.

Community Initiatives

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

Sorauren Park Rink Build

This Saturday at 10AM a group of West End neighbours are gathering to build a public ice rink in Sorauren Park. All are invited to come help, no experience necessary! Engage with your community and support the next generation of great Canadian skaters. Helpful things to bring would be drill-drivers, hammers, rakes, and gloves.

More info here.

Affordable House of the Week

The affordable house last week had a ton of great feedback and interaction so let’s take it a step further - here’s a lease takeover from Facebook Marketplace. Takeovers like these are one of the best ways to score a sweet place in the city at a relatively sweet price.

This is a beautifully lit first floor apartment in Parkdale that boasts a modern kitchen, a sunroom, and a parking space. The current tenant pays $2585 and is is moving out in September 2026, so if you’re looking to move in exactly 10 months - check it out!

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

Chess Night @ Danu Social House - Thursday 6PM
All levels of experience welcome, boards provided. Details

Vision Board Night @ Creed's Coffee Barr - Thursday 6PM
"​An evening to dream, set intentions, and get creative. Come in your coziest attire, bring your own scissors and get ready for a night of inspiration, connection, and creativity." $5

Candles on College @ 402 College - Thursday 6PM
Candle lighting, singing, and hot cocoa for the 5th night of Hanukkah. Details

Bingo Bango Christmas @ The Mezz - Thursday 8PM
In Parkdale. BINGO! Details

Toronto Professionals Mixer @ Lavelle - Friday 7PM
"An you sir, how did you achieve so much business success?" "Well, it all started with an ad in the West End Raccoon." Details

Festivals of Light @ ROM - Friday 730PM
If your workplace Christmas party sucked this year, take another shot at it with this semi-formal dance party at the ROM. Expect live performances, DJ sets, and for some reason a sexy Santa Claus. $40

Friday Night Disco @ Ground Control - Friday 9PM
Hockey Night in Canada has made it a national necessity to release our Saturday Night Fever on Fridays. This video disco party is the perfect opportunity to do that John Travolta choreography you've been practicing. $10

Saturday

Artist's Market @ Northern Contemporary - All Weekend
This gallery's walls will be covered in work by local artists, all selling for less than $100! There are only so many years you can get mom a candle and slippers, look for a unique gift here. Details

Canadian International Film Festival @ Innis Hall - All Weekend
Showcasing great indie films from Canada and abroad! $15

Explore the PATH @ Eaton Centre - Saturday 8AM
CETWEOK but I know people will be into it. This group meets every Saturday to go for a walk (targeting 10k steps). On this stroll they'll be exploring the truly labyrinthian PATH system downtown. Will we ever hear from them again? Only time will tell. Details

Winter Skating @ The Bentway - Saturday 12PM
First day where you can skate on that cool figure-8 outdoor ice trail. Skate rentals available. Details

Kid Entrepreneurs @ Fort York - Saturday 10AM
Coinciding with the Bentway opening is this market with 30 booths by entrepreneurs between the ages of 6 and 16. Surely they can't all be lemonade stands. Details

Community Piano Jam @ The Painted Lady - Saturday 3PM
A holiday community jam sesh. Tickle the ivory or just sing along. Details

Alpine Sheep Choir @ The Junction - Saturday 3PM
This choir has roamed the city all December, putting on fun and funny performances in borderline scary sheep costumes. This weekend they're in the Junction as part of the Window Wonderland festivities. Details

Bimbofabulous @ Tallboys - Saturday 7PM
"A stand-up comedy show which features comics that have more jokes than they do brain cells." Those are their words, not mine. That's what the quotation marks indicate. $10

Swing Social @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 7PM
A West Coast Swing lesson followed by some West Coast Swing dancing. I have it on good authority that this event will be the cat's pyjamas, unfortunately I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing. $15

DJ Skate Night @ Community Rink - Saturday 8PM
CETWEOK! A public skate + a dance party! This outdoor rink will have a DJ playing R&B and dancehall from 8 to 10 on Saturday. The perfect opportunity to do that Oliver Ekman-Larsson choreography you've been practicing. details

BLOWUP - Saturday 9PM @ The Garrison
This is an annual Britpop party which has been happening in various forms for 30 years. Seriously, 30 years! I'm not taking the piss, mate. As a rule I try to avoid taking the piss whenever possible. $25

Throat Coat Karaoke @ Danu Social House - Saturday 9PM
I've posted this before, but again I'll give the disclaimer - I don't know how the titular throat-coating comes into play. I think it's just from singing? Details

Naughty or Nice @ Acqua Supper Club - Saturday 10PM
Big holiday R&B party. "No dress code. No pressure. Just good energy, good people, and slow jams that hit every mood." $40

Sunday and Monday

Last Call Christmas Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sunday 11AM
I don't want to stress you out but you have exactly 7 days left to buy those gifts you've been procrastinating. Luckily this market is perfect for last minute presents and stocking stuffers. Details

Charlie Brown Live @ Burdock - Sunday 230PM
Live performance of the best Christmas album. $16

Après Ski @ Dina's Tavern - Sunday 3PM
Another chance to put an accent on an e :) Live band burlesque show, come dressed in your best Aprës Skî attire. $20

Solstice Celebration @ High Park - Sunday 330PM
"Together, we’ll craft lanterns to help light the night then we’ll head outside, gathering around a fire, to watch the sun set on the shortest day of the year." $15

HYPE Improv Show @ Comedy Bar - Sunday 7PM
From a reader: "A high energy improv show featuring some of Toronto's top performers, including a fully improved musical. Beat the winter blues and get HYPED!" $18

Toy Drive @ Junction Underground - Sunday 7PM
Live rock show with 5 acts - bring a toy donation for entry! Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Back to Classics (Acoustic) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Screenagers (Holiday) @ Burdock - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Greg Cockerill (Acoustic) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Josh Keenan Band (Rock) @ Junction Underground - Friday 8PM
🎵 Angel Apricot (Indie) @ Burdock - Friday 8PM

🎵 Lotus Weight (Jazz) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Career Suicide (Punk) @ Baby G - Saturday 730PM
🎵 Bat Sabbath (Tribute) @ Hard Luck Bar - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Blood Sugar 6ix Magic (Tribute) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 8PM
🎵 The Arsenals (Reggae) @ BSMT 254 - Saturday 9PM
🎵 Weepin' Dave & the Diamond Boys (Country) @ The Bell & Beacon - Saturday 930PM

🎵 Lucky Pennies (Folkabilly) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Thank God For The Rain (Alternative) @ Burdock - Sunday 730PM
🎵 Rory Lavelle (Christmas) @ The Bell & Beacon - Sunday 8PM
🎵 Blue Moon (Rock) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Staff Jam (Folk) @ Burdock - Monday 730PM

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