🦝 Cocktails, a Book Market, and 250 Tacos

What's happening in the West End August 7th to 12th.

Author

Xavier W
August 07, 2025

Happy Thursday West End and welcome to this week’s Raccoon!

Let’s all take a moment to enjoy the fact that we’re currently living in August. Breathe in slowly through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth. These are the weekends we wait all year for.

Let’s get into it.

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

🌮 Toronto Taco Fest

Friday to Sunday @ Fort York

This is why we fought for Fort York for in the War of 1812. Over 50 Toronto taquerias serving more than 250 varieties of tacos across 3 days. In addition to tacos you can expect mezcal and tequila gardens, live music, DJ sets, and plenty of free hot sauce samples.

Pricing is strange and varies by day and time, average entry cost is around $20.

đź“š Roncy Flea + Book Market

Saturday 10AM @ 240 Roncesvalles

It's Roncy Flea! It happens once a month and is always a lot of fun. This market always has a ton of cool vendors selling everything from retro furniture to kitschy crafts. This August edition also features "Toronto's Best Book Sale" with thousands of books up for grabs at $3 apiece. Details

West End Updates

Underground Cocktail Bar Coming to Dundas & Ossington

A collaboration of the minds behind Slice of Life in the Annex and the wonderful 915 Dupont are opening an “Uh Bar” later this month. (Side note: if you haven’t been to 915 Dupont yet you should change that). When I say “underground” I don’t mean the bar will be a secret counter-culture den, although it may become that, but rather that it’s located in a basement under MSSM Ossington.

“Uh Bar” of course gets it’s name from my go-to phrase when ordering anything: “Can I get uhhhh”. Stay up to date on their launch via Instagram.

Parkdale Brunchery is becoming a Dinnery

For a few years now ALMA + GIL has been a beloved purveyor of breakfasts in the neighbourhood, previously through a series of pop-ups but as of this summer in a brick and mortar location in Parkdale. They currently offer a range of breakfast options inspired by both Hong Kong and Mexican cuisine; from chilaquiles to a pork belly breakfast sandwich.

While they currently close at 3PM each day, the restaurant recently announced they’ll begin offering a dinner menu in August. The dishes will have a focus on corn, with the owners planning to import selected grains from Mexico to use across several specialties (even drinks!). An article with more information about the service is here, and the restaurant’s hours and Instagram can be found here.

West End Breakfast Battle

Alright folks it’s West End Breakfast Battle time. As the name heavily implies, we’re working to crown our neighbourhoods best breakfast. Last week’s match-up was super duper duper close, with the result being:

Good Fork DEFEATS Donna’s!

Donna’s put up a valiant effort, but the seasonal ingredients of Good Fork won out in the end.

Our next match-up is truly a battle of the titans. Some have even claimed that the winner of this will inevitably win the championship. But to get there, they need to win this week. In the Battle of Parkdale we have….. EASY RESTAURANT……. versus…… SKYLINE RESTAURANT! What a battle - take a moment and jot down some notes to prepare for when your grandkids ask you about this glorious day.

Who will win? That’s up to you to decide by voting below. (Clicking the link will take you to the restaurants website)

Easy Restaurant - CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Skyline Restaurant - CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Fancy House of the Week - Presented by CARGO CABBIE

Moving soon? With a 4.9 star rating on Google, CARGO CABBIE is your West End go-to for packing, moving, and storage. Get up to 20% off with code LOCAL20 from your neighbours at CARGO CABBIE. Book your move today: cargocabbie.ca

This week’s fancy house is 17 Lakeview Avenue. Given that it’s North of Dundas, one can only assume the avenue was given it’s name for marketing purposes. That said, the top floor balcony does have great skyline views which can be enjoyed from a luxurious jacuzzi. If that’s not enough, the 3000 square foot property also includes a massive marble island, his and hers en-suites, and some really chic paintings. $4 million, listing here.

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

Bake Oven Training @ Sorauren Park - Thursday 3PM
You know that little brick house in Sorauren Park? Turns out it's not occupied by the wisest of the Three Little Pigs - it's actually a pizza oven. If you want to learn how to use it drop by tonight. Details

Almost Jeopardy Trivia @ Junction Craft Brewery - Thursday 7PM
Weekly kinda hard but not too hard trivia night. This week's theme is American Songbook/Canadian Content. Details

Full Moon Mamas Gathering @ Maiden Mother & Moon - Thursday 7PM
"Join as we gather in a cozy, judgment-free space to share about the many phases of motherhood, the dark and the light." $10

The Sounds of 1983 @ Ground Control - Thursday 9PM
From a reader: The latest in a chronological series of DJ nights playing tunes from the classic years of alternative & underground music. David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, New Order, and more. Details

Teen Video Games @ Parkdale Library - Friday 330PM
Free drop-in gaming session for teens, Nintendo and Playstation consoles available for use. Details

Pokemon Drawing Club @ New Stadium - Friday 6PM
The title pretty much explains it all, a large group of people comprising all skill levels getting together to draw Pokemon. Details

Soul A Go-Go @ BSMT 254 - Friday 10PM
Hot and sweaty basement dance party with DJs spinning retro soul vinyls. $10

Emo Night @ Sneaky Dee's - Friday 1030PM
If you want to drink cheap and hear sad songs on a night out. Details

Saturday

Junction Farmer's Market @ Baird Park - Saturday 9AM
Who doesn't love a farmer's market? This one runs in the Junction every Saturday morning until October. Details

The Signal And The Noise @ Grange & McCaul - Saturday 10AM
Okay this not in the West End at but it's pretty close and I know lots of my readers would be into it sooooo I'm including it anyway.
"​For three hours, we will dissect a city block from top to bottom: telephone cables, streetlights, surveillance cameras, traffic lights, and so on. Be warned: after this tour, you will never be able to look at a normal city block the same way again." PWYC

Bumbling Bees @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 10AM
A family friendly nature walk focused on all things bee! Learn about their role in the ecosystem and then set out to find them, reporting your sightings to a research team. Hint: if you want to find them quickly I recommend sitting down and trying to eat lunch. $10

Pups & Pints @ Steadfast Brewing - Saturday 11AM
The summer of dog events continue with this small market that's raising money for a dog rescue organization. There will also be some talks from experts on adopting and raising doggies. Details

Chess Club @ Runnymede Library - Saturday 2PM
Free fun chess club in the library. Details

Beginner Birding Workshop @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 2PM
Learn the basics of bird-watching as you observe the "Fall" migrations in Toronto. I'm not ready to see that word yet, let's pretend we didn't. $30 for 2 sessions

3D Printing Meet-Up @ Maker Bean Cafe - Saturday 2PM
Monthly event where you'll join up with other 3D printing enthusiasts and make some cool stuff! Details

Wavelength Summer Thing @ Trillium Park - Saturday & Sunday 5PM
Submitted by a reader: This annual celebration returns to Trillium Park for two full days of live music. Ranging from indie folk to psychedelic electronica to poetic hip-hop, Canadian creativity is on full display.

This FREE weekend of fun transforms Trillium Park with Wavelength’s signature immersive art and installations. Enjoy delicious food vendors, interactive activities, a mobile sauna, and an indie market by the gorgeous waterfront park and lush greenery. Details

BARRY LYNDON Screening @ Revue Cinema - Saturday 930PM
Screening of Kubrick’s 18th century English period piece for its 50th anniversary. $17.50

Sunday and Monday

Toronto Walk Club @ The Well - Sunday 10AM
This is a pretty big group that go for a walk together every Sunday and then get coffee after. Great for building friendships and community. Details

Summer Market @ 19 Ossington - Sunday 11AM
Outdoor market with "food, drinks, vintage, fashion, art, homewares & handmade goods". Special guest Miss Carnitas will be cheffing up tacos. Details

Bloorcourt Paws + Art Walk @ 750 Bloor - Sunday 1130AM
You and your dog + a bunch of other people and their dogs touring some pet friendly patios and art installations. Treats included (for humans as well). $17

Burnt Toast Brunch @ Steadfast Brewing - Sunday 12PM
A boozy brunch this Sunday with performances of "breakcore" music, which is a heavy variant of DnB. Have I heard of breakcore before? Maybe not. But if you have you'd probably love this event. Details

Poetry Reading and Discussion @ Type Books Junction - Sunday 630PM
Hajer Mirwali will read from her collection REVOLUTIONS, "an exploration of how young Arab women make and unmake their identities while living under constant surveillance". This will be followed by a group discussion. Details

Outdoor Movie @ Christie Pits - Sunday Sunset
The free outdoor film series continues at Christie Pits with "When Morning Comes", a Canadian-Jamaican drama. One Letterboxd review I read said "sobbed the last 5 minutes, i need to call my mom". If that's your thing, details here. Details

Active and Connected Seniors @ Parkdale Library - Monday 2PM
"Calling all Seniors! Come chat and make friends in a warm and welcoming place." Details

🎵 Live Music Report đźŽµ

🎵 Matthew Endahl (Pianist) @ Old Mill - Thursday 630PM
🎵 More Noise Please (Noise, multiple acts) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 7PM
🎵 David Solazzo (Jazz) @ Bluebird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Dale Ross + Alex Southey (Alt-Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 830PM

🎵 Elliott Barenthin (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 630PM
🎵 Sarah Shafey (Piano) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 830PM
🎵 TechnoSalon (Multiple Acts, Electronic) @ Junction Underground - Friday 10PM

🎵 Michael O'Grady (Celtic) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Transient Reverie (Rock) @ Christie Pits - Saturday 530PM
🎵 CHARLES Y SUS ESTRELLAS (Ecuadorian Independence Celebration) @ Rosario's - Saturday
🎵 MISSING PET (Indie, Electric) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Mirrorball (Indie, multiple acts) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 830PM

🎵 Ken Yoshioka & Julian Fauth (Blues) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 David Picco (Americana) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Sean McCarthy (Jazz) @ Steadfast Brewing - Monday 7PM
🎵 Slack & Chasing Laika (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 8PM
🎵 Long Range Hustle (Rock) @ 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