🩝 Comedy, Bánh Mìs, and the Best Bar in North America

What's happening in the West End April 24th to 28th.

Author

Xavier Post
April 24, 2025

Goooooood morning West End!

Days like these are what we wait all winter for. We’re looking at sunshine and a high of 22° as the Leafs roll into Ottawa up 2-0 in the series. It’s a bad day to be a patio.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their extra time off last week. There’s a bunch of fun stuff happening the West End this weekend so let’s get right into it!

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

đŸș Toronto West Beer & Rye Fest

Saturday @ Henderson Brewing

Come out to support (and drink) local at the Beer & Rye Fest this Saturday. This event will feature seven of Canada’s top distilleries as well as local live music and food. Buying Canadian doesn’t get more fun than this. Tickets are $30 and include entry plus 5 drink tokens.

😂 Fight Back & Laugh

Thursday 630PM @ Nickel 9

Fight Back & Laugh is comedy night to fundraise for Parkinson's. The show will raise money for a “Boxing for Parkinson's Program” at Jimmy's Athletics. Comedians performing tonight have appeared on Kim's Convenience, Just For Laughs, and CBC. Tickets are $50 and include food and a drink.

West End Updates

A Phone Call From a “942” Number?

Toronto phone lines are getting a new area code. Starting this weekend “942” will join “647” “416” and “437” as an official local code. Apparently we’ve exhausted our current supply of phone numbers, meaning that a new code was needed. I’m old enough to remember the days when you didn’t even need to include an area code for local calls. Now we have to remember 4 of them!

West End Bars Make “Best in North America” List

The 2025 rankings for “Best Bar in North America” were released last week, and two West End spots made the list. Cry Baby Gallery on Dundas West came in at #68. If you’re not familiar, this spot is a small New York-style speakeasy tucked in behind an art gallery.

At #83 was Simpl Things in Parkdale. This is a cocktail and snack bar with a really really cool, vibrant interior. Only bars 50 through 100 have been announced, so hopefully we’ll hear about some more local joints in the top 50.

New Bahn Mi Restaurant Opens in Bloor West

Earlier this month Banh Mi Khong opened its doors. Just across from Jane station, this spot features a wide selection of Vietnamese-style sandwiches and bubble teas. Many of their ingredients are made in-house, including their specialty Bahn Mi butter. They also offer Vietnamese iced coffee, which if you’ve never tried you simply must. I haven’t stopped by to check this place out yet but it has a 5.0 star rating on Google Maps currently after 100 reviews. Welcome to the neighbourhood Banh Mi Khong!

Fancy House of the Week

This week we’re going back to the banks of the banks of the Humber with 246 Riverside Drive. Sitting on the East bank of the river, this massive Georgian Manor received a state-of-the-art renovation in 2011. It comes in just under 10,000 square feet and features a boat house, a pool room, and a 3,000 bottle wine cellar. It’s listed for 6.5 million, hopefully they throw in a couple bottles of that wine in with closing. Check it out.

Events

Thursday and Friday

Knowledge Hub 2025 @ Old Mill - Thursday 530PM
A free seminar for charities and non-profits to learn to become more efficient and effective. Details

Children’s Book Launch @ Type Books Junction - Thursday 630PM
Launch of HOPE OF THE WASTELAND by Matt Watts featuring a conversation with the author. Details

Federal Candidates Meeting @ Epiphany and St. Mark Church - Thursday 630PM
Meet the federal candidates for the riding of Taiaiako'n-Parkdale-High Park and speak to them directly in a Q&A session. Info

Almost Jeopardy Trivia @ Steadfast Brewing - Thursday 7PM
You know your smarter than everyone else. You even noticed that I used the wrong you're. Come prove it. Details

LEGO Builders Club @ Parkdale Library - Friday 4PM
Creative LEGO and Snap Circuits building time for the little ones. Also featuring Dash and Dot robots + Spheros. Free reservation

Spring Leather Craft Workshop @ Lucky Bison Leather - Friday 6PM
Learn the basics of leather craft, including painting, stamping, and stitching. No experience needed. Tickets are $85

Junction Comedy Show @ The Alpine - Friday 8PM
"The funniest comedy show in the West End". Tickets are $24

Friday Latin Social @ Dovercourt House - Friday 10PM
Bachata lessons and dancing, no partner needed. $15

Saturday

Toronto Stationary Show @ Parkdale Hall - Saturday 10AM
"The Toronto Stationery Show unites the community of stationery enthusiasts in the city and around the world." Over 60 vendors and exhibitors! Free entry

Independent Bookstore Day Celebration @ Type Books Junction - Saturday 10AM
Savings and book giveaways for kids all day at Type Books. Details

Sketching Spring Ephemerals @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 1PM
In this workshop you'll sit in the park and work on sketching flowers and other nature. $50

Public Repair Day @ 1033 College Street - Saturday 2PM
Interested in sustainable fashion? Bring by some clothing that could use a little love and the experts will teach you how to repair it for free! Info

Sugar Shack: A Burlesque Show @ Junction Underground - Saturday 7PM
Out of town and local performers join forces for an unforgettable night of entertainment. Tickets start at $20

PANIC: 80s & 90s Video Dance Party @ Ground Control - Saturday 9PM
Dance and have fun with the best (and worst) music videos of the 80's and 90's. $12

Shrek's Spring Fling @ Baby G - Saturday 930PM
A Shrek-themed drag dance party with a costume contest. Tickets are $17

Sunday and Monday

Extraordinary Women: Our Neighbours and Their Stories @ Revue Cinema - Sunday 1230 PM
This event celebrates stories from exceptional women who have called our neighbourhood home. Some have created videos which will be screened, others you can meet in person. Details

Family Dance Party @ Dovercourt House - Sunday 2PM
A dance party that's fun for the kiddos, featuring the musical stylings of Peanut Butter & The Jams. Prices vary

Pints for Puppies @ High Park Brewery - Sunday 2PM
Come out and have some beers at this fundraiser for The Lions Foundation of Canada. Tickets are $44 and include a drink and some apps.

Birds of Prey in High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sunday Afternoon
Mountsberg Raptor Centre is coming to High Park to show some live birds of prey and teach you about their world. "Owls, falcons, and hawks, Oh my!" Info

Deeper Connection: Make New Friends for Women @ Miriaki Life Workspace - Sunday 230PM
It's not easy to make friends as an adult - this event is hoping to help fix that. $22

Bingo @ Shakey's - Sunday 7PM
BINGO! Hosted by QE Trivia. Details

In The Starlight @ Burdock Music Hall - Sunday 7PM
Once a month Burdock Music Hall invites Toronto musicians to perform a stripped down version of their songs. The event emulates the energy of 90's MTV Unplugged. This month features Marcus Celia, Lavender Bruisers, and Queen of Swords. Tickets are $11

The Wh*re Store @ Tallboys - Sunday 7PM
A sex positive show exploring the realities of dating and singlehood in our culture. $23

Sunday Karaoke @ Tail of the Junction - Sunday 10PM
It's time to unveil your beautiful singing voice to the world. Details

Bloordale Beach Party @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 7PM
If you don't live around the area, you may be wondering how Bloordale can have a beach. If you know, you know. This is a night to celebrate the beautiful shores of Bloordale Beach, tickets are $22.

đŸŽ” Live Music Report đŸŽ”

Eric St Laurent & Or Dagan (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Thursday 7PM
Ley Vara with Lauryn Kovacs (Alternative) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 9PM

Keisha Bell-Kovacs (Jazz) @ Parkdale Library - Friday 630PM
Action Forever with High Tea (Dance/Punk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 730 PM
Tak Arikushi Trio (Swing Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
Anton Yeretsky (Classical) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
Grupo Ilegal (Mexican) @ Rosario's - Friday 8PM
Easy Pieces (Indie) @ Junction Underground - Friday 830PM
Rebetiko by Tarafi (Greek) @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM

Donne Roberts (Acoustic) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
Debbie Fleming Birthday Bash @ La Rev - Saturday 530 PM
Shreea Kaul (R&B) @ Parkdale Hall - Saturday 730 PM
Jay Douglas (Old School) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
Relevator: In Tribute (Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 8PM
Live Salsa Orchestra @ Rosario's - Saturday 8PM
Michael O'Grady (Celtic) @ The Local - Saturday 9PM
NeuTurkish Night (Turkish) @ NeuLokal - Saturday 9PM
Seu Quartet (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 9PM
Community Service (Disco/Boogie) @ Sounds Good - Saturday 9PM

Howdy Partner (Country) @ Low Bar - Sunday 3PM
Toronto All-Star Big Band @ Old Mill - Sunday 8PM
The Saddletramps (Country) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

Sean McCarthy & his Taproom Gang (Jazz) @ Steadfast Brewing - Monday 7PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon! It’s been a really fun journey building this newsletter and hearing from everyone. We’re still growing incredibly fast and I really appreciate everyone who’s a part of that!

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