Dads. There when you were little to pick you up and throw you just a liiiittle too high, there now to explain how often you should really be changing your furnace filter (thanks Pa.) It’s their day on Sunday, so make sure to give lots of love.
Also, today’s my birthday! It’s been a particularly fulfilling year — I’ve had the opportunity to write for the West End Raccoon, afterall. Thank you all for subscribing, and being a part of this delightful community. Couldn’t make a better wish than that.
Literally me.
In addition to Father’s/Birth Days there’s plenty going on in the Best End, including several long walks, a goth pride market and…a Ghost Sign tour?!
Oh. And something called a “World Cup.” Maybe you heard of it? Because the folks that sell car hood flag decor are currently diving into their vault of gold like Scrooge McDuck.
And with that, updates!
West End Updates
BlogTO released a (slightly unhinged) ranking of best ice cream in the city and - shock incoming - they’re almost all on the West End
Photo I took of Ruru!
Hey didn’t we recently do a poll on this?! Well BlogTO agrees with us on one thing (the best ice cream is in the West End) and disagrees with our consensus best ice cream ranking — they have Ruru in fourth, behind Ed’s Real Scoop in first, BangBang at number 2, and Dutch Dreams taking bronze.
Shockingly, the Kawartha Dairy (one of the two non West End locations) spot on the Danforth is ranked fifth, and — meaning no disrespect to any KD fans out there — but it really shouldn’t have made the list. As for how many East End inclusions, you ask? Goose egg. Bupkis. Nada. Zilch. Another L for the Least End.
The experience of living through the World Cup is already indelibly etched into your psyche. Why not have it indelibly inked on your skin?
Ah yes - the classic “anatomically accurate heart with a soccerball pattern” tat.
How’s everyone hanging in there, FIFA-wise? So far, so good for me — the roving hordes of fútbol fans haven’t overrun the West End so far, and everyone seems to be having a pretty good time for the most part! And if your enjoying it — I mean REALLY enjoying it, there’s something you can do that you definitely won’t regret to show off that enjoyment.
West End tatoo shop owners like Jacqueline Pavan from Storm Horse Tattoo on Dundas are designing custom, soccer/FIFA themed tattoos to appeal to locals and visitors alike. “The happiness and fun competition side of sports is what motivated me for drawing the flash and involving the shop in this event,” Pavan said in an interview with Toronto Today. “I thought it'd be a fun way for tourists to celebrate not only their trip to Canada and to Toronto, but to celebrate this special time.”
Hey, I hear lower back tattoos are coming back in style, maybe now’s your shot?!
Sponsored by Roncesvalles Psychology Clinic
In the heart of the West End, there's a beautifully renovated Victorian style house made home to the Roncesvalles Psychology Clinic - a welcoming and inclusive space where we offer therapy and assessment for individuals of all ages. Whether you are looking to improve relationships, find meaning in your career, or a renewed sense of happiness, our team of experienced clinicians are here for you.
At RPC, we believe that life can be better for everyone. Let’s make sense of what you are experiencing today, and together we can uncover your better tomorrow.
Want your business to reach thousands of Toronto locals? Respond to this email with some info about what you do!
Well it’s official - with nearly 90% answering in the affirmative, most of you are merch-interested! Now what kinda merch do you fancy? Pick the one you want most.
Unaffordable House of the Week
Housing in Toronto is so scarce it didn’t even make this section! Don’t worry house fans, back to regularly scheduled programming next week.
But if you’re desperate to click a link, why not check out our sub on Reddit?
Events
If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.
Thursday/Friday
Poured & Bound: Boozy Book Club @ 1214 Queen St W - Thurs 7pm. "Part book club, part wine night -- This month's read is YesterYear by Caro Claire Burke." Details.
Team Canada watch party @ Steadfast Brewing Co. - Thurs 6pm. Come watch Canada absolutely DUNK (proverbially speaking) on Qatar. Details.
Astronomy on Tap T.O. @ The Great Hall - Fri 7pm. Come find out your horoscope at...wait I'm being told this is an AstroNOmy event -- sorry to all the thirsty sign-seekers out there. Details.
Charli XCX Night @ Lee's Palace - Fri 10pm. It's giving Brat Summer 2.0. Details.
†Resurrection† LXV: PRIDE EDITION ft. DJ NIht + Yovska @ See-Scape - Fri 10pm. An all-black goth party...turned rainbow?! Details.
Support The Raccoon
Hey you!
If you enjoy reading The Raccoon every week and you’d like to support what we’re doing here, I’ve opened a donation page where readers can make contributions. Any amount would be be very much appreciated.
Saturday
Christie to Distillery Walk @ Christie Station - Sat 9am. This long walk ends East of Yonge but starts (and continues) squarely in the West! Details.
Annual Strawberry Social Fundraiser @ Irene Parkette - Sat 10am. What could be cuter than a local fundraiser for The Children's Storefront, featuring nut-free baked goods? Details.
Start With Coffee End With Beer, from Bloor and St. George to Harbourd House Walk @ L'Espresso Bar Mercurio - Sat 10am. Another long walk! Unlike the other one, it starts (slightly) East of our stomping grounds, but the vast majority of this loooong walk is on the West End! Details.
Ghost Signs of Toronto @ Sorauren Park Town Square - Sat 11am. Not a supernatural event! A guided walk looking at the faded signs of Toronto's past. Details.
Goth Pride Market @ Ground Control - Sat 11am. An all-black goth market...turned rainbow?! Details.
Community fundraiser bake sale @ 1033 College St. - Sat 11am. A bake sale in support of funding the underhoused and seniors -- colouring for kids and a lemonade stand! Details.
TRINITY BELLWOODS MARKET - presented by Queen St Marketplace @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sat 11am. Put down that blunt and get out your wallet -- there's a market coming to Trinity Bellwoods! Details.
Summer With Dances @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 1:30pm. "Dear wandering souls, this is an invitation to rejoice with the Mother and Father Nature as we dance, sing, breathe, meditate and eat together." Details.
Toronto Singles Nature Walk – Humber Valley (Ages 30+) @ Humber River Trail - Sat 2pm. Another walk! "Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature with our Singles Walk Along the Humber River." Details.
Wavelength @ St. Anne's Block Party @ 270 Gladstone Ave - Sat 4pm. Music! Food Trucks! Art! Estonian Museum?! Details.
Soccer International Cup Latin Fair 2026 @ Wychwood Barns - Sat 5pm - Sun 8pm. "Join us for the Soccer International Cup Latin Fair 2026 — a celebration bringing together the energy, flavours, rhythms, and traditions of Latin America right here in the GTA." Details.
Terrible Threes: JURASSIC PARK III - 25th Anniversary Screening! @ Revue Cinema - Sat 7pm. Dating myself, but I saw this in theaters as a kid...and have had dinosaur nightmares for the rest of my life because of it! Details.
Well Red: Literary Wine Tasting @ 643 Dupont St - Sat 8pm. "Join us for a curated literary wine tasting experience featuring two guided wine pours paired with lively discussion around cheesy, frustrating, addictive, and wildly dramatic romance books. From toxic fictional boyfriends to endings that ruined our week, no plotline is safe." Details.
Sunday/Monday
Summer Soulstice @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am. Celebrate the sunniest summer on Sunday! Details.
See Your Magic: Aura Photography with Lisa Williams from Pure Aura @ Curiosa - Sun 1pm. "Pure Aura captures the magic of your energy through aura photography, translating subtle shifts within you into a unique spectrum of colour." Details.
Father's Day at Collective Arts @ Collective Arts Brewing - Sun 1pm. What could be more dad-appropriate than $5 lager beers? Details.
Junction City Wrestling - June 21st, 2026 - School's Out! @ Rainhard Brewing Co. - Sun 3pm. HELL YEA BRUTHERS SUNS OUT GUNS OUT at this Father's Day, family friendly pro-wrestling event! Details.
Fatherless Day @ Three Horses Cafe & Speed Shop - Sun 6pm. "For those without dads, Father's Day can feel less like something to celebrate and more like a day to get through. Fatherless Day offers something different." Details.
Crafts in the Park @ Christie Pits Park - Mon 3pm. Literally just bring whatever craft you're working on and join some likeminded folks for free! Details.
Pride Edition of Opera Pub 🏳️🌈 @ Tranzac Club - Mon 7pm. Opera, musical theatre and pints - served up with Pride! Details.
🎵 Live Music Report 🎵
🎵Prewn (Indie Rock) @ Monarch Tavern - Thurs 7pm
🎵The Bug Club (Indie Rock) @ The Garrison - Thurs 8pm
🎵Gizmo (Slacker Rock) @ The Baby G - Thurs 8pm
🎵KEEP (Shoegaze) @ Sneaky Dee's - Fri 6pm
🎵Fires in the Distance (Melodic Death Metal) @ The Baby G - Fri 7pm
🎵DR BEN (Singer/Songwriter) @ Free Times Cafe - Fri 7:30pm
🎵TUMBLE (Hard Psych Rock) @ Houndstooth - Sat 9pm
🎵The Hotelier (Rock) @ The Mod Club - Sun 7pm
🎵Sekou (R&B) @ The Mod Club - Mon 7pm
Thank you!
Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) of the Week! Submit yours by responding to this email, with your preferred name/nickname/initials and neighbourhood for a chance to be featured. (Calling all bird, lizard and fish people — I like ‘em weird!)
Meet Marty! He’s just a puppy 🥰 and he’s from Little Portugal. Photo submitted by Jodi.
As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca
Hope you folks have a fantastic weekend.
Cam Smonk & Xavier
