🦝 RockBand, Luchadors, and Toronto's Treasure

What's happening in the West End August 21st to 25th.

Author

Xavier W
August 21, 2025

Happy Thursday West End and welcome to the West End Raccoon!

It’s another slightly shorter newsletter! I’ll actually continue with these shorter editions for the next two weeks as I’ll be away on vacation - but then back to normal in September. I pinky promise.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

Cool Bar Incoming

Several big-name Toronto mixologists are joining forces opening a new bar on College and Bathurst. I’m not super tapped into mixologist circles but from what I can discern this is like an Avengers level team-up of bar experts. The Barvengers? I’d like to imagine Jon Taffer as their Samuel L. Jackson.

The fruits of this collab will be bountiful at “Lonely Diner”, opening sometime this month at 432 Bathurst. The interior is supposed to evoke “1970’s Canadian grandparent’s basement” vibes with lots of leather and wood panelling. Although they can’t run toooo far with that theme because to really nail it they would need to only serve Labatt and Molson Export. More info in this BlogTO article.

West End Breakfast Battle

It’s West End Breakfast Battle time and where just four restaurants are left in the battle for our neighbourhood’s best breakfast. Last week was our final quarter final, and the result was……..

Dirty Food DEFEATS The Federal!

There was a super strong turnout in favour of Dirty Food. Are they destined to take the crown? Or can someone get in their way? Only time will tell…

Now it’s time for - OUR FIRST SEMI-FINAL

This battle will decide who claims a place in the West End Breakfast Battle Final. Battling for it will be Parkdale’s Skyline Restaurant against Good Fork on Dundas W.

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

Skyline Restaurant - CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Good Fork - 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

Today’s fancy house is the historic 60 Indian Grove. When I say historic I mean historic - this place is giving full on Murdoch Mysteries. Talk about wood panelling! The house is beautiful but I think it should be a requirement that whoever buys it grows out some massive mutton chop sideburns. Maybe also toss on a monocle for good measure. $4.2 million, check it out.

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

Dufferin Grove Farmer's Market @ Dufferin Grove - Thursday 3PM
Toronto's oldest organic farmer's market runs every Thursday. Today's edition will also feature a visit from the Organic Council of Ontario who you can talk to about organic stuff. Details

Animation Mix and Mingle @ The Wych - Thursday 6PM
Social hour for those working in, dabbling in, or interested in animation. Details

Cutting Board Workshop @ Shevchenko Museum - Thursday 630PM
Create a beautiful cutting board with a Ukrainian "Petrykivka" style painting on it. $90, materials provided

TRAINING DAY @ Revue Cinema - Thursday 630PM
Come see Denzel at his peak in a screening of this 2001 cop thriller. $18

Luchador Wrestling @ Parkdale Hall - Thursday 7PM
All ages luchador wrestling event with wrestlers from Canada, the US, and Mexico. Maybe while they're all together they can talk this tariff thing out for us? $35

Talent Show @ Shakey's - Thursday 10PM
"This or That" is a talent show at Shakey's where musicians, comedians, and actors compete for cash prizes. Details.

1664 Pop-Up @ 938 Queen W - Thursday to Saturday
Kronenbourg pop-up with beer, live DJs, and vintage clothing. I'd imagine there's gotta be some free stuff given away right? Details

Fan Expo @ MTCC - Thursday to Sunday
Huge convention for lovers of sci-fi, comics, anime, gaming, and more. Not really West End, I included more so that when you see a bunch of people walking around in costumes you'll know what's going on. $40-70

Drag Bingo @ Junction Craft - Friday 7PM
Drag Bingo hosted by Messy, with prizes from the Love Shop up for grabs. Details

ROM After Dark @ ROM - Friday 730PM
Big dance party inside the ROM after it closes. This really feels like the type of event where a heist could take place - keep an eye out for fake moustaches. $40

RockBand Night @ FreePlay - Friday 8PM
Perform your favourite songs on RockBand while a crowd of your adoring fans sings on. The RockBand festivities will be followed by an indie rock dance party. $10 cover

Fashion Wars @ 1162 Bloor West - Friday and Saturday 9PM
Eight designers battling in front of a panel of judges and the audience. Only one can become champion - the bolder the design the better. $28

Saturday

Vintage Clothing Pop-up @ Beresford Ave & Bloor St
Sent by a reader: “From nostalgic throwback fits to every day essentials, this pop-up at Bloor West Vintage will have you covered for your secondhand clothing needs.” Details

Toronto Treasures @ Old City Hall - Saturday 10AM
The Murdoch vibes continue with this antique roadshow type event where you can bring in something historical and Toronto related that you own. A smart historian will then tell you what the deal is with it. CETWEOK - Details

Rush Day @ Henderson Brewing - Saturday 11AM
The third annual day celebrating the music, the history, and the band - Rush! Rush tattoo contest (and pop-up tattoo artist available), band used merchandise up for sale, and a limited edition Rush themed IPA. $21.50

Sustainable Block Party @ George Chuvalo NC - Saturday 11AM
A little green festival in the Junction Triangle. Bring some clothes for a clothing swap, an old appliance to get repaired, or participate in a free crocheting workshop. Details

Puppy Yoga @ Yoga Kawa - Saturday 11AM
It's like regular yoga but there are a bunch of cute puppies everywhere. $50

Flower Pounding Workshop @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 2PM
"In this hands-on workshop, we’ll create a one-of-a-kind tote bag by pounding vibrant flower pigments into the fabric." $40

Oni-Noichi Market @ See-Scape - Saturday 7PM
A night market for lovers of anime with lots of vendors selling collectibles, artwork, and more. Details

Bat Trivia and Night Walk @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 8PM
"Test your knowledge about bats in a high-energy, bat-filled trivia challenge. After the trivia excitement, head out on a guided night walk with bat detectors to listen for real bat calls and spot these amazing creatures." $15

Cat Competition @ CNE - Saturday and Sunday
A competition where cat lovers can enter their pets in a competition to be crowned "Top Cat". There'll also be lots of fun cat related stuff for those not brining a competitor. I'm not bringing my cat to this so all of yours will have a chance. Mine would be a shoe-in, especially if there was a "Vomiting on the Rug" section. Details

Outdoor Movie @ Christie Pits - Saturday and Sunday Night
It's the final outdoor movie of the summer in Christie Pits! This surely does not mean summer is ending soon. This weekend's titles were selected by fan voting - Saturday will be Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Sunday will be 10 Things I Hate About You. Details

Wes Anderson Dance Party @ Steadfast Brewing - Saturday 1030PM
From a reader: “A friendly neighbourhood dance party with Wes Anderson aesthetics. This event is free, no tickets required. Music will be Wes-coded songs mixed with dance beats and nostalgic sing-a-longs.”

Sunday and Monday

Sunday Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sunday 11AM
If you haven't been to the Toronto Sunday Market now is a good time to check it out. Lots of rotating vendors, always some cool stuff to be had. It's also within walking distance from several Breakfast Battle competitors... just saying. Details

Acro Jam @ Trinity Bellwoods - Sunday 1230PM
All level lesson in Acro-Yoga, a type of yoga that combines acrobatics and yoga. The lesson will be followed by an open Acro jam. $25

English, Spanish, and French Lessons @ Bloor & Markham - Sunday 230PM
Free conversational lessons for beginners or nearly beginners. Details

Gayming @ Steadfast Brewing - Sunday 3PM
Board gaming event run by the Toronto Gaymers, open to the LGBTQ2IA community and allies alike. Plenty of games will be available but you can also bring your own. Details

🎵 Live Music Report đźŽµ

🎵 Alli Sunshine (Piano) @ The Bell and the Beacon - Thursday
🎵 Angie Hilts (Folk) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Hiding Places (Ambient, Groove) @ The Mezz - Thursday 830PM

🎵 Chakra Shakers (Rock) @ Tail of the Junction - Friday
🎵 9 Volt Delight (Rock) @ The Bell and the Beacon - Friday
🎵 Elliott Barenthin (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 630PM
🎵 July Talk (Rock) @ CNE Bandshell - Friday 730PM
🎵 Gotham City Hustlers @ Rosario's - Friday 8PM
🎵 Haftu (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 8PM
🎵 Tak Arikushi Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM

🎵 Julian Fuego Band (Rock) @ The Bell and the Beacon - Saturday
🎵 Onion Honey (Americana) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 The New Dominion Skiffers (Skiffle) @ The Mezz - Saturday 3PM
🎵 Taxi Chain (Punk) @ The Mezz - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Emma Campbell, Hannah Vig & DAPHNE (Indie Pop) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Mike T Kerr Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Poor Man’s High (All Covers Set) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 9PM

🎵 Dave Clark's Western Slang (Country) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Crunchy Pickle (Cover) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Mount Mural & High Tea @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 8PM

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