Entertainment District

The Entertainment District is a dynamic neighborhood that pulses with energy day and night. Renowned for its lively atmosphere, iconic venues, and world-class entertainment options. The Entertainment District features some of the city's most prestigious venues - from renowned theaters and concert halls to upscale nightclubs and trendy bars, residents are just steps away from a world of live performances, music, and theatrical experiences. The streets are lined with bars and restaurants catering to every taste and budget.

History

In the first half of the 20th century, the area now known as the Entertainment District was originally called the Garment District and was almost entirely industrial. With the rise of free trade and deindustrialization, industries began to leave the area in the 1970s. They left behind an array of historic warehouses and factories that were soon repurposed. The most notable new arrivals were nightclubs. In 1981, Toronto’s first large dance club, the Twilight Zone, opened in the area. Other clubs quickly followed, and by the 1990s, the area boasted one of the largest concentrations of nightclubs in North America. The railway lands to the south were also repurposed.

The SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) opened in 1989, drawing thousands of sports fans to the area. The CN Tower, which opened in 1976, also brought many tourists to the neighborhood. Along with the nightclubs, many bars and restaurants opened to cater to these crowds. In 1982, Roy Thomson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, opened at King and Simcoe. The Mirvish family bought the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1962, which proved to be a great success.

In 1993, they built the new 2000-seat Princess of Wales Theatre a block over. Independent theater companies also moved into the area, with Theatre Passe Muraille taking over a former warehouse and the Factory Theatre occupying a former manse. Toronto has since emerged as the world’s third-largest center for English-language theatre, behind only London’s West End and New York’s Broadway.

  • Queen Street W to the north, University Avenue and Simcoe Street to the east, Gardiner Expressway to the south, Spadina Avenue to the west

  • Like many downtown Toronto neighborhoods, the Entertainment District is dotted with modern high-rise condo buildings. These residences are trendy, chic, and immaculate, perfectly complementing the area's glamorous attractions. The condos in this neighborhood embody the stylish and vibrant aesthetic of their surroundings.

      • K-6

        • Ogden Junior Public School

      • K-8

        • Ryerson Community School

      • Grade 9-12

        • Harbord Collegiate Institute

  • Every September, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the world’s most prestigious and largest film festivals, takes over the Entertainment District. Many A-list celebrities come to Toronto to attend TIFF, making the neighbourhood the perfect place to spot celebrities.

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