welcome to WestQueenWest.ca
September 2nd // 2010
First Thursdays: Toronto’s monthly cultural crawl!
On the first Thursday of every month,
arts organizations,
boutiques, hotels and restaurants
in the West Queen West area will
stay open late and offer
special programming, deals and events.
Special events, special menus, special deals, and MORE!
Download Your Passport to Savings
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West Queen West Art + Design District
West Queen West is the creative heart of Toronto. Home to an eclectic mix of over 300 galleries, design houses, unique shops, restaurants and boutique hotels, the West Queen West Art + Design District is the city's centre of artistic innovation. Running along the two kilometer strip that runs between Bathurst Street and Gladstone Avenue, the area is the destination of choice for tourists and Torontonians alike.
With over 25 independant galleries offering everything from contemporary painting to photography to new media works, West Queen West is home to Canada's biggest concentration of fine art galleries, artistic collectives and museums. The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art exhibits and promotes innovative art by emerging and established artists whose works are considered to be ground-breaking or influential.
One of the City’s most visited shopping districts, West Queen West offers a variety of shops and boutiques specializing in decor, modern and antique furniture, vintage clothing, textiles, gifts, and food. The neighbourhood is also home to many of Canada’s independent fashion designers like Brian Bailey, Pre-Loved, and Comrags to boutiques run by fresh local designers. Comprised of owner-operated boutiques, West Queen West gives shoppers the unique chance to meet the designers in their shops and truly experience what Canadian fashion design is all about.
Working up an appetite in West Queen West is all part of the experience as the district serves up the best croissants or oysters and more in over 50 restaurants serving unique gastronomy from around the world. Foodies of all tastes and budgets flock to restaurants serving such varied cuisines as French, Thai, Indian, Italian, Turkish, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Czech, Japanese and Persian.
When the sun goes down, the lights come up on West Queen West nightlife. Anchored by two newly restored hip hotspots, The Drake Hotel and The Gladstone Hotel, West Queen West’s numerous trend-setting bars and lounges they offer everything from artisan cocktails and micro beer to live music and the hottest djs.
Whether you go to eat, drink, shop or gallery-hop, A walk along WQW is an exciting unique adventure that will awaken your creative spirit with everything you see, buy, taste and experience.
West Queen West Members found
Front & Centre in DESIGNLINES
("Published by AZURE magazine twice yearly, Designlines is the ultimate guide to the city’s contemporary furniture showrooms, home and lifestyle accessory stores, stylish restaurants, and top art galleries, bookstores and boutique hotels. Each issue highlights some of the best designers and creatives living and working in the city.")
Accessories Stores:
The Drake Hotel General Store, Inabstracto, Magic Pony, Morba, NEAT space edited, Quasi Modo, Style Garage
Furniture Contemporary Stores:
Commute Home, Gus* Studio, Industrial Storm, Quasi Modo Style Garage
Furniture Vintage & Reclaim:
Atomic Design, Inabstracto, Morba
Restaurants & Bars:
Bar_One, Nyood, and Odd Fellows
Galleries:
Clint Roenisch Gallery, Katherine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects, Lausberg Contemporary, MOCCA, Stephen Bulger Gallery, Reference
