Toronto Village Walking Tour & Travel Guide | Patrick Marano

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Every city holds its secrets and Gay Toronto is no exception. From Bathhouse Raids, to Sex Clubs to Patio Drinks follow me as I give you a personalized tour of Gay Toronto (aka the Six, HogTown, The Little Apple).
Whether you're planning a trip or just wondering what the scene is like, this walking tour video of Toronto is for you. Peppered with some historical facts and some personal stories this video will make you want to visit my hometown.
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[@donabaypro6782]

14 years ago I was visiting there and got the best Souvenir; my husband. It was the only place we could get married at the time. Go Canada! I remember some of the places you showed. I like the history you gave. I’m a history buff, especially queer history.

[@PatrickMarano]

Wow, thanks for sharing!

[@BrianScottGameNight]

I use to live in San Diego and miss their gay neighborhood. Enjoy it while you can. Hillcrest was becoming so expensive it was sqeezing out even the gays.

[@mikefilimon1584]

Sad to hear that. I remember Hillcrest back in the 90s. I can’t imagine how much it has changed?

[@stuartm6069]

Thank you for the walkabout. I haven't been in Toronto for 25 years, and Church street hasn't changed all that much. The shops names may have changed but the Vibe is still there. The Black Eagle was my go to bar, and Spa on Maitland was where I crashed. I was only there for a couple of days the last time I was there.

[@mikefilimon1584]

Ive been to the village in Toronto on layovers (I am a flight attendant lol) and you did a great jib presenting it! The steps touched me as I remember on my first trip to Toronto and having a cup of coffee with strangers talking and hanging out (Van Houtte Coffee of course back in the 90s.)

[@PatrickMarano]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@wHw_Syxx]

I used to do security at The Well. It was a pleasure to serve the community as an ally during my time there. I still come by the bars on Church with friends to support. Church Street is an amazing part of our lovely city of Toronto. A special shoutout to Sofonda!

[@PatrickMarano]

Hey thanks for the comment!

[@larrycippola7506]

That was a great tour. Would love to see a nighttime walking tour. During the 1990s I had the opportunity to spend lots of time in Montreal and loved the Village. I would be there for work and stay the weekends. At the time, the Village was very lively day and night. The strip clubs were crowded beyond belief so we’re the bars and restaurants. They built a hotel complex called the Bourbon. There were 4 or 5 themed restaurants and bars in the complex; it was beautiful. I had been back to Montreal in the 200s a number of times but always with people who wouldn’t enjoy the village. In around 2017, I went to Montreal alone with plans to spend time in the village. I was so disappointed. The Bourbon was closed. Went to a few of the strip clubs. There were more dancers than customers and the dancers were very pushy. Stock is popular but enormously expensive. Hope the Village in Toronto stays as active as it seemed in your walk. What happened in Montreal?

[@PatrickMarano]

The village is changing here too. And Montreal is not what it once was. I remember the Bourbon complex, it was the best!

[@bobbbxxx]

@@PatrickMarano I don't even bother spending much time in the village in Montreal any more; it is a shadow of it's former self. It was lots of fun in the '80s. In fact all of downtown Montreal is much, much quieter than it used to be back in the day.

[@KevinFuller7]

Maybe you should consider organizing a meet and greet event in Toronto? Test it out, see how many would be interested. We haven't gone ANYWHERE since COVID started! Plus... we live in Rochester, so it's a nice little road trip. Thanks for the walk down memory lane! By the way... I like the twirly thingys AND muraled facade.

[@PatrickMarano]

Great idea thanks Kevin

[@tonycollazorappo]

Yeah! The Black Eagle, may age group and my kind of crowd 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Deojuvante379]

Behind the 519 in the Memorial Park there used to be a cruising spot at night. Long time ago. About 20 years 😁

[@luckeeleeyeo]

Love this. I was there in July. I went to Craig’s cookies. That toffee cookie is to die for. I also went to Woody’s and had a great night. I plan to return and visit more places. 💙

[@robertasa6246]

Loved sooo much this vídeo! Helped me planning my trip!

[@PatrickMarano]

I'm so glad!

[@Yanay30]

Thanks for the impromptu history lesson, very informative 😊 I once unwittingly walked into a Queer As Folk set on Church st, lol. Didn’t even realize it until I saw people waving me away. Never knew about Alexander Wood, that’s very cool. Are there any other historical gay trivia you could talk about?

[@PatrickMarano]

Probably lol

[@RY-fe3rt]

Brilliant vid! Wonderful looking neighborhood. You're very lucky. 👏👏👏

[@stephskam6636]

Thanks for this video !! I’m visiting in May and this is super helpful !

[@PatrickMarano]

I'm so glad!

[@pedromagno1719]

Great video 👏👏👏

[@shaunbolton4662]

Cool tour- thanks Patrick! Found myself continually smiling at all the rainbows... except those marker posts. I'm with you on those! Now I want to visit Toronto!

[@PatrickMarano]

Right on!

[@gatewayz75]

Wow. Went to Woody’s in my 20s in 93/94 and still have a book of matches from there, you could smoke inside, imagine! It was so packed and busy. I can remember it used to close quite early and everyone went to a coffee shop nearby afterwards, gay bars stayed open until 7am where I was from and I remember being shocked by the early close.

[@PatrickMarano]

early closures are a typical north american thing... boring....

[@Jusell]

🌈 wonderful report, Pats 🏳️‍🌈

[@brucewinther6926]

Great job showing us around---been years since I was in Toronto and loved it---You always are a pleasure to watch and bring a fun and light spin to things---By the way--saw your "Shield" like tattoo in one of the best movies I have seen---Exactly the perfection I knew you would be----Un FRIGGING believable

[@PatrickMarano]

haha are you referring to my 'tramp stamp' ?

[@jimsmith1549]

loved the tour! I've been there once and would really really love to return---esp. after seeing your tour!

[@PatrickMarano]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@delibakerytravel]

Thank You So Much. Been there many times in my younger Days. And I love Church Street And All Of 🇨🇦. And yes the Bathhouses.Woo!! Hoo!! Greetings From San Diego🌴

[@johniii8147]

Smith was also used all the time in QF as a store front. Probably a different name back then but that store front was used a lot. You inspired me that it's time to take a trip back to Toronto. It's been maybe 20 years ago.

[@hellerjerry]

Thanks, Nice walk about your city

[@PatrickMarano]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@juansolis5788]

¡Thanks Patrick! Man I wanna go so bad just for Steamworks alone🤭 It's like you've lived one of my dreams already being that close to work and play right smack in the middle of everything gay🤗

[@dramonmaster222]

Yeah! Thanks for giving us this tor of the Toronto Gay scene. Loved it.

[@mikefilimon1584]

Who remembers “Byzantium?” (It was a trendy Martini bar.)

[@PatrickMarano]

Of course! I loved it...

[@James-dx2vs]

Cruizen the square! Well bleech my blossom! 🌸

[@al-karimabdulaziz8961]

The 519 has been around since I was 17, I'm 60 now. I think that's more then 35 years.

[@focusedfreebird]

wasn't that apartment entrance used in QAF as Brian Kinny's building where his loft was? thanks for the tour....looks like quite a diverse neighborhood....

[@PatrickMarano]

hmm no I don't think so... I feel like it wasn't a main character...

[@stevehofmaster4292]

Thanks very awesome video looks like a super terrific place.

[@PatrickMarano]

Thanks for watching!

[@georgesofield4596]

Thanks love reminiscing!!!

[@WYLLDRICE]

Really want to go to Toronto. Thanks for the tour. Hope to see you there some day!

[@PatrickMarano]

I hope so too!

[@rogermusser7268]

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it.

[@PatrickMarano]

You bet!

[@richardsmith507]

Yay. To the guy on the bike!

[@chrisb2844]

Oh wow Patrick that was a great tour, I haven't been to Toronto in years and after that tour I want to come back to visit!! Hopefully next summer of course when its warm up there, I love it there, hope to see you next summer and looking for all the hot Canadian hunks, I will be traveling alone men.

[@AintScaredGarage]

Nice video Patrick

[@PatrickMarano]

Thank you!

[@BoardroomBuddha]

I remember when "Glad Day Bookshop" was on Younge St. upstairs. I remember the Barn and the St.Charles Tavern in the 80s, which were not on Church St. either. There were zero bathhouses in Toronto then, due to AIDS but not due to the cops. I returned in the late 1990s to find a completely new village which still appears to be going strong. I liked Woody's and someplace called "Slack Alice". With or without Church St., Toronto will still have a huge gay community.

[@PatrickMarano]

ahhh memories

[@kso808]

Thank you for this! 👍

[@PatrickMarano]

My pleasure!

[@Deojuvante379]

You are right, the rainbow arch over the entrance to the Church Street gay Village would be great, like the Chinese have the entrance gate in the China Towns.

[@Deojuvante379]

The Hasty Market I used to call the Nasty Market 😂 for the high prices they had, more then 22 years ago, when we lived on Isabella Street with my boyfriend. Looks like it is the same even now 😁

[@PatrickMarano]

Yup pretty much

[@thisisjaylife]

Wow excellent video

[@PatrickMarano]

Many many thanks

[@randyinvegas405]

Love the flag on his back tire area. would give him a 7 as i would want to see the merchandise

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

When I moved to Toronto in 1982, rent, indexed for the era, was affordable and doable. I don't know how any youth, much less the 18 year old version of me in 2022, will ever be able to afford to move to the city and discover a community.

[@PatrickMarano]

You can't. It's criminal how expensive it is

[@thequeeragender]

I think it looks like the entrance to Victor (Vic) Grassi and his BF Rodney's house they moved into briefly late in the series

[@Teesbrough]

Great little tour, thanks. I see one of the side streets is named after my hubby so might have to bring him over to see it! Did I hear you say Gl(Ow!)stah Street? Gloucester is my home town in the UK where we pronounce it Glawwstah. Maybe the Canadians prefer to give it a French accent? Mwah!

[@PatrickMarano]

100% we pronounce it differently and probably incorrectly LOL

[@sjenkins91812]

Should've told that guy you were just marking your territory, to keep all the strays away! Lol

[@robbielukas]

In regards to Crews Tango 100% eyesore!

[@PatrickMarano]

hahaha

[@mikefilimon1584]

Back in the 90s, I stayed at “The Dundonald House.”

[@georgerivera8834]

eye sore but Interesting I would definitely walk in there And check it out

[@juancarlospinera7038]

Crews n tango. Hey s for sure ICON. nothing wrong with hideous cool. Alexander McQueen made a career out of it. Love it.

[@Luvforalll]

I would love to see in person, bit far from Sydney

[@FRANCISCARUSOworld]

I am going to Toronto for the first time. If you could pick one place to visit in the area which one would it be?

[@PatrickMarano]

Oh wow. Well Church street is the gay part and it's not big so that's an easy one to do the whole thing!

[@alhermann4798]

Would love to take a tour with you!

[@alandavis1016]

Thanks Patrick. You made me want to come to Toronto for a visit. Perhaps team up with your counter parts in other places for more gay theme travel logs.

[@PatrickMarano]

Great idea!

[@wvusciguy]

Loved kids in the hall…

[@filocoque2875]

When I moved to Toronto in 1985 ,there was no Gay church st yet .was mostly restaurants catering to the crowd for the Maple Leafs .I saw it born slowly as the businesses began moving out .Everything concentrated around Younge st and side streets like the St Charles Tavern .I had a lot of fun by “the steps” .Everything is bound to change ,I remember foundly of those days .I was 21 Y old and in 4 months I will 60 .Have seen a lot of changes in the City and the gay community .

[@PatrickMarano]

yup change is inevitable, but not necessarily bad

[@filocoque2875]

I agree ! We have achieved a lot . I tend to be nostalgic a bit but nothing can always remain the same . What would be the point of living if life didn’t change ? And hopefully ,always for the better . From a Portuguese “kid “ that made this City “His “ City .

[@bobbbxxx]

Isabella was sort of the "gaybourhood" before Church Street. What is now a 24 hour convenience store was then Chaps, with a dance bar upstairs, too. . Komrades also used to be a second floor dance club on Isabella. Also nearby was Boots and Bud's at the Selby Hotel, and around the corner on Yonge just a bit further north was a bar called something like Rusty's Roost.

[@butchie54]

How many changes have happened since the start of the pandemic? Perhaps you could do an episode on Queen West (Village #2.

[@PatrickMarano]

Good idea!

[@donald6787]

I liked going to the Spa on Maitland. So you lived at 58 Maitland!

[@PatrickMarano]

Ya lol, do you know Francine? The landlady? She is the very best!

[@donald6787]

@@PatrickMarano Yes I know Francine. I had a friend who lived in #206 (over 10 years ago).

[@philipshare1300]

Disappointed you didn’t point out the best patio/cafe which was Isabella and church st espresso,

[@stevec404]

Bike guy!

[@David-xm3ph]

I remember the Village as a destination place of excitement when I traveled to Toronto from my small northern town. The Village offered great restaurants and bars where one could flirt for free! The baths on Maitland was the premier bath house. The video store downstairs was such a source of the sexiest gay porn and booths if you were so horned up! But the Eagle and Woody's were the best places to be yourself and enjoy life as you wanted to be! It is a bit sad that the energy of the area has declined. It was the BEST place to be 20-30 years ago!

[@PatrickMarano]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the village. I used to work at the Spa on Maitland, so I know what you mean. Things change for sure and it's hard not to be nostalgic of the past. But some new fun places have popped up too

[@chriswilks1633]

Is the Stormcrow gone?

[@PatrickMarano]

No, it's still there, which is kind of amazing since that place keeps changing

[@rogermusser7268]

Great Vid! I'm still planning a trip to Toronto this summer. Want to stay in the Gayborhood if I can find a room. Seems to be very hard in Toronto. Def want to go to Steamworks and Pegasus for my fave kind of stripper--naked! You're looking better with less beard!

[@PatrickMarano]

If you like strippers then C@ck Bar above Flash is a good place for you to go

[@andyroo9381]

Patrick - tell us more about the 1981 Bathhouse Raid. I never heard of this. Was this Toronto's "Stonewall" event??? Also, am I the only one who thinks Alexander Wood was good looking? Yeah, I know it's shallow of me but....

[@PatrickMarano]

haha I thought he was hot too! and yes, the bathhouse raids were really a watershed moment for the community

[@andyroo9381]

@@PatrickMarano Patrick - please make a video on Toronto's 1981 Bathhouse Raid. I, as an American, know nothing about this but would be interested in more, more, more! Maybe you can include old photos or interviews, etc. I dunno, any info would be interesting!! Thank you.

[@Fuzzy-_-Logic]

I am not gay but I do see it in a kind of step in evolution. That being with regard to overpopulation and planetary resources. I get the impression that Mother Nature made a decision to help us help ourselves.

[@PatrickMarano]

You're not wrong there I think

[@augusts1]

What is so special about Smith the restaurant? You just said go but not why. Also, I really like those spiral sculptures. They are really cool looking but $87k for each is outrageous.

[@PatrickMarano]

Smith has nice ambience and good food especially for brunch

[@studentxy100]

love Love LOVE THIS SLICE OF GAY/QUEER/TRANS HISTRORY.. MORE PLEAS. FROM AUSSUE OUT AND PROUD GAY MALE

[@PatrickMarano]

I'm glad you liked it :)

[@neilschipper3741]

Nice Village! Would enjoy a visit. Any gay b&bs or hotels?

[@PatrickMarano]

everything in the area is gay friendly. but I believe there is a B&B or two... one for Bears LOL maybe one on Homewood Ave.

[@wernerbergh2593]

OMG !!!! I love it . I have never been to Canada . This surely looks like the gay capital of Canada .I definitely live in the wrong city and country. This pillar things yes sure looks outdated it is almost like land markers to tell you, you are in the gay area which i agree could make it bigger or removed or just make a big rainbow sign across the street like an argh . I just by what you showed me looks like there is so much to see and do all year round. Oh what is that old blue building with the drooping scary faces defiantly eye sore and ,that defiantly needs a change to give the club a more meaningful idea to the place but overall i love it . Please do another one is just so informative for tourist . Thank you for your amazing videos and vlogs❤

[@PatrickMarano]

ah I'm glad you enjoyed it Werner! xo

[@paulstevens3044]

I like the street and queer as folk on tv it so good to see.🏳️‍🌈♥️👍

[@j96993]

Have you been to Black Eagle?

[@PatrickMarano]

Not in awhile, but yes a couple times... it's very popular

[@dalemettee1147]

Patrick, have you seen Un Coupled with Neil Patrick Harris yet? I found it very funny. Love you man. BTW, for my B-day, this year, I'm getting ear studs. I know, some "What are you crazy?" I say no. A special B-day, my 80th. So, at this age, I don't give a f*ck. I'd love to take the tour of your body BTW. haha

[@PatrickMarano]

Hey Dale! You earned those friggin' studs... do it up my friend! I hate when people say 'you're too old for..." ummm excuse me? I'm this age and still here... so I earned the right to do it! LOL and BTW you can see my body on my OnlyFans page... you can find the link the description of most videos I post

[@dalemettee1147]

@@PatrickMarano I like that Patrick, especially the tour of your power tower. Just like the magic of "Old Faithful", spewing out a lot of creamy.

[@dalemettee1147]

Patrick on the subject of the tour of your body, like the tour of Toronto, I mentioned one of the most popular places to go is your "Tower of power". The other one I forgot to mention is the rear entrance also known as "The tunnel of love". I've heard the lines can be long. haha

[@loynelfoo8874]

#yeah to the #shirtless #attractive biker, very #cute too ❤❤❤❤❤ and your very #attractive top #morano, wouldn’t mind havin’ you both!!! 😮😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤

[@gordonpi8674]

Vancouver’s Davie gay village looks a little better😊

[@PatrickMarano]

ya... our village needs a face life

[@dumbnhung]

Avoid the Hasty Market unless you want to pay special Pride Prices! Seriously, they jack up their prices just before Pride to take advantage of the community.

[@labergsy]

Patrick you should what stupidities we now have in the Montreal Gay Village, now that they removed the colored balls.... it is even more drab sooooo be happy you have at least something to show for !!!!! BTW how is your sober story going, haven't seen much of that as of late.....

[@PatrickMarano]

What's happening to Mtl anyway... I miss the Club Sandwich complex lol I cut back my weekday drinking so I'm happy about that. Thank you for asking Sylvain

[@labergsy]

@@PatrickMarano lot is happening but nothing good, 30-40% of the village is up for "rent/sales", we have stupid posted along the road, which is all pedestrian now (that is neat) the the Club Sandwich was torn down and now it's a condo building!!!!!

[@delibakerytravel]

How many Bathhouses in Toronto?👨🏾‍🤝‍👨🏼🚿🚿

[@PatrickMarano]

2 main ones...

[@PurpleUSA]

🥺🥺🥺👍👍👍🥺🥺🥺

[@jerrylee8261]

Too bad for Wood. I kinda felt sorry for him. He would fare much better in today's Canada despite the PCness run amok. I really enjoyed The Kids in the Hall. I especially liked the impersonations they did of women. It wasn't campy but realistic. I liked Queer as Folk, too, of course. Never liked Brian that much. Such an interesting and charming video.

[@PatrickMarano]

Hey thank Jerry!

[@ffalvo9196]

I agree, the Church St markers are ugly. You would think that as gays we could have approved or designed something nicer,/better.

[@PatrickMarano]

RIGHT??

[@carltwidle9046]

You were hot Patrick in that photo of you.

[@alexblazier412]

🏳️‍🌈👍🏻🇨🇦

[@buttonface15]

Are there any places for lesbians

[@PatrickMarano]

There are lots of women who go to Crews & Tango... but the other place that existed is gone now unfortunately

[@nlw4755]

Art.... But yes very much so waste of money.

[@damoncarr6779]

We most likely will be moving to Toronto if DeSantis somehow wins the 2024 presidential election

[@PatrickMarano]

Oh dear god... He can't win!

[@kumitetoday]

It seems Toronto is gayer than the NYC of today.😄

[@lucasalexander4394]

ur dreaming

[@donabaypro6782]

The art is hideous. The font is from The Village People. It was everywhere in the 70’s. However “village” is no accident. The center structure looks like what they make radio towers out of. I guess it was supposed to be rainbow streamers. However it looks like a screw. I think that may be what it is. A big made by committee screw to resources for gay art.

[@daddyaf945]

Lol. You can’t seem find decent food in any gayborhoods. At least not what you would expect. I’m sure they tried. The last thing you want some judge mental queens seeing you do is try hard.

[@lucasalexander4394]

I lived in Toronto for work - such a boring place. The "gay village" is like a zombie movie for every gay Xanax addict on earth. That said it is a charming city but the gay scene is sad and dull.

[@PatrickMarano]

Oh wow!

[@stephanest-laurent266]

Toronto’s gay village sucks. Black Eagle is not a leather/jeans bar anymore. Cover charge on weekend and fake line up to make people believe it’s full. No good restaurant in the village. Never understood why Pride was so popular. Montreal’s gay village is so much better. Toronto is over rated!

[@PatrickMarano]

I agree... it needs a little TLC for sure. We def deserve better.... especially in terms of food!

[@tonycollazorappo]

George Hislop, was the co-owner of The Barracks Bath House =(

[@tonycollazorappo]

I'm older than the amount of time the 519 has been around =(

[@PatrickMarano]

That is something to celebrate! You are still here!

[@tonycollazorappo]

Nay, I like them my age or older, lol. But he is handsome for you, wink.

[@tonycollazorappo]

Older queer bookstore in the world, opened in 1970 =( I was born in 1961, LOL.