chitose suzuki/canadian press
Actress Reese Witherspoon arrives at the gala screening of her film, Penelope, at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday.
Torontonians will fight to gain access to the city’s top nightspots during the Toronto International Film Festival, but only a few will be allowed to pass through those hallowed hedonistic gates. But still they’ll try.
For those who just can’t say no to a night of TIFF partying, The Pulse offers a guide to some of the prime venues for pure enjoyment and blatant star ogling:
- The Queen West hot spot is a celebrity magnet during TIFF as it hosts several film parties, as well as guest DJs — Deep Dish’s Dubfire appears on Thursday. Keep in mind you probably won’t be able to rub celebrity elbows unless you’re on the VIP guest list or have a movie playing at the festival.
- Courthouse: Expect to see more film-industry insiders than celebrities at this perpetually TIFF-friendly venue. Most will be coming to actually party rather than merely flaunt their brand new haute couture, so be prepared to wear a few drops of shiraz or Cosmopolitan.
- Flow: The location — next door to the Four Seasons Hotel — is ideal for celebs looking to cap their day of interviews and gala appearances with a fine vintage, but public access is a problem when anyone of note is inside. Management becomes decidedly more selective when famous faces are on the premises so if you see a huge crowd outside, it’s probably best to move along to your second-favourite lounge or club.
- Lobby: Again, a prime Yorkville location and posh bleached white interiors lure celebrities faster than a free gift lounge. Don’t expect to see many A-listers, but those actors lower on the Hollywood totem pole and their people flock here by the dozen.
- This Is London: Expect to see famous faces coming out of the woodwork to enjoy London’s exclusive VIP area. The club will host several star-laden parties throughout the festival, but like its cousin Ultra just around the corner, each one will almost certainly be restricted to VIPs only.Torontonians will fight to gain access to the city’s top nightspots during the Toronto International Film Festival, but only a few will be allowed to pass through those hallowed hedonistic gates. But still they’ll try.
For those who just can’t say no to a night of TIFF partying, The Pulse offers a guide to some of the prime venues for pure enjoyment and blatant star ogling:
- Ultra: The Queen West hot spot is a celebrity magnet during TIFF as it hosts several film parties, as well as guest DJs — Deep Dish’s Dubfire appears on Thursday. Keep in mind you probably won’t be able to rub celebrity elbows unless you’re on the VIP guest list or have a movie playing at the festival.
- Courthouse: Expect to see more film-industry insiders than celebrities at this perpetually TIFF-friendly venue. Most will be coming to actually party rather than merely flaunt their brand new haute couture, so be prepared to wear a few drops of shiraz or Cosmopolitan.
- Flow: The location — next door to the Four Seasons Hotel — is ideal for celebs looking to cap their day of interviews and gala appearances with a fine vintage, but public access is a problem when anyone of note is inside. Management becomes decidedly more selective when famous faces are on the premises so if you see a huge crowd outside, it’s probably best to move along to your second-favourite lounge or club.
- Lobby: Again, a prime Yorkville location and posh bleached white interiors lure celebrities faster than a free gift lounge. Don’t expect to see many A-listers, but those actors lower on the Hollywood totem pole and their people flock here by the dozen.
- This Is London: Expect to see famous faces coming out of the woodwork to enjoy London’s exclusive VIP area. The club will host several star-laden parties throughout the festival, but like its cousin Ultra just around the corner, each one will almost certainly be restricted to VIPs only.
