@movernie
Time flies isn’t it? 2019 surely is going by so quickly! It’s TIFF Mode, September 2019, my favourite time of the year! Toronto International Film Festival is here from September 5th to September 15th. I have to admit, I only go to parties and not so much watching films.
Anyhow, TIFF is when many super stars come to Toronto to promote their films and an event to allow buyers to buy films and make business happen. So, there is the entertainment and business aspects. So….where are the hotspots to see celebs up close and personal? There are so many places. My advice to you….if you want to meet celebrities, just spend time walking around downtown Toronto and you may possibly see them walking around grabbing a coffee or just chill in a lobby of hotels. You just never know, but you have to have luck and good timing on your side.
However, you will have a higher chance of bumping into the celebrities by checking out these hotspots. Let me show you where these hotspots are. NOTE: These spots are on top of my mind and have no specific order.
TIFF Hot Spots:
- King Street West (from University Avenue to Spadina Avenue), this street is closed for all streetcars and vehicles-free. Pedestrians can walk around the street to get free samples, activations by sponsors and different brands.
- TIFF Lightbox – screenings of films are being played here, so expect to see celebs around
. - Roy Thomson Hall – another hot spot for screenings and red carpet of stars. Also, brands such as TIFF, RBC, Bell Media have their own section that allows fans to lineup or bypass to see the celebs up close walking on the red carpet before being interviewed by the media and heading into Roy Thomson Hall
. - Princess of Wales Theatre – another spot for screenings
. - The Ritz Carlton – this hotel has a front porch patio and close proximity to the Roy Thomson Hall will be a hot spot, especially some stars stay at this hotel. Lobby will be active and alive.
. - Shangri-La Hotel – another hotel that celebs choose to stay there. Best spot is sitting at the lobby, grab a tea or snacks and just watch celebs walking into the lobby.
. - SoHo House – Celebs love to visit at this little old brick house coz they don’t allow people taking photos inside and it’s members only which makes many superstars feel more free and relax.
. - Mongrel House – Mongrel House distributed many films and this house is a popular spot for guests to listen to live concert, food and drinks. Sometimes, celebs easily sneak in after a premiere and grab a bite or something. We were told that Shia LaBeouf sneaked in, let the photographers take some photos, grab a bite or two, hang around abit and then left the building without anyone knows he came. LOL Sneaky guy!
. - St. Regis Hotel – it’s located in a bit low key financial district area without much nightlife buzz around, so some celebs love staying here. It’s a hotel plus residential floors, there are many nights when fans are standing around waiting for the celebs but turned out meeting Leafs and Raptors players coming back from a party.
. - Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre – another theatre that does screenings for a number of films
. - King Street West – The entertainment district that stretches from Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street. Restaruants and bars such as Westlodge Saloon, Baro, Pablo’s snack house, The Spoke Club (with a nice rooftop), Lavelle (nice rooftop and swimming pool).
. - Thompson Hotel – especially the rooftop is a spot celebs look to check out the skyline of Toronto
. - Fairmont Royal York Hotel – with the newly renovated Fairmont Gold, new Clockwork Bar and new restaurant called Reign, and it hosts a number of TIFF events, I am sure this will be a vibrant and busy spot for the celebs.
. - Yorkville – Yorkville was once where the TIFF screenings and events are happening but ever since the TIFF Lightbox was built near the Roy Thomson Hall, there are less busy around the Yorkville area. But don’t be fool by this. Coz some celebs like to stay away from the main core of the King Street West, but instead stay at Four Seasons (DBar), check out brand name stores along the Bloor Street West and enjoy some drinks or delicious food around the Yorkville area. Restaurants such Sassafras is a popular spot for celebs. Perhaps Hazelton Hotel, One Restaurant and STK Restaurant will also be busy too.
. - Hotel X – it may be located a bit out of the way near the Budweiser Stage and the Enercare Centre, however, some celebs may want to stay away from the spotlight and also wanted to stay at a relatively new hotel in Hotel X. The Falcon bar up on the 27th floor gives a good skyline view of our beautiful city from outside looking into the city.
These are the hot spots that I could think of and your chances are pretty high. Of course, some celebs love to hang out at places and bars that no one will expect, so you may bump into them without knowing. Bottomline, my advice is to just roam around the downtown Toronto, when you are near where the actions are, your chances are high to see celebs. However, make sure you give celebs space and not force the issue if he/she doesn’t want to take any photos or talk to anyone. Chances are…they maybe promoting their films all day long that they just want a breather and take a break.
Happy TIFF19!
Knows some place that I may have missed? Let me know and I will add them to this existing list.
