Surrender the Pink

They call them “pink bars,” but a fella can actually wear any colour that suits him at these vibrant gay hotspots. Herewith, a multihued roundup of some of the finest gay drinking establishments in the city. 

• Woody’s, 465 Church St. This massive Church Street staple features a covered patio, famously potent drinks, energetic bartenders and a powerful legacy of community involvement. 

• Pegasus on Church, 489B Church St. This extremely friendly tavern next to Xtra’s offices offers a sweet spot for some cue-and-ball play in the heart of the village.

• Fly, 8 Gloucester St. This funky and sprawling hangout, where all the “cool gays” go to take off their shirts and shake their thangs, sparkles with drama, drag queens and an abundance of creative theme nights.

• Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Don your leather before venturing out to this charismatic haunt, where the preferred uniform is cowhide and the parfum is always mansweat.

• Remington’s, 379 Yonge St. This dimly lit man cave, Toronto’s only “legal” gay strip club, showcases male dancers whose aesthetic appeal ranges from very hot to very not.

• The Barn, 418 Church St. One of the oldest gay bars in the city, The Barn reopened not long ago as a more modern and militarized (on-site security is tight and very present) version of its former self. Mercifully, the infamous painting of the two embracing cowboys still graces the south wall.

• Zipperz/Cellblock, 72 Carlton St. This massively popular gay cabaret in the Church Street gaybourhood is part piano bar, part disco, all hoot. Guests come to get their weekend groove on alongside an outrageously campy drag show.