Where to Eat and Drink… Factory Theatre

/By Hannah Antaki / Mar 22, 2019

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Nothing beats an evening at the theatre. Except maybe an evening at the theatre preceded or followed by dinner and/or drinks. Intermission will share our top picks bi-weekly for enhancing your theatre experience at venues across the city.

This week: Factory Theatre.

Dining & Drinks

Gusto 101

According to Kate Moss, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. Well, Kate Moss clearly hasn’t tried Gusto’s Mafalde Al Funghi pasta, because let me tell you, even my waistline is like “ya girl, I get it. Bon appétit.”

Anyway…Bustling spot, nice terrace in the summer, excellent mushroom bruschetta. Maybe a bit loud for people who don’t like noise, maybe a bit dark for people who want to see their dining companions, but honestly it doesn’t matter because THAT. PASTA.

Address & Hours: 101 Portland Street, Toronto, ON M5V 2N3. Walking distance to theatre: 4 minutes. Monday–Thursday: 11:30a.m.–10p.m., Friday: 11:30a.m.–12a.m., Saturday: 11a.m.–12a.m., Sunday: 11a.m.–10p.m.

Campechano Taqueria

This is one of my favourite spots for Taco Tuesday, or Taco Wednesday, or Taco Anyday. Cozy patio, vibrant interior. The menu is small but that’s the best: what they lack in variety they make up for in quality. House-made corn chips and refreshing margaritas make this place a win-win.

Address & Hours: 504 Adelaide Street W., Toronto, ON M5V 1T4. Walking distance to theatre: 3 minutes. Tuesday-Thursday: 12p.m.–2:30p.m. & 5p.m.–10p.m., Friday: 12p.m.–2:30p.m. & 5p.m.–11p.m., Saturday: 5p.m.–11p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday.

Bathurst Local

The best thing about this cocktail bar is their food menu: grilled cheese with chips and a pickle. That’s it, that’s all. Small, unpretentious, warm and welcoming, this is the loveliest place for a post-show beverage (and/or grilled cheese, should you fancy one).

Address & Hours: 322 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S3. Walking distance to theatre: 9 minutes. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 8p.m.–close. Closed Sunday & Monday.

Wvrst

I think you’re supposed to love this place for the sausages and beer, but I love it for the fries. No disrespect to the sausages or anything, because there is extensive choice—including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options—and people who like sausages (not so much me) speak very highly of them. But the duck fat fries? Man oh man. That’s all I need. And maybe that’s all you need before your show at Factory. Or after. Or both.

Address & Hours: 609 King Street W., Toronto, ON M5V 1M5. Walking distance to theatre: 4 minutes. Hours: Sunday–Wednesday: 11:30a.m.–11p.m., Thursday: 11:30a.m.–12a.m., Friday & Saturday: 11:30a.m.–1a.m.

Rodney’s Oyster House

I know someone who once ate 144 oysters in one sitting. That’s neither here nor there with regards to Rodney’s, just an impressive fact I think worth mentioning. Also worth mentioning: the patio here during the summer, the friendly atmosphere, and, of course, the oyster selection. Said my friend Kristina: “Why would you get anything else?!”

Address & Hours: 469 King Street W., Toronto, ON M5V 1K4. Walking distance to theatre: 8 minutes. Hours: Monday: 11:30a.m.–10p.m., Tuesday: 11:30a.m.–10:30p.m., Wednesday & Thursday: 11:30a.m.–11p.m., Friday & Saturday: 11:30a.m.–12a.m. Closed Sundays.

NOTE:

In a previous “Where to Eat” column I suggested Terroni. This restaurant has a location near Factory Theatre, and I stand by my previously written recommendation.

Terroni:

720 Queen Street W., Toronto, ON. M6J 1E8 – 8-minute walk to theatre

Transit & Parking

Location: 125 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2R2

By TTC

511 Bathurst Streetcar: Southbound from Bathurst Station

501 Queen Streetcar: Westbound from Queen or Osgoode Station

504 King Streetcar: Westbound from King or St. Andrews Station

By Bicycle

There are free cycle posts directly outside the box office entrance on Adelaide St. There are also Bike Share Toronto Docks at Queen and Portland as well as Bathurst and Stewart (just south of King St).

By Car

There is paid public parking available in the basement of 111 Bathurst Street condos, accessible on the south side of Adelaide Street opposite the Factory Theatre box office. Alternately, there are a number of paid public parking options in the area some of which are shown on the map below.

Upcoming: Factory and Obsidian Theatre Company present Angélique, a Black Theatre Workshop and Tableau D’Hôte Theatre co-production.

For tickets and more info, click here

WRITTEN BY

Hannah Antaki

Hannah works in casting, the only profession that allows her to truthfully use work as an excuse to stay home and watch TV. A dropout of both preschool and law school, she loves Montreal bagels, Harry Potter, and conversations about diversity. Her diet starts tomorrow.

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