Birthday party venue in Toronto

[ceylont]

I am looking for a hip birthday party venue in Toronto that can hold about 20 people during labor day weekend. I am new to Toronto. Not sure if it'll be too cold to sit on a patio by then, if not patio would be nice.
I am looking for a place with nice food and drinks but not too pricey please. We want to go bar/club hoping afterwards, any recommendations please?

Thank you so much.

[robgm]

the patio at one is a great bet, especially if you can reserve the corner sofa area...

[OnDaGo]

She said "but not too pricey please" I do not think One qualifies...

[robgm]

oops, sorry about that, i don't think of it as pricey-the patio is just one of the best around...especially if you want a group to be able to sit around a chat too, we tend to order smaller stuff and share...

the drake on queen west has a great patio too as does fuzion on church.

all of these places have a club, loungy feel to them-especially as the sun sets and beyond....

[ceylont]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Vdara seems like a good fit. thanks again

[JennaBean]

I'm sorry to come into the thread so late, but I'd suggest you go eat at Vdara first. The food has never been good IMO.

[OnDaGo]

I have eaten at Vdara several time as have several freinds with very few complaints .. There were some misses on their menu when they first opened and were trying to experiment too much but I have never had a problem with the current menu.. (here it is: http://www.vdararestaurant.com/vdara_... ) and the prices are great too!

[JennaBean]

I've been twice. Once when they first opened and once more recently. I even have a friend who works there and I still cannot recommend the place as each time the food (IMO) has been sub par. And I think it is a shame b/c I like the space just not the food.

[OnDaGo]

Can you give some details on what you had and what was not good?

[JennaBean]

The last time I went with friends we order calamari and mussels to start. The calamari was way way over cooked and as a result rubbery. The mussels had far too much liquid and very little flavour and they too were over cooked (but no where near as badly as the calamari)

For a main I had a burger and once again - cooked beyond dry. I actually considered sending it back but it was busy and I knew it would take a while to get another burger so I ate a few bites and enjoyed the chips. Also to note, the server didn't asked it anything was wrong when the plate was picked up and move than half the burger was still there.

[JennaBean]

And I much prefer you Laide recommendation - much better food IMO and a fun space to boot! :-)

[OnDaGo]

Labour Day weekend will probably be HOT.. so no worry about patios..

[LemonLauren]

Upscale-ish:
I love the patio at Sidecar and they have very affordable main dishes. Not sur eif they would let you book the whole place.
What about "Black Skirt", where Wish used to be on Charles/Yonge? I have never been there but maybe another CHer can report if they have a patio worth sitting on like Wish did.

Pub-ish:
The back patio at Utopia, though always busy, is one of my favourites.
Also in the COllege/Little Italy area is Cafe Diplomatico which has Italian small bites for food and lots of patio room.
There are two patios at the Pauper's Pub near Bloor/Bathurst that will fit 20.
Down the road on Markhamd, you'l find the Victory Cafe which is secluded and will fit 20 as well.
The extensive patios at Hemmingways in Yorkville are always a good bet.

[TorontoJo]

I second Sidecar -- the patio would hold 20 comfortably, and they have big patio heaters, so even if it's a bit cool, you'll be fine. They also hand out wraps to the ladies if they get chilly.

[JaclynS]

I had dinner at Black Skirt not too long ago, while good I dont think it's what the OP is looking for and the patio is very small. Better date place than group dinner spot.

[OnDaGo]

Laide ( http://www.laide.ca ) always great for parties.. it is at Adelaide and Jarvis... can bar hop on King East or over to the club district afterwards

[ceylont]

Thanks for suggestion OnDaGo. Seems like a great place. I would love to go there but we have a couple of conservative people in the group who wouldn't like to go there. Any other suggestions please?

[OnDaGo]

Vdara @ 735 Queen Street West (at Bathurst).. they have a nice lpatio on the side and the food i great, big portions for the money. bit clubby feel to the place for Queen west...