Church and Wellesley

Church and Wellesley

The Village
  • Cultural & Historical
  • Food & drink
  • Neighborhood
Recommended for: Party Culture

Toronto's gay village dates back to the 19th and early 20th century when part of the neighborhood was owned by merchant Alexander Wood, known to be a homosexual and who has since been honored with a statue as a forefather of Toronto's gay community. Gay businesses began moving into the area but did not concentrate around a run-down Church Street until after the 1981 Operation Soap bathhouse raids. The mass arrest of 300 men represented a turning point for Toronto's LGBT community, sparking protests, riots and solidarity that spawned Pride Week which takes over Church and Wellesley every June. Neighborhood standbys include a number of bars like Woody's, Crews & Tango, Fly and the Black Eagle, the 519 Church Street Community Center and the AIDS Memorial in Barbara Hall Park.

2 people have been there

Church Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

General impression
Excellent
LGBT-friendly
Excellent
Ghöý Baluran has been to and rated Church and Wellesley

Added 6 years ago

Leslie Fraser has been to and reviewed Church and Wellesley

Added 6 years ago

  • Reviewer badge

    Earned the Reviewer badge!

a really friendly neighborhood. close to a slightly sketchy neighborhood but so many places to drink, eat and be merry. or do all three at once!

John Ifechukwu wishlisted Church and Wellesley

Added 6 years ago

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