In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new place in town that is set to revive the space at 55 Colborne Street. Renowned Toronto restaurateur and nightlife curator Hanif Harji has officially opened Switch for business. After hosting two private grand opening parties, Switch opened to the public in another grand opening party (co-hosted by Notable.ca) on Friday, May 3rd. The successful opening weekend provided a glimpse of what we can expect from the bound-to-be hot spot.
Switch takes over the former address of YP favourite The Bowery, which was preceeded by an even more short-lived occupancy by Osteria 55. Picture a new, fresher F-Stop (another one of Harji’s places). Switch is part nightclub, part lounge, and even a new after work hot spot with their Munch and Sip between 5pm-10pm before the club crowd rolls in for the later hours of the evening.
On Friday night, the energy and crowd grew slowly and steadily, but by midnight (presumably as a post-group dinner destination) the place was packed. The entire weekend saw the place rammed (much like F-Stop), bottle service tables booked solid, and an energetic crowd eager to take in the new space. Highlights of the Friday night party included a modern day circus performer who entertained the crowd with his fire eating, juggling, balancing and balloon-through-nose-come-out-mouth trick. As expected, the bartenders and bottle service staff are stunning – but so is the crowd of done up and fashionable twenty and early thirty-somethings.
The use of space in the main level is open enough to avoid bottleneck and access drink spillage when the crowd files in, with a long centre wood table and the sides lined with vintage looking banquettes. Inspiration for the design of the space came from 1920s carnivals in Brooklyn. The art work was hand-drawn and gold-leafed by David Macdonald and Elan Marks, and aged to feel like it has been abandoned for half a century. It features industrial touches like workshop lighting and aged leather on the banquettes that are reserved for the bottle service set. A unique touch is the Rec Room downstairs, which features vintage video games, a shag carpet, vintage jerseys and modern memorabilia, TVs and an open kitchen.
Harji is known for combining the latest in dining and social life throughout Toronto and is slowly but surely transforming Toronto’s YP nightlife scene. In less than a year, he has opened King West dining and partying magnet Weslodge and, in September, the equally as popular restaurant Patria just a few doors down.
Missed the action? Check out Switch this Friday as we host another party for our notable guests (from 11pm-2pm); email us at switchmay10@notable.ca to RSVP on guestlist. Switch will be available for private booking from Sunday to Wednesday.
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