Let’s be honest: The parties are as important as the films and the famous faces to grace city streets and restaurants during TIFF.
TIFF party regulars know that keeping up with the multiple parties per night is a job in itself – and many of us inevitably lose our voices by the end of it.
Like every year, we bring you the party guide. But a word of advice: you have better luck getting into Buckingham Palace than some of these parties – so don’t be that person standing outside without an invite.
Either way, here are some of the most notable parties of TIFF 2014.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd
The Producers Ball (Royal Ontario Museum).
Hosted by the Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, The Producers Ball takes place tonight and involves a red carpet full of some of Canada’s most recognized faces in the film, television, and broadcasting. The Producers Ball benefits World Vision Canada.
Young Filmmakers Party (The Citizen).
This annual party is basically a reunion of the local Toronto entertainment industry. Agents, directors, casting directors, actors… they’ll all be there.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th
Toronto Life ‘Most Stylish’ Party (Four Seasons Hotel).
Some of the city’s most stylish society page regulars will surely offer insight as to what to wear during the #TIFF14 party circuit.
Rock Steady (The Drake Hotel).
The Drake Hotel promises a good old-fashioned rock party minus the fuss of a red carpet. There’ll be no shortage of musical acts and free tattoos (seriously) from Speakeasy. For the less adventurous, free nail art from Pinky’s Nails will also be offered. Grolsch, Havana Club, and Labatt will be providing libations.
Time: 9pm – late.
Grolsch Open House After Party. (The Drake One Fifty)
Closer to the centre of the TIFF action, Drake One Fifty (150 York St) celebrates its first TIFF with a party complete with Motown band The Big Sound alongside Famous Players and Brendan Canning and Friends.
Time: 11pm – late
Nikki Beach Toronto (The Spoke Club)
Luxury global events brand Nikki Beach (the Miami staple) takes over The Spoke Club as its satellite headquarters for TIFF in a hot-ticket pop-up. The place to be is the rooftop terrace, which serves until 4am.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th
Eligible Magazine Presents the TIFF Bachelor Party (Flirty Girl Fitness).
Though we doubt you’ll see any big screen names at this unofficial TIFF party, you’ll likely recognize some small screen hotties – former stars of the shameless reality TV we all know and love: The Bachelor.
Ovation (TIFF Bell Lightbox).
West of Contra & Plus-1 present Ovation, a TIFF event series that takes place over the first weekend of TIFF on the rooftop terrace of the Lightbox building. This two-day event will play host to a top-notch and exclusive YP crowd, and the bar serves until 4am.
Nikki Beach continues.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
Hello! Canada’s Annual TIFF Gala (Ritz-Carlton).
The hot ticket Hello! Hollywood party at the Ritz-Carlton hotel is the place to be between dinner and the late-night party on Saturday night – if you can get in.
InStyle & Hollywood Foreign Press Association Gala (Windsor Arms Hotel).
Perhaps even more difficult to score an invite (and make it past the army of security) is the annual InStyle party. This is where the Hollywood heavy hitters will toast their success… and you’re sure to leave with an always-amazing gift bag.
Ovation continues.
Nikki Beach continues.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
The Canadian Film Centre BBQ (Canadian Film Centre).
This must-attend offers a chance for hungover industry folk to mix, mingle, and network without the loud music and flowing booze.
Artists for Peace and Justice 2014 Festival Gala (Casa Loma).
Paul Haggis’ fifth annual Artists for Peace and Justice moves from the home of Roots co-founder Michael Budman and his design director wife, Diane Bald, to an equally stunning location: Casa Loma. Guaranteed to attract some A-list faces, the event comes with a hefty price tag (but for a good cause).
Festival Music House (Adelaide Hall, doors open at 7pm).
Arts and Crafts once again presents the Festival Music House for its 5th year. Offering a refreshing break from sometimes stuffy events, this party means a two-day concert for industry people that showcases Canadian music talent. Performances start every hour, on the hour.
Entertainment One party (Moss Park Armoury)
eOne will host their annual party to celebrate all 29 of their films premiering at TIFF – with over 1,000 global film industry elite.
Nikki Beach continues.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th
Festival Music House returns for a second night.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th
Best Buddies (September 10, The Carlu).
The Best Buddies awards reception and dinner honours the one and only Goldie Hawn. So, yeah, there may be a famous face or two in the house.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th
The TIFF closing Night Gala at Roy Thomson Hall offers one last chance to celebrate. By this point, however, most of us are tired out and the celebrities have returned to Hollywood.
In addition to the parties, of course, there seem to be more establishments than ever across the city with 4am liquor licenses to mark the occasion along with ample unofficial “TIFF parties.”
These include some of our favourite places like EFS, F-Stop, Maison Mercer, The Drake, The Everleigh, Weslodge, Uniun, pretty much every luxury hotel in the city, and A TON of other places.
Of course, there are the uber-exclusive, impossible-to-get-into, film after-parties that take place at a slew of locations across the city at some of the hottest venues (like Soho House, naturally).
As they come up, we’ll let you know how they are – if we can find a way in ourselves, of course.
Until then, happy partying.
#NOTABLE
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