BY LORA MAGHANOY, FW Editor

Considered to be the center of ‘cool’ in Toronto,
Queen West (and West Queen West – we’ll
differentiate the two in a moment) has no doubt
seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Cool
hipster kids and young professionals alike have
migrated to this part of town in a bid to discover
the new “it” spot.

Queen West, traditionally thought of as east
of Bathurst and Spadina (think Much Music),
was once home to local retailers and smaller
shops. However, its popularity increase also
gave birth to another unfortunate increase – rent
prices! This meant that bigger chain stores (such
as Zara and Club Monaco) have set up house,
forcing the old renters to pack up and move west
– to West Queen West (think more Dovercourt
and Ossington).

Where to Go… on Queen West
Goodfoot
431 Richmond St.
If you’re into sneakers – vintage Nikes to be
specific, this is your place. However, this store
boasts a wide selection of Puma and Adidas as
well.
Nomad
431 Richmond St.
Menswear is the name of the game. Carrying
such names as Martin Margiela, Comme Des
Garcons, Corpus Denim and Converse by
Varvatos, Nomad is the source for higher-end
menswear.
Cosmos Records
607A Queen St. West
Walk out of Cosmos with a smile, whether it
is from the unexpected LP found for usually
under $10, or the classic jazz, Latin, funk
and soul music that has just blessed your ear
drums. Located at the corner of Bathurst and
Queen, Cosmos adds a unique, yet friendly and
welcoming vibe to the Queen West strip.
The Rosebud
669 Queen St. West
Seemingly inspired by a French bistro in Paris,
The Rosebud is a stand-out restaurant on this
stretch of Queen West, offering delicious food,
friendly service and a low-key, welcoming
atmosphere.
Czehoski
678 Queen St. West
A hip restaurant and bar on Queen West that was
once home to a butcher shop/deli in its earlier
years. Home to trendy professionals who enjoy
the tough edge, but revel in the sophistication and
style it has to offer.
Tequila Bookworm
512 Queen St. West
What seems like the best combination of a
café and book shop, this establishment is as
unassuming as is its clientele. They have a
variety of drinks (hot and cold) and food to keep
your taste buds happy and another plus? Free
wireless internet.

Smokeless Joe’s
125 John St.
This incredibly small pub in the heart of the
clubbing district is a true gem. But what it
lacks in size, it more than makes up for in drink
selection. Offering a wide (and we mean, wide)
variety of beers from around the world, it is the
place to go for a delicious pint or a unique bottle
of beer. The staff is friendly and the clientele
unpretentious.
The Beaconsfield
1154 Queen St. West
A favourite on this stretch, its clientele ranges
from young professionals to indie kids looking
for a break from the much busier Drake Hotel,
which is right next door. The food is great – the Beaconsfield burger proving to be a popular
choice. Get there early to snag a table; it tends to
fill up rather quickly.
The Drake Hotel/ The Drake
Underground
1150 Queen St. West
Their website describes them as a ‘cultural lodge’
and they aren’t wrong. The Drake has become
a hotbed for arts and culture all under one roof.
Whether you’re there for dinner and drinks,
an overnight stay, a performance at the Drake
Underground, or some other form of artistic
expression, the Drake does not disappoint.

The Knit Café
1050 Queen St. West
Surprisingly, knitting has become a popular
hobby in recent years. It was only a matter of
time before someone decided to open a café
that was focused more on the activity than on
its lattés. This establishment offers classes at
different levels and even sells yarn to its patrons.

Del*phic
706 Queen St. West
Providing higher-end street wear for both men
and women of Toronto, Del*phic has earned a
reputation for being the go-to spot for the latest
in fashion. The owners are meticulous when
choosing what brands they carry (J. Lindberg and
Acne, for example). It is this attention to detail
and the friendly staff that has customers, both
young and old, flocking to this Queen West store.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
If you’re looking for some recreation and
greenery within our urban city, look no
further. Trinity Bellwoods is a popular spot
for Torontonians hoping to find some greener
pastures. The park is also home to a recreation
centre and is an integral part of the Nuit Blanche
art festival, the Queen West Art Crawl and even
boasts a Farmer’s Market in the summer.