Should Toronto bars stay open until 6 a.m. to boost the nighttime economy? The city is considering it

In some Toronto neighbourhoods, bars and clubs could stay open until sunrise, if a proposal from a city councillor gains traction.

Paul Ainslie, Scarborough-Guildwood Coun. and deputy mayor of Toronto for Scarborough, has urged city staff to consider whether Toronto should adopt a version of Montreal’s new “nightlife hub model,” which allows select venues to stay open until 6 a.m. during approved events, well beyond standard 2 a.m. last call.

Ainslie says the idea is about more than just extending bar hours. Nightlife hubs could encourage arts, culture and tourism after dark, which is one of the key tenets of his role as the city’s designated night economy champion.

“It’s about making sure we have a viable economy from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” he told the Star last week.

Ainsley took his nightlife hub proposal to the Economic and Community Development committee on Tuesday. The committee opted to refer it to city staff for further review, so the proposal will now be considered as part of ongoing work on temporary liquor licensing and business permits with a report expected back in 2027, Ainslie said.

“While I would have preferred to see an independent review of the proposal, I respect the committee’s decision and look forward to staff’s assessment and recommendations as part of this broader work,” he told the Star in an email.

Drawing inspiration from Montreal’s nightlife economy

Montreal introduced its hub model in March through “Nuits Montréal,” a program created to bolster the city’s $2.26 billion night economy, which has struggled in recent years as venues faced higher rent costs, rising expenses and changing social habits that see younger people drinking less alcohol.

The program granted 21 cultural and nightlife establishments special status to stay open late on approved nights. The venues are spread across three areas designated as major cultural destinations.

To qualify, applicants had to demonstrate the venues could integrate into their neighbourhoods and commit to responsible nightlife practices. Ainslie says those standards are where Toronto should begin.

Not another Entertainment District

He draws a distinction between his proposal and what used to be the city’s Entertainment District; a concern he expects he will need to head off when he makes his case to the city.

“I’m not trying to create these hubs in the downtown core or recreate an Entertainment District,” he said, adding the hubs don’t need to be a “huge area” and could be “anywhere in the city.”

The proposal nevertheless evokes memories of Toronto’s former Entertainment District, where Richmond Street became known for its concentration of bars and rowdy weekend crowds in the 1990s and 2000s before redevelopment, gentrification and neighbourhood noise complaints reshaped the area and led to the death of clubland.

Shaun Bowring, owner of the Garrison and the Baby G on Dundas Street West, said recreating that model elsewhere would be a mistake.

“It turned out to be a disaster,” he said. “Having those extended licenses dispersed through the city is a good idea … Having hubs is a terrible idea.”

Ingrid Buday, founder of advocacy group No More Noise Toronto, said Montreal’s emphasis on community compatibility would be critical if Toronto were to adopt a similar model.

She said hubs outside the downtown core, such as in Scarborough or North York, might be workable, but warned that all-night venues could still pose problems in those places with noise and crowds.

“Now, all of those areas are concentrated by condos, and so there’s literally almost nowhere where somebody isn’t going to be impacted,” she said.

Toronto’s existing extended bar hours

Extended liquor-service hours remain relatively uncommon in Ontario. The province has occasionally moved last call for major events, including the FIFA World Cup. Bars and restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. until the tournament ends on July 19. Earlier this year, venues were permitted to begin serving at 6 a.m. during the Winter Olympics.

Licensed venues can apply for extended hours for special events, but Ainslie said the process involves “hoops and hurdles,” requiring approvals from the city and police, that can be burdensome for smaller businesses.

A ‘make-or-break’ for local businesses

Greater flexibility in operating hours would only benefit Toronto bars and clubs facing a “feast or famine” market, said Jodie Dewald, co-owner of the Little Jerry on College Street.

Even if businesses didn’t take advantage of the longer hours all of the time, Dewald said it could provide smaller venues “the opportunity to make an extra $300 or $400” on a busy night. Clubs that stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m. could sell more than just bottles of water to partygoers.

“That could be a make-or-break for their businesses,” she said. “We need to be able to give people the things they want, when they want to buy them.”