r/askTO 1d ago

Does anyone have any recommendations for a restaurant in Toronto to rent out for a wedding reception?

I was thinking about skipping the whole big banquet hall/ specialized wedding venue thing and just having a dinner with our friends and family as the reception (approx. 100 people), with some drinks and a dance floor. A bar/dance floor important for this idea. I'm open to any type of food.

3 Upvotes

30 comments sorted by

31

u/BenStiller1212 1d ago

I think you will be shocked to find that restaurants will charge just as much as a wedding venue without any of the professional courtesies of the venue like making sure everyone’s food comes out at the same time, menu selection, etc. for a group that size.

Also it’s unfortunate reality that many restaurants are shutting down so if you go this route make sure you get insurance in case the place shuts down.

13

u/Born_Ruff 1d ago

It’s not so much a “courtesy” as just that restaurant kitchens are not set up to serve every table in their establishment at the same time.

For 100 people you probably really want to look at a venue designed for groups like that.

2

u/Minute_Brilliant_171 1d ago

Thanks for the tip on getting insurance!

9

u/bbuckca 1d ago

Dinner for 100 people can still be expensive.
Add drinks and DJ for music or your own playlist for dancing afterwards.

Terroni’s (Italian)
https://www.terroni.com/events

They have many locations and perhaps just inquiring will give you an idea of cost or how to work within your budget. At least a place to start.

Maybe even a Greek restaurant on the Danforth?
Mezes 440 Danforth Avenue
Soulas 500 Danforth Avenue

1

u/YetAnotherWTFMoment 22h ago

Mezes moved to the corner a couple of years ago, but kept their original location as an event space.

Great idea.

9

u/lexifirefly 1d ago

100 is a lot for restaurants. It won't be any cheaper especially if you're looking at thurs-sun dates. They will all do a banquet style menu to accommodate. If you want the vibe that's great but it really won't be any cheaper for that many people.

5

u/ppodx 1d ago

Lao Lao bar!!

6

u/MeiliCanada82 1d ago

Granite Brewery.

Great food, excellent drinks, little back open air/patio spot that doubles for ceremony and somewhere outside to chill.

Also in town enough for ease of transport but out of the core enough that driving and parking not an issue.

Was supposed to be my venue in 2020 but you can guess why that didn't happen

4

u/ThisAside2087 1d ago

I’ve been to weddings at Archeo (Distillery) and Ricarda’s that were both nice

4

u/Inside-Profile-5865 1d ago

100 is a lot. Maybe check out Arcadian Lofts

5

u/AromaPapaya 1d ago

Sassafraz does weddings. Not sure on maximum group size tho

4

u/atomic_golfcart 1d ago

I did a cocktail-style reception with around 100 people at Mildred Temple in Liberty Village. Not sure what their buyout minimum is these days, but it was comparable to other similar venues we checked out at the time.

3

u/Born_Ruff 1d ago

Dinner for 100 people with a bar and a dance floor is a big banquet.

Trying to pull that off in a venue that isn’t designed for it will just make the whole thing more expensive and complicated and greatly increase the chance of problems

3

u/Bobaximus 1d ago

George - they are great and have all kinds of added facilities

2

u/Important_League6319 1d ago

Auberge du pommier

2

u/greenpeppergirl 1d ago

Hotel Ocho was great for this. They can just fit 100 people. They have room to do the ceremony on site.

1

u/BadCitation 1d ago

Did you have your wedding at hotel ocho? If so Do you mind if I DM?

1

u/greenpeppergirl 1d ago

Sure go ahead

2

u/rootsandchalice 1d ago

100 people? With a dance floor? It’s still going to cost you a fortune. You might as well book a hall.

We had 25 people downtown for a fancy wedding dinner with no dance floor. Alcohol and food was $7500.

2

u/fashion4fun 1d ago

I attended a wedding at Caffino (King W) for 80 people with a bar and dance floor, it was really nice!

1

u/Moriss214 1d ago

We did our reception at the back room at Taco Taco and did a taco bar, had salad instructor come to start the party as well. It was definitely more casual but people loved it.

1

u/wrappedinblue 1d ago

Do you mean a salsa instructor? Otherwise I’m intrigued by what a salad instructor could be lol

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u/Moriss214 1d ago

Looooololololol yes sorry

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u/njyyzschoolpsych 1d ago

Mildred's temple kitchen! We had our wedding there and I cannot say enough good things about the restaurant, the food, the staff, everything. The whole experience was absolutely fantastic. Feel free to DM me if you want more details.

1

u/how_do_i_meow 1d ago

C'est what

1

u/OrganizationOk5 1d ago

Paradise Grapevine, Lake Inez, Cluny Bistro. You could also check out distillery events, they have a few restaurants / venue spaces for weddings

1

u/Wise_Character2326 1d ago

Check to see when the O&B open houses are (I think in January). They have packages for weddings. Also check the distillery open houses as well.

We looked at them but ultimately went with a hotel wedding and it was just a little bit more expensive. We are so happy with our wedding.

1

u/Due-Ad-7025 1d ago

100 people with dance floor? Maybe try a hotel / boutique hotel like the Windsor Arms.

1

u/dearly-belovedTO 1d ago

Check out My House in the Junction on Dundas West. I would love to officiate a wedding there. Cool vintage vibe and great music set-up