Similarities exist between MCTE and UK slang because of the strong influence of Jamaican Patois in each (Canadian Language Museum). Here are five Toronto Slang words that are among the most fun, distinctive and unique!

1. Bare

Meaning “a lot” or “many”, bare comes from Jamaican Patois and is also found in UK slang. It’s one of those words that can feel counter-intuitive and like the opposite of what it means. However, once you get the hang of it, it’s hard to stop saying. Anyways, you have bare time to figure it out.

2. Nize

This one is pretty much equivalent to “shut up” or “be quiet”. It also comes from Jamaican Patois, where nize means noise. Iterations on this efficient command include “nize it” and even “nize your beak”!

3. Two Twos

Appropriately enough, “two twos” has two different uses. One is for when something has happened very quickly or will happen right away. This is believed to come from a shortening of the expression “in two shakes of a lamb’s tail”. The other use is for indicating that something is really obvious or right in front of you (putting two and two together). This one is fun because you can kind of put it in front of any sentence for emphasis when telling a story.

4. Wagwun

You’ve probably heard Drake say this one. Unsurprisingly, it also comes from Jamaican Patois, and is a shortened version of “what’s up” or “what’s going on”.

5. Wallahi

This word is an expression meaning “I swear to God” that comes from liturgical Arabic. Somali Torontonians are credited as the originators of this exclamation in the Toronto Slang dictionary. Arabic speakers outside of the GTA would definitely not use the word to diss a Brampton mans (iykyk), but it’s casually used by English speakers in the 6ix.

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1. Fox Cabaret

A vintage bar in the Mount Pleasant area, Fox Cabaret is known for hosting live music, themed dance/DJ nights, and unique performing arts. The large stage has a great sound system and allows for artists to have visuals while still being an intimate venue. There is lots of room to dance and stand, as well as a little seating in the back of the space, and a projection room upstairs which you can visit and look over the crowd from.

2. Biltmore Cabaret

Primarily a live music venue, Biltmore Cabaret also hosts unique events such as launch nights for fashion and art, all-vinyl DJ nights and comedy performances. “For over 50 years, the Biltmore has been a fixture in the community as both a public house for Vancouverites and a platform for groundbreaking musical performances. With the revitalization of historic Mount Pleasant, the bar was reopened in 2007 as The Biltmore Cabaret, with a fresh focus to recapture its musical tradition”.

3. Rio Theatre

The ultimate destination in Vancouver for cult-classic films, the Rio also shows 1st run Hollywood movies and hosts live events such as comedy nights. They often show 2-3 films on weekdays, and 4-5 on weekend days. With surround sound and an impressive concession serving alcohol and grilled cheese alongside candy and popcorn, you’re bound to have a sweet experience. “The Rio Cinema caters to Sci -Fi, Fantasy, Action, Thriller, Cult and Horror movies for both adult and family rated films. We encourage people to have fun & dress up & yell out or sing along”. 

4. The Cinematheque

“The Cinematheque, founded in 1972, is a film institute and media education centre devoted to understanding the art and history of Canadian and international cinema and the impact of moving images and screen-based media in our lives.” Classic and contemporary filmmakers are featured, and community outreach programs focus on film appreciation and study. The Cinematheque also host programs focused on critical thinking and media literacy. Their calendar varies week to week, so make sure to check it out online or pick up a copy of the print guide. They also have a large film reference library which you can book an appointment to visit.

5. Green Auto

The newest venue on this list, Green Auto is a very small music venue in the Hastings-Sunrise area. While focused on punk music, they host local artists from other genres and are a pay-what-you-can, community-focused space to see Vancouver bands. The inside-outside venue has great lighting and sound, and gets its name from the autobody shop whose sign remains on the wall.  

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1. Tour the Royal Botanical Gardens

With numerous beautifully manicured gardens, plus over 27 kilometres of hiking and nature trails, the botanical gardens are a picturesque outdoor experience. Open in every season, there are things to see and do even when the spring flowers aren’t in bloom. In the autumn, witness beautiful deciduous trees turning, and walk the Great Pumpkin Trail in late October. In winter, view art in the gardens, or ride the holiday steam train. There are numerous dining options around the premises for a pitstop– including afternoon tea.

2. Visit the West Harbour

This waterfront area is home to multiple kid-friendly attractions, such as a roller skating/ ice rink, a trolley car and a boat tour. There’s often live music in the summertime, in addition to an ice cream and refreshment shack . Another waterfront attraction, the HMCS Haida National Historic Site is a retired naval ship that offers tours and daily programming appropriate for families. 

3. Experience A Pirate Life 

“Pirate Life is part live performance, part boat cruise, and all-out fun. Our crew of actors guides you through an interactive story filled with cannon blasts, secret maps, and sea shanties”. It’s the perfect kids birthday experience, where a group of young swashbucklers get to do face paint, treasure hunts, interactive storytelling and cannon-blasting. Your group of up to 40 guests will set sail for a full hour, with the whole experience lasting an hour and a half.

4. Meet the animals at Triple C Farm

This petting zoo has goats, sheep, mini horses, pigs, alpacas, zebus and bunnies. You can make an appointment to visit at just $20 for a group of five. They also have yoga, educational events, horseback riding and holiday opportunities on-site for kids and families. Family-run, the farm also advocates for autism awareness, and provides volunteer opportunities for adults with mental and physical health disabilities.

5. Eat at Hutch’s on the Beach

This beachside diner is a blast from the past, complete with checkered floors, leather booths and arcade games. They serve fish and chips, hot dogs and hamburgers, milkshakes, fries and more. Whether it’s the neon sign or the ice cream sundaes, your kids are sure to be enchanted by the old-fashioned experience. 

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1. It has a World Trade Centre 🏢

The building, located in Edmonton’s Financial District, was built in the early 1950s as a Modern Classical office building. Some of its lower facades contain quirky, art deco-influenced bas reliefs with a transportation theme. It is now occupied by the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Edmonton and a small restaurant. A historic building with definite charm, it stands on the corner of Jasper Ave and 100 St. NW, between The Westin and The Fairmont.

2. It has its own CN Tower 🏙️

That’s right. Yet another one of Edmonton’s downtown buildings has a more famous counterpart. However, the Edmonton version actually out-dates Toronto’s tower, and serves as an office building rather than a tourist attraction. At 111 metres (26 stories) tall, the building was constructed by the Canadian National Railway Company in 1966. Its location within Edmonton is almost exactly central, at 10004 104 Avenue NW.

3. There’s a Cold War-era bunker here 🪖

The sealed-tight, abandoned bunker is located in MacKenzie Ravine where it meets 142nd street. It was found in 2009 by Fred Ambuster, who was able to get inside and photograph the interior. A former command centre, this bunker was once the front line of Edmonton’s civil defense. Now it is a part of the Edmonton Civil Defense Museum, and can be toured by those interested in its history.

4. It’s named after a witch town 🧹

“Edmonton” is the name of a village that used to be just outside of London (now subsumed by the city), that had a reputation for being home to witches. The story of one particular accused witch who was condemned to death– Elizabeth Sawye– even inspired a play called “The Witch of Edmonton”. In keeping with its ties to witch history, Alberta’s Edmonton has its own Original Edmonton Witches Market. Today you can visit its over 40 vendors, who aim to “bring the alternative and the odd together”.

5. It has the longest escalator in Canada 📏

Connecting the 3rd and 7th floors at Rogers Place, the escalator measures over 42 metres long and takes 78 seconds to ride. This makes it the longest escalator ride in Canada, but not in the world. The Central-Mid-Levels escalator in Hong Kong takes that title, with over 800 metres of distance. However, that escalator is significantly less steep than the one in Rogers Place.

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1. It’s the birthplace of “LOL” 😆

Wayne Pearson was a teenager using an online chat room in the 1980s, when his friend typed something hysterical. Needing to type a fast response in the moment that conveyed he was laughing out loud, Pearson typed “LOL”. Before he knew it, the whole chatroom was using the acronym. Today, people around the world have adopted the lingo, whose meaning has evolved to have multiple connotations in different contexts.

2. Dwayne Johnson used to play for the CFL team 🏈

In 1995, the former pro-wrestler and actor was added onto the Stamps’ practice roster. As a linebacker, he played for a couple of months before being cut from the team. Being let go from the CFL and never reaching the NFL put Johnson on a completely different career path. After becoming an owner of the XFL in 2021, The Rock reflected on his experience in an Instagram post, whose caption closes with: “the CFL changed my life, in ways I could’ve never imagined”. 

3. It has the world’s most extensive pedestrian skywalk system 🏙️

The Plus Fifteens, as they are called, span 16 kilometres and are made up of 86 bridges connecting 130 buildings, as of 2022. The name comes from the height of the walkways, approximately fifteen feet above the road. They are meant to accommodate the harsh cold and facilitate faster routes for pedestrians to get around Downtown. While some critics have argued  they decrease pedestrian activity at ground level, others say they bring more customers out to Downtown businesses in winter, and appreciate them for their convenience.

4. There are tunnels under City Hall for C-trains 🚇

In the late 2000s, Calgary was undergoing an economic boom at the same time that transit ridership was soaring. Dave Bronconnier, mayor at the time, discussed a new project to build underground lines for the C-train to connect even more parts of the city. Tunnels began being dug, before the project was delayed in the early 2010s due to flooding and lack of funds. The unused tunnel network includes some located underneath City Hall. Will Calgary ever get an underground LRT? Time will tell.

5. The Caesar was invented here 🍹

The Clamato-infused iteration of a Bloody Mary was developed by Walter Chell, restaurant manager of the Calgary Inn (now a Westin). He had been instructed to create a drink to go along with a new Italian menu in the restaurant, and was inspired by Venetian Spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with red sauce and clams). Chell’s original drink, first called the “Bloody Caesar”, was made with a fresh juice he made from mashing clams, vodka, tomato juice, Worcester sauce and spices.

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What is Supercrawl?

It’s a beefed-up arts festival that fuses indie music with other kinds of performance, art installations, literature and artisanal crafts. Programming each year features diverse and emerging local artists. It all happens in a downtown corridor (on and surrounding James Street North) which becomes pedestrian-only during the event. 

Supercrawl was founded in 2009 by artists and community builders, beginning as a single-day affair. Over the years it has steadily grown to encompass three days, include more artists and attract a significantly larger number of festival-goers. In 2024 there were more than 285,000 attendees. Supercrawl is a not-for-profit organization, and entrance to the festival itself is free. 

See and do at Supercrawl

In 2025, Supercrawl had 5 stages, 13 art installations, 35 food vendors, 24 retail vendors and a few low-cost ($2-3) tents for fashion, authors and theatre. The festival map is broken up into zones so that visitors can more easily locate the booths, tents and stages they want to attend:

• Food zone: food trucks, street vendors, beer gardens
• Family zone: family-friendly activities, chess simuls, art installations
• Fashion zone: art installations, fashion tent (runway), retail vendor, sports area
• Vendor zones: art, jewelry, body care, boutique goods, ceramics and food products for sale
• Art zone: art installations, theatre, acrobatics, drag

Mission and important details

The festival is produced to “foster meaningful experiences that promote the discovery of arts and culture, connect communities and celebrate creators”. Supercrawl seeks to achieve gender balance on the stage, promote visibility of queer and BIPOC artists and end anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry, through its associations with dedicated festivals and initiatives.

To plan your visit to Supercrawl, note the following information:

• It takes place the second Friday-Saturday-Sunday of September. Music lineups are released in the tail end of June, while the full festival schedule and map don’t come out until two weeks beforehand
• The event now attracts a lot of tourism! Be sure to plan accommodation well in advance
• Since the event itself is pedestrian-only and the city will be full of crowds, your best options for getting around are via transit, GO trains (from Toronto), bikes, rented scooters and on foot!

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1. Metal, resin, leather, and soap workshops at Soigne

Soigne is the ultimate creative workshop destination in Vancouver. You can take classes in a wide variety of artisans, arts and crafts at your convenience by booking appointments. Among the list of possible workshops to take are candle making and soaping, ring making, felting, electro forming, basket weaving, leatherwork and resin jewelry or coaster making. Soigne is founded and largely run by Beata Kacy, a bohemian Renaissance woman hailing from Poland who has lived in Vancouver since 2001.

2. Tufting and decoden at Banana Art Lab

Learn how to use a tufting gun and create your own mini rug in the design of your choosing. From pieces as small as 30 x 30 cm to as large as 100 x 150 cm, bring your decoration dreams to life with all of Banana Art Lab’s tools and vibrant yarns. The studio, located in Richmond, also offers decoden bookings. This craft technique with Japanese origins involves decorating objects– such as frames, electronics cases, storage boxes, combs and mirrors– with creamy clay that adheres bright and colourful charms onto the surface.

3. Pottery painting, clay hand-building, and glass fusing at Bella Ceramica Studio

“Walk-in anytime to the North Shore’s best family fun spot” any day of the week. Bella Ceramica offers hand-building pottery classes, ceramics painting, mosaic making, candle making and bookable workshops for glass fusing and canvas painting. There are also Paint-and-Sips as well as seasonal events where you can take home a craft to display as decor in your home. You can also book Bella Ceramica for parties and private groups!

4. Multimedia arts, crafts, and skill workshops at Slice of Life

A studio and third space for artists and creatives, Slice of Life has lots to offer beyond their craft classes. However, they do hold frequent workshops hosted by local artists which are a great way to both learn a new skill and help support those teaching artists. Some examples of classes you might find on their calendar include jewelry making, collaging, textile making, print making and embroidery. Lastly, Slice of Life also hosts regular Clay Days with A.G. Pottery which are very well-attended and social.

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1. Jewelry Making at Meirako

This jewelry store offers bookable workshops where friends or partners can create clay silver rings, gem bezels or their own charm jewelry. There’s also a special friendship ring-making option for besties who want to make identical rings. You’re able to choose from a range of high-quality metals, including sterling silver for just $80.

2. Rug Tufting at Holy Tuft

Holy Tuft offers classes for beginner rug tufting on Sundays where no experience is needed, and you can make a 50 x 50 cm design of your choosing. These classes will teach you the basics of how to use a tufting gun, and allow you to complete an entire mini-rug in one 5 hour session. There are also intermediate level classes held on Saturdays for those who can’t get enough!

3. Pottery Painting at Clay & Cupcakes

Pick a piece of pottery, some paints and glazes and an adorable treat, before sitting down to decorate your special keepsake. This pottery painting studio is great for parties and events, and a good option for an indoor activity to do with kids. Clay & Cupcakes also hosts Ladies Nights, Paint and Pizza Nights and Paint and Sip Nights.

4. Baking Class at Dutchess Atelier

This bakeshop is dedicated to group and private baking classes year-round. From bread, to cookies, cakes, pies and confections, they prioritize maximizing hands-on time for students so they are confident replicating recipes in the future. Dutchess Atelier also has a small store with ingredients and tools relevant to the classes they teach. 

5. Sewing Workshop at Blenderz Garment Recyclers

A unique Edmonton business committed to upcycling clothing and textiles, Blenderz is part thrift shop, part recycling centre and part education and craft hub. Many of their classes revolve around making your own clothing and accessories from used garments and materials. Blenderz offers workshops that teach specific skills for the sewing machine, mending and creating specific pieces like slippers and mittens.

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1. CO*LAB

“Providing a safe, accessible space for creatives of all forms”, CO*LAB is an arts-centred community offering events, classes and arts education, performances, and venue rental in the Boyle Street neighbourhood. Queer karaoke nights are every other Thursday, and family movies are screened on Sundays. This community hub hosts markets, skill shares and harvest swaps happen throughout the year. CO*LAB is committed to “centring those who are systemically shut out”, “activating the neighbourhood”and “fostering opportunities, knowledge creation and skills-sharing”.

2. The Meadows Community Recreation Centre

If you’re looking for the best of the public recreation facilities in Edmonton, you’ve got to try out The Meadows. “The 234,419 square-foot facility, located within the Meadows District Park, provides indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities– creating an active community hub that is open and welcoming year round”. Enjoy fitness centres, gyms, lane swim, public swim, hot tubs, public skating and more.

3. Citadel Multicultural Centre

Citadel fosters a space for multiculturalism and inclusiveness as “a diversity-centered, social and knowledge-focused community center”. They provide cultural and education programming, community support, community outreach and social initiatives to address a range of different needs.  Men’s, women’s and children’s support groups are offered alongside anti-racism training, senior groups and youth groups. Citadel also runs food security programs, New to Canada resource programs, mental health counseling and more. There are tons of events to take part in at any given time, and anyone is invited to pay a visit.

4. Downtown Edmonton Community League

With a board made up of people who live and work in the city’s downtown area, the Downtown Edmonton Community League represents “residents in matters of development, parks, politics and other issues, as well as planning and arranging community activities in the downtown core”. If you’re looking to get more engaged in local politics, desire to engage in volunteer work or want to help plan cultural events, workshops, festivals and socials, this might be the community centre for you. Simply join a meeting or a mixer to get started!

5. Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre

A newly developed project open in early 2026, “Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will be a shared facility that meets community recreational needs, while also creating opportunities for year-round triathlon and cycling training and events”. It will include an indoor track, fitness centre and gym, 250-metre indoor cycling track, bouldering wall, spin studio and more. Think of this as the non-traditional alternative to your typical recreation facility. Plus, you’ve got to admit that the building looks pretty awesome!

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1. Biggs Ribs

What started off as a pop-up turned into a brick and mortar in Etobicoke; and recently, another brand-new location in Hamilton. Visit Biggs for back ribs and short ribs covered in honey barbecue sauce. For sides, they’ve got wings, mac & cheese, fries, cornbread and coleslaw. If you’re feeling dessert, try out the sweet banana pudding. Bigg Ribs has $40 platters on Fridays and Saturdays from noon until sellout– perfect for parties. They are also Black-owned and halal friendly!

2. Mystic Ramen

Grab fun drinks, edamame dip and karaage chicken wings while you wait for your steaming bowl of noodles at Mystic Ramen. In addition to multiple broth flavours (including vegan options), they also serve brothless noodles and donburi bowls. Every dish is colourful, flavourful, and served by passionate front-of-house staff. Open every day of the week until 10pm, catch food specials, Saturday late-nights with live DJs, and kids-eat-free Sundays. Mystic Ramen Trivia Nights are every third Monday of the month!

3. The Mule Makes Tacos

A 100% gluten-free take on Mexican food, The Mule is the place to be if you like to play with your food. From goofy menu items like the “WAP Margarita” and “Queso Fundido” to their day-time Saturday “throw-back” parties (with a DJ from 11am to 5pm), they know how to get down. The Mule has tons of giveaways, and also collaborates with other Hamilton businesses by holding pop-ups (like flash tattooing), speaker series, drag brunch, bingo and more.

4. Electric Diner

80s inspired, neon pink and serving brunch until 4pm, Electric Diner is the kind of place you want to eat and then stay for a while afterwards. It’s not just the food– although Egg Katsu Sandos, Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes and Electric Burgers sound delicious. Electric diner throws functions that make it supremely fun. Trivia, music bingo, interactive movie nights, holiday events and more are announced through Instagram. Grab a shake or drink and join in on the electric vibes!

5. Nabil’s Grill

Imagine grabbing late-night Middle Eastern fast food that’s still fresh and absolutely succulent. If you’re nearby Nabils Grill you don’t have to imagine. They sell shawarma, kabobs, fattoush, falafel, chicken tikka, tabouli, hummus, baklava and more until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Here prices have stayed reasonable and the portions are generous after 24 years of serving Hamiltonians. Come in for food with a homemade feeling.

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