Welcome to Toronto – a city that’s not only progressive but also a fantastic place for trans people.
Almost every spot in this city is trans-friendly, but there are a few places that stand out as favorites among the LGBTQ+ community.
And that’s what I’m excited to share with you in this guide. Get ready as we explore the top places to meet trans people in Toronto.
That includes the hottest night spots to supportive groups and active online communities. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Toronto
1. Bars and Clubs
The Church and Wellesley Village is the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Toronto.
It’s the perfect place to spend most of your evenings if you’re trying to connect with trans people.
The majority of the bars and clubs I’ll be talking about are also right in this area, so here are your options.
Woody’s and Sailor – Located at 467 Church St #465, an awesome spot for a night out any day of the week, whether you’re up for a drink or a dance.
You can catch some fun drag performances on certain evenings too. It’s smart to get there early on weekends to avoid waiting in line. But even if there’s a queue, it tends to move fast.
Crews & Tangos – Located at 508 Church St, a lively two-level club.
Upstairs, you can enjoy great music like hip-hop and R&B. The crowd is diverse, with trans, queer, and cis people all enjoying together.
Drinks are reasonably priced, and there’s a fun drag show downstairs. They also have unisex bathrooms.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre – Located at 518a Church St, this is both an LGBT theater and a nightclub. It usually has many queer and trans performers.
And kudos to the staff—they’re all about making sure everyone in the crowd feels right at home.
Sweaty Betty’s – Located at 13 Ossington Ave, a cool, friendly spot for the LGBTQIA+ folks. They always have a good movie playing, and the place feels like home with pictures of musicians and spooky props.
It’s got a relaxed dive bar feel up front, a comfy lounge in the back, and a warm patio too, so it’s great for any mood you’re in.
The Drink Bar – Located at 459 Church St 2nd floor, one of my favorite hangouts in the city, thanks to bartenders like Alex and Antonio.
They’re super attentive and mix the best cocktails and it’s a popular spot for trans folks to dance and enjoy themselves.
There’s always something going on every night, from drag performances to guest artists check out this video for a sneak peek of the fun…
2. Community Centers and Organizations
If you’re trying to meet trans folks outside of bars, the 519 Center on Church Street is a cool spot to check out.
It’s a community center for the 2SLGBT+ crowd, with all sorts of events, workshops, and support stuff.
They’ve got groups focused on FTM folks on the 1st and 3rd Fridays, and MTF-focused gatherings on the 2nd and 4th Fridays.
But it’s not just limited to them – non-binary and questioning people are welcome too.
There’s a wide range of ages, and after chatting, lots of people usually grab coffee together.
Also, don’t forget about the PFLAG Toronto Chapter. They’re active with plenty of support meetings, both online and in person. Just peek at their calendar to see what’s coming up.
3. Trans Dating Sites
If online dating is your thing, there’s no shortage of apps with a good number of trans users.
But, the app you choose depends on what you’re after, especially since some are more about casual connections.
Take Tinder, for instance – it’s not really the go-to for serious relationships. And, from what I’ve seen, the crowd on Tinder tends to be more on the edgy side.
I personally prefer OkCupid. It’s way easier to find trans members on there, and the cis users are generally pretty cool with trans folks.
Plus, the platform is more about people looking for something serious or just wanting to make friends.
It’s a great option if you’re in Toronto and want to meet trans people in a more meaningful way.
4. Online Groups and Pages
Toronto is bustling with online spaces where you can connect with the trans community.
- Toronto Trans Alliance – This group is like an umbrella for the trans folks in the Greater Toronto Area.
They often organize social events, which are great for meeting a diverse spectrum of trans people and getting involved in the community. - Toronto Transgender Events – Another Facebook group, but keep in mind it’s open to everyone.
That means there could be a mix of genuine profiles and possibly some bots. Still, it’s a place to stay in the loop about trans-related events. - Toronto Queer Events Group – This broader group focuses on the entire queer community in Toronto. It’s a good spot for general event updates and community news.
Plus, don’t overlook Meetup. It has many niche groups, from lesbian to BIPOC queer to trans-specific circles.
5. Other LGBT+ Spaces
We’re not done yet because I still have to talk about Glad Day Bookshop. It’s an LGBTQ+ bookshop and café.
It’s a place where I bump into a few trans people every time I go, not even exaggerating.
They also have this fab drag brunch every Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm, which is worth checking out.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Toronto
Toronto is easily one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities out there.
The cool thing about Toronto is how much people respect your space – getting stared at or receiving dirty looks is super rare.
And on the off chance that does happen, you can bet that most folks around would speak up and check if you’re okay.
But remember, Toronto’s still a big city, and experiences can vary.
What stands out, though, is that it’s pretty much a no-go to be openly transphobic.
The city’s culture just doesn’t stand for it. All of this makes Toronto one of the best cities in the world for transgender individuals.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Toronto
Toronto is an amazing city for trans people, no question about it. It’s got a little bit of everything for everyone.
Whether you’re into meeting folks in person or prefer connecting online, you’re in for a good time.
If you ask me, hitting the town is the way to go – the nightlife here is fantastic.
But hey, if bar hopping isn’t your thing, don’t sweat it. The community center is another awesome place to meet LGBTQ+ people.
At the end of the day, whatever you choose, you’re bound to have fun.
That’s it from my side – hope you enjoy meeting the trans community in Toronto!
