Hockey is already a contact sport, so why not watch it at a queer-friendly sports bar in Toronto that embraces a little chaos, a little camp and a lot of collective yelling at the TV? Preferably, with a tuna melt in hand and a ginger ale ordered like it’s a personality trait.
The art of the rivalry night has been mastered by Toronto’s queer-friendly bars. Think Leafs vs. Habs, but with better lighting, stronger drinks and maybe even a little glitter. These are the Toronto bars where jerseys are worn with a wink not blind devotion (*ahem* Team Rozanov all the way), the chirps are elite and every missed call is treated like a deeply personal betrayal.
Plus, Toronto’s queer bars and queer-friendly spaces are fully in their Heated Rivalry era, hosting trivia nights and dance parties where scoring matters more than the scoreboard. Expect trivia that rewards emotional damage, crowds that treat the phrase “you’re boring” as a love language, and instant recognition when someone mutters “stupid Canadian wolf bird” or casually declares “I am coming to the cottage.”
Whether you’re here to cheer, flirt, cry into a pint or whisper your room number to the cutie at the next table, these themed trivia events and heated matchup nights prove that hockey culture hits harder (and is way more fun) when everyone’s welcome at the table.
Heated Rivalry themed events and trivia nights in Toronto
1. Heated Rivalry Trivia
The Drink Pizza and Cocktail Bar | 459 Church St. | January 29 at 8 p.m.
View on Instagram
2. Heated Rivalry Night
The Concert Hall | The Masonic Temple | 888 Yonge St. | January 30 at 10 p.m.
View on Instagram
3. O'Grady's Gay Men's Mix n' Mingle Night- Heated Rivalry Re Watch Party
O'Grady's Restaurant On Church | 518 Church St. | February 1 at 6:30 p.m.
View on Instagram
4. Heated Rivalry Night
Supermarket Bar and Variety | 268 Augusta Ave. | February 6 at 9:30 p.m.
View on Instagram
5. Heated Rivalry Trivia
The Lodge (above O’Grady’s) | 518 Church St. February 6 at 10 p.m.
View on Instagram
6. Dancing Phil's Heated Rivalry Musical Bingo
Cafeteria | 1650 Dupont St. | February 7 at 7 p.m.
View on Instagram
7. Heated Rivalry Trivia
The Pilot | 22 Cumberland St. | February 9 at 6 p.m.
View on Instagram
8. Heated Rivalry Trivia
Hemingway's Restaurant and Bar | 142 Cumberland St. | February 10 at 6 p.m.
View on Instagram
9. Heated Rivalry Trivia Night
The Pint Public House | 277 Front St. W. | February 11 at 7:30 p.m.
View on Instagram
10. Heated Rivalry QE Trivia Night
Greta | 590 King St. W. | February 13 at 7:30 p.m.
View on Instagram
11. Heated Rivalry Trivia
Black Sheep | 165 East Liberty St. | February 15 at 4:30 p.m.
View on Instagram
12. Heated Rivalry Trivia
Cassette | 1214 Queen St. W. | February 18 at 6:30 p.m.
View on Instagram
13. Jonas Rivalry: A Jonas Brothers & Heated Rivalry Drag Bingo Brunch
Granite Brewery & Tied House | 245 Eglinton Ave. E. | February 22 at 12 p.m.
View on Instagram
14. Heated Rivalry Dance Party
Hard Luck Bar | 772a Dundas St. W. | March 6 at 10 p.m.
View on Instagram
Queer-friendly bars in Toronto to watch the hockey game
1. Pegasus on Church
489B Church St.
View on Instagram
This long-standing, friendly spot offers good vibes and regular sports on the screens.
2. Woody’s and Sailor
467 Church St. #465
View on Instagram
There's usually a game on somewhere within the multiple floors of these iconic, connected bars in the heart of the Village.
3. The Drink
459 Church St. 2nd floor
View on Instagram
The Drink is a popular Village hang for drinks, comfort food and catching the game.
4. O’Grady’s Restaurant on Church
518 Church St.
View on Instagram
A queer-friendly Village staple and a reliably solid place to watch hockey? We're in.
ogradysonchurch.squarespace.com
5. Church Street Garage Bar
477 Church St.
View on Instagram
Trans-friendly and inclusive, this bar has multiple TVs often tuned to major games, especially during playoffs.
6. Hair Of The Dog Neighbourhood Pub & Restaurant
425 Church St.
View on Instagram
This classic gayborhood pub has a relaxed, no frills atmosphere for watching sports.
7. Score on Queen
298 Queen St. W.
View on Instagram
Score is a sports-centric bar on Queen West that’s explicitly LGBTQ2S+ friendly and trans-safe.
8. Black Eagle
457 Church St.
View on Instagram
Find a laid-back setup and screens for catching the game at this leather-and-denim institution.
9. Gladstone House
1214 Queen St. W.
The lounge and bar areas often draw a diverse crowd for live sports at this LGBTQ2S+-friendly space.
10. The Dock Ellis
1280 Dundas St. W.
View on Instagram
This Toronto sports bar is known for its inclusive, easygoing vibe and past women’s sports pop ups.
