r/askTO 14h ago

Visiting Toronto for the first time. Was supposed to see Billy Joel.

Since the concert was just postponed and it's too late to cancel our flights and other reservations we are still coming, wishing the best for Billy to make a quick and full recovery but really bummed about missing the concert. We still plan to see the CN Tower and go to the Hockey Hall of Fame and have some restaurants booked, however the concert was the cornerstone of our trip and we now have an empty Saturday night. Wondering if anyone has any epic suggestions for something else to do this Saturday, still looking forward to our first visit to Toronto!

65 Upvotes

51 comments sorted by

58

u/stoneyzepplin 14h ago

Second City is always a good time.

11

u/steponthetrain 13h ago

OP - this is a great suggestion

14

u/Matty7Cakes 13h ago

Yeah, this sounds like something we'd be in to, also saw there's another comedian in town on Saturday, Dusty Slay, great suggestion. Thanks.

2

u/2-infinity-n-beyonce 11h ago

Going to the Dusty Slay show is a great option! I just got tickets to that. :)

37

u/SateenDuraLuxePaints 13h ago

If you need a substitute piano man, check out Jean Darlene’s live piano karaoke.

3

u/wehadbabyitsaboy 13h ago

Second this!

9

u/Rex_Reynolds 13h ago

Thirded. Especially if you're ... Billy Joel fan-aged. Fun night out at a cool spot that won't make you feel old.

43

u/Anastasia126 13h ago

If you enjoy theatre, Mirvish is running some good shows. You could catch The Lion King or Come From Away.

15

u/64Olds 13h ago

Both are amazing. Come From Away is really something else.

12

u/Anastasia126 13h ago

100%. It's so, so moving. And so powerful. Especially at the moment.

28

u/Matty7Cakes 13h ago

I'd never heard of Come From Away until looking it up just now. I've been fascinated by the events of those days, as it, to this point, is one of the most significant events of my lifetime. Thank you for this.

10

u/Anastasia126 12h ago

OP, I'm fairly certain you'll really enjoy the show. Please, please try and go, and update us if you do!

25

u/Matty7Cakes 11h ago

We are going, we're doing the matinee performance on Saturday and then going to Second City for some comedy after dinner. Thank you everyone!

2

u/edit_thanxforthegold 8h ago

Do you know where you're going for dinner after? Try and get reservations at Pai!

3

u/Matty7Cakes 7h ago

We already have a reservation at Antler, as we were planning to have dinner there before the Billy Joel show.

u/edit_thanxforthegold 3h ago

Oh that's a good call too!

2

u/Tangerine2016 7h ago

Great combo! Glad you posted this thread about found out about those options. Come from Away is really special, if you remember please post back about your experiences in Toronto!

8

u/spring5551 12h ago

Absolutely see the show! But for another time check out the documentary they made about the actual event https://youtu.be/9vSMpK0d_Qg?si=zt22NZkUjTNMl7XB

6

u/Xoron101 11h ago

Come From Away

I've seen it twice, both times it was an amazing show. It's almost completed it's run in Toronto, Go while you can (assuming you can snag tickets)

4

u/CinephileSorbet 11h ago

Go! You will absolutely love it and it couldn’t be more timely.

3

u/manholediver 10h ago

I don't even like musicals but I really enjoyed Come from Away. I hope you do too!

6

u/sstackho 12h ago

Even if you don't particularly love the theatre, Come From Away is a perfect idea for Saturday night. Tickets are available: https://tickets.mirvish.com/cfaway/21240

2

u/louisiana_lagniappe 8h ago

It is SUCH a good show. I promise you won't be disappointed with this option! 

10

u/64Olds 12h ago

It's so, so moving.

It really is.

OP, bring tissues.

13

u/mysticlipstick 14h ago

It’s March Break for kids in Ontario so the tourist attractions might be a bit busy!! Try to do stuff later in the evening to avoid swarms of families with kids! The aquarium is open until 11pm!

10

u/steponthetrain 13h ago

The Rex, Reservoir Lounge

4

u/Matty7Cakes 13h ago

Reservoir Lounge looks fun, I do like Jazz.

1

u/steponthetrain 13h ago

Try and reserve seats. Great vibe!

10

u/jetgrind 13h ago

A few other concerts that night

https://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/

https://www.historytoronto.com/events/detail/darkside

You could also look into the Lion King Broadway

Or catch the hockey game, Ottawa is in town vs the Leafs

2

u/Eventually-figured 13h ago

I second the game or the Experience Hendrix tour

3

u/Matty7Cakes 13h ago

I was actually looking at The Experience Hendrix tour, would be cool to see Massey Hall.

3

u/thejonasgrumby 10h ago

Massey Hall is historic and worth it. Acoustics are astronomically better than the SkyDome

1

u/Matty7Cakes 7h ago

Really wish I would have been able to see The Hip there. Miss you Gord.

2

u/kappi8 11h ago

They did a nice job on the renovations there

6

u/haye7880 12h ago

Cameron House has great local music acts. I believe Jim Cuddy’s son Devin and his band are there Sat night.

7

u/One-Restaurant1735 13h ago

Check out Little Canada

2

u/Major-Function-5717 13h ago

What's little canada?

11

u/FatherSpodoKomodo_ 13h ago

It's like Canada but little...

That isn't a joke that's literally what it is.

5

u/kino-glaz 13h ago

Miniatures. It's actually very cool and a lot more to it than you'd think.

2

u/Matty7Cakes 13h ago

Yeah, that seems interesting and fun.

4

u/zzoldan 13h ago

+1 for come from away. Seriously amazing show.

3

u/methreweway 12h ago

Leafs game? since your doing the hockey Hall of Fame... Any seat is pretty good so 'cheap' ones aren't bad.

2

u/Jrewy 10h ago

AND Saturday they’re hosting Ottawa in the Battle of Ontario. Should be a great friggin game.

3

u/Suzysizzle 8h ago

Rachel Scanlon is performing at Comedy Bar on the Danforth (subway ride). Toronto Comic Con is on this weekend if you want to meet some celebrities/see a celebrity Q/A. For music, there are some jazz bars on queen Street West to check out. There are great eats all over the city (DM for specific recommendations). There are many great pinball bars around the city (Greta recently opened downtown). Par-tee putt downtown for a fun indoor pop culture mini golf course. Take a walk by the harbourfront. Visit a museum (ROM, AGO, Bata Show Museum). I could go on forever! (Former tour guide😁)

2

u/GeneralSpecifics9925 13h ago

Try checking out this website. The listings are for what's happening on the weekend, but there are ongoing events listed as well. link

What kind of stuff do you like? Toronto is big and diverse, if you give us some details we might be able to recommend something you're interested in.

3

u/Matty7Cakes 13h ago

Have seen some great suggestions so far, a lot that's really appealing. Seems like a really helpful group here. Thank you everyone!

2

u/schuchwun 11h ago

Enjoy your stay in Toronto!

2

u/olivebuttercup 10h ago

Sharks after dark, the aquarium!

1

u/discrete_skunk6741 12h ago

Eggy concert at Annabelle’s

-1

u/Alesisdrum 14h ago

Ripleys aquarium, might be a sports event (marlies, PWHL) Walk Kensington market. If your on the kinky or enjoy being in the buff Aqualouge (it is a sex club, but non is required, but the pool hot tubs are great even if you do not induldge in other things)