robbie burns day toronto

The top 10 events for Robbie Burns Day 2016 in Toronto

Robbie Burns Day in Toronto offers a chance to pay tribute to the famed poet and cultural icon in true Scottish style. Accordingly, the festivities centre around whisky, haggis and poetry recitals, while donning a kilt or embracing the bagpipes are par for the course.

Here's where to celebrate Robbie Burns Day 2016 in Toronto.

McGugan's
The traditional Scottish supper in celebration of Robbie Burns will be served on Monday, January 25 at this Leslieville pub. Book a table for 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. to enjoy haggis balls and scotch eggs, cock-a-leekie soup, neeps and tatties, and sticky toffee pudding.

The Caledonian
The annual celebration of Robbie Burns is sold out per usual. Taking place on Sunday, January 24 and Monday, January 25, the three-course Scottish dinner with whisky tasting will be paired with live entertainment including Highland dancers and bagpipes.

The Old Laurel
The College Street pub hosts a Robbie Burns dinner ($25) on Monday, January 25th at 7 p.m. Enjoy Cullen skink with black pudding biscuits, haggis, Irn-Bru ice cream, and a choice of either Scotch Whisky or a pint of Brew Dog beer. A vegan option is available too. Laura, the resident Glaswegian Scottish lass, will read Burns's poems, and the evening soundtrack will feature Scottish indie rock.

Allen's
Festivities at this Danforth pub start at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 25 and include a traditional three-course menu, music by The Scarborough Pipes and Drums, and Highland dance performances by The Sheryl Joiner Troupe. Esteemed Burnsian, Ian Still, addresses the haggis at 7:15 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets are $65.

Dominion Pub & Kitchen
The newly-revamped public house on Queen East celebrates The Bard's birthday on Wednesday, January 27 from 6:30 p.m. onward. Look forward to a traditional dinner and Scotch nosing for $40 including a complimentary Innis & Gunn's Toasted IPA.

Urban Acorn Vegan Supper Club
The catering company presents two nights of Ode to the {Vegan} Haggis on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24. Advance tickets are $45 for the dinner, which opens with bubble-and-squeak potato pancakes, kidney bean bridie, vegan haggis with turned vegetables and "clapshot" turnip sauce, and a deep fried Mars bar with earl grey creme anglaise dip.

Casa Loma
Tickets ($150) are still available for this celebration taking place at the historic castle on Saturday, January 23 at 6 p.m. The evening presented in partnership with Johnnie Walker opens with a cocktail reception followed by a four-course dinner with scotch pairings, and will feature live entertainment and guest speaker Stuart Brown.

St. Andrews Society of Toronto
The St. Andrews Society of Toronto honours the Scottish poet with a sold out dinner featuring singing, speeches, bagpipes and poem recitals at the University Club of Toronto on Friday, January 29. Those unable to attend can mark the occasion with haggis, whisky and bagpipes at the Robert Burns statue in Allen Gardens on Monday, January 25 at 11 a.m.

University of Toronto Faculty of Music
Viva Caledonia! at Walter Hall (80 Queens Park Avenue) celebrates the Scottish poet with an evening of baroque music on Monday, January 25 starting at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $40, while seniors can attend for $25 and students for $10.

Auld Spot Pub
The annual address to the haggis happens at 8 p.m. on Monday, January 25. The Danforth pub won't be charging cover or taking reservations, but will offer Scottish food specials including Scotch eggs, cock-a-leekie soup and, of course, haggis, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Have a Robbie Burns Day event worth sharing? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of the Old Laurel by Hector Vasquez.


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