Canada's first 'ultraclub' taking over defunct Toronto club space this month

Toronto's first "ultraclub" is set to open its doors this September, and it'll feature a menu designed by a celebrity chef.

When planning a night out in Toronto, there's no shortage of nightclubs to choose from, but what about when you want something more? That's exactly what Zlatko Starkovski, owner of the now-defunct Muzik nightclub, plans to bring to the table with his brand-new FYE Ultraclub.

Set to open on Saskatchewan Road, right where Muzik once lived, in late September, FYE promises to be a nightclub unlike anything the city has seen before, but we're getting ahead of ourselves. What in the world is an ultraclub?

Starkovski told us that the concept has already made traction in party cities like Miami and Ibiza, and FYE marks the first of its kind in Canada.

"At FYE Ultraclub, burlesque takes centre stage – guests can expect everything from burlesque performances to aerialists and other unexpected acts, creating an electrifying environment that surrounds you from ceiling to floor, bar to table," Starkovski explains.

"It's designed for those seeking more than a night out, and are looking for an immersive, high-energy, and theatrical experience."

According to Starkovski, no two nights at FYE will be entirely alike. Live burlesque performances, circus acts, and international DJs are set to take the floor every hour on the hour, so the only thing you can expect is, seemingly, the unexpected.

All that entertainment is bound to work up an appetite, and FYE has that covered, too.

The club has teamed up with celebrity chef Rob Rainford, former host of Food Network's Licence to Grill, who has curated a menu of globally inspired shareable plates "to perfectly complement the night's entertainment," says Starkovski.

It's not the type of club you can just roll up to in jeans and sneakers, though. The club proudly advertises a strict "dress to impress" dress code, and that's not the only policy they're upholding firmly.

FYE will also impose an age limit of 25 and up for their male patrons.

Why? Starkovski explains that the club is "tailored to a mature, discerning audience," which, apparently, does not include young men between the ages of 19 and 25.

"This reflects a broader shift in nightlife globally, where venues are moving toward more curated, sophisticated experiences, rather than purely party environments," he told us.

Whether this policy ruffles the feathers of Toronto's sub-24 male population remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: FYE Ultraclub sounds like it'll be a one-of-a-kind experience, indeed.

FYE Ultraclub opens at 7 Saskatchewan Rd. on Friday, Sept. 26