Tiff parties 2013

TIFF Party Guide 2013

The TIFF party season of 2013 begins tonight and features free, ticketed and invite only events at dozens of Toronto venues. With A-list stars such as Matthew McConaughey, James Franco, Sandra Bullock and Hugh Jackman scheduled to touch down in Toronto this year, there will be plenty of events to scope out a celeb or two. Want to get your party fix during this year's film fest? We've got you covered almost every night of the week.

Here's the lowdown on what parties will be buzzing at this year's TIFF.

TOP PARTY VENUES
These venues are hosting multiple parties throughout the festival. Whether you can get in sometimes depends on who you know, how much you're willing to pay or if you mind waiting in line.

Bars with extended 4am licenses
As we reported earlier today, there are almost 50 bars, restaurants and nightclubs that have been granted special permits to serve booze late into the night. Many of these venues are bringing in high profile DJs or entertainment just for TIFF and their events will be open to the public. For example, Uniun Nightclub is featuring a DJ set by comedian Russel Peters this Saturday while Momofuku Nikai will be hosting DJs Johnny Hockin and Kings of the North this Friday.

The Grolsch Open House
The Grolsch Open House is back at TIFF again this year at the corner of Pearl and John Streets. In operation just for the first weekend of the festival, the beer-focused venue comes complete with art installations, food truck eats, and a music lineup featuring bands Most People, Kashka, and Grounders. Hours are 4-11pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Beers are $5. No cover.

Storys Building
The revamped Storys Building including new lounge The Cocktail Parlour is aiming to be one of the top party destinations this year. Located around the corner from the Bell Lightbox, the historic five-floor venue will throw 30 private events over 6 days including parties or dinners for the films Horns (Daniel Radcliffe), Lucky Them (Toni Collette), All is By My Side (Andre 3000) and Blood Ties (Clive Owen).

Nikki Beach at the Spoke Club
From September 5th to 8th, Nikki Beach will once again open its beach themed pop-up during TIFF on the rooftop of the Spoke Club. Local furniture store Andrew Richard Designs will be outfitting the venue and specialty cocktails will be whipped up using Avion Tequila and Elyx Vodka.

SoHo House
The swanky members-only club and Grey Goose have teamed up to host several industry parties this year. Thursday night sees them hosting Michael Sugar, producer of the TIFF opening night film The Fifth Estate while throughout the week they'll be feeding celebs and special guests dinner and cocktails out of arms reach of the common folk.

Festival Music House at Adelaide Hall
This annual concert series will showcase Canada's top musical talent to an audience of TIFF producers, directors, writers and invited guests. On September 8th and 9th, Adelaide Music Hall's stage will feature the likes of Dragonette, Diamond Rings, and July Talk.

Goodnight Gansevoort
This US-based hotel chain is planning to open a hotel in Vegas next year and to get in the spirit they'll be transforming C Lounge into a Vegas-themed afterparty with a mock casino and showgirls to complement the venue's poolside bar. Stake out Wellington starting at 5pm this Friday to get a glimpse of Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce who are expected to arrive here for a shindig celebrating their TIFF Gala film Hateship Loveship.

THE BUZZIEST PARTIES AT THIS YEAR'S TIFF BY DAY OF THE WEEK

SEPTEMBER 4TH

8th Annual Canadian Filmmakers Party
Produced by The Spoke Club and CTV's eTalk, Ben Mulroney, Emily Hampshire, and Katie Boland emcee this invitation-only event. Start time is 7pm.

SEPTEMBER 5TH

Official TIFF Opening Party
TIFF kicks things off with an opening-night gala at Maple Leaf Square at York St. and Bremner Blvd. 3,500 revelers are expected to show up to mingle next to graffiti installations and LED jugglers.

YEAA TIFF Party
The Young Emerging Actors' Assembly will gather to commend Canadian actors' contributions to this years TIFF. The party will rage from 8:30pm to 4am at the newly opened Studio Event Theatre space on King West.

The Drake Hotel's Down the Line Launch Party
The Drake wants everyone to feel like a rock star on TIFF's opening night. The party will feature a free tattoo parlour and Keys N Krates spinning a midnight set. Drinks will be flowing with Budweiser's made-on-site malt samples, and Down the Line providing cocktails inspired by 70's music icons. Open 9pm to 4am. $10 cover.

After Party for Blue is the Warmest Colour
Disaronno and Interview Magazine will host the private after-party for the Cannes award winning film Blue is the Warmest Colour at the Thompson Hotel Rooftop. 9pm-12am.

SEPTEMBER 6TH

Only Lovers Left Alive Premiere Party
The premiere of Jim Jarmusch's latest film, featuring Tilda Swinton, will be followed a day later by this cast party at The Courthouse hosted by the Liberty Entertainment Group and Sony Pictures Classics. Red carpet entrances begin at 10pm, and The Sadies will rock the house later in the evening.

A Clockwork Orange
Inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film, this party takes its horror theme seriously. Adelaide Hall will be consumed with light projections, art installations, creepy mannequins, and blasting DJ sets. 10pm. Tickets are $17 advance/$20 at the door.

SEPTEMBER 7TH

Hello! Hollywood
The red carpet will be rolled out at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, where HELLO! Canada will host its 7th annual invitation-only cocktail reception. The event will celebrate the international talent descending on Toronto for TIFF.

SEPTEMBER 8TH

CFC Annual BBQ
The Canadian Film Centre celebrates their 25th anniversary with the annual CFC TIFF BBQ. Former students, faculty and invited guests will toast this year's TIFF CFC films, as well as the work from over 50 of their alumni. The BBQ runs 12:30 to 3pm at the Canadian Film Centre, 2489 Bayview Ave. and is invite only.

Artists for Peace and Justice Film Festival Lunch
This annual charity lunch is co-hosted by Paul Haggis, George Stroumboulopoulos, Diane Bald and Michael Budman. They'll be joined by celebrity guests Olivia Wilde, Maria Bello, Colin Firth, Adrien Brody and Moran Atias with musical performances by Michael Bolton and Daniel Lanois. Held from 2-5pm at The Budman Family Residence. And, yes, this is open to the public as long as you're willing to splurge $1,250 for a ticket.

Hugo Boss Post-Screening Celebration for Enemy
The Toronto-shot Enemy starring Jake Gyllenhaal will have its post-screening party at the just-opened rooftop restaurant The Chase in the Financial District. Hugo Boss and GQ present the private affair, one of two TIFF parties being held at the venue this year.

The Inspiration Gala in support of amfAR
The Carlu will be the setting once again for this year's black tie affair in support of The Foundation for AIDS Research. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs, Alan Cumming and Hilary Swank will all play starring roles as hosts and presenters while a who's who of Hollywood celebs and local monied types are sure to show up to throw some coin around at the live auction.

SEPTEMBER 9TH

Entertainment One Party
The Entertainment One party will celebrate their 29 films premiering at this year's TIFF. This year they move the party to the Roundhouse where the venue will be transformed to exude elegance to more than 1,000 film industry guests. The, ahem, blue carpet will be walked from 9:30-11:30pm.

Filthy Gorgeous: The Bob Guccione Story at Cube
CUBE will become an after-party playground for the cast and crew of Filthy Gorgeous, the documentary screening at TIFF about the founder of Penthouse Magazine. Things will start heating up at 8:30pm.

SEPTEMBER 10TH

The Reel Canadian Party
First Weekend Club is holding a private party to honour a decade of promoting quality films. Inspired by the golden age of cinema, this event aims to take guests back in time with classic elegance and top-notch live jazz performances. It's all going down at The Media Bar starting at 6pm.

SEPTEMBER 11TH

Camera Call: Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year's Women in Film
This invite-only event will honour ten Canadian women who have made outstanding directing or acting contributions at this year's TIFF. It'll take place at Maison Birks Bloor St. West, with red carpet arrivals from 4pm to 5:15pm.

SEPTEMBER 15TH

TIFF closing Night Gala
Roy Thomson Hall will be decked out in a 1970's Motown theme, giving homage to TIFF film Life of Crime based on Elmore Leanord's novel The Switch. 2,000 tired and partied out guests and volunteers are expected to ring out one last festival hurrah.

Thanks to Grolsch for sponsoring our coverage of TIFF13Grolsch TIFF


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