Toronto's most exclusive event series turns unlikely locations into unbelievable party pads
There's a new event collective in Toronto that's transforming unlikely spaces into the ultimate party pads, and they're doing it all in the name of community.
When the enormous Zara location on Queen West shut down, questions of what that space could possibly be used for next immediately started swirling.
Another store, a restaurant or — shudder — more condos; anything is possible, but what I, personally, didn't have on my bingo card was seeing it transformed into an epic immersive party venue for one night only, but that's exactly how the space was last used.
The towering windows emblazoned with the words "Friends Only" and "Can I Bring A Friend," immediately piqued my curiosity, which was only further stoked when videos from inside crossed my feed.
Bouncy castles, ball pits and beverages seemed to cover the store's enormous square footage, which was packed to the rafters with attendees — it's the type of thing that you'd expect to stumble upon once in a blue moon but, as it happens, Friends Only, the team behind the event, is doing it all the time.
Created by a single founder (who prefers not to be identified, "Honestly, I'm just shy and prefer staying out of the spotlight," they tell me), Friends Only is at the cutting edge of immersive events in Toronto, and it all started with their own friends.
"I’ve been hosting these large-scale private gatherings for my friends just for fun," they tell me. "Over time, the guest list kept growing as people asked, 'Can I bring a friend?' That simple question sparked both the concept, as I realized doing it under a brand allows me to book much cooler spots, and make the spotlight on the brand."
The events have taken place everywhere from the Toronto Reference Library, which transformed into a lush dream garden complete with fog machines and bouquet-making stations, to Toronto's abandoned Bay Lower Station, always with an attention to detail rivalling that of a movie set.
Here's the catch: the events are "friends only."
"[It's] not to be exclusive, but to recreate the organic, connected feeling of going to an event where everyone is linked through mutual friends," the founder explains. "Any past attendee is added to the invite list and can 'bring a friend' to future experiences."
The goal, beyond stuffing the Instagram feeds of Toronto residents with unparalleled party pics, is to create events that make people actually want to get off the couch and spend a night with someone they care about.
In other words, community. But the commitment to the Toronto community doesn't stop with party guests; all of the events are paired with a charitable cause to give back.
"We want guests to leave not just with unforgettable memories, but with also a deeper awareness of how they can contribute to the city around them," the founder says.
"It's about recognizing the role each of us plays in this community and taking meaningful action."
At the Toronto Reference Library event, guests brought books to support the library and childhood literacy programs. At Zara, the team collected over 2000 pieces of used clothing that were donated to The Salvation Army.
Another event for International Women's Day, this time in a hangar at Billy Bishop Airport, required guests to bring feminine hygiene products to be donated to two local women's shelters.
Beyond being lively and good-looking, each event is packed with activities and experiences at every corner for any whim a partygoer could possibly dream of (and then some).
At the Zara event, the team organized haircuts and makeovers in the dressing rooms, Omakase by chefs situated inside the elevators, live poetry, tattoos, massages and even a make-your-own perfume bar. Basically, imagine the wildest house party you've ever been to, and make it about a million times better.
"At the end of the day, it's all about the experience," the founder tells me. "I invite my closest friends to every event, and my goal is to create nights that are genuinely unforgettable—for them to enjoy together with me."
Next up, they're transforming all 50,000 sq. ft. of Eataly's Yonge and Bloor location into a massive multi-floor experience on June 20. While the team isn't giving up any of the details about the upcoming event, perhaps their most ambitious yet, it's sure to be nothing short of spectacular.
Not content with resting on their laurels here in Toronto, the founder tells me they hope to expand to other cities in the future, noting that Friends Only's "inbox is constantly filled with people asking when we're bringing CIBAF to their city."
For now, though, it's all about figuring out how to up the ante even further, make the events bigger and better, and continue providing unforgettable experiences for their friends and their friends, and their friends, ad infinitum.
You can keep up with Friends Only's latest events by following them on Instagram.
Friends Only
