Toronto skaters are the real deal. They roll grimy spots, have t-shirt weather only a few months a year, and don’t stress about sponsorship or being the next “big deal”, or who did what where. 100% legit skateboarding is what’s up, and you can move elsewhere if all you’re after is free decks from some distributor sponsor. Toronto skaters can subside on $20 a week, fueling their bodies on street meat and booze. These urban warriors have their surroundings dialed and now, with this handy guide, you too can live the glorious life of a Toronto skater.

9:00 am: Punch the alarm clock. Some popular neighborhoods to live in are Parkdale, Queen and Bathurst, Leslieville, and Queen West. Cheap rent and proximity to bars, food, and skate spots are key.

10:00 am: Coffee/breakfast. Those that actually eat before 11:00 am can try any of the following: Sadie’s Diner (Adelaide/Portland), Manic Coffee (Bathurst/College), Java House (Queen/Augusta), Mercury Espresso (Queen East in Leslieville), or Mel’s (on Bloor).


11:00 am: Make some calls and see if the photog/filmers are down to shoot.
(Note: If it’s raining, scam a ride out to CBMK, Shred Central, The Rail or any number of downtown parking garages.)
(RIP Polson Pier Skate park)

Noon: Meet the homies at the Dun-Bat park (Dundas/Bathurst). Warm up with some smooth flat ground and ledges before taking it to the streets.

1:00 pm: Take your pick from dozens of dope street spots. Some well known favorites being: Skydome banks, Bickford ledges, Harborfront, mustard ledges, No Frills, or any number of various secret spots. Go find these or go on the hunt for some undiscovered gems.

2:00 pm: Time to eat again. Hit up some lunch at any of the following: Fresh (three downtown locations), Sandwich Box (across from Much Music), California Sandwiches (off College), El Gordo Fine Foods (empanada’s and other ghetto-ass delights), Licks (Spadina/Bloor), New York Subway (Queen/Portland), Caplanskys (Clinton off College), or Big Fat Burrito (Kensington).

3:00 pm: Hit up Adrift (Spadina, south of Queen) to set up a new complete and watch the latest vids.


4:00 pm: Hell, its four o’clock? Might as well go get some ink at TCB (Queen/Bathurst).


5:00 pm: Better go pick up a case now so you don’t get too dehydrated later. The Amsterdam brewery is open ‘till 11:00 pm at Bathurst, north of Lakeshore. You can also go scope chicks with your newly acquired booty in Trinity Bellwoods Park (Queen West) before dinner.


7:00 pm: Dinner time: Amazing meals, ranging from next to nothing to a little more cash, can be found at: Utopia (Little Italy), Terroni (various locations), Fran’s Diner, Little Tibet (Queen W), Phil’s BBQ (Dundas/Ossington),Tacos el Asador (Bloor/Christie),Torito (Kensington) or Sushi on Bloor. Fill up and then get back to Dun-Bat park to skate and make plans for the night.


8:00 to 10:00 pm: Enjoy the coolness of dusk and some coldies while sessioning the park that Rob Poyner built once again.


10:00 pm: Go peep an art show at Studio, where they recently hosted the Patrick O’Dell show (College/Spadina), Whippersnapper (Little Italy) or Omy (Queen/Beaconsfield), or catch a premier/show at Adrift if you’re lucky.

11:00 pm: Ain’t no party like an East Coast party. Some favorites, depending on the night, include: 751 (751 Queen St), Wrongbar (Queen West in Parkdale), Cadillac Lounge (Parkdale), Baby Hueys (Ossington north of Queen), Ted’s Collision (Little Italy), Sweaty Betty’s (Ossington/Queen), Bistro (College/Bathurst), The Beaconsfield (Queen W), or The Drake Underground (beside Beac’s).


2:00 am: Last call and you’re starving. Hit up Sneaky Dee’s for late night nachos (College/Bathurst) to keep the party going. Hero Burger (Queen West) is also close by for late night snacks, or Mars Food (Colllege/Bathurst) for a late night greasy-spoon breakfast. Fran’s Diner (College/Yonge), and King Noodle (Spadina/Dundas) will also hit the spot, and hopefully make you feel better (or worse) the following morning.

4:00 am: Get to bed so you can get up and do it all over again. Winter will be here before you know it and no one likes skating in a puff jacket.