The 7 Best Places to Stalk Your Favourite Celebrities at TIFF
The red carpets have rolled out, the champagne has been stocked and the camera’s charged – TIFF 2016 has officially begun and “the six” has transformed into nothing short of a celeb haven. Like most of us, celebs need to to find places to blow off some steam, grab a bite to eat or order up a strong drink after the workday is done. Here several spots where TIFF stars will be orbiting and loitering.
Mongrel House
For the second year, Mongrel Media—Canada’s leading independent film distributor—hosts one of the biggest festival party destinations taking place at Campbell House Museum on Queen Street West. This is the place where celebs let loose thanks to a ping-pong lounge, an east coast inspired kitchen-party area and live-karaoke. And, in case you think the expected guests (like Adam Driver, Michelle Williams and Ethan Hawke) are too cool to partake in the fun, guess again. Last year party-goers joined Geoffrey Rush in a rendition of “Love Shack.”
Patria
This King Street West hotspot is an A-list magnet on an ordinary day…during TIFF it’s lit. The Spanish tapas venue has hosted a fair share of festival after-parties, including one that ended in Bill Murray leading Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig in a conga line. Um, yes please.
Soho House
This private, member’s only club—tucked behind Queen West—has already seen it’s share of celebs since the fest started late last week. Leo and Anne Hathaway set up camp there on Friday night and Saturday saw the likes of Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Olsen. Find a friend with a membership and you’re bound to bump into a star… Just make sure you check your camera at the door – no snaps allowed – well, except in the infamous Soho House photo booth, that is.
The Shangri-La Hotel
This swanky hotel is home to a few different star-filled destinations. In years past the hotel’s resident noodle bar, Momofuku, has hosted some of the biggest TIFF parties, attended by celebs like Robert Downey Jr, Al Pacino, Chloe Moretz and Tina Fey. Meanwhile, the Shangri-La’s Asian-inspired joint called Bosk, has attracted patrons like Johnny Depp and Jessica Chastain. NBD, people. And, if you can’t get a reso to either of these restaurants, just grab a couch in the lobby; the hotel is known as a celeb fave home away from home during the festival.
The Thompson Hotel
Much like Shangri-La, The Thompson is as much a home for stars as it is a hotspot. Brad Pitt has been known to take in the view from the rooftop bar during years passed. This year it’s already seen the faces of Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Connely, Uzo Aduba and Hailee Steinfeld. Sit in the lobby, grab a coffee at Collette or head up to the infamous bar and you’re bound to be a stone’s throw from the hottest names in the biz.
Montecito
Canadian-born director Jason Reitman owns this California inspired restau that is actually attached to the festival headquarters – the TIFF Bell Lightbox. This is the place to catch the A-listers after big premieres and press conferences! Last year Clooney schmoozed with Sandra Bullock at this spot post-press event while sipping his brand of tequila, naturally.
Lavelle
If you haven’t already checked out the brand new rooftop pool and bar in the heart of King West, now is definitely the time. It’s already housed sightings of coveted celebs like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley in it’s 16,000 square foot outdoor space. Still expected to drop by for a pool-party–the always gorgeous Marion Cotillard and her co-star Vincent Cassel.
 on Sep 10, 2016 at 9:05pm PDT
For the second year, Mongrel Media—Canada’s leading independent film distributor—hosts one of the biggest festival party destinations taking place at Campbell House Museum on Queen Street West. This is the place where celebs let loose thanks to a ping-pong lounge, an east coast inspired kitchen-party area and live-karaoke. And, in case you think the expected guests (like Adam Driver, Michelle Williams and Ethan Hawke) are too cool to partake in the fun, guess again. Last year party-goers joined Geoffrey Rush in a rendition of “Love Shack.”
Patria
A photo posted by Patria (@patriato) on Sep 12, 2016 at 4:03pm PDT
This King Street West hotspot is an A-list magnet on an ordinary day…during TIFF it’s lit. The Spanish tapas venue has hosted a fair share of festival after-parties, including one that ended in Bill Murray leading Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig in a conga line. Um, yes please.
Soho House
A photo posted by Nora Tones| DJ ?| Pharmacist ? (@nora.tones) on Sep 12, 2016 at 3:01pm PDT
This private, member’s only club—tucked behind Queen West—has already seen it’s share of celebs since the fest started late last week. Leo and Anne Hathaway set up camp there on Friday night and Saturday saw the likes of Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Olsen. Find a friend with a membership and you’re bound to bump into a star… Just make sure you check your camera at the door – no snaps allowed – well, except in the infamous Soho House photo booth, that is.
The Shangri-La Hotel
A photo posted by Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto (@shangrilato) on May 6, 2016 at 1:19pm PDT
This swanky hotel is home to a few different star-filled destinations. In years past the hotel’s resident noodle bar, Momofuku, has hosted some of the biggest TIFF parties, attended by celebs like Robert Downey Jr, Al Pacino, Chloe Moretz and Tina Fey. Meanwhile, the Shangri-La’s Asian-inspired joint called Bosk, has attracted patrons like Johnny Depp and Jessica Chastain. NBD, people. And, if you can’t get a reso to either of these restaurants, just grab a couch in the lobby; the hotel is known as a celeb fave home away from home during the festival.
The Thompson Hotel
A photo posted by Thompson Toronto (@thompsontoronto) on Aug 1, 2016 at 12:46pm PDT
Much like Shangri-La, The Thompson is as much a home for stars as it is a hotspot. Brad Pitt has been known to take in the view from the rooftop bar during years passed. This year it’s already seen the faces of Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Connely, Uzo Aduba and Hailee Steinfeld. Sit in the lobby, grab a coffee at Collette or head up to the infamous bar and you’re bound to be a stone’s throw from the hottest names in the biz.
Montecito
A photo posted by Montecito Restaurant (@montecito_to) on Dec 31, 2015 at 7:37pm PST
Canadian-born director Jason Reitman owns this California inspired restau that is actually attached to the festival headquarters – the TIFF Bell Lightbox. This is the place to catch the A-listers after big premieres and press conferences! Last year Clooney schmoozed with Sandra Bullock at this spot post-press event while sipping his brand of tequila, naturally.
Lavelle
[caption id="attachment_274448" align="aligncenter" width="3240"] Photography by Sonia Recchia/Getty Images for The Mint Agency[/caption]
If you haven’t already checked out the brand new rooftop pool and bar in the heart of King West, now is definitely the time. It’s already housed sightings of coveted celebs like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley in it’s 16,000 square foot outdoor space. Still expected to drop by for a pool-party–the always gorgeous Marion Cotillard and her co-star Vincent Cassel.){kind=link}