The night economy describes the social, cultural and economic activities that take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Toronto. It not only encompasses enjoying Toronto’s nightlife, but also amenities and support for those who work at night including individuals who help manage life at night, such as hospitality industry workers, bar owners, shift workers and emergency services professionals. A healthy night economy supports all the needs of its residents and visitors at night.
Read the Good Neighbour Guide for Late Night Businesses for comprehensive resources and best practices for live music venues, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, retailers, service providers and others operating late hours.
Objectives
The City of Toronto will strengthen Toronto’s nightlife using, and in some cases re-aligning, existing City resources through three main objectives:
Plan the Night – Coordinate a strategic approach with municipal services, planning and policies to enhance 24-hour activity.
Protect the Night – Provide support to Toronto’s nightlife to promote a safe, respectful, inclusive and positive environment for all residents, workers and visitors.
Create the Night – Build a foundation that encourages a vibrant nightlife by supporting talented artists and entrepreneurs, creating jobs and spurring economic growth for Toronto.
Working Groups
To meet these objectives, the City formed two working groups. The Night Economy Internal Working Group consists of representatives across City divisions and agencies. The Night Economy External Working Group is a diverse collective of representatives from Residents Associations, Business Improvement Areas, gig workers, unions, owners of businesses active at night, cultural organizations and community groups throughout the city. Together, these groups make meaningful changes that will ensure Toronto’s night experience is safe and positive for everyone.
Ruben ‘Beny’ Esguerra: New Tradition Music; Wheel it Studios
Jason De Mata: RISE Arts and Community Services; VIBE Arts
Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie (Night Economy Champion and Chair)
Night Economy Review Consultation
In 2018, the City began reviewing the licensing and zoning regulations for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in Toronto. In 2023, the City engaged industry stakeholders and residents through consultation sessions and a survey on how to redefine and clarify licensing and zoning for nightlife businesses.
In December 2023, City Council adopted amendments to the Licensing Bylaw and the Zoning Bylaws for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues as part of the Night Economy Review . Highlights include:
Modernizing licensing and zoning rules for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues;
Expanding permitted nightclub areas to commercial zones city-wide, subject to conditions;
Increasing the permitted maximum area bars and restaurants can use for entertainment;
Updating business licence categories to capture public halls, live music venues and rental spaces for entertainment; and
Strengthening compliance and enforcement and proactively addressing problematic establishments.
On January 17, 2024, the City held the inaugural Night Economy Town Hall to share the latest Night Economy project updates and introduce the Good Neighbour Guide for Late-Night Businesses .
The Good Neighbour Guide for Late-Night Businesses is intended as a comprehensive resource for late-night businesses, such as live music venues, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, retailers, service providers and others operating between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The guide presents relevant information and provides links to related resources from the City and external sources that are intended to support operators in running a safe establishment that benefits the surrounding community.
This guide is intended to provide a simplified overview of the various resources available to music event organizers in Toronto and a summary of what processes and permits might be required for various kinds of events in different types of spaces (public or private; indoor or outdoor).
Night Economy Working Groups Update (November 2024). This report provides updates on the efforts of the Internal and External Working Groups to enhance the night economy.
Supporting the Growth of the Night Economy (December 2023). This report updated on City Council directives and summarized key points from the 2023 consultations related to the Night Economy Review.
Chapter 545, Licensing Bylaw Updates (October 2019). This report addressed duplication of the Licensing Bylaw with the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Strengthening Toronto’s Nighttime Economy (July 2019). This report outlined recommendations to enhance Toronto’s night economy and modernize bylaw, licensing and zoning regulations.
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for comprehensive resources and best practices for live music venues, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, retailers, service providers and others operating late hours.
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