The Toronto Group Chat: What your friends are talking about this week (August 4)

Hey, Toronto, what’s up?! Your group chat is popping off, and we’re here to keep the good times going. Welcome to another week of the Toronto Group Chat. This is your weekly rundown of the city’s biggest and hottest updates. Here, you’ll find all the stuff you actually want to share in your group chat. Every week, we’re dishing out five must-know highlights of what’s going on in the city or stories you need to know about.

Maybe people are already talking about it, or maybe you’ll start the conversation? Let your friends know.

Check out what’s new in Toronto. Let’s get into it.

Did you hear, Toronto?

Murals meet Toronto festivals this month

Summer is nearing its end, but Toronto isn’t letting a moment slip by. That’s why you have to go to Yorkville Murals this month if you’re looking for a sense of community and artistic expression. It’s coming back to Yorkville Avenue from Aug. 22 to 23, transforming the strip into a “vibrant, interactive cultural playground.” Over 70,000 people are expected to attend the two days. This year is all about large-scale murals, inflatable art, immersive installations, live painting, thought-provoking art talks, high-energy dance battles, pop-up shops, music, and a lively evening block party.

The Carbon Bar is making history tasty

You know the iconic Toronto restaurant The Carbon Bar? It’s celebrating the history of its home at 99 Queen St. E. with a tantalizing three-course dining experience. This blend of historic significance and culinary creativity will bring its story to life through flavours.

The new $65 prix fixe menu includes one dish per course, plus optional cocktail pairings inspired by each era it’s known for.

Menu highlights include:

• Fresh West Coast Oysters, Hamachi Crudo or Garlic Butter Shrimp
• Pit-smoked Beef Brisket, St. Louis Pork Ribs or Fried Chicken Dinner
• Kentucky Derby Pie, Chocolate Espresso Crunch or Banoffee Pie
• Optional signature cocktail pairings, including the Black Mamba Margarita and Pit Fired Old Fashioned

Over the last 150 years, its Toronto address has been home to:

• The Nipissing Coal & Wood Yard (1875), where the city once bought its firewood and coal.
• Electric Circus nightclub
• The original home of CityTV
• And a Disney rehearsal studio

Festival season is still in full swing

Toronto does summer right! There’s no doubt that we know how to throw a good festival. Our street parties are almost legendary, park festivals are one of a kind, and don’t get us started on outdoor concerts.

Who cares if it’s August? Summer isn’t going anywhere just yet. The city is going to be buzzing these next few weeks, especially this weekend with parties like Electric Island, JerkFest, and Taste of the Danforth.

Have you ever tried Kalamansi? Toronto’s about to get a night market dedicated to it

Just another reason to love Toronto. A night market dedicated to a citrus is coming to the city. Kalamansi Collective and Barkada Market have teamed up to bring back Kalamansi Fest to the STACKT market this year. Make your way to STACKT Market for two days of delicious eats and Filipino culture. Shop from local vendors and just enjoy the vibe. It’s all going down on Aug. 8 and 9, and it’s free to attend.

Toronto’s getting a cocktail festival – yes, we really are

Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but we’d recommend getting your tickets fast. The Toronto Cocktail Festival, presented by The Alchemist Magazine, returns to the city this October. Think 25+ open bar stations, over 30 different cocktail creations, food by Food Dudes and the best music by stellar DJs. Tickets are on sale now.

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Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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