Dave Walker opened Lovers & Friends with a simple goal in mind: to build a space that contains all the things that bring people together: high-quality music, delicious food and good vibes.
“I wanted something memorable that immediately felt warm and inviting. Food has always been something that brings people together, whether it’s a date night, celebrating with family or catching up with friends over a great meal,” Walker says. “Lovers & Friends felt like the perfect reflection of that. It’s also a nod to the Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris song, which was a huge hit when I was growing up and always brings back good memories.”
Walker has spent about 25 years in the hospitality industry, working his way through various roles in restaurants before eventually becoming the manager of Convenience Restobar, the venue that occupied the space that is now the home of Lovers & Friends. And through his experience, he fell in love with venues that transition throughout the day.
“Toronto has incredible restaurants and incredible nightlife, but there aren’t many places where both feel equally important,” he says. “We wanted to create somewhere people could enjoy dinner, stay for another drink and then realize they’re dancing an hour later without ever feeling like they had to go somewhere else.”
As for the menu, chef Seon Harris incorporates Guyanese influence into a menu that Walker describes as Caribbean comfort dishes, boasting options like a steak tartare that’s hand-cut and topped with roasted pineapple, wiri wiri peppers and crispy plantain chips and citrus chicken and lamb shank with proteins that are brined overnight.
The Lovers & Friends cocktail menu is equally as inventive.
“My personal favourite is the Fire Eyed-Boy, named after the Stars song. It combines Johnnie Walker Black with tamarind and pickled jalapeños,” Walker says. “Our most popular cocktail is probably the Princess of Power Punch, made with Cîroc Passion, tequila and mezcal, topped with ginger beer and a mango, raspberry and peach blend. It’s inspired by our glow-in-the-dark He-Man and She-Ra themed washrooms, which always become a talking point.”
But above all else, Walker just wants people to come and enjoy themselves, regardless of the experience they’re looking for.
“From the beginning, I wanted the space to feel comfortable without sacrificing energy. During dinner, it’s a modern neighbourhood restaurant where people can relax and enjoy great food. As the evening progresses, the music naturally becomes part of the experience,” he says. “More than anything, I want people to feel welcome. Whether someone is here for a first date, a birthday, dinner with family or to hear a favourite DJ, I want them to leave feeling like they had a great night.”
Lovers & Friends is located at 1184 Queen Street West.
