Night Economy Review

About the Review

As part of this review, the City intends to:

• explore new ways to activate space and enhance livability for everyone who works at night or is interested in cultural or social experiences after dark
• create strategies that promote safe and enjoyable communities for all
• update the definitions, rules, and licensing for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues
• change regulations that define where these businesses can operate in Toronto

To inform the review, the City is seeking feedback through targeted industry engagement, public consultations and a survey to: 

• Clearly define and clarify the current licensing and zoning regulations for businesses that operate as restaurants, bars, nightclubs or live music venues
• Provide opportunities for business owners, patrons, and residents to share their expertise, insights and general feedback
• Generate discussion to better understand the issues impacting nighttime businesses and the needs of people who are active at night, including hospitality workers, shift workers, vulnerable populations, and those visiting cultural venues, stores, recreation facilities, and other businesses open at night

Past Consultations

In March and April 2023, the City hosted public consultations to provide opportunities for people to share their ideas and an online public survey was posted.

On June 5, City staff shared what was heard during these consultations including general themes and high-level survey feedback.

• Watch a recording of the public information session.
• Download the presentation

 

Draft Licensing & Zoning Proposals

On September 6 and 7, the City hosted two virtual meetings to gain insights and feedback on how bars, restaurants, and other entertainment venues – including nightclubs – are defined, licensed and zoned in Toronto.

Proposals included:

• Implementing activity-based licensing for food and entertainment businesses
• Updating licensing and zoning definitions and requirements for live music venues, bars, restaurants, retail food stores, nightclubs, arcades and places of assembly
• Increasing permitted entertainment space in bars and restaurants
• Expanding where nightclubs can be located outside the downtown area

Download the summary of proposals   that were discussed during the sessions.

Background Information

In 2018, the City began reviewing the licensing and zoning regulations for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in response to directives from City Council, and recommendations from the Auditor General.

This work included background research, data analysis, a review of regulations in different cities, and preliminary stakeholder consultations. However, this review was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing that the pandemic has negatively impacted the restaurant, bar and entertainment industries, the City has prioritized the review of relevant zoning and licensing regulations, to ensure that they are consistent, and reflective of emerging business models in the dining and entertainment sectors.

In December 2021, a staff report was presented to Executive Committee that introduced a framework to update licensing and zoning regulations for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, to better support an inclusive social nighttime culture in Toronto and to gather insights and make recommendations for its night economy advisory bodies. The report outlined recommendations for next steps including public and key stakeholder consultations that will be held from March to June 2023.

Insights and experiences from these consultations will inform strategies for enhancing Toronto’s night economy, as well as zoning and licensing recommendations and proposed bylaw amendments for Committee and Council consideration in fall 2023.

Additional Information

This review intersects and complements other ongoing City initiatives for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, including:

• Initiatives to support Toronto’s Night Economy and live music
• CaféTO and Amplified Live Music on Patios programs
• Review of the Toronto Licensing Tribunal
• Toronto’s Music Strategy
• Toronto’s Nightlife Action Plan

Directives & Reports

• Framework for the Review of Licensing and Zoning Regulations for Restaurants, Bars and Entertainment Venues proposes a framework to modernize and clarify zoning and licensing regulations, outlines next steps to address problematic establishments; and proposes plans for consultations in early 2023. (December 2021)
• Update on Cross-Jurisdictional Action Plan for Bars, Restaurants, and Nightclubs outlined an approach to develop a cross-jurisdictional inspection and enforcement action plan (December 2019)
• Chapter 545, Licensing Bylaw Updates, addressed duplication of the Licensing Bylaw with the Health Protection and Promotion Act (October 2019)
• Strengthening Toronto’s Nighttime Economy outlined recommendations to enhance Toronto’s night economy and modernize bylaw, licensing and zoning regulations (July 2019)
• A Review of Municipal Licensing and Standards Division’s Management of Business Licences – Part Three: Eating Establishments and Nightclubs (2017 Auditor General report)

Other relevant reports

• Toronto Music Strategy 2022-2026 (2022):
• Emerging Entertainment Areas Outside of the Downtown Core (2021)
• Re:Venues (2020)
• Strengthening Toronto’s Nighttime Economy (2019)
• Toronto Nightlife Action Plan (2019)
• DIY Events in Toronto (2018)