Sunday and Monday, Toronto’s “other weekend,” brings inexpensive booze to the server set

Sunday and Monday, Toronto’s “other weekend,” brings inexpensive booze to the server set

After settling the tabs of Friday parties, Saturday pub crawls and Sunday brunches, a segment of Toronto gears up to celebrate the “other weekend”—Sunday and Monday. On those evenings, business owners cater to hairstylists, musicians, event planners, promoters, bouncers and other members of the service industry. “They don’t get to experience the weekend nightlife,” Mathew Tsoumaris, marketing director at Uniq Lifestyle, which owns Cheval, told the Star, “so we give them a discounted night.”

And what a discount. At Cheval, embattled bar stars can enjoy a bottle of Absolut vodka for $99 (normally $200), while hipster hangout The Social hosts Meetings—one of its most popular nights, where folks can “party on Mondays like it’s Friday.” At Opera Bob’s Public House on Dundas West, which caters to a more relaxed, football-watching crowd, a bottle of Bud goes for $3.75. And down the street at the Black Hoof, crowds can chatter over charcuterie until midnight.

The list of participating venues is long; the Star drops at least 15 names in its 900-word article. It’s a sign that all the discounted booze hasn’t knocked the industry’s PR specialists off their game. “These nights are often sponsored by high-end brands like Grey Goose,” points out John Wilk, a partner in beforelastcall.com. “They want to cater to people in this industry. It’s fun, but it’s good for networking, too, as they often attract the more established people in the scene.” Not a bad socializing tip, even for nine-to-fivers. Cheap Grey Goose may be the best excuse to call in sick on Tuesday.

The ‘other weekend’ hot spots [Toronto Star]