Where to watch the 2016 Oscars in Toronto
Will Leo finally take home an Oscar? Will Chris Rock address the elephant in the room? Will The Martian somehow win another category with “musical” in its title? Here are the five best places in the city to find out.
For the authentic red-carpet experience
TIFF’s awards-night bash is the closest you’ll come to the actual Oscars without flying to Hollywood. Red carpet? Check. Oscars-inspired cocktails? Check. A-list celebs? Well, no, but there will be a silent auction for a nine-litre bottle of Moët and Chandon signed by Matt Damon, Helen Mirren, Jake Gyllenhaal and 40 more stars, so it’s kind of like they’re there. Pony up for a VIP ticket ($300) and you’ll get access to a special screening room and the obligatory Oscar swag bag. $125. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., tiff.net.
For gourmand moviegoers
The Oscars are to film fans as the Super Bowl is to sports nuts, but that doesn’t mean this Sunday’s menu needs to be chicken wings and chili. The Drake is serving up a three-course, prix fixe dinner to go with its awards-night activities: cinematic trivia hosted by Google Canada (so we assume Googling the answers is allowed), an Oscar pool and a chance to win an Oscar-gold Nexus phone. FREE, dinner $37. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., thedrakehotel.ca.
For the big-crowd feel
When Leonardio DiCaprio is awarded—or once again robbed of—his Oscar this Sunday, nowhere in Toronto will go as wild as the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. Online tickets are already sold out, so expect the 684-seat space to be packed with cinephiles and wannabe paparazzi if you score a ticket at the door. Local sketch duo The Templeton Philharmonic hosts. FREE. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., hotdocs.ca.
For aspiring award winners
If you’re less concerned with which movies win the Oscars than with scoring an award yourself, head to the east end’s Fox. The theatre is handing out prizes for the best dressed attendee, the best impression of the night and the winner of its Oscar bingo. FREE. Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E., facebook.com.
For Oscar haters
So you haven’t watched any of the nominated movies? You think the Oscars might be racist? You tell yourself you’ll just stream it? The Gladstone’s anti-Oscars party is for you. The hotel will have trivia, prizes and live commentary from the host, all with a cynical slant. FREE. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., gladstonehotel.com.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/culture/where-to-watch-the-oscars-academy-awards-in-toronto/&title=Where to watch the 2016 Oscars in Toronto&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chris-Rock-Oscars-2000x1600.jpg&description=Will Leo finally take home an Oscar? Will Chris Rock address the elephant in the room? Will The Martian somehow win another category with "musical" in its title? Here are the five best places in the city to find out.
For the authentic red-carpet experience
TIFF's awards-night bash is the closest you'll come to the actual Oscars without flying to Hollywood. Red carpet? Check. Oscars-inspired cocktails? Check. A-list celebs? Well, no, but there will be a silent auction for a nine-litre bottle of Moët and Chandon signed by Matt Damon, Helen Mirren, Jake Gyllenhaal and 40 more stars, so it's kind of like they're there. Pony up for a VIP ticket ($300) and you'll get access to a special screening room and the obligatory Oscar swag bag. $125. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., tiff.net.
For gourmand moviegoers
The Oscars are to film fans as the Super Bowl is to sports nuts, but that doesn't mean this Sunday's menu needs to be chicken wings and chili. The Drake is serving up a three-course, prix fixe dinner to go with its awards-night activities: cinematic trivia hosted by Google Canada (so we assume Googling the answers is allowed), an Oscar pool and a chance to win an Oscar-gold Nexus phone. FREE, dinner $37. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., thedrakehotel.ca.
[caption id="attachment_371916" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: YouTube)[/caption]
For the big-crowd feel
When Leonardio DiCaprio is awarded—or once again robbed of—his Oscar this Sunday, nowhere in Toronto will go as wild as the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. Online tickets are already sold out, so expect the 684-seat space to be packed with cinephiles and wannabe paparazzi if you score a ticket at the door. Local sketch duo The Templeton Philharmonic hosts. FREE. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., hotdocs.ca.
For aspiring award winners
If you're less concerned with which movies win the Oscars than with scoring an award yourself, head to the east end's Fox. The theatre is handing out prizes for the best dressed attendee, the best impression of the night and the winner of its Oscar bingo. FREE. Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E., facebook.com.
For Oscar haters
So you haven't watched any of the nominated movies? You think the Oscars might be racist? You tell yourself you'll just stream it? The Gladstone's anti-Oscars party is for you. The hotel will have trivia, prizes and live commentary from the host, all with a cynical slant. FREE. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., gladstonehotel.com.){kind=link}