The TIFFing point: last night, the film fest ended in spirit, if not in fact
We regret to announce that the TIFF bacchanal is over. Not officially, of course—that’s not until Sunday—but we’ve reached the TIFFing point: that moment that comes midway through every film festival, when the city suddenly realizes that most of the A-listers have gone back to Hollywood and that most of the free champagne has dried up.
We hit that point sometime last night, when we arrived at the Thompson rooftop, friends in tow and slightly inebriated, only to be informed it was a corporate event. As we surveyed the expanse of suits drinking martinis, the hostess inquired if we had a reservation, despite ample empty seating. Ready to leave for the Spoke Club, we were told by recent patrons that it, too, was empty and “boring.” Even Amber, a typical Wednesday night hot spot, wasn’t the bump and grind it normally is. Ditto for Avenue Bar and nearby One restaurant. Sure, we’ll still see such Toronto icons as Jian Ghomeshi and Strombo loitering at Starbucks, but that’s nothing we can’t see waiting for the streetcar in front of the CBC building.
Our livers will thank us, but it’s a shame for the TIFF party scene. It was only three days from retirement.
