What electroclash icon Peaches loves about Parkdale
Including filthy martinis, drag brunch and pinball wizardry
Peaches, born Merrill Nisker, is originally from Toronto but relocated to Berlin in 2000 after deciding that Canada wasn’t quite ready for her gender-bending, sexually explicit performances. “It was confusing for everybody,” she says. “People thought, Is this real music? Is this performance art? Why is she yelling at me with pubic hair sticking out of her pink underwear?” In Germany, her unholy fusion of electronic music and punk seemed to fit right in. Still, Peaches returns to her hometown at least once a year (including this month, for a performance at the Danforth Music Hall on March 4). When she does come back, she gravitates toward Parkdale. Here, she shares some of her favourite haunts, old and new.
Simpl Things
“The vibe is just chill. It feels very casual but has high-quality food and service. All the martinis are really good, or you can customize your own by adding caviar or a twist or specifying how dirty you want it. I like it very dirty.” 269 Dunn Ave., simplthings.ca
The Bell and the Beacon
“I went here with six people, and we shared a bunch of small plates. Everything was so damn tasty, and it was super cozy. There wasn’t an ounce of bouginess to it. Their wedge caesar salad was so classic and made perfectly. I don’t usually eat chicken, but someone ordered grilled piri piri chicken and I had to taste it. Everything is so good.” 1648 Queen St. W., thebellandbeacon.com
Black Dice Café
“This place is not up its own ass. The bartenders are chill and friendly, and they make great drinks. The last time I went, they were projecting films onto the wall, which I thought was cool. The menu is very sake forward, but I usually opt for one of their Japanese whiskies.” 1574 Dundas St. W., @blackdicecafe
Tilt Arcade Bar
“I’m a total pinball junkie. There was a place across from my junior high, and my friends and I would go play during every lunch hour. Here, they have wall-to-wall pinball machines and unlimited play. It’s important to me to get a machine where simultaneous balls are in play. They have The Addams Family, Jaws and a really good variety of kitschy themed pinball machines. There’s something nostalgic and also calming to me about the sounds.” 1255 Queen St. W., tilttoronto.com
Related: What to eat, drink and do at the city’s new arcade bars
The Drake Hotel
“I have a good history with the Drake. I’ve performed everywhere in the hotel, from the rooftop to the basement. I love their drag brunch with Miss Moço. Toronto queens have so much talent—they work their butts off and deserve to be adored.” 1150 Queen St. W., thedrake.ca
Sorauren Farmers’ Market
“Sorauren has a true community feeling, with people picnicking in the summer and live music. You can find Tibetan dumplings, Argentinian empanadas and tapioca crêpes. There are also occasionally local foragers selling things you won’t find at other markets, like blue oyster mushrooms. I highly recommend Chuckleberry Trading Company’s cheesecake in a jar.” 50 Wabash Ave., soraurenmarket.com
