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Review by Drew Rowsome |
The arty aspect of Circa, though occasionally disconcerting, is beautifully done. An extremely interactive, fun-filled gallery salutes the artists of Kidrobot. Imagine a Science Centre exhibit, intended as an alcohol-saturated playground and re-imagined by a demented child. Hallways are lined with syringe-embossed mirrors (nervy, considering the charges that Gatien faced in the US) and outstretched mannequin torsos. Leather-clad mannequins hang from stairwell ceilings and photograph-filled light panels stud the walls.
With most nightclubs nailing down anything breakable, Circa has placed a lot of faith in the good behavior or its patrons. It would only take a few of Adam Vaughn's Entertainment District “hooligans” to severely scar the atmosphere and sully the elaborate decor. Circa believes that a strict door policy, a strong security presence and a high-end clientèle will avoid any problems. Are there 3000 high-end club-goers in the GTA? And will they be willing to venture into the Entertainment District on a weekend night? It would be a tragedy if the Circa concept and ambitious plans are diluted to attract a more common element, but a bit more commonality may become necessary to fuel the massive financial requirements.-D.R. |
126 John Street, Toronto, ON
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26 Reader Reviews
I went to Circa to see Simian Mobile Disco on March 21st and the place was awesome. The soundsystem kicks a$$. If you're looking for a loud, packed and rockin place to dance all night then this is the place to go!
Savi's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Circa is the worst club I have ever been to in my entire life! For starters, they gave me the wrong coat check card at the beginning of the night so when i went to get my coat at the end of the night they gave me a mens coat. I proceeded to tell the stupid coat check people that they gave me the wrong coat check ticket at the beginning of the night and they basically told me to bad so sad, if i want to get my coat back i would have to wait until the end of the night when everyone left. I was not prepared to do this, especially because they screwed up. I could see my coat hanging behind the coat check table and i had a peice of photo id in my coat pocket, they still refused to give me my coat back and now had security threatening to kick me out if i didn't leave the coat check area. Most of my guy friends that were trying to help me get my coat back were picked up and thrown out of the club by the security I emailed the manager a complaint of what happened and he never responded, great customer service! While all of this was going on I watched 5 bouncers beat the shit out of this guy so badly that he was bleeding from his head in more than one place, it was disgusting. I will never go back to this place again. It is definately not worth the $20 cover!
Anonymous's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Visited Circa Saturday, March 1st, very excited to see Bob Sinclar.
And left with just one word in my head: Frightening.
The club was packed way over capacity. Hallways were jammed to claustrophobic levels. Bouncers screamed at the crowds. Men patrons were shoving female patrons.
I understand that this place is a 'super-club'...so the crowds are to be expected. What is not expected is the sheer chaos that only seemed to build throughout the night.
We constantly were given conflicting directions by staff members - which had us, and many other people wasting our times fighting up hallways, only to be screamed at that we were going the wrong way.
One bouncer actually screamed at a patron "if you men wouldn't walk like B*tches, we could all move along faster."
I visited this club on opening weekend, and was excited to return, esp. for such an international DJ. We wont' be making that mistake again. I don't go out to clubs to feel processed like cattle.
Overall, its really too bad - Circa is a great concept, but until they get a handle on coping with crowds (and not overpacking the place) it just isn't safe, or fun.
Laura C's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I have been to many clubs in many city's.
Circa has impressed me above all for a multitude of reasons. The atmosphere is incredible. The lighting, the music, and the themes are crafted with a great deal of care and expense.
People will complain about paying to get in and the prices of drinks, but in dealing with a quality environment with a higher class of patron, this is essential. I have never seen so many pretty girls in one club.
Everything is done right in my opinion.
There are plenty of spots where the music isn’t as loud so you can speak with people or even make a phone call.
You can leave one district and walk into another and feel as if you’ve driven across town to a different club.
And it’s the only place in the city I’ve been to which play’s good house music.
You can tell the management cares about this place because everything from the decency of bouncers, to the nightly themes and DJ’s, are designed to have a good night.
Hope this helps.
Brandon's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I have been to many clubs in many city's.
Circa has impressed me above all for a multitude of reasons. The atmosphere is incredible. The lighting, the music, and the themes are crafted with a great deal of care and expense.
People will complain about paying to get in and the prices of drinks, but in dealing with a quality environment with a higher class of patron, this is essential. I have never seen so many pretty girls in one club.
Everything is done right in my opinion.
There are plenty of spots where the music isn’t as loud so you can speak with people or even make a phone call.
You can leave one district and walk into another and feel as if you’ve driven across town to a different club.
And it’s the only place in the city I’ve been to which play’s good house music.
You can tell the management cares about this place because everything from the decency of bouncers, to the nightly themes and DJ’s, are designed to have a good night.
Hope this helps.
Brandon S's Rating: 4 Stars |
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haha here's a review brought to you by non-braindead! This comment section is laughable at best.
Anyway, went tonight, club was good. it's the retarded kids that post in here that give it a bad name, though not like anyone takes crap like this seriously
Mark Dean's Rating: 4 Stars |
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After reading most of the comments made about this club, I had to laugh. It seems that the angry-goers all have one thing in common.... spelling isn't their "thing"!
I've been to Circa a few times. Loved it the first time, had a bad night the second, had an awesome time the last time and am returning this weekend. Not only do clubs have good and not-so-good nights, but so do the patrons. Could it be that these angry, club-haters may just be miserable people looking for things wrong?
The first time I went, there was no soap in the washroom. I told one of the staff members and 40 minutes later, there was soap. Go figure! Sometimes, give people a break and offer advice instead of stomping on a new project who's purpose is to please Toronto and area patrons. - Don't hate...where's the love? - How about they install suggestion boxes all along the hall so you all get a chance to have your voices heard! Too funny!
Too Cute's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Went for the first time on Sat nov 3rd.
I have read mixed reviews on this club. I was not impressed at all. This place is just too big, too many stairs, too much walking around. I'm thinking about those who get high, or drunk. This would be a challenge for them.
Lets start with entrance. I received a half price ticket from the door guys. I thought great!!! I was still charged $15.00 dollars. That means it cost $30 dollars regular price. WOW!!!!
At first, I was lost. I did not no where to go. Eventually we found our way around. Checked out all the rooms. We arrived early. Pretty empty. then it was rammed with people. A lot of cute looking girls around. but for what i paid at entry, i would assume there would be some sort of dress code. I.E no runners/hats. but htat was not the case as I saw many wearing nike's and fur hats. baseball caps.
Now the music. I love house. They played awesome house music. But even i need some variety. Every room they played house and house and more house. There was one room on the upper level that started to play r/b hiphop etc.... great. somethign different i thought. we ended up waiting in line to gain entry for about 15 minutes. after 30 minutes i had to take a leak, something one does after drinking. sure enough i was told the washroom is outside and to gain entry you have to wait in line once AGAIN! so i ended up waiting another 20 minutes to wait in a room where i left just to take a pee. bull$hit.
0verall, they had best straighten a lot of things out in this place. it wont last after the awe wears out. In my opinion, lucid was a better club.
Im still trying to figure out where the owner spent 6 million dollars on this club. Its exactly the same layout as lucid.
1 star here.
30 bucks. ... i shouldve gone to muzik, or maro's.
Larry's Rating: 1 Stars |
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4 out of 4 stars!
Went out a Friday night (Nov.2nd), and we all loved CiRCA...definitely a breath of fresh air. I loved the crowd at CiRCA, and I'd rather have space to dance and friendly and helpful staff, like at CiRCA, than deal with the rudeness and overcapacity that occurs at Republik or Guvernment. I find CiRCA very visually appealing and the DJs never skipped a beat.
I understand that there are some things CiRCA needs to work on, like the small designated smoking area (although I don't smoke), and if this mega entertainment complex can keep going from its exciting grand opening, because of the supposedly cursed location (referring to previous tenants Lucid and Playdium). All I know is the people of Toronto need to go and support a great place like CiRCA, because it should remain a welcome addition to Toronto's Entertainment District.
So, if you want DJs playing great music, ample space to dance, reasonable-priced drinks, a good feeling of security and atmosphere (so you can have a great time), and no hooligans raining on your parade, then check out CiRCA.
CiRCA is my new favourite nightspot!
Desidario's Rating: 4 Stars |
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well can can be said about circa but its probably way too much for this city to handle...reading some of these reviews i can understand why some people feel the way they do about the club... ill start by saying i love this club..and i think it has great potential...however some of the issues with the place including the security the set up by that i mean the entry the exit and the smoking area...the owner also needs to take the pickle outta his ass yes yes we get it you are a big time player in the states...but remember your in canada now and we party a lil bit different than our neighbours to the south...
so the security...its amazing how big of jerks they can be..ppl will only tolerate a certain amount of crap granted that they do deal with alot of crap from drunken party goers but thats yor job your supposed to be a professional about it ive seen bouncers man handle some of the clientel thats just gonna hurt the club in the end..
that brings me to the entrance of the club...ive gone both the opening week and the week after as well the first week was cool i mean you walk in pay at the booth and then theres this hallway that has this crazy artwork it sets up the club with an amazing first impression... the following week was the complete oposite going in the back entrance throw an underground garage... terrible hey really need to figure something out to get in the FRONT you know where they spent all that money on...
the smoking area is a joke ill be honest not very impressive when u have spent 6.2 million on a club and you have to go into a back ally to smoke just not what you would expect from an high end club...
the layout of the inside is gorgeous tho alot of rooms cool lookin specticals but none the less in every room the music is alomost the same...it is good music but very repetitive if they want to compete with a power house like guv they need to accomidate to a wider client base keep it clean but play some different music...
these are the areas that need improvement but it can be done i mean like others have stated it is a much better club that lucid was but the reason they shut down last time was they just couldnt fill the club...this might be the case this time if they dont get it together you have paying customers why not treat them as such accomidate them rather than call them idiots and push them around because if you dont youll find yourself outta work outta club and that would be a shame because circa is a fantastic venue but its not make it if these problems persist
Kash's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Circa |
126 John Street, Toronto, ON
416-979-0044
Clubland
20 - 30
Dance Club
Fri. & Sat.: 9:00pm-4:00am
$$$
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American Express |
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