s Kensington market continues to become a refuge for those seeking an alternative party experience, more and more venues are cropping up to tap into that very experience. The trick though, is in finding out where they are; a party is often happening in the most unexpected place. No obvious doormen leading you into coat check or fail-safe guest lists.

Many of these parties are bringing the crowds to The Boat: a Portuguese restaurant-turned Chucks-and-nods hot (literally, especially in the drip-warm summer)-spot. The Boat draws crowds for disparate parties and dust-vinyl nights. Local acts spin, strum, meld, and wear skinny ties.

For a space that’s on an upper level, it's oddly subterranean in nature. Designed to mimic the lower deck of a ship, its electric-eclectic flavour hit us right away. Sharp strobe lights and gigantic port holes as windows started to bring on that woozy feeling, as did the moderately priced drinks. The decor is decidedly kitschy; a nostalgic vibe with a new sense of irony, as the look remains unchanged from its earlier incarnation. The music being played is often cutting edge, not the sort of beats that one might find in your regular run-of-the-mill dance club. The night that we were there was an all out dance party hosted by DJs Alex, Vanessa F. and Colin B.

You never know what to expect at The Boat. Somewhat dodgy and hidden, it isn’t that predictable. The place is as clandestine as the parties that it hosts. There’s something to be said about taking over a venue that wasn’t originally intended for live bands or dance parties and turning it into the place to be, even if it is for just a night. Granted, you can go to a sure thing bar/club and know what to expect, but sometimes it’s these make-shift parties that end up being the memorable ones. The trick is to know about them, as they’re usually promoted through word of mouth. Or, just take a walk through Kensington Market and follow the music.