he takeover of nightlife continues apace with the recent addition of lüb lounge, which dares to ask Moet and martini junkies to trek deep into the pulsing heart of the Gay Village for their social lübricants.

From the street, there’s no secret what goes on inside lüb lounge, the latest gay hot spot on Church Street, near Wellesley. Perched between a Starbucks and a grocery store, an all-glass front offers full-frontal nudity of the inner-activity of lüb.

The voyeuristic exterior proudly showcases the livelihood within lüb- a mere drive-by is all it takes to reveal what (and who) is going down in the freshly-installed lounge.

Regulars to this area will know the location previously as Blü Lounge, which was more about churning out late-night Belgian Waffles than it was about cocktails. But, owners, Marc Charbonneau, Larry Peloso, Vito Romita and Daniel Turko have since infused this streamlined umlaut-heavy bar with their definition of yet another streamlined umlaut-ed bar.

Mildly redesigned by Michael Taylor (Taylor_Smyth), lüb’s all-blue interior hums futuristic neon-chic, looking something like the pad of the Jetsons' gay relative - if there was such a character. If not, no prob: He would fit right in with lüb’s mostly clean-cut clientele.

Though lüb is a gay lounge, except for certain theme nights the crowd here is very mixed between gay and straight or possibly not-so-straight people. It's the type of atmosphere that is homo as well as hetero-friendly, so whatever your gender or preferences, you should feel comfortable here. Most likely, no one will bother you unless you are unusually beautiful. The crowd is generally young, wearing what they want, from the mundane to the highly creative. No embarrassment here, just do what you like. If this speaks to you, then join the party.

The second-level of lüb (pity the poor waitstaff for running those stairs, balancing plates) is where you can really sit back and enjoy the groovy surroundings. On both levels, lüb has a rotating lineup of deejays to keep the music fresh, like DJ Delicious, Control Top and DJ Alex fueling a testosterone-heavy Saturday night.

The space can get cramped on weekends, but the main thing to remember when you come is to relax. It's a hip lounge in a gay neighbourhood. Sitting at the bar usually leads to conversations among strangers, and the chill space offers many remote areas, including the sexy washrooms (there’s been reports of abandoned underwear left behind) to do just that.

Lüb opens its doors for lunch and dinner but the real party gets started just after 11 o'clock. Locals, couples and hipster gay boys make this the first stop of the evening and the last stop of the night for a quick carb-fix, interesting conversation and a fun atmosphere. Along with amiable service, lüb is a fun addition to the ‘hood - cool without trying too hard, which, of course is the best kind of cool.

Upshot: It’s the nightlife equivalent of Christina Aguilera, a sweet thing that'll do for a diva-starved gay community waiting for the next best Miss Thing.
- Don Ellis, Martiniboys.com

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Review this Place
Reader Reviews

Very cute!
Elizabeth David, Toronto
February 24, 2004
A really great lunchtime spot with a good, though small, menu and great value (and even more so with the current 2 for 1 specials). Service is attentive, speedy, and very cute! Looking forward to summer when the windows will, we hope, be opened and we will be able to be both inside AND outside! Very well worth a visit.


...a 10!
David, Toronto
Absolutely great place for lunch, the staff are fantastic, the small menu is wonderful and in the summer the view onto the passing scene on Church Street might be great too. Like many Toronto places, Lub ought to have a streetside patio but you can't have everything. Lunch is really very good value and staff would get a 10 if one could give so many stars!


fantastic
Casanova, Toronto
December 18, 2003
Wonderful, fantastic spot. I have recommended it to all my friends and they love it too!


friendly eye candy
M. Rowe, Toronto
December 9, 2003
Church St in Toronto is home to what some might say, yet another martini bar. This type of sterotyping or catagorizing seems somewhat unfair. It's true that the overwhealming number of goodlooking handsome men might be drinking an "umlaut" the bar's tradmark drink, or perhaps one of the martini's from the decadent array available, lub is much more than that. The friendly eye candy who work there pump out, with efficient proficiency, an endless stream of drinks to meet the neverending demand for refreshments. Highly styalized with very unique architectural details, lub offers an interesting, and I must say delictable, menu all day. The upper level with its working fireplace and soft cumfy seating make in a desireably intimate environment to talk and socialize with your friends, or even perhaps someone new. With the multitude of places available, lub is a refreshingly inviting place that makes you appreciate the unique blue and orange ambeiance.


Who are these crabapples?
Julian Bowron, Toronto
December 3, 2003
Look up social lubricant in the dictionary and they have a picture of Mark! I had a great time and Lub's "space odyssey" decor is a welcome change from the swanky-wanky joints everyone is building these days. The balcony is the place to be seen when the weather cooperates, but after a few of those blu(e) martinis, it's always nice out! See you there!


must-go-to place
Gerry, Toronto
December 10th
I love the atmosphere and the space! Great decor and the service is excellent! Friendly staff and great location. Definitely a "must go to place" for everyone in the Gay Village.


Two straight chicks in search of brunch
Strawberry B. Toronto
December 12, 2003
found a great deal at LUB. Actually, it was one of the best brunches I'd had in forever...really flavourful, not greasy, not too big portions and not too small. We were seated by one of the owners, received prompt and friendly service and even got to meet the chef. Who can do better than that? Gay or straight, we all like great food and great service, non?


Unique Architectural Details
M. Rowe Toronto
December 8, 2003
Church St in Toronto is home to what some might say, yet another martini bar. This type of sterotyping or catagorizing seems somewhat unfair. It's true that the overwhealming number of goodlooking handsome men might be drinking an "umlaut" the bar's tradmark drink, or perhaps one of the martini's from the decadent array available, lub is much more than that. The friendly eye candy who work there pump out, with efficient proficiency, an endless stream of drinks to meet the neverending demand for refreshments. Highly styalized with very unique architectural details, lub offers an interesting, and I must say delictable, menu all day. The upper level with its working fireplace and soft cumfy seating make in a desireably intimate environment to talk and socialize with your friends, or even perhaps someone new. With the multitude of places available, lub is a refreshingly inviting place that makes you appreciate the unique blue and orange ambeiance.


Very Friendly
Patrick, Toronto
December 1, 2003
We have been to the lounge on several occasions and found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.The food was excellent and the crowd very friendly. Several people introduced themselves to us and started chatting. This is very unusual for batrs in Toronto. The experience was very enjoyable.


friendly and attentitive
Harvey, toronto
December 3, 2003
I have been a number of times and I have found the staff friendly and attentitive. The martini's rate high on my list.
Get lub (ed)


Lub chafes...
Yvette Toronto
November 21, 2003
We left without one drink after standing less than two feet from the THREE BARTENDERS for 20 minutes. Coupon-waving 'friends' got service first.

Most Unprofessional Move in a Bar: Goes to the staff of Lub for smoking on the job with a big NASTY ashtrough on the bar.
All in all - Lub is tacky. It totally chaps my ass. Voila,
Yvette