Toronto with BULLY MAG
Toronto with BULLY MAG
Made up of Bobby Bowen, Alex Cirka and Patrick Silverio, BULLY is an emerging Black-led cultural collective and publisher focused on creating space for unheard voices and unseen perspectives in music, fashion, sex, and art.
Recently, the magazine have put out a charity music compilation in collaboration with Beijing-based record label, DCYY/到此一游, featuring 27 producers in 17 cities raising relief funds for charities and NPOs around the world, including Movement For Black Lives, Black Legal Action Centre, For The Gworls Surgery Fund, and The Black Curriculum. Check out the project here.
The team have curated their favourite spots across the bright and bustling city of Toronto for any travellers out there dreaming of their next trip to Canada or residents looking to explore more of their home.
In this Guide
Soop Soop
“Independent fashion store that carries a tightly-edited selection of clothing brands (such as Telfar, Barragán, and Vaquera) and premium and obscure fashion print publications. A real day one BULLY supporter (and stockist).”
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100% Silk
“Both an in-house brand and textile gallery shop, 100% Silk curates emerging *slow fashion* designers from around the world. They also work with local artists like GUNNAR to bring their retail experience on another level – very conceptual.”
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8090 KTV
“Follow the lights up to the second-floor for this classic Chinatown karaoke bar. Think neon lights, pleated leather couches in private rooms, and considerably late drink service.”
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Aunty Lucy’s
“A Black-owned business conceptualized and operated by CHIEFF BOSOMPRA, who runs event collective UNDISPOSABLE, in collaboration with Canadian Top Chef Adrian Forte. We reco the Accra burger + fries combo, an ode to Chieff’s hometown in Ghana.”
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Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
“Authentic Japanese homestyle vibes here – soft lights and natural wood tones help you get cozy until you realize you’ve been there for hours. Ask about their secret vinyl room downstairs where they play rare groove and Japanese city pop.”
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Rasta Pasta
“Black-owned business. The wife-and-husband duo fuse Jamaican and Italian cuisine together in a cozy spot in the heart of our eclectic Kensington Market. Local community vibes – look for the spot with the lineup and a grill out front.”
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Kevin’s Taiyaki Stall
“Tucked inside P.A.T., a local grocery store in the heart of Koreatown, this cash-only stall gets lineups of people deliberating on whether they should get sweet custard or red bean-filled homemade waffles shaped like lil fishies.”
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Neighbour
“Go here for contemporary menswear like Our Legacy, Eckhaus Latta, BODE, and Margaret Howell. The Toronto space has a showroom vibe that showcases the Neighbour world really well, which also includes a variety of household items and found objects alongside print publications from the likes of IDEA.”
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Hanlan’s Point
“Hanlan’s Point is an inclusive space and a short ferry ride away to escape the city. Clothing optional :)”
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Sully’s Boxing Gym
“Canada's oldest boxing gym. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Lennox Lewis have stepped into Sully's to train. Coach Tony is a Black trainer and former heavyweight champ – he might even drop some boxing history if you're nice. Iconic.”
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Public Butter Vintage
“Authentic vintage clothing experience here – no curated boutique showroom or displays. There are some real deadstock finds if you dig deep enough in some of the mountains of clothes. Also good for military surplus goods, costume and props, and a lil role play.”
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Eyesore Cinema
“Niche rental store for obscure cinema on vhs and dvd. There are some titles you just can’t find online that they carry, ranging from B-movie blaxploitation to Takashi Miike deep cuts. They also have a small screening room in the back for rent if you ever thought of setting up a private screening dedicated to Hype Williams or whoever.”
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Budget One Stop
“Indo-Caribbean family-owned business. This lil everyday convenience store has a very small, unassuming room in the back that sells a bunch of different santería love charms and all the Yoruban orisha candles to help you find love, give you strength and protect you from enemies. This is a Parkdale gem tbh - if you know you know.”
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