Add these Toronto-tech-scene activities to your bucket list—think VR rooms, exclusive gaming studios and good old-fashioned arcades.
If you’re into esports and gaming, then Toronto is the place to be. The city is not only home to global giants like Ubisoft, Gameloft and OverActive Media, but it also has plenty of local tournaments and events, esports-friendly venues and themed bars and restaurants for gaming enthusiasts of all levels. Here are eight spots in Toronto that every esports fan should visit.
1. Levelup Virtual Reality Arcade: Engage in top-notch VR gaming
Levelup Virtual Reality Arcade, close to Yonge and Bloor in downtown Toronto, has over 80 immersive experiences, including action, adventure, sports, horror, survival and escape-room games. Your wearable technology—a.k.a. a haptic suit—allows you to feel in-game actions with multiple vibration points. (Playing a zombie survival game? You’ll feel them swipe you from behind!) Perfect for date nights and small groups, they specialize in individual and multiplayer gaming.
2. Red Bull Gaming Studio: Watch esports and play video games
The Red Bull Gaming Studio, located in Toronto’s Liberty Village inside OverActive Media’s headquarters, is a hub where the esports community comes together to cheer on their favourite players and simply have a good time. The lounge is a huge common area for viewing parties of live tournaments, networking and playing video games. (Events are typically free, and you can get tickets on Eventbrite.) There are also rooms for esports talent to do interviews and prepare for their next matches. Added bonus? The fridges are always stocked full of Red Bull.
3. Invictus Game Station: Compete and practice with fellow gamers
Invictus Game Station, located on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto, has a 6,000-square-foot space with 66 top-tier gaming computers all kitted out with dedicated fibre internet, headsets, mice and keyboards. This means esports enthusiasts can easily set up and enjoy some competition in a professional setting. Perfect for tournaments, practice sessions and boot camps, this spot also serves as a great place for connecting with fellow gamers.
4. Freeplay Arcade Bar: Play classic arcade games at one of the city’s top gamer-friendly bars
Freeplay on College Street is a favourite gaming-friendly restaurant and bar in the city. Packed with classic arcade games, pinball machines and console stations, visitors get unlimited access to hits like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and even a full wrestling section with vintage World Wrestling Federation (WWF) titles. There are also nostalgic Nintendo setups to ensure something for every kind of gamer. Plus, the craft beers and pub menu can’t be beat.
5. Shopify Rebellion HQ: Peek inside one of the city’s top esports training and competition spaces
The Canadian esports organization Shopify Rebellion opened their new headquarters in 2022 in Toronto’s King Street West neighbourhood. The modern, high-tech space was built for professional esports players to train, compete and create content, but the public can periodically get a sneak peek behind the scenes when they host events and offer tours. Follow them on Instagram for event announcements.
6. Hand Eye Society: Take a game design workshop
Hand Eye Society is one of the oldest non-profit video game arts organizations in Toronto and it offers beginner-friendly game design workshops across the city throughout the year. From how to use Unreal Engine and creating your own game in Twine and Unity to how to live stream and create pixel art, these workshops are a great way to learn the ropes while connecting with fellow indie developers in Toronto.
7. Red Bull Gaming Hub: Get a look behind the scenes where students learn about gaming
The Red Bull Gaming Hub at Toronto Metropolitan University has 36 high-performance PC stations set up in groups of six, making it perfect for teams to game together. Although it’s primarily a space for students to learn about video game design, virtual production and esports broadcasting, it’s also used for public training, tournaments and events. Follow local esports social media accounts like @TMUEsports or @Incendium_GG for upcoming event dates.
8. Sandbox VR: Participate in more VR gaming fun
Sandbox VR, located walking distance from the other VR arcade on this list, has full-body virtual reality experiences you can experience with a larger group, whether it be family and friends, a birthday party or a corporate team-building activity. Your group can compete and survive in Squid Game Virtuals, duke it out in the high seas against supernatural creatures in the Curse of Davy Jones and team up to defend Earth against an alien invasion in Amber Sky 2088.
