While the majority of Toronto's nightclubs are currently positioned on a four-block stretch on King Street West, you might notice more of these venues popping up in other neighbourhoods outside the downtown core over the next few years, as the City works to modernize some of the rules relating to the nightlife industry. 

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the City of Toronto will be implementing updated licensing and zoning bylaws for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in an effort to foster new business opportunities for operators and stimulate the city's economy post-pandemic. 

Changes include clarified criteria and new names for business licence categories, increasing permitted maximum areas that bars and restaurants can use for entertainment, as well as permitting entertainment establishments and nightclubs city-wide in most commercial zones. 

According to the City's website, the changes are geared towards reducing the clustering of nightclubs in the downtown core and the barriers business operators currently face in getting the correct nightclub business licence. 

Under the updated regulations, entertainment establishments and nightclubs must still be located in a non-residential building, the only nightclub in the building, and located on the first storey or basement. 

For CEO and Founder of INK Entertainment Group, Charles Khabouth, these changes represent a much-needed update for Toronto's nightlife industry, which he says has not fully bounced back from the pandemic. 

"I don't think we will ever get back to 100 per cent, at least not in the near future. People have found different and other ways of entertainment, other than nightclubs or bars," Khabouth told blogTO. 

"Don't get me wrong, we're very busy, but it does feel like a lot of what used to be a go-to on a weekend night is no longer." 

Helmed by Khabouth and Danny Soberano, INK Entertainment operates some of Toronto's biggest nightclubs and restaurants, including Akira Back, Amal, Byblos, KOST, Sofia Yorkville, REBEL, and Cabana Pool Bar. The group also runs the annual VELD Music Festival in Downsview Park and the Bisha Hotel & Residences. 

While Toronto's nightlife industry is well on track to recovery, Khabouth says many of the city's residents changed their habits during lockdowns — the effects of which can still be felt today. 

"People have gotten used to spending less, drinking less, and the pandemic has definitely had a lengthy impact on the industry for sure," he said. 

Compared to other global cities like New York or Miami, the entrepreneur says that Toronto can do much more to revitalize and enhance its nightlife industry. 

"I've been going to Miami for over 30 years. I've seen the evolution there, and what Toronto doesn't get still is that in Miami — other than the beaches — the biggest draw there are the restaurants, bars, nightclubs, the shows, and the city is behind all of that," he told blogTO. 

"As long as you're not disturbing neighbours late at night, they have a whole team at city hall that is helping people in that industry on a full-time regular basis. They promote bringing concepts from all over the world, Toronto is still behind in that sense." 

One restriction in particular, Khabouth argues, prevents Toronto from attaining the global reputation for nightlife that some other cities, such as Miami, boast. 

"There is always a concern about the noise, the city, the parking, and I'm all for it, I live in the city and I appreciate the attention to people's well-being and right to enjoy a comfortable home," he explained. 

"But, there are too many restrictions. For example, not being able to serve liquor past 2 a.m. Every other city in the world is 4 a.m., 5 a.m., or 6 a.m., we're still living in a bit of a stone age with this 2 a.m. liquor licence."

Khabouth says the City should work to bring in more eclectic and global entertainment operators, and noted that he was happy to see Taylor Swift's recent six-show run at the Rogers Centre. "Things like that put you on the global map," he said. 

Regarding Toronto's updated zoning bylaws, the entrepreneur says he believes that the changes will work to release some of the pressure and congestion off downtown streets. 

"There are many people that avoid coming downtown on the weekend, but unfortunately still don't have a lot of options if they live in the suburbs. Encouraging and allowing bigger and more exciting things in the outskirts of the city will definitely help and will add another layer to these otherwise quiet neighbourhoods that people still enjoy, but lack a bit of excitement," he told blogTO. 

"Toronto is a big cosmopolitan city, and we need our mayor and our city to look at it as that. Let's have bigger initiatives, I don't find the city has as many big initiatives as New York or Miami, or some of the big global cities, like Paris or London. Why not? If we think big, we will get there." 

The prospect of having more nightclubs in the city didn't seem to concern Khabouth, who noted that competition is healthy. 

"Having more options for people allows them to expand their horizons and see different concepts, operators, nightclubs, bars, and shows. Sometimes the more you indulge or try new things, it adds another layer to your life," he explained.

"Maybe you didn't think of going all the way downtown to experience something, but now that it's closer, you're interested in going to see something bigger in the city. I think of it very positively, it's an opportunity for smaller operators to try something new," Khabouth continued.

"It's definitely for the better."