TIFF parties are all about famous faces, gorgeous venues, 4 a.m. last call and free everything; What's not to love? You may not make it past security at Soho House, but there are black tie galas you can buy your way into and hey, maybe you'll even score an invite.

Here's what's popping on the party circuit during TIFF 2018.

Hot Spots
 

Mongrel House

Toronto's historic Campbell House at the corner of Queen and University will once again be home base for Mongrel Media and their many notoriously fun film parties. Go here if you get the chance — or just creep around the fence to see who might be partying on the lawn.

House of Aurora

Weed might not be legal just yet, but at least one brand is jumping into the game early for TIFF. Aurora Cannabis, a Canadian pot company, is hosting a series of private red carpet premiere events between September 7 and 9 in what used to be a bank at 320 Bay Street. Expect junkets, networking events and a pop-up press studio.

RBC House 

The Royal Bank of Canada is taking over 11 Duncan Street as usual, transforming what's normally known as the STORYS building into a pop-up venue for junkets, speaker events, branded music events and premier parties. 

Malaparte

The rooftop of the TIFF Bell Lightbox building will be buzzing all week long, starting with a three-day stint hosted by 1 OAK, the hip "purveyors of world-famous nightclubs in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas." It'll cost you $40 to hit up once of these glitzy shindigs.

Soho House

Grey Goose has been making this private member's club at Simcoe and Adelaide its festival home for almost a decade. You'll find ultra-exclusive parties here every single night for the next week, but good luck getting into any without a famous face or some serious connections.

Momofuku

American telecom AT&T is making the Toronto outpost of David Chang's Momofuku into its own celebrity-stacked lunch / dinner / studio and party space called the "DIRECTV House." Like many of the A-listers who come to town for TIFF, this space can be found inside the Shangri-La Hotel. 

The Spoke Club

This private members club at King and Portland hosts the 13th annual Canadian Filmmaker's Party on September 5, right before the festival kicks off. Then, it becomes a Villa Azur Miami pop-up for four days worth of swanky film industry soirees.

Fairmont Royal York

Toronto's historic Royal York hotel will be hosting the global debut of something it calls Fairmont Loves Film: A series of events, retrospective photo exhibits and a Great Gatsby-themed speakeasy pop-up bar that's open to the public.

September 6

xoTO House opening night party

The Toronto Screen Industry, in partnership with the City of Toronto, is taking over Roxy on King between September 6 and 9 to celebrate and showcase the best of Hollwood North. An opening night bash featuring Mayor John Tory kicks off the festivities on Thursday night.

RBC TIFF Kick-Off party

Haim is scheduled to perform at this private festival launch party, hosted by Live Nation and RBCxMusic, at the RBC House on Duncan Street. Things get started at 8 p.m., but you likely won't get in without an invite, sorry.

A Dark & Stormy cocktail soiree

The Gladstone Hotel is hosting a TIFF launch cocktail party for movie lovers who also dig mixology. Guests can expect an "immersive cocktail experience" with live music, film-noir inspired art and guided tastings. Dress code is "film noir chic." Tickets will set you back about $50.

TIFF kickoff celebration at DEQ

Toronto One Social is be hosting the opening night of TIFF inside the luxurious Ritz Carlton hotel — where, it goes without saying, you'll see many black Escalades over the next 11 days. The free event starts at 7 p.m. on the DEQ Terrace & Lounge at The Ritz.

The Outlaw King party

This stars of this year's Netflix-produced festival opener will head on over to Patria after back-to-back screenings at the Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall. Keep an eye out for Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Elizabeth Pugh on King Street West.

Fahrenheit 11/9" dinner and party

Michael Moore's new Donald Trump-themed documentary will have everyone talking at Peter Pan Bistro on Thursday, where a cast dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. Afterwards, guests will head over to a private party at Speakeasy 21.

September 7

Entertainment One's Best of the Fest celebration

The stars of as many as 14 different eOne films premiering at TIFF this year will come together at Assembly Chef's Hall on Saturday to celebrate the studio and its recent works. Red carpet arrivals start around 10 p.m., if you're keen.

Bold Films + Sharp and S/Magazine TIFF party

The House of Aurora will be hosting a joint party between the production company Bold Films and fashion magazine SHARP. The red carpet is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. with such stars as Emmy Rossum expected to be in attendance.

Producers Ball gala

The eighth annual Producer's Ball will take place on Friday night with property brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott serving as hosts. This year, it'll be housed along with NKPR's the IT House in Live Nation's new Liberty Village space "The Lounge."

The Addisons x Grey Goose Film Fest party

Celebrate the film fest at Toronto's favourite house party club on Wellington Street. Presented by Grey Goose, the event kicks off at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception featuring complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Bruce LaBruce vs. TIFF 2018

Canadian filmmaker, artist, writer, photographer, director based and "queercore legend" Bruce LaBruce hosts his popular annual TIFF party at the Bovine Sex Club on Queen Street West this year. The event pops off at 10 p.m. and goes till very late.

Beautiful Boy after party

Hugo Boss Canada will be putting on a soiree for the hotly-anticipated Beautiful Boy, a film about coping with addiction based on the real life memoirs of a father and son. The dramatic film stars "it boy" Timothée Chalamet and everyone's favourite everything, Steve Carell.

White Boy Rick cocktail party

Pre-screening drinks for this Matthew McConaughey flick will take place at Soho House on Friday ahead of its premier at the Ryerson Theatre. Director Yann Demange, actors Bruce Dern, Eddie Marsan, Jennifer Jason Leighh and McConaughey are expected to be in attendance.

Homecoming reception

Actors Julia Roberts, Bobby Cannavale, Sissy Spacek, Dermot Mulroney and Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, among others, will celebrate their highly-anticipated new Amazon Prime series at Bisha Hotel's rooftop restaurant, Kost.

September 8 

The InStyle and Hollywood Foreign Press Association party

This annual event is one of the festival's biggest each year with more than 1,000 movie stars, film industry workers, studio executives and other bigwigs in attendance. This year, it'll be at the glamorous Four Seasons in Yorkville, as opposed to its usual Windsor Arms. 

Artists for Peace and Justice Gala 

Hosted by Ben Stiller and Susan Sarandon, among others, this sold-out Festival Gala will be taking place in the Windsor Arms hotel near Yorkville. New York-based pop-artist Peter Tunney will create a live-art red carpet to celebrate the annual event's support for communities in Haiti over the past ten years.

Vanity Fair TIFF cocktail

Invited guests will enjoy sunset cocktails on the Bisha Hotel's rooftop at this gathering to celebrate the world premiere of This Changes Everything, a timely documentary about sexism in Hollywood ​​​​​​featuring Geena Davis, Meryl Streep, Sandra Oh, Jessica Chastain and more.

The Hummingbird Project after party

The Cactus Club Cafe on Adelaide Street will be hosting the after party for the TIFF premiere of The Hummingbird Project on Saturday. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Alexander Skarsgård and Salma Hayek, if you're looking for a solid crew to stalk.

Entertainment Weekly party

This exclusive annual affair, known for drawing tons of A-list talent, will be taking place at the Thompson Hotel on Saturday. Dame Helen Mirren was said to be at this one last year, along with Kristin Scott Thomas and Nicole Kidman.

Autograph Collection Hotels garden party

Mongrel House at Queen and University hosts actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, among others, for a performance by Martha Wainwright around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

Widows cocktail party

Over at MomoFuku, Variety and AT&T are set to toast the film Widows with director Steve McQueen and actors Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, and maybe even Liam Neeson in attendance between 6 and 8 p.m. 

Everybody Knows cocktail party

CÎROC, Tequila Don Julio and Johnnie Walker Black Label are hosting a series of cocktail parties at RBC House for films that include Everybody Knows. Keep your eyes peeled for stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem outside this private party on Saturday.

The Front Runner party

Look out for Hugh Jackman, J.K. Simmons and Canadian director Jason Reitman near Soho House around 9 p.m. after the premiere of their biopic about U.S. Senator Gary Hart's 1988 presidential campaign.

September 9 

A Star is Born after party

The celebratory event for what might be this year's hottest TIFF film will take place in The Concert Hall in the former Masonic Temple on Yonge — most recently home to MTV Canada. It would be weird if actor/director Bradley Cooper and and his co-star Lady Gaga didn't show up for this. 

The 7th annual Toronto Monologue Slam

Billed as North America's largest acting showcase, this American Idol-style annual event puts local actors in front of a panel of judges, agents, producers and casting directors to perform monologues at the Gladstone Hotel and maybe — just maybe — get that big break.

Revolver Films’ 35th anniversary party 

This legendary film studio party is always one to watch — and attend, if you get the opportunity. Guest who are already confirmed for the annual event at Spice Route include Mark Cuban, Catherine O'Hara, Michael K. Williams and Carla Gugino.

The CFF Canada party

The Canadian Film Fest and Directors Guild of Canada have partnered up again to celebrate homegrown Canadian talent at Toronto's The Fifth Social Club. Expected guests include filmmaker Kim Nguyen, comedian Gerry Dee, and Kim's Convenience star Andrea Bang.

September 10

Telefilm Canada + Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film

Red carpet arrivals for this Monday afternoon event start around 4 p.m. outside the Atrium at Ricarda's. Director Nettie Wild, actress Tantoo Cardinal and screenwriter Susan Coyne are among the outstanding Canadian women being honoured for their contributions to film and TV this year.

The Endings Short Film Premiere at TIFF with Refinery29

Photographers Caitlin Cronenberg and Jessica Ennis host the world premier for their new short film, The Endings, at the TIFF Bell Lightbox rooftop, which is being taken over for a portion of the festival by New York's Refinery 29.

Canadian Cinema Editors party

This event, free to all CCE members, is being presented by Technicolor at the Gladstone Hotel on Monday to celebrate Toronto's annual film festival. Non-industry folk can get in for $15 to eat, drink and schmooze with the artists behind their favourite films.

September 11

STIFF 9"

For the ninth year in a row, Peter Knegt and (dancing) Phil Villeneuve will be taking the party late, this time at Bang Sue Bar on Charlotte Street. Expect special guests, tons of great music and a rollicking celebration of queer film at TIFF.