Information for customers visiting Toronto Dark Arts Market.
Location, TTC, Parking
All of our events take place at Ground Control, 1279 Queen Street West, in Toronto.
Ground Control is on the south side of Queen Street West, about half a block east of Brock Avenue. The nearest major intersection is Queen St West and Dufferin Street.
The closest parking is a block west in the Green P lot at 1325 Queen Street West.
To get here by transit from the east or west, take the 501 Queen Streetcar to Brock Avenue. Coming from the north, take the 29 or 929 Dufferin bus to Queen Street West and walk two and a half blocks west.
Note for both drivers and transit riders – there is major construction along King Street West from Shaw to Dufferin for all of 2024. This does not affect the area adjacent to our venue but many transit routes in the area are being diverted at various times to accommodate road work. Please check transit schedules and updates (especially for the 501 Queen, 504 King and the 29/929 Dufferin lines) before heading to the neighbourhood.
Admission
There is no charge to enter, admission is free.
Accessibility
Our venue is fully accessible, and includes an accessible washroom. Aisles are all passable for strollers and mobility devices, but can get congested if the market is busy.
Payment
Our vendors may each choose which forms of payment they accept. Most vendors are set up to accept debit and credit card payments, but there is also an ATM on site for customers or vendors who prefer cash.
Food and Drink
Our venue is usually a nightclub, so there is no food available, although we often have vendors with baked goods, chocolate, or other treats. The bar will be open for the entire event, offering coffee, tea, soda, and bottled water, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties.
Family-Friendly
Our event is open to all ages; visitors are welcome to bring well-behaved children into the market as long as they are in the care of a parent or guardian at all times.
Please note that while our curation process does allow us some control over the types of wares our vendors bring, we cannot guarantee there will not be things that might be considered inappropriate or “offensive” to some. Our market often includes oddity-type animal specimens, taxidermy, sharp instruments like swords, products that include swear words or images of genitalia, and occasionally items of a sexual nature, including fetish gear.
We are a wholly 2SLGBTQ+ positive organization, and regularly include vendors selling items related to gender or sexual preferences.
YMMV on whether this is appropriate for your particular family.
TDAM is a marketplace, first and foremost, and does not include kid-friendly activities. If you’re looking for clowns, face-painting, or bouncy castles, this market might not be the right fit for you. Also, none of our vendors will be required to censor themselves from using potentially salty language because of the presence of children, and TDAM staff are known to curse like sailors. Govern yourself accordingly in this regard.
Dog-Friendly
Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. If the market is busy, we advise that smaller dogs be carried if possible so as not to get stepped on, or be a tripping hazard. Owners will obviously be expected to take responsibility for cleaning up accidents, although we’d prefer that accidents don’t happen in the first place.
Inclusivity
We will not tolerate, ignore, or condone discrimination or harassment and are committed to promoting respectful conduct, tolerance, and inclusion. We have a zero tolerance policy for intentionally abusive language (different from salty swears indicated above), bullying, and harassment of staff, makers, and visitors. All persons at our markets are responsible for respecting the dignity and rights of vendors, TDAM and venue staff, and other members of the public.
Photography
Visitors are requested to ask individual vendors before taking photos of their merchandise. Many small-scale artisans regularly have their original work copied or stolen, and many vendors are (rightly) wary of having people take images of their work.
Please also be aware that TDAM staff and/or individual vendors may take photos or video recordings of the market for promotional purposes while customers are present. By entering the market, you consent to being photographed/recorded.
Removal
TDAM and/or venue staff have the right to ask any person(s) to leave the market if we feel that person’s behaviour is inappropriate, harassing, abusive or presents a danger to others.