The Best Gay Cruising Areas in Toronto

Toronto has a long history of gay cruising, with certain spots standing out as legendary in the city’s LGBTQ+ culture. While apps have changed the way people connect, cruising remains alive in Toronto.

In the 1950s and 60s, places like Queen’s Park and Allan Gardens became discreet meeting spots for men seeking connection. Hanlan’s Point Beach developed its reputation in the same era, offering both a clothing-optional escape and a rare space where gay men could gather more openly.

Through the 70s and 80s, the culture flourished despite heavy police surveillance. Parks, washrooms, and even downtown food (yeah, I know!) courts became coded spaces in a city where being openly gay was still risky. The rise of bathhouses gave cruisers more privacy, but public spaces like Cherry Beach and the Leslie Street Spit continued to draw those looking for spontaneity.

Today, Toronto’s cruising scene carries that legacy forward. Here are the three most high-profile cruising areas in the city.

Queen’s Park

Right in the heart of downtown, next to the University of Toronto, Queen’s Park has been cruisy since the 1950s. Generations of students and locals have found late-night connections here, and even today, the central wooded areas see activity, especially around 1 am on weekdays.

Pride week brings extra energy, but regulars warn to travel light - pickpockets are known to linger around. Despite city attempts over the years to deter cruising by adding lights and clearing vegetation, Queen’s Park remains a historic and enduring part of Toronto’s cruising scene.

Hanlan’s Point Beach

Hanlan’s Point on the Toronto Islands is Canada’s most famous gay cruising area, and for good reason. The clothing-optional beach has been LGBTQ+ territory for decades, and the scene extends beyond the sand.

Behind the dunes and in the bushes is where most of the action happens, and the public showers near the ferry docks are also well known. In summer, and especially during Pride, Hanlan’s Point becomes a magnet for locals and visitors alike. It’s part of Toronto gay culture. A mix of sun, sand, and spontaneous encounters that has stood the test of time.

Cherry Beach & Leslie Street Spit

On the waterfront, Cherry Beach and the adjacent Leslie Street Spit are still popular for late-night encounters. Cherry Beach has a long-standing reputation, while the Spit’s wooded trails and its cheeky name keep it in the cruising conversation. Both areas are more discreet than Hanlan’s or Queen’s Park, but their combination of nature, waterfront views, and relative privacy makes them appealing. They’re not as busy as the city’s better-known spots, but locals know they still deliver.