Buddies In Bad Times

Complete Guide to Visiting Buddies In Bad Times in Toronto, Canada: Tickets, Hours, and Nearby Attractions

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction: Buddies In Bad Times Theatre—A Toronto Landmark of Queer Culture

Buddies In Bad Times Theatre is not only the world’s largest and longest-running queer theatre company—it’s a pillar of Toronto’s vibrant arts and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Established in 1978 amidst the rise of queer activism, Buddies has consistently fostered innovative, risk-taking, and intersectional performances. Located at 12 Alexander Street in the heart of Church-Wellesley Village, Buddies is a vital space for creative exploration, community dialogue, and radical inclusivity (Toronto Journey 416; Toronto Star; Intermission Magazine).

This guide delivers a comprehensive overview of Buddies In Bad Times Theatre: its historical importance, ticketing, visiting hours, accessibility, programming highlights, and nearby attractions. Whether you’re a theatre lover, LGBTQ+ community member, or a traveler seeking Toronto’s cultural gems, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit.

Introduction
History and Founding (1978–Present)
Venue Overview and Accessibility
Programming: Theatre, Festivals, and Nightlife
Tickets & Visiting Hours
Guided Tours and Special Events
Getting There & Nearby Attractions
Cultural Significance and Community Impact
Key Milestones
FAQs
Visuals and Media
Call to Action
References

History and Founding (1978–Present)

Founded by Sky Gilbert, Matt Walsh, and Jerry Ciccoritti in 1978, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre emerged as a creative haven during a period of burgeoning queer activism. Its early years saw performances in various venues and a steadfast commitment to amplifying LGBTQ2S+ voices, often challenging mainstream narratives and exploring themes of sexuality, gender, and politics.

In 1994, Buddies secured its permanent home at 12 Alexander Street, a historic building in Church-Wellesley Village. The location, previously an auto garage and later a home to Toronto Workshop Productions, became a cornerstone for queer art, activism, and community gatherings (Toronto Journey 416).

Venue Overview and Accessibility

Address: 12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4

Buddies is centrally located and easily accessible by public transit—steps from both College and Wellesley stations on the Yonge-University Subway Line, both with elevators (Intermission Magazine).

Accessibility Features

Wheelchair access to both main performance spaces
Gender-neutral washrooms, accessible via stairs or an attendant-operated lift
ASL interpretation and relaxed performances for many shows
Accessible seating and assistive listening devices
Contact: Box Office at +1 416-975-8555 for specific needs (Intermission Magazine)

Layout

The Chamber: Blackbox theatre for mainstage productions (120–250 capacity)
Tallulah’s Cabaret: Flexible cabaret space for drag, burlesque, readings, and weekend dance parties (NOW Toronto)

Programming: Theatre, Festivals, and Nightlife

Buddies offers a dynamic calendar blending theatre, festivals, nightlife, and community events:

Mainstage Productions: World premieres and experimental works by leading queer Canadian artists. The 2025–26 season features “The Green Line” by Makram Ayache, “The Herald” by Jill Connell, and more (Toronto Star).
Rhubarb! Festival: Canada’s longest-running new works festival, a hub for experimental live performance (NOW Toronto).
Tallulah’s Cabaret: Nightly events including drag shows, dance parties, and open mics. New Ho Queen curates a residency blending drag, music, and immersive queer nightlife (Buddies in Bad Times).
Special Events: Pride parties, 2-Spirit Cabaret, CRIPtonite showcases, and more.
Workshops and Residencies: Support for emerging and established queer artists (Intermission Magazine).

Tickets & Visiting Hours

Box Office Hours

Monday–Friday: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM (extended on show days)
Saturday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM (and evenings for events)
Tallulah’s Cabaret: Wednesday–Sunday, 6:00 PM–midnight or later

Check the official website for exact hours during festivals or special events.

Ticket Information

Purchase: Online, by phone (+1 416-975-8555), or at the box office
Pricing: Sliding scale ($10–$70) with discounts for students, seniors, and LGBTQ+ community members (Intermission Magazine)
General Admission: First-come, first-served seating—arrive early for best selection
Special Offers: Group bookings, gift certificates, and Buddies Rewards loyalty program

Guided Tours and Special Events

While Buddies doesn’t offer regular guided tours, open houses and backstage tours are sometimes available during festivals or special programs. Check their website or social media for announcements.

Getting There & Nearby Attractions

Public Transit: Steps from College and Wellesley subway stations (elevator access); 506 Carlton streetcar stops nearby
Parking: Limited street parking—public transit is recommended
Nearby Attractions: Church-Wellesley Village’s LGBTQ+ cafés, bars, and shops; Toronto Reference Library; Allan Gardens; Royal Ontario Museum (GayCities)

Cultural Significance and Community Impact

Buddies stands as the world’s largest and longest-running queer theatre company, recognized for its deep-rooted activism and impact on Canadian queer culture (Toronto Star). The theatre consistently engages with issues like trans rights, racial justice, and international solidarity—such as joining the cultural boycott of Israel in 2024 (Toronto Star; LitHub). Artistic director ted witzel has reaffirmed Buddies’ commitment to fostering dialogue and social change.

Key Milestones

1978: Founding of Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
1979: Launch of the first Rhubarb Festival
1994: Move to permanent home at 12 Alexander Street (Toronto Journey 416)
2023: ted witzel becomes artistic director
2024: Joining the international cultural boycott of Israel (Toronto Star; LitHub)
2025–26: 47th season with a diverse lineup and Rhubarb Festival (Toronto Star)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours for Buddies In Bad Times Theatre?
A: Box Office is open Monday–Friday, 12:00 PM–6:00 PM, with extended hours on show days. Performances usually start between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Check event listings for details.

Q: How do I buy tickets?
A: Purchase online at buddiesinbadtimes.com, by phone, or at the box office.

Q: Is Buddies In Bad Times Theatre accessible?
A: Yes—wheelchair access, gender-neutral washrooms, ASL interpretation, and relaxed performances are available. Please contact the box office for specific accommodations.

Q: Are there guided tours?
A: Not regularly, but special events may offer tours—check the website for updates.

Q: What else is nearby?
A: Explore the Church-Wellesley Village’s LGBTQ+ shops, bars, restaurants, as well as Toronto Reference Library, Allan Gardens, and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Buddies In Bad Times

Complete Guide to Visiting Buddies In Bad Times in Toronto, Canada: Tickets, Hours, and Nearby Attractions

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction: Buddies In Bad Times Theatre—A Toronto Landmark of Queer Culture

Table of Contents

History and Founding (1978–Present)

Venue Overview and Accessibility

Accessibility Features

Layout

Programming: Theatre, Festivals, and Nightlife

Tickets & Visiting Hours

Box Office Hours

Ticket Information

Guided Tours and Special Events

Getting There & Nearby Attractions

Cultural Significance and Community Impact

Key Milestones

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Visuals and Media

Call to Action

Notable Upcoming Events (July 2025–March 2026)

Summary of Key Points

References and Further Reading

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