Shutterstock Shutterstock By: Kevin Scott Posted: September 4, 2013 While the films themselves are the obvious purpose of TIFF, it would be naïve to think that a large part of the festival’s appeal doesn’t lie in rubbernecking to catch a glimpse of the many celebrities attending. With another lengthy roster of Hollywood heavyweights on deck this year, highlighted by names like Clooney, Firth, Winslet and Fassbender, there will be opportunities aplenty. If you’re looking to sneak a peek of any of these famous faces, here are some places to start your search. Sassafraz Yorkville is an area that will be practically teeming with stars for the length of the festival and there’s no better spot to share the same air as Robert De Niro or Susan Sarandon than this restaurant, which has been renowned for its affluent clientele for years. If you’re really lucky, you might even snag a table next to one of them. dbar at the Four Seasons Hotel This upscale bar in Yorkville still proves to be a popular spot for celebs in town. Woody Harrelson, Harvey Weinstein and Bruce Springsteen have all stopped in for drinks in between their regular parties and premieres. One Restaurant at the Hazelton Hotel The Yorkville hotel is still a star favourite, and One often has diners like Jon Hamm and Bono, with Steve Nash and Clive Owen taking to the bar. And after all the premieres, parties, after-parties and limo rides, even folks like Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have to rest their well-publicized heads. Many of them have a preference for only the finest of accommodations and find those at the luxurious Hazelton Hotel (or the Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel) suit their needs. The Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton is walking distance to multiple premiere venues (Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales, the Lightbox), making it a convenient stop for many celebs. People have spotted George Clooney, Stacy Keibler and Jason Reitman chatting it up in the lobby, both Keifer Sutherland and Kirsten Dunst talking to fans just outside, and Anna Farris and Parks and Recreation‘s Chris Pratt enjoying a meal inside at Deq. Starbucks It may sound too simple, but the fact is that many of Tinseltown’s elite need to intermittently fuel up on java in order to sustain the expected level of energy throughout a hectic schedule. The best bet would probably be in Yorkville or along King West, but any Starbucks around the downtown area could be prime spotting grounds for the likes of Bruce Willis or Jude Law. Oro Despite not being in the heart of Yorkville or the midst of the Entertainment District, Oro managed to snag some high profile clientele at previous festivals: legendary director Francis Ford Coppola and actor Andrew Garfield. The Italian restaurant is walking distance from Ryerson Theatre which holds many red carpet premieres, so it might be worth a shot. Brassaii It’s no surprise King West has become a celeb hotspot now that TIFF has moved further downtown. Brassaii is one of those just trendy enough places that attracts a good mix of stars: Uma Thurman, Lee Pace, Henry Winkler and Zach Galifianakis have all dined there during the festival. Holt Renfrew Upscale stores are sure to attract those with cash and good taste, so spending some time browsing and deterring persistent sales representatives could yield some encounters with household names such as Penelope Cruz or Viggo Mortensen. Keep your eyes peeled in any place name brands are sold, but no peeking if you see them slip into a fitting room. Azure Restaurant in the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Previously, Azure patrons got to stargaze as Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt dined at the Alliance Films Lounge. If the luxury hotel finds itself home to another gifting lounge or two, there are sure to be more stars stopping by throughout the festival. Soho House Unfortunately for us, the elite members-only club is one of the biggest celeb hotspots and is guaranteed to be throwing an exclusive party or two. It’s next to impossible to get inside without a pricey membership or your name on the guest list, but if you can always channel your inner TMZ and wait out front with your camera. TIFF Bell Lightbox At the end of the day, there are new movies to promote and the biggest obligation any of these celebs has is to be in attendance at the screenings. The Lightbox is probably the real draw—it is, after all, the home base of the festival and thus would be an ideal place to gawk at the talent that made the trip. Grab a patio seat at the O&B Canteen and watch the celebrities scurry to and from their press conferences inside. Get everything you need to know about TIFF 2013 with our TIFF tip sheet! Is partying through TIFF for a chance to rub shoulders with the stars more your style? Here are all the parties happening throughout the festival. . Login | Sign up
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 15:34:49 +0000
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