Toronto is getting a massive drive-in venue with city skyline views

Jun 30 2020, 1:14 pm

As Toronto enters Stage 2 of recovery, some of the cityā€™s most iconic spots are working out different ways to re-enter the community.

While bumpinā€™ and grindinā€™ at Rebel nightclub will likely remain a distant memory for some time, the team behind the iconic party spot — INK Entertainment — has dreamt up something new.

Today, INK Entertainment (Rebel, Cabana Pool Bar, Toybox, and others) announced the impending arrival of CityView Drive-In.

To live at 20 Polson Street, Rebel’s giant parking lot with sprawling skyline and CN Tower views will host the city’s newest outdoor concert and entertainment venue. On tap are concerts, movie nights, and a slew of other events.

CityView is an entirely contactless experience in the heart of Torontoā€™s docklands. The drive-in is designed to host more than 200 vehicles in reserved parking spots, a minimum of seven feet apart, so that guests can enjoy live entertainment from the 238-foot stage and three large LED screens from the comfort — and safety — of their cars.

For a completely contactless experience, tickets are to be purchased in advance online and will be scanned at the front gate via a touchless system.

ā€œAs we adapt to life amid a pandemic, we looked to our neighbours across borders for guidance and inspiration,ā€ Charles Khabouth, CEO at INK Entertainment, said in a release.

ā€œLike Toronto, major global cities have missed out on months of entertainment and have started to rely on creative solutions, like outdoor concert venues. With advanced technology and online ticket sales, the experience can be completely contactless, with no reason to exit your vehicle.ā€

To begin, the outdoor space will be welcoming Canadian rock band Monster Truck — who hail from Hamilton — on July 16th. Grab tickets hereĀ to see this Juno-award winning group.

Next, Toronto-based Allan Rayman will perform on July 18th. This homegrown soulful musician has released an album onĀ Mumford & SonsĀ memberĀ Ben Lovett‘s Communion Records — tickets for his performance will be availableĀ hereĀ on July 2nd.

August 6th will bring electronic music group A Tribe Called Red. This group offers a “modern gateway into urban and contemporary indigenous culture and experience, celebrating all its layers and complexity,” and you can grab tickets here on July 6th.

Plus, there are many more artist announcements to come.

Guests will be provided with a designated FM radio frequency to tune in from their cars without needing to lower their windows and, if they want to, they can also listen to the show through the venueā€™s state-of-the-art sound system.

Concessions and merchandise will also be available for online purchase and contactless delivery to vehicles.

A full list of events, announcements, and policies can be found on the CityView Drive-In Website; regular updates will be posted there too. You can also follow the drive-in on Instagram to stay in-the-know.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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