Schmooze @ Schmooze

Schmooze

15 Mercer St, Toronto

I’ve never been to a more eponymous club — this place is simply one giant schmooze. Numbers were being exchanged like mad, business cards flying left and right. Once you’re inside, it looks like any other club — dozens of well-dressed young professional-types sipping away at their Manhattans and imported beer, guys talking loudly and eying the women, the women huddled around each other, whispering, practising their coy routines until one of the guys musters the chutzpah (usually through inebriation) to talk to them.

Where this place differs, however — and where it distinguishes itself — is Friday After Work. They throw open the doors at 5:00 pm and all the drinks are $2.50 the whole night. We got there around 7:00 and already the place was packed. Once you’re inside it feels like it could be any time at all — there are no windows, nothing to tell you the sun was still out; almost like a casino.

And they don’t go stingy on the drinks either — some places will only have a few items available when they have a cheap drink night, but this was pretty much everything. Any beer, any cocktail (shots may have been extra — someone bought mine for me so I’m not sure — that reminds me — JR, I owe you a shot).

Because of this it’s definitely a great place to start your evening, and why not? Why sit around at home until 10:30 before going out? This is way more fun. Have a few drinks, make some contacts, get some numbers you won’t remember the corresponding face for in the morning.

Just don’t get carried away and have your night be over by 11:00. 03971semaj