"Why is he Stealing My Berries?" ... "He just got off Lent."

Those two phrases were the bookends of a truly funtastic Thursday night as I hung out with my friend Jodi in Toronto. After a quick skip west on the plane, I made my way to the Library Bar at the Royal York Hotel - the designated meeting spot for the night. Jodi appeared 5 minutes after me and promptly announced that we must go elsewhere. Good call as the stodgey snobbery of the Library Bar WAS a bit much.

Around the corner she had found a bar that was "happening" and we made our way to KI. It is a very cool looking establishment with a great patio and asian-style decor. But upon seeing the long vanity line, we decided that it wasn't the place for us. It was already 9:30 - no time to wait. So we run kitty corner and head to Canoe. Canoe is located on the 53rd floor of a downtown office building and possesses a stunning view of the city. My favourite part was the kind reception we got from the host AND hostess at the door as they offered to check my blue Eddie Bauer duffle bag. After a minor scramble to quickly pack a suitable evening purse we were at the bar and ordering our first round of $12 martinis. MMMMMMMM .... tasty. Although Jodi's cosmopolitan was never really satisfactory. Three drinks, 1.5 hours, one business plan discussion (Jodi amazes me!) and $45 later we were off again.

Jodi has moved into shared digs not far from Queen west and has created a teak paradise of a room. I almost didn't want to leave. But after a quick change into jeans and a couple of hiphop tunes we were back out the door to her local bar. This place would be our home for the night. That wasn't the original plan but, like most things in this neighbourhood dive, it just sorta happened. Ramchackle furniture and random wall hangings match a cobbled together back "patio" that is reminiscent of many hostel bars I visited downunder. It's a place where Labatt 50 is served, you get a can of Coke with your mixed drink, "the Tab" is a colletion of chicken scratches in a notebook (no credit card hold required) and everyone knows everyone ... eventually. In the three hours we were there, the bar went through a bottle and a half of jagremeister shots. Jodi and I had to partake. And although she got tequila, we received our liquid deaths as free pours into the bottom of a small table glass rather than a shot. The entire scene had a family kitchen-party vibe that you couldn't help but enjoy. And through it all was meandering Steve. He could barely stand. And although he is a "brilliant scientist", his alcohol tolerance left much to be desired. The reason? He had forsaken drinking for Lent and Thursday was his return to the fold. In the end, good times had by all.