Best places to watch the playoffs in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leaf have secured a place in the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs this year again and the Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square will be in the heart of the festivities.

WHAT TO DO AT OUR HOTEL?

No need to check the NHL calendar to know when the Leafs play when you stay at the Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square: our lobby will light up with blue lights.

If you have tickets for the game, or even if you don’t, you can enjoy a drink or two at the Bar Le Germain before it starts. As it is right next to the Scotiabank Arena, you won’t miss any of the action, but you’ll be comfortably seated inside, with a drink in hand and a nice snack, such as Miso Grilled Short Rib or Bison Meatballs, in the other. For more information, take a look at our menu.

Another cool thing you could do is gather 10 to 25 of your friends and rent a balcony suite, an apartment suite or our Penalty Box room. Overlooking the Scotiabank Arena, you can watch the game on the giant screen from your suite or outside on your private patio. We set up a host or cash bar and cater hors d’oeuvre such as brie and mushroom arancini, pulled pork mac and cheese and Korean fried chicken skewer.

WHAT TO DO AROUND THE SCOTIABANK ARENA?

Before a game, streets located just in front of the Scotiabank Arena and the Hotel Le Germain Maple will close to create a giant meeting place for fans. It is commonly called the "Leaf Pile". Join the massive tailgate party and watch the game with the crowd on a 30-foot screen outside the arena, for home as well as away games. There are always prizes to be won and special guest appearances.

BEST SPORTS BAR TO WATCH THE PLAYOFFS?

The concierges at Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square, Gregory and Tatiana, suggest you watch the game at these cool sports bar:

Real Sports Bar & Grill – Located in the same complex as the hotel, which means you don’t have to go outside to reach it, this massive sports bar holds up to 1300 people and has 199 HD TV’s including a massive 30-foot high screen. They have a tasty pub style menu with a large selection of beers (126 on tap!). Reservations are absolutely recommended. They even begin accepting reservations 3 weeks prior to the date, so plan ahead if you can.

The Citizen - This is located on King Street West. Citizen is a great place to watch the game, then hang out after as they become a dance club and lounge.

Gretzky’s - Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant is a sure place to find sports fans. It is located just a minute-walk away from the Hotel Le Germain Toronto, on Mercer Street. There is casual pubfare, hockey memorabilia all over and the outside of the restaurant is a very popular photo op for fans.

Pick6ix Sports - Close to the Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square and the Hockey Hall of Fame, this newly open restaurant offers gastronomic bar food such as cilantro lime chicken wings, nachos, fish tacos and even a classic poutine.

Not a Leafs fan?
Check out Kilgours in the Annex neighbourhood, about a 15-minute taxi ride from the Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square. This is a haven for Habs fans with Canadiens memorabilia everywhere. They have a pub style menu and don’t take reservations. It is recommended to show up an hour early at least to get a good spot.