Toronto’s entertainment and dining scene has a new addition with the grand opening of Ballroom Bowl’s third location at The Tenor, at 10 Dundas Street East. Overlooking Yonge-Dundas Square, the venue offers an immersive entertainment experience, combining bowling, dining, and social activities in one of the city’s most vibrant areas.
Ballroom Bowl founder Paul Donato shared insights into the decision to expand to Yonge-Dundas Square, describing it as a natural evolution for the brand.
“As we looked to grow our presence in Toronto, the opportunity to open at The Tenor was an exciting venture to explore,” said Donato. “We saw a need for a central entertainment destination downtown, and The Tenor, situated at Yonge and Dundas, offers a space that hosts a wide range of events and community gatherings.”
With its high foot traffic and status as a bustling hub for tourists and locals alike, Yonge-Dundas Square provides a strategic location for Ballroom Bowl to reach a diverse audience. “Introducing The Ballroom Bowl in this area is an ideal match given the area’s popularity with both locals and visitors, making it a beloved hub for people coming to the city,” he added.
A Unique Atmosphere with a Signature View
While Ballroom Bowl’s other locations at John Street and Yorkville have their distinct charm, the new venue stands out for its energy and dynamic atmosphere.
“Our new location at Yonge and Dundas stands out from our other Toronto venues with its energy and atmosphere reflecting the spirit of its surrounding neighbourhood,” Donato explained. “What sets this venue apart is its vantage point and panoramic views overlooking one of the most famed intersections in Toronto. Guests can dine, drink, and bowl while experiencing the glow and buzz of the bustling city below.”
The venue aims to strike a balance between the nostalgia of its John Street flagship and the refined experience of the Yorkville location, ensuring a blend of sophistication and fun.
Introducing Duckpin Bowling to Downtown Toronto
One of the standout features of this new Ballroom Bowl location is the introduction of duckpin bowling, a variation of the traditional game that brings a fresh and exciting challenge to Toronto’s entertainment landscape.
“Bowling is best enjoyed as a group, and our new location offers 15 duckpin bowling lanes that provide a fun yet challenging experience that’s perfect for all ages,” said Donato. “With its lighter balls, smaller pins, and shorter lanes, the aim isn’t to make the game easier but to introduce a fresh, exciting challenge that adds variety to the traditional bowling experience, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Beyond Bowling: A Full Entertainment Experience
Ballroom Bowl has always positioned itself as more than just a bowling alley, and the Yonge-Dundas location is no exception. In addition to bowling, guests can enjoy a range of social games, dining options, and entertainment features.
“Beyond bowling, guests can enjoy our robust food and drink menu, a spacious bar, a pool table, shuffleboard, and more traditional social games providing plenty of entertainment for everyone,” Donato explained. “As they play, guests can relax on comfy couch seating or enjoy a meal at high-top tables, conveniently placed next to the lanes for the perfect balance of accessibility and comfort.”
Elevated Comfort Food and Signature Drinks
Dining is a major part of the Ballroom Bowl experience, with a menu that goes beyond typical bowling alley fare.
“We’re not just a typical bowling alley. We aim to be a destination for great food and drinks,” Donato emphasized. “Some of our standout dishes include Miso Honey Garlic Wings and Steak Frites, which put a contemporary spin on classic pub fare. House-made pizza is also one of The Ballroom Bowl’s most popular menu items, with each pie made from scratch using freshly prepared dough that undergoes a 72-hour fermentation process.”
Complementing the food menu is a well-curated beverage program featuring 16 draft beers, a selection of wines, and craft cocktails.
“Our standout cocktail, or signature cocktail, if you will, is aptly named ‘Spare the Details,’ a blend of vodka, lemon, lavender, and prosecco,” said Donato. “For those seeking non-alcoholic options, we also offer a selection of mocktails.”
Building Community and Future Plans
With the opening of its Yonge-Dundas location, Ballroom Bowl aims to integrate itself into the fabric of the local community, offering a venue for gatherings, events, and celebrations.
“We want to contribute to the Yonge and Dundas community by offering a space where people can enjoy great entertainment, connect with others, and celebrate special occasions, whether it’s a birthday party or work event,” Donato said. “We believe in the power of shared experiences, and our goal is to become a local destination that complements the area’s culture while providing an inclusive, fun experience for everyone.”
Programming and special events will also play a key role in Ballroom Bowl’s engagement with its audience.
“We’re committed to bringing people together, so there will be no shortage of programming, events, and offers at the Yonge and Dundas location,” Donato said. “Similar to our other venues, we’ll have weekly events such as Brunch n Bowl and Thursday Night Strikes.”
Looking Ahead: Expansion and Industry Trends
While the Toronto market remains a primary focus, Donato acknowledges the potential for further expansion.
“It has always been my vision to grow and expand the brand, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in Toronto,” he said. “While our future expansion plans may be influenced by the current economic climate, the original Ballroom Bowl was established during the subprime meltdown of 2009-2010. Similarly, both The Ballroom Bowl Yorkville and The Ballroom Bowl Yonge & Dundas were developed during the COVID pandemic—proof that we can adapt and thrive in challenging times.”
As for the evolution of the entertainment and dining landscape in Toronto, Donato believes that the demand for unique social experiences will continue to grow.
“We’re seeing an increasing demand for entertainment hubs in Toronto, where people can have fun without pressure and expectations,” he noted. “At The Ballroom Bowl, we’re dedicated to staying ahead of the curve. We continually adapt to trends, ensuring our venues remain a top choice for delicious food and entertainment.”
Alex Edmison of the CBRE Urban Retail Team negotiated the lease deal on behalf of Ballroom Bowl. BentallGreenOak operates The Tenor complex at 10 Dundas East.
Built by BUILD IT, the trusted construction partner behind Ballroom Bowl’s Yorkville location, the transformation of a third-floor restaurant and food court space at The Tenor showcases the team’s ability to execute complex projects in one of Toronto’s busiest commercial districts. Navigating the challenges of high foot traffic and a bustling urban environment, BUILD IT demolished and reconfigured the space to accommodate 15 lanes of duckpin bowling, dining, and entertainment. The team fabricated and installed high-end millwork, ensuring precise finishes, fixtures, and installed advanced mechanical systems, all while reinforcing a commitment to quality, innovation, and safety in every detail.
Innovation in Social Entertainment
Since its inception in 2010, The Ballroom Bowl has redefined what a bowling venue can be, starting with its flagship location at John Street, which spans 23,500 square feet over two floors and includes nine ten-pin bowling lanes, multiple bars, and a variety of games. In 2024, the Yorkville venue followed, offering an upscale take on the traditional bowling experience with VIP lanes and a refined atmosphere. The newest location at Yonge-Dundas Square builds upon this legacy, further cementing Ballroom Bowl as a leader in Toronto’s entertainment landscape, blending entertainment, elevated dining, and community engagement into a single experience.
“Our focus has always remained on creating a space where the food is as memorable as the fun,” Donato said. “While we want to keep bowling as the traditional and beloved activity people look forward to, we look to transform an ordinary bowling outing into an experience people will talk about for days.”
The Tenor at 10 Dundas Street East: A Premier Entertainment Hub
The Tenor, located at 10 Dundas Street East in Toronto, is a dynamic 10-storey, 360,000-square-foot entertainment, retail, and office complex situated at the bustling intersection of Yonge and Dundas. Managed by BentallGreenOak, the building underwent a rebranding in December 2021 to adopt its current name, “The Tenor,” a nod to its address and number of floors.
The complex offers approximately 268,392 square feet of retail space, housing prominent tenants such as Winners, Dollarama, and a Cineplex Cinemas with 24 screens. Notably, several of these theaters double as lecture halls for Toronto Metropolitan University during daytime hours. The Tenor also features a diverse array of dining options.
In the summer of 2024, The Tenor expanded its entertainment and dining offerings with the addition of Shake Shack, marking the brand’s first Canadian location. A Hard Rock Cafe will open on the upper floors of the complex in a few months.
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