With Kawhi Leonard — forever known in Toronto as the Klaw — back in town with the Toronto Raptors, it seemed like the perfect time to celebrate another kind of claw.
Toronto’s claw machine scene has grown into a serious obsession, with dedicated arcades packed with plushies, anime figures and prizes. Whether you’re looking to kill 20 minutes or spend an afternoon chasing the perfect grab, these are some of the best places to get your claw on.
Tucked into Koreatown North, Vava has more than 25 claw machines packed with plushies, anime figures and other prizes. The cosy, colourful arcade is the kind of place where a quick game can easily turn into an hour-long mission.
Located on Yonge Street downtown, Octo Zone offers a large selection of claw machines, making it an easy stop for a quick game or a longer session. Its central location also makes it a convenient detour while exploring downtown.
In Markham, Claw & Kitty combines a colourful arcade packed with machines with all-you-can-play tournaments for more competitive players. For anyone convinced they’ve mastered the perfect claw drop, this is the place to prove it.
Ohyo Fun at Empress Walk brings a more high-tech twist to the claw machine, including app integration and virtual competition. It’s also known for its popular scissor-cutting machines, which add a precision challenge to the traditional grab-and-lift game.