Who says you have to head downtown for a perfect night out? The GTA’s newest nightlife spot is big on food and theatrical energy. Number One is an immersive dining-and-entertainment experience that’s taken over the former Hutaoli Music Restaurant & Bar space near Highway 7 East and Warden Avenue, bringing together Chinese fusion plates, cocktails and live performances under one roof (so you won’t have to go to two separate places for a dinner and a show). The Markham venue is currently in reservation-only soft-opening mode, but its grand opening is set for Sunday, March 29, with regular hours beginning March 30.
If nothing else, head over for the entertainment. Main shows run daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with music and dance performances and a more relaxed vibe Monday through Thursday. Expect wilder weekend lineups that could include animal performances, fire dancing, LED shows, magic tricks and aerial acrobatics! After 10 p.m., the room transforms again with DJ sets and an even higher-energy party atmosphere.
Come hungry (and thirsty). And perhaps head over with a large group of friends, as there’s plenty of room for sharing. Sip on pink fruit-forward and minty green cocktails made with different Asian spirits while indulging in charcoal BBQ, including beef and lamb skewers; chicken wings; smoked meats; sprawling trays of whole fish buried under dried chiles; seafood-and-veggie platters; bubbling pots of soup; cold appetizer plates; crispy fried dishes and more!
If you desire a night out but want something more intimate than a dinner-and-show setup, the venue also offers private VIP rooms.
Number One is located at 3760 Hwy 7, Unit 1, in Markham. Grand Opening takes place Sunday, March 29. Regular hours start Monday, March 30, 5 p.m.–2 a.m. The venue is only about a 30-minute drive from Toronto (so perhaps just catch an Uber and call it a night).
