The Cold Plunge: Spirits of the Distillery

In this post I take a walking tour to discover the spirits of the historical Distillery District (not the whisky kind…)

My time in Canada was ending, and I had just two days left in Toronto before I flew to Dublin. I had arrived home from my day trip to Niagara Falls around midnight, so it was a slow start the next morning. I spent most of the day in my room at Toronto Metropolitan University, planning the first week of my Irish adventure.

Late in the afternoon, I set out for the next activity on my agenda. As I approached my streetcar stop, I noticed a parked fire engine, and a firefighter standing with a mother and her child. The firefighter leaned down to the child sitting in a stroller and gave him a sticker. I smiled to myself as I observed the tender moment of connection in the midst of this heaving metropolis.

Spirits of the Distillery District

The pedestrian-only Distillery District is set in quaint 19th century buildings that once housed a large whiskey distillery. Its cobblestone streets are lined with hip indie restaurants, bars and boutiques. Art lovers come for the galleries, outdoor sculptures and dance, music and stage performances at the area’s several theatres. I came for the Spirits of the Distillery Walking Tour.

I arrived at the district early and explored for a while before eating dinner at Mill Street Brewery. I found the meeting point for the walking tour, and the cloaked guide who awaited us. As night fell, she led us out on a lantern-lit stroll around one of Toronto’s most haunted spots, exploring the narrow alleyways and hidden corners where spirits are said to lurk. We learned about the tragic events that left their mark, and heard spine-chilling tales of paranormal encounters. 

The tour started and ended late because of two latecomers, which wouldn’t have mattered to me if I had charged my phone earlier that day. The battery had been on 50% when I headed out that afternoon, and I had thought that would be enough. Maybe if I weren’t so reliant on Google Maps, but I didn’t know Toronto well enough without it.

The light was fading quickly as I sprinted through Old Toronto to the bus stop. I just missed the 9.15pm service, and my phone battery was hanging on at 5%. I put my phone on flight mode and closed all background apps.

It was getting dark now, and the street lighting was poor. There were people drinking in the park behind me. Another woman arrived at the bus stop, and I relaxed a little.

I checked my phone out of habit but put it away when I caught myself. The bus approached, and I breathed in relief as I stepped onboard. When the automated voice announced Gerrard Street as the next stop, I pressed the button and stepped out alone onto another dimly lit corner. I took out my phone and opened Maps, and the screen went black, flashing the empty battery icon. I scolded myself- why had I let this happen again?

I knew I was on Gerrard Street, which was close to Toronto Metropolitan University, but a wrong turn could send me walking in the opposite direction. I couldn’t afford to make that mistake again.

I picked a direction, hoping it was the right one, and started walking. A man on an electric bicycle slowed down beside me- it looked like a delivery driver bike, but had no branding.
‘You look like you need help,’ said the man.
‘No thanks.’
My response was abrupt. He was smiling and sounded friendly, but I didn’t want to take the risk. The man rode away and I quickened my pace to match my racing heart, throwing cautious glances over my shoulder.

Like a beacon of light, I saw the familiar blue and yellow LED sign of the Toronto Metropolitan University. The night receptionist buzzed me in, and once upstairs in my room, I plugged in my phone. That was a close call. Not the first, but it would be the last. Enough was enough. I set a new rule: if my phone battery was not 100% charged, I would not go out. Simple as that.

I hope you’re enjoying coming along with me on The Cold Plunge. If you would like to help me along on this adventure, consider donating below. There are preset amounts, or you can customise an amount too. Whatever you choose, your contribution is deeply appreciated.