A Toronto restaurant that underwent a metamorphosis of sorts, in the form of a sublime new patio last summer, is gearing up for an even bigger change as it ceases to be a restaurant at all.
Perhaps one of the more unique concepts that can be found on Toronto’s party strip along King West, Dasha is a true gem.
Opening its doors in 2019, equipped with a spacious 9000 square-foot space in a prime location and a menu designed by Michelin-star chef Akira Back (of Akira Back fame), the restaurant already had all the ingredients to be an instant hit, but elevated the experience even further with the addition of private karaoke rooms tucked away on the second floor.
A far cry from the dingy, sticky-floored karaoke bars you may think of, Dasha does the whole thing right, offering food and drink services in the themed rooms rooms, which boast a selection of over 60,000 different songs in English, Cantonese, Korean and beyond.
The old refrain of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” doesn’t seem to apply here, though, as a representative from Honeycomb Hospitality, Dasha’s parent company, tells blogTO that they’re about to usher in an exciting new era for the restaurant.
“As of January 2025, Dasha will no longer operate as a day-to-day restaurant or accept daily reservations,” the representative tells blogTO. “Instead, we are pivoting to become a premier event space, tailored to host unforgettable moments and experiences.”
The venue includes the grand main area, with space for 90 sitting and 160 standing, the intimate chandelier room — a truly showstopping space that fits 30 sitting and 120 standing, as well as their five distinct karaoke rooms.
Not to fear: Dasha’s menu of droolworthy pan-Asian cuisine will remain intact, but you’ll have to book or attend a corporate event, private party, birthday or holiday celebration or any other manner of private event to get your hands on it now.
“At Honeycomb, we’re always looking to evolve alongside the needs and wants of the community we serve,” Dasha’s representative tells blogTO.
“More than ever, people are looking for event venues that go beyond traditional banquet halls – spaces with personality, style, and a memorable atmosphere,” she says. “By dedicating our business at Dasha to events, we can focus on creating tailored experiences that reflect our dynamic approach to hospitality.”
According to the representative, this change was carefully calculated amid the success Honeycomb Hospitality has seen building out Dasha’s events program, and they say that the group is excited to bring “an offering that speaks to the city’s growing desire for exceptional, curated celebrations in unforgettable spaces,” to the city.
If you’re in the market for a venue to host your next event, you can learn more on Dasha’s website.
Honeycomb Hospitality also owns and operates a host of other hot spots like Baro and Petty Cash.
