Clubland

Bars & Lounges

Charlotte Room 19 Charlotte, at Adelaide W, 416-598-2882. Named one of North America's top 10 pool rooms by Billiards Digest, the Room resembles an olde English gentleman's club, with seven tournament-quality tables, four custom-made poker tables and an upscale pub-grub menu. The brick-lined space also hosts monthly improv nights.
Fifth Social Club 225 Richmond W, at Duncan, 416-979-3000. Lots of room for drinking and dancing makes this club a regular destination for the slightly well-to-do 20-something crowd who get all hard in the pants at the idea of VIP exclusiveness and watching DJs mix beside the bartenders.
Jack Astors 144 Front W, at York, 416-585-2121 Although it has that really obnoxious neon sign gag (the "tor" in Astors disappears!), what you get inside is perfectly fine family-friendly dining and a clientele heavy on Front Street types and people heading over to the ACC.
Loose Moose 146 Front W, at University, 416-977-8840. A massive rah-rah sports bar with a questionable obsession with women's breasts, this place can get pretty rowdy on game night and after concerts at the ACC.
Philthy McNastys 276 King W, at Duncan, 416-979-8060. Former home of the equally lame Mosquito Moe's, this played-out "Canadian themed" sports bar is like the Taj Mahal for jocks and the like who get all into lame dance nights and servers who look like they belong at Hooters.
Pur 365 King W, at Peter, 416-205-9696. This narrow three-level club is topped by an impressive patio with a great view of the downtown. The VIP room resembles a hotel room with its own sound system, fridge and TV (as well as a hideaway bed folded into the wall).
Rockwood 31 Mercer, at Peter, 416-979-7373. Rocks and wood inspired the decor at this club designed for the older, cooler crowd into house music; some semi-private areas.
Smokeless Joe's 125 John, at Richmond W, 416-591-2221. With a constantly changing roster of over 275 beers from around the world, this cozy subterranean rock-lined room is a global suds guzzler's paradise. Just check out the joint's encyclopedia of brews.
Therapy 203 Richmond W, at Duncan, 416-977-3089. This small, busy mainstream club has a VIP lounge on the second floor for those who want to avoid the crowds.
Toika 471 Richmond W, at Brant, 416-868-6452. Classy lounge in the former Zinc. See Small Clubs, Big Fun feature, page 66.
Underground Garage Urban Saloon 365 King W, at Peter, 416-340-0365. Bucking the ultra-lounge trend, this no-nonsense headbangers' ballroom rocks to the classics from Zeppelin to Ozzy and back again. Spot the Trailer Park Boy!
Up & Down 270 Adelaide W, at John, 416-977-4038. Down a few steps and behind a padded door, find this intimate two-storey townhouse furnished with leather wingback chairs, Oriental rugs and fireplaces. An oasis of calm sophistication amidst the chaos.
Wayne Gretzky's 99 Blue Jays Way, at Mercer, 416-348-0099. Despite its Broadway decor, this shrine to hockey's Great One is as Canadian as a Tim Hortons donut. Plasma TVs above a stand-up bar play Wayne's greatest hits while the loyal check out the souvenir shop selling Gretzky gear.
Wide Open 139 Spadina, at Richmond W, 416-727-5411. With a legal capacity of just 50, this low-key wreck room features cool alterna-tunes on the CD player, the game on several TVs hanging over the bar, and "art" on the graffiti-splattered walls.

Dance Clubs

Afterlife 250 Adelaide W, at John, 416-593-6126. Made for that crazy, nutty young crowd all full of beans, Afterlife is pretty freakin' big, with four floors good for dancing, all featuring different types of music. Fridays are university and college nights.
Budo Liquid Theatre 137 Peter, at Richmond, 416-593-1550. An exceptionally well designed/decorated club, one of many consistent hot spots in the area, Budo expects an upscale, if not slightly skeezy, clientele. Worth seeing just for the large indoor waterfall used as projection screen.
Cantina Charlies 287 Richmond W, at Peter, 416-340-2582. A divine blessing for frat boys and their vapid ilk, Charlies is kinda like Coyote Ugly, with something called a dance-floor shower, too. Rooftop patios and three dance floors pumped full of R&B and pop.
CIRCA 126 John, at Nelson, 416-979-9346. Peter Gatien's mega NYC style super club. See Keep On Dancing feature, this page.
Devil's Martini 473 Adelaide W, at Portland, 416-591-7541. This simply massive two-floored club for the 25-and-up crowd plays house, top 40 and hiphop. An expansive meat market.
Distrikt 134 Peter, at Richmond, 416-597-8777. Vying to attract the upscale club-goer, this classy-looking spot does its best to rock a crowd, especially on Saturdays that feature hiphop and reggae.
Embassy 117 Peter, at Richmond W, 416-585-2111. Not to be confused with the much smaller and humbler Embassy Bar, this one used to be the infamous grimy after-hours club System Soundbar. It's now a much tamer upscale club, with lots of booths to reserve if you enjoy drinking Grey Goose straight from the bottle.
Fluid 217 Richmond W, at Duncan, 416-593-6116. One of the last remnants of the original club district, Fluid has somehow survived more than a decade in this highly volatile neighbourhood. Medium-sized mainstream club, with two rooms of dancing.
Footwork 425 Adelaide W, at Brant, 416-913-3488. The last two attempts at running a bar in this space floundered after short runs, but the third time seems to be the charm for this boutique club, which has helped fill a void of decent small clubs. It feels like a scaled-down version of a large underground dance club and generally focuses on variations of house and techno. See Keep On Dancing feature, this page.
Hotel 77 Peter, at King, 416-345-8585. Yet another small mainstream dance lounge in the heart of clubland. Not so upscale that it's intimidating, but fancy enough that you should leave the track pants at home.
Level 102 Peter, at Adelaide W, 416-599-2224. Level is actually three clubs in one: the large rooftop patio WetBar, the upscale lounge Suite 106 and the larger main club, Level. This is a mainstream dance club with all the trimmings.
Lot 332 332 Richmond W, at Peter, 416-850-6821. An upscale mainstream dance club best known for the retractable roof over the main room, which means you can dance under the stars most summer nights.
M Lounge 241 Richmond W, at John, 416-595-5559. Employing plenty of funky, high-concept installation art and a dance-ready floor, M, designed to look super-classy with its rich wood tones, plays somewhat predictable club music.
Metro 296 Richmond W, at John, 416-977-8747. Looking pretty dang sexy but not too meat-markety, Metro's biggest draw is its laid-back vibe and casual attitude, which separate it from the big-money clubs in the 'hood.
Mink 150 Pearl, at Duncan, 416-977-4446. Super-classy joint boasting a gorgeous interior and a summer-ready rooftop patio. Good for people who try way-y-y too hard to look sexy, it features dance, hiphop, R&B and Latin among other kinds of music.
Republik 259 Richmond W, at Peter, 416-598-1632. THis big, shiny mainstream dance club has a small VIP lounge upstairs and two rooms on the main floor. The lighting system is impressive, if you're into that sort of thing.
Shmooze 15 Mercer, at John, 416-341-8777. For the mature, high-rolling or wannabe high-rolling crowd, the tasteful interior design makes the club's concept almost palatable – that being, of course, to schmooze with the city's young, hip movers and shakers.
This Is London 364 Richmond W, at Peter, 416-351-1100. The entrance behind the building in the alley might suggest a seedy after-hours, but it's actually a fancy, upscale kind of place, with mainstream tunes on Saturdays and big-name underground DJs on Fridays.
Tonic 117 Peter, at Richmond W, 416-204-9200. This large mainstream dance club in the middle of the district tends to attract a younger up-for-it crowd. Not particularly upscale, but be prepared for the standard clubland dress code on the weekends.

King West

Bars & Lounges

Bar Wellington 520 Wellington W, at Portland, 416-341-8880. This offshoot of the Annex's Bedford Academy occupies a converted three-storey Victorian. Despite its location in condo-land, chi-chi it ain't. Instead, find ye olde local atmosphere, serviceable pub grub and 19 draughts on tap.
Brant House 522 King W, at Spadina, 416-703-2800. A fancy bottle-service-oriented lounge with a certain meat-market sensibility, Brant House encourages you to share snacks from the upscale selection of finger foods.
C Lounge 456 Wellington W, at Spadina, 416-260-9393. Advertising itself as "the next generation of chic," the spa-like flagship of the Liberty Group (which also runs Tattoo Rock Parlour and the Phoenix) should be located in Miami's South Beach rather than in downtown Toronto.
CHEVAL 606 King W, at Portland, 416-363-4933. Inconspicuous and tucked away, this upscale hot spot by no means offers a cheap night out. Packed with the suit-and-tie King West set, it does boast cool and unassuming decor and knowledgeable bartenders.
Crush 455 King W, at Spadina, 416-977-1234. A loft-style bistro all sandblasted brick and hardwood floors, Crush also contains a wine bar that features a rotating roster of regional plonk. Oenophiles can sign up for tastings organized by the Centre for Vine Affairs located on its lower level.
LOKI 577 King W, at Portland, 416-977-7080. This small basement dance lounge is upscale enough to provide bottle service booths but party-focused enough to have some space to dance to loud, pounding tunes. Essentially a mainstream club, it also hosts special events featuring more underground sounds.
2 Cats 569 King W, at Portland, 416-204-6261. Spread over two floors (the second may be closed on slower nights), this narrow lounge gets crowded easily, but the close quarters encourage a friendly vibe. Though DJs spin everything from house to rock, there's barely room to stand, let alone do any fancy footwork.
West 510 King W, at Brant, 416-361-9004. Formerly an upscale basement lounge with a focus on bottle service and booths, West has recently renovated itself into a decent little dance bar.
Wheat Sheaf 667 King W, at Bathurst, 416-504-9912. Opened in 1849, the Wheat Sheaf is Toronto's oldest bar. Somewhat tarted up, it remains a classic watering hole. Bonus: half-price chicken wings Sunday to Tuesday.

Live Music

Old York 167 Niagara, at Wellington W, 416-703-9675. This old-man beardo bar near the abattoir is wood-panelled, with lights turned low enough that you don't notice the residue of years of spilled beer. There are rough-edged singer/songwriters on a tiny stage, and a soundtrack that's all barfly classics all the time.

Queen West

Bars & Lounges

Black Bull 298 Queen W, at Soho, 416-593-2766. Despite its reputation as a weekend-biker hangout, this ever-popular spot has large windows that look out to one of Toronto's trendiest streetscapes. Pool tables and decent burgers, too.
Hideout 484 Queen W, at Dennison, 647-438-7664. A rock 'n' roll bar (and restaurant during the day) boasting a large side patio with a prime view of Queen West. Mainly live bands, with the occasional rock DJ.
Ultra 314 Queen W, at Peter, 416-263-0330. The jewel in club king Charles Khabouth's crown, the former Bamboo remains one of downtown's most exclusive party scenes. Given its South Beach-meets-the-Casbah vibe, no wonder there's always a lineup of sophisticated wannabes waiting to get past the velvet rope.

Live Music

Big Bop/Reverb/Holy Joe's 651 Queen W, at Bathurst, 416-504-6699. Three unique clubs. On the main floor, the dungeon-like Kathedral frequently hosts goth, punk and metal shows. Upstairs, the Reverb attracts bands ranging from funk-punk crew the Salads to conscious hiphop femcee Ursula Rucker. Wee Holy Joe's (up another small flight of stairs) is best suited to singer/songwriters.
BOVINE SEX CLUB 542 Queen W, at Bathurst,416-504-4239. Veteran of the Devil Horn District, Bovine still holds its own. If there were a rock-only nightclub in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, this would probably be it. See Rock Club feature, page 70 .
Cameron House 408 Queen W, at Cameron, 416-703-0811. The sign over the bar says it best: this is paradise. The back room hosts music and theatre events, while residencies fill the front most nights, including the Cameron Family Singers every Saturday.
THE HORSESHOE TAVERN 368 Queen W, at Bathurst, 416-598-4753. The heart of live music in Toronto still pumps from the famous Horseshoe. Ask the soundman to show you the audio mix specifications for Mick and Keith. It's kept taped to the ceiling. See Live Music Venue feature, this page.
Rex 194 Queen W, at St. Patrick, 416-598-2475. Known for its all-day jazz sessions, the old hotel tavern has been gussied up over the years. It still retains elements of its original style: terracotta floors, draught by the glass and Victorian washrooms.
RIVOLI 332 Queen W, at Peter, 416-596-1908. With a great look-at-me patio, contempo-cuisine, a billiard hall and a backroom stage that hosts an eclectic range of music and stand-up, this Queen West staple has all the bases covered. See Weekly Open Mic feature, page 71.
TATTOO ROCK PARLOUR 567 Queen W, at Denison, 416-703-5488. As the name suggests, this aims to be a rock bar with a tattoo studio on the premises. It's a lot shinier and fancier than most of its competition, a mixed blessing in the rock world. See Rock Club feature, page 70 .

Dance Clubs

Funhaus 526 Queen W, at Ryerson, 416-703-4999. It's easy to tell when a hot show's happening by the sprawling mass of suburban punk, goth and raver kids queued up outside. Located upstairs, this low-ceiling'd space has surprisingly good sightlines conducive to watching loud screamo bands while tossing back Jager shots.
Savage Garden 550 Queen W, at Bathurst, 416-504-2178. Who says goth's dead? Every Thursday through Saturday, the children of the night congregate in this dark 'n' dank second-floor salon to vibrate to anything that's remotely ghoulish and exceptionaly loud. PVC optional.
Velvet Underground 510 Queen W, at Ryerson, 416-504-6688. One of the hip strip's originals, this goth-noir party space attracts an MOR crowd. Dance to DJs spinning retro 90s, crash on a sofa or shoot pool and dig the ghoulishly angelic sculptures.

Chinatown

Bars & Lounges

Village Idiot 126 McCaul, at Dundas, 416-597-1175. Directly across from the AGO, this laid-back local grooves to a soundtrack of 40s, 50s and 60s jazz and R&B while pouring 16 domestic and European draughts. Bonus: no TV!

Live Music

EL MOCAMBO 464 Spadina, at College, 416-968-2001. Makeovers and management switches have left this lauded venue with an innocuous identity, but it's still one of the best spots for showcasing bands on the upswing. See Live Music Venues feature, this page .
Grossman's 379 Spadina, at Cecil, 416-977-7000. Since the 60s, this low-rent saloon has appealed to musicians and artists alike. The old girl's had something of a makeover – her infamous basement washrooms are now panelled in galvanized sheet metal -- but the vibe remains. Live jazz or blues most nights.
THE SILVER DOLLAR 486 Spadina, at College, 416-979-0909. Half blues shack, half indie rock go-to is a surefire stop for local up-and-comers. Plus, all the colourful characters drifting in from the adjacent hotel keeps the atmosphere edgy. See Live Music Venues feature, this page.

Dance Clubs

Comfort Zone 480 Spadina, at College, 416-975-0909. Just can't stop dancing and it's Sunday morning? Like 9 am? Then head for this sweaty labyrinth in the dingy basement of the Waverly Hotel where DJs spin frenzied house tracks well into the next afternoon. Warning: sunlight.
FILM LOUNGE 393 Dundas W, at Beverley, 416-591-4758. Do you like to party hard? Then chances are you've already been to Film Lounge at some point. Expect pounding beats and people wearing sunglasses indoors.

Kensington Market

Bars & Lounges

Amadeu's 184 Augusta, at Denison Square, 416-591-1245. Before Kensington became Toronto's hipster mecca, this low-key Portuguese local was the haunt of musicians, writers and artists fed up with the College and Queen Street scenes. Several renovations may have tarted up the old place, but it still retains its original artsy flavour. Try the sardines!
Embassy 223 Augusta, at Baldwin, 416-591-1132. A small lounge in the middle of Kensington Market, Embassy has a front patio for people-watching. It's more upscale than you might expect for the area, but the area has changed a lot recently.
Last Temptation 12 Kensington, at Dundas W, 416-599-2551. This low key resto-bar has been in the heart of the market forever, and feels like it's barely changed over the year. Attracting a crowd of neighbourhood drinkers and college students, it's affectionally known to many as "The Tempt". The front patio is prime for people watching, but you'll have to get there early on sunny days to find a spot.
Pepe @ Torito 276 Augusta, at College, 647-436-5874. Launched this last December to handle the spillover crowds from Torito upstairs, this Barcelona-style basement grotto is much more relaxed than the hectic room above, the lighting more romantic, and the nibbles -- white asparagus with translucent slices of Serrano ham, tostados spread with duck rillette --even tastier if possible.
Ronnie's Local 069 69 Nassau, at Augusta, 416-340-1110. The de facto local for the new generation of OCAD students, where indie kids and arty bohos congregate for dirt-cheap pitchers and awesome music and get served by a bartender who just might be in one of their favourite local indie bands. See Rock Club feature, page 70.
Teranga 159 Augusta, at Dundas W, 416-849-9777. Ostensibly a Senegalese restaurant, this surprisingly large second-storey space pulls in the spillover crowd from the Boat across the street for everything from one-off electro nights to Afro jazz.
Thymeless 355 College, at Augusta, 416-928-0556. A place that could only make sense in Kensington Market, it's a rough-around-the-edges Greek/Jamaican bar and grill that functions primarily as a roots reggae spot. The main attractions are the massive stack of speakers flooding the bar with bass and the passionate foosball games on the back patio. See Small Clubs, Big Fun feature, page 66.

Live Music

THE BOAT 158 Augusta, at Wales, 416-593-9218. With its red-lining kitsch factor, nobody expected this dumpy Market hideout to stay afloat this long. See Live In A Dive feature, page 67.
Graffiti's 170 Baldwin, at Kensington, 416-506-6699. Chock full of rocker memorabilia, this long, narrow room offers live music – mainly roots-rock-slash-acoustic – seven nights a week. When weather permits, the front garage door is opened to the street and musos and fans spill into the street. Sundays, it's home to Black Metal Brunch!

Dance Clubs

Supermarket 268 Augusta, at College, 416-840-0501. Part restaurant, part club, Supermarket has become one of the more consistently busy nightspots in the area. The front half is dominated by booths and a long bar but opens up into a dance floor and stage in the back, with DJs or bands depending on the night. See Weekly Open Mic feature, page 71.

Downtown

Bars & Lounges

Beerbistro 18 King E, at Yonge, 416-861-9872. Formerly the Rubino Brothers' Zoom, this dramatic space is a second home to the Bay Street crowd and for those serious about their ales and lagers, all 130 of 'em. Beer bread pizza topped with duck confit, too!
Betty's 240 King E, at Princess, 416-368-1300. Aka the Betty Ford Clinic, this east-side watering hole attracts a mixed crowd of students, condo-owners and seasoned scribes from the Toronto Sun across the street.
Bottom Line 22 Front W, at Yonge, 416-362-7585. Fancying itself the financial district's classiest sports bar, this upscale saloon next to the Hockey Hall of Fame and up the street from the AAC is being recast as a swanky steakhouse – with a lot of TVs tuned to the game.
Bymark 66 Wellington W, at York, 416-777-1144. Entering from the Wellington side of the TD Centre, find a gorgeous modern lounge separate from the restaurant below: warm wood walls, slate floor, log sculpture, and the towers rocketing high all around through floor-to-floor tinted glass.
Canoe 66 Wellington W, at Bay, 416-364-0054. On the 54th floor of the TD Tower, Canoe looks south over the islands and the lake during the day. After dark, the view stretches west toward glittering Etobicoke, all for the price of a sidecar or a single malt.
Eight Wine Bar 8 Colbourne, at Yonge, 416-350-8188. Lobby bar of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. See Specialty Bars feature, page 57.
Foundation Room 19 Church, at Front E, 416-364-8368. One of downtown's hautest spots, the former basement performance space of next door's C'est What has been transformed into a luxurious lounge that recalls the Moroccan casbah, thankfully minus the touristy belly dancer shtick.
Hard Rock Cafe 279 Yonge, at Dundas Sq, 416-362-3636. Arguably Toronto's greatest rock 'n' roll landmark, this soaring two-storey room comes plastered with plasma TVs and crammed with music memorabilia like the feather-trimmed jacket Prince wore in his Raspberry Beret video, Keith Richard's opera cape and one of Blue Rodeo's old guitars.
Harlem 67 Richmond E, at Church, 416-368-1920. Once home to swingers' club Wicked, this smallish two-storey party space now has a first-rate soul food resto downstairs and a large performance space slash lounge upstairs.
Imperial Public Library 58 Dundas E, at Victoria, 416-977-4667. A popular after-class hangout for students of the nearby Ryerson Polytechnic, the Library – a bar with its own built-in excuse: "But darling, I really was at the library!" – features one of Toronto's best retro jukeboxes. See Juke Joints feature, page 64.
Laide 138 Adelaide E, at Jarvis, 416-850-2726. This sex-themed lounge provides a space for lovers to canoodle on low-slung sofas while sipping Deep Throats (Frangelico, vanilla vodka and cream) and ogling grainy girl-on-girl porn projected on the wall.
Library Bar @ Royal York Hotel 100 Front W, at Bay, 416-368-2511. Wingback chairs to sink into and plush carpeting underfoot give this genteel bar the feel of a private club. See Hotel Bars feature, page 65.
Pantages Martini Bar 200 Victoria, at Shuter, 416-362-1777. Surprisingly swank NYC-style watering hole just off the hotel's lobby, complete with glowing white onyx bar, double-sided fireplace and semi-private library. Friday and Saturday nights, JazzFM's Jaymz Bee hosts live combos.
Pravda Vodka Bar 36 Wellington E, at Church, 416-306-2433. Rusky themed restaurant lounge. See Specialty Bars feature, page 57.
Trevor 38 Wellington E, at Church, 416-941-9410. Dimly lit cocktail lounge adjacent to owner-chef Trevor Wilkinson's eponymous bistro offers upscale takes on pub grub – Kobe beef mini-burgers, house-made nachos topped with beef cheeks, steak tartare tacos – from after work till late with far less feeding frenzy.
Turf 330 Bay, at Adelaide, 416-367-2111. One of downtown's most dramatic spaces, this swellegant Bay Street off-track betting bo�te has some of the best visuals in town, including a vaulted ceiling hung with ornate chandeliers and walls plastered with plasma TVs tuned to the 3:30 out of Santa Anita.
Veritas 234 King E, at Sherbourne, 416-363-8447. Upmarket sports bar complete with plasma TVs popular with the ad agency set features an unusually refined pub grub menu – speckled trout gravlax, perhaps? – from chefs Deron Engbers and Restaurant Makeover's Brad Long.

Live Music

C'est What 67 Front E, at Church, 416-867-9499. Home of hemp beer and coffee porter, this cozy Old York basement with a very low ceiling serves better-than-average pub grub alongside microbrews, single malts and Irish whiskeys.
CLUB 279 279 Yonge, at Dundas Sq, 416-362-3636. This is the live venue above the Hard Rock Caf�, which should give you an idea of what to expect. Loud rock bands are on the stage, and the walls are decorated with various music memorabilia.
Esplanade Bier Markt 58 The Esplanade, at Church, 416-862-7575. A Belgian brasserie offering a bevy of imported brews sided with moules et frites. Retro cover bands Thursday to Saturday.
Reservoir Lounge 52 Wellington E, at Church, 416-955-0887. Below street level, and reminiscent of a New York City 50s-era jazz joint, the Reservoir presents live swing jazz and jump blues nearly every night of the week. No cover Mondays; reservations on weekends essential.

Dance Clubs

Guvernment 132 Queens Quay E, at Jarvis, 416-869-0045. The massive Guvernment complex includes a maze of smaller clubs and lounges as well as the large main room and the equally mammoth Kool Haus, which is regularly used for concerts. Sensory overload is the name of the game, and it's done well here.

Distillery District

Bars & Lounges

Mill Street Brew Pub 55 Mill, at Trinity, 416-681-0338. The folks responsible for brewing the famous organic suds branch out with an adjacent saloon and dining room. A fireplace and vintage beer memorabilia make this 6,000-square-foot warehouse the ultimate sports bar. Bonus: staff in kilts!

Live Music

SOUND ACADEMY 11 Polson, at Cherry, 416-461-3625. Until recently, this address was known as the Docks, and before that as a warehouse used by various raves. It's a weird cross between amusement park, concert venue and dance club.

West Queen West

Bars & Lounges

Banu 777 Queen West, at Euclid, 416-777-2268. Calling itself an Iranian vodka and kabob bar, this stylish storefront offers a meaty menu – fancy a lamb testicle? – as well as 15 vodkas and an assortment of tobacco-free hookahs.
Beaconsfield 1154 Queen W, at Beaconsfield, 416-516-2550. Even though it's directly across the street from the Drake, this 40s-style saloon couldn't be any more laidback if it tried. Friendly staff, regular regulars, and weeknights from 5 to 7 pm while quantities last, dishes like beer-battered fish and chips and a pint go for eight bucks!
Beaver 1192 Queen W, at Gladstone, 416-537-2768. One of West Queen West's most reliable nightlife destinations, with regular themed DJ nights. The soundtrack is constantly super, from old-school glam punk to trashy country to guilty pleasures like Neil Diamond. See Small Clubs, Big Fun feature, page 66.
CAMERA 1028 Queen W, at Ossington, 416-530-0011. Touted as the city's premier lounge and screening venue, Camera is a hip, original mix of comfortable bar upfront and small movie theatre in back that regularly shows art house, cult fave and classic films.
Coca 783 Queen W, at Manning, 416-703-0783. Sibling to Czehoski down the street, this intimate and seductive room is one of the few resto-bars in town that get tapas right. Sit at the bar, one of several very cramped booths or at communal tables in a spill-over room upstairs.
Czehoski 678 Queen W, at Tecumseth, 416-366-6787. A fancy restaurant early in the evening, Czehoski becomes a luxurious but laid-back lounge later on. From the front it looks deceptively small, but go up the stairs and there are another two floors, with plenty of seating throughout.
Done Right Inn 861 Queen W, at Manning, 416-703-0405. With its wrecked rec-room aesthetic and long stand-up bar, is there any other joint on the strip – other than the Cameron and Cadillac Lounge – that keeps the original DIY spirit of Queen West alive? Vintage arcade video games and ratty couches give way to a secluded smoker's patio out back.
Drake Hotel 1150 Queen W, at Beaconsfield, 416-531-5042. Bringing glitz, money and tourists to Parkdale didn't turn out as artsy and hip as Jeff Stober might have wished, but eclectic and adventurous live music programming in the Underground balances the busy suburban-dominated weekends in the lounge and patio.
Gladstone 1214 Queen W, at Dufferin, 416-531-4635. This massive Edwardian hotel-bar complex has quickly established itself as the west-side's artiest destination. The Melody Bar continues to host its notorious and insanely popular karaoke extravaganzas Thursday through Saturday evenings, but a second much larger performance area, the Ballroom, handles the spillover crowd.
Lot 16 1136 Queen W, at Beaconsfield, 416-531-6556. Crowds spill over from the Drake, the Beaconsfield and the Social into this sleek, minimalist space. On weekends, yuppies pack the bar and the mid-sized lounge gets steamy with wall-to-wall scenesters sipping premium bevvies while nodding to indie rock spun by resident DJs.
MEZZROWS 1546 Queen W, 416-533-4906. This casual neighbourhood bar isn't nearly as much of a dive as many of its Parkdale competitors, nor is it flirting with becoming a snobby upscale hangout. Good tunes, fun pinball machine and huge fish tank.
Mitzi's Sister 1554 Queen W, at Fuller, 416-532-2570. This cozy, open space features flattering lighting good for first dates, semi-comfortable seats, an impressive microbrew selection and decent sightlines, which means it's easy to focus on the live acts (nightly, often no-cover) if conversation gets stilted.
Not My Dog 1510 Queen W, at Fuller, 416-532-2397. Parkdale's least pretentious boozer? This small, exposed-brick storefront features cheap cocktails, open-mic Wednesdays, and old-time mountain music Sundays.
Paddock 178 Bathurst, at Queen W, 416-595-9997. Built circa 1947, this refurbished saloon -- padded booths, dark wainscotting and a leather-tufted bar-- makes the perfect setting for swilling cocktails and single malts. Urban legend has it Frank Sinatra once drank here back in the Rat Pack years.
PARKDALE DRINK 1292 Queen W, at Elm Grove, 416-778-8822. This kind of lounge seems more at home on College than in Parkdale, but it is filling a niche here. Expect your standard R&B, hiphop and house tunes blasting from the DJ booth, but don't look for a full-on dance party every night.
Rhino 1249 Queen W, at Gwynne, 416-535-8089. A reno'd sports bar with an open layout and high ceilings that doesn't reek entirely of testosterone, the Rhino serves gussied-up grub and well-priced pints to ancient neighbourhood fixtures watching the game and scruffy artsies playing pinball.
ROK BOUTIQUE 200 Bathurst, at Queen W, 647-428-7273. Would you be surprised if we told you they play rock music at this bar? It's a small rock 'n' roll lounge with an equally small back patio. Still has that new-bar shine compared to the old Toronto rock institutions, but it's not too tame.
Squirly's 807A Queen W, at Manning, 416-703-0574. A shrine to west-side grunge, this laid-back watering hole is all leopard skin, skull Christmas lights and blood-red walls. Regulars knock back killer cocktails while grooving to tunes that range from relaxed alterna-folk to rockabilly.
Stones Place 1255 Queen W, at Gwynne, 416-536-4242. If you love the Rolling Stones, you'll dig this rambling bar furnished with comfy sofas and curtain-covered walls hung with Stones memorabilia: hundreds of autographed portraits, gold records galore and a sizable collection of original Ronnie Wood paintings. And isn't that Drew Barrymore over by the pool table?
Unit 1196 Queen W, at Dufferin, 416-537-6646. This small, cozy bar uses found objects for decorations, giving the place a modest but stylish sensibility. The mishmash of forgotten bits of the past creates an oddly timeless feel – neither retro nor contemporary.

Live Music

Cadillac Lounge 1296 Queen W, at Grove, 416-536-7717. You can't miss the Cadillac – half of a 1962 Caddy is stuck to the storefront. If low-key country and serious drinking are your bag, this Parkdale fave is a safe bet. Occasional comedy shows and big-screen TV hockey nights compete with local honky-tonkers. See Live Music Venues feature, page 60.
DRAKE UNDERGROUND 1150 Queen W, at Beaconsfield, 416-531-5042. Don't be put off by the suburbanite lineup vying for the lounge. Head straight downstairs to a live-venue gem shining in the West Queen West minefield. See Live Music Venues feature, page 60.

Dance Clubs

Blak 178 Bathurst, at Queen W
Dark basement dancezone in the former Jeff Healey's. See Keep On Dancing feature, page 58.
Social 1100 Queen W, at Dovercourt, 416-532-4474. On the weekend, Queen West scenesters, hipsters and fashionistas end up mixing with the out-of-town crowd that takes over the neighbourhood. See Keep On Dancing feature, page 58.
Wrongbar 1279 Queen W, at Brock, 416-516-8677.
New Parkdale alternative venue. See Juke Joints feature, this page.

Dundas West

Bars & Lounges

Chelsea Room 923 Dundas W, at Gore Vale, 416-364-0553. A cute little bar, the Chelsea has DJs most nights spinning various underground sounds. There's a licensed patio at the side, but the tall fence blocks your view of the street if you're there to people-watch.
Cocktail Molotov 928 Dundas W, at Manning, 416-603-6691. Despite its leftover chi-chi decor and dubious handle – the storefront once housed a trendy boutique of the same name – this unassuming suds-swilling local is all about the tunes, with a musical policy that runs from ABBA to Zappa.
Communist's Daughter 1149 Dundas W, at Ossington, 647-435-0103. Although a tiny sign hangs in the window of the diminutive dive, most can't find this local hipster haunt. Hint: look for Nazarre. With only half a dozen seats at the bar and a few tables – and one of the deepest CD jukeboxes in the city – no wonder the joint's always packed. See Juke Joints feature, this page.
MAGPIE 831 Dundas W, at Palmerston, 416-916-6499. Pretty much guaranteed to be packed to the gills with the 20-something hipster contingent on weekends, Magpie is strong on the high-comfort/no-pretension factor. Find live acts, DJs or the bartender's CD collection, depending on the night, not to mention a vast and mouth-watering selection of microbrews and imports.
Press Club 850 Dundas W, at Euclid, 416-364-7183. The former home of Caffe Brasiliano before it moved over the road, this low-profile jazzy joint is more geared to local artsy types than to tabloid scum. Think Irish pub minus the annoying music.

Live Music

Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas W, at Brock, 416-588-0307. Filling a niche in T.O.'s all-too-often white-bread club bookings, which frequently fall on the side of straightforward rock and pop, Lula Lounge provides a locale for Latin-leaning acts, featuring salsa (bands and lessons), Latin jazz, fado, samba and more.

Dance Clubs

Z 812 Dundas W, at Palmerston.
This two-floor bar was once known as the White Orchid, and since it still sports the old sign, many people still refer to it by that name. As Z, it's run by the people at Neu+Ral and, like its sister bar, it focuses on goth and alternative sounds while still accommodating the kind of esoteric one-off events that were great about its last life.

Ossington

Bars & Lounges

BABY HUEY 70 Ossington, at Queen W, 416-992-5462. A remade karaoke caf� turned Brooklyn-style indie bar. Watch the American Apparel kids fall down wasted on bus-fare-priced PBRs. See Live In A Dive feature, page 67 .
Crooked Star 202 Ossington, at Dundas W, 416-536-7271. Decked out in wood panelling and lit by a slew of votive candles, this cozy local is a true Ossington original. Regularly discounted drinks and Sunday-afternoon reruns of Coronation Street, too.
LeVack Block 88 Ossington, at Humbert, 416-916-0571.
Recently launched resto lounge.
See Keep On Dancing feature, page 58.
Reposado 136 Ossington, at Argyle, 416-532-6474.
Tequila lounge. See Specialty Bars feature, page 57.
Sweaty Betty's 13 Ossington, at Queen W, 416-535-6861. A tiny two-room dive decked out in chandeliers and fugly sofas, this extremely popular storefront bar also happens to be conveniently located steps from the Queen West Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Signature drink: absinthe! See Juke Joints feature, this page.

Live Music

Dakota Tavern 249 Ossington, at Dundas W, 416-850-4579. At this charming basement country bar you can hear live bands playing various forms of roots music along with the occasional DJ playing anything with a bit of twang. See Live Music Venues feature, page 60.

College

Bars & Lounges

ANDY POOLHALL 489 College, at Markham, 416-923-5300. Certainly inspired by the swinging 60s, this large club makes good on its name with five pristine pool tables ready for use if you aren't already too busy dancing to whatever the hell the taste-making DJs feel like spinning, or just hanging out in the sexy lounge area. See Keep On Dancing feature, page 58.
BAR ITALIA 582 College, at Clinton, 416-535-3621. This restaurant/bar has been here for more than 20 years and still manages to retain a certain chic vibe. After chowing down on some pasta, you'll be entertained on the upstairs level by live acts and DJs on the weekends.
Bird 503 College (2nd floor), at Palmerston, 416-323-3957.
Ex-Xazutti watering hole lives on. See Small Clubs, Big Fun feature, page 66.
Bistro 422 422 College, at Bathurst, 416-963-9416. The 422 gets a considerable overflow of cheap drunks from Sneaky Dee's across the street. A narrow basement space lined with wooden benches and communal tables, Bistro furnishes would-be punks with cheap pitchers and schnapps schnooters. See Live In A Dive feature, page 67.
Chinadoll 587 College, at Clinton, 416-536-5384. At this Asian fusion restaurant/lounge, diners are hidden away in the rear behind thin, movable screens that create private little rooms. DJs entertain those in the front lounge area, and there's a small covered patio out front.
Cloak & Dagger 394 College, at Borden, 416-921-8308. A tiny little traditional-style pub with a good selection of beers on tap.Live acts and DJs play in the front window, and you can hear everything from classic reggae to punk to gospel, depending on the night.
Ein Stein 229 College, at Beverley, 416-597-8346. This boisterous student pub across from U of T offers a slew of drink specials – $4.75 martinis Monday, $8.50 pitchers before 9 pm Thursday and bargain-priced pints of Guinness Friday. Bonus: free pool Sunday and Canadian Tire accepted at par all weekend!
Il Gatto Nero 720 College, at Crawford, 416-536-3132. Firmly ensconced in snazzy new digs down the street from its old coffee-house days, the Nero has cast off its low-rent sports drag to become a semi-upscale sports bar with an even bigger big-screen TV.
KU 488 College, at Markham, 416-923-7665. Yet another martini bar and restaurant on the College strip, Ku boasts an upstairs patio and soulful house DJs on weekends. Good place for a laid-back date or to warm up before the clubs
Li'ly 656 College, at Grace, 416-532-0419. Hard-to-pronounce name aside, this attractively done-up College resto-lounge has a less-is-more design feel and a decent Mediterranean-inspired menu to energize patrons ready to dance, stand around trying to look attractive or party with regular DJs.
Midtown 552 College, at Euclid, 416-920-4533. Don't bother looking for the sign, because there isn't one. Look for a blue-and-white striped awning instead. Although there's a small restaurant up front, the room's three pool tables in the back are the centre of the meet-and-meat action.
Roxton 379 Harbord, at Roxton, 416-535-8181. Looking like it's been here forever, this intimate space recalls a 40s saloon, complete with a painting of a reclining female nude over the bar. Open kitchen, venetian blinds and intimate naugahyde booths, too.
Smiling Buddha 961 College, at Dovercourt, 416-516-2531. The quirky, eclectic and bohemian look of this spot may not be completely intentional, but that doesn't negate its charm. The booking policy is fairly eclectic, too – one night loud rock bands, the next some artsy dance party.
Souz Dal 636 College, at Grace, 416-537-1883. Open only after dark, Souz Dal suggests a romantic rendezvous at the casbah, complete with tented ochre-patterned walls and ceiling fans churning the sheltering air overhead.
Sutra 612 College, at Clinton, 416-537-8755. This tiki-tastic lounge from the folks who run nearby Souz Dal features a lineup of paper-umbrella-adorned cocktails in a room riddled with wicker and palm trees.
Teatro 505 College, at Palmerston, 416-972-1475. Cheek-to-cheek with Bird and Arthurs, this scene-ish wine bar gets quite rowdy as the night grows long. DJs spin everything from rock to rap, and occasionally there's a live event.
TED'S COLLISION 573 College, at Clinton, 416-530-7569. A favourite of those who wouldn't be caught dead in any of the surrounding martini lounges. Its sister bar and live music venue, Ted's Wrecking Yard, has been closed for several years, but Ted's Collision is still holding it down as one of the last dark 'n' dirty rock 'n' roll bars on the College strip. See Rock Clubs feature, page 70.
Toi Bar 577A College, at Clinton, 416-915-1571. Tucked away up a flight of stairs, this lounge feels surprisingly like a miniature club, with a pumping sound system and a generous percentage of the floor space available for dancing. On the weekends the music tends toward techno and house. See Small Clubs, Big Fun feature, this page.
VOGUE ROOM 718 College, at Crawford, 416-538-2968. This is another restaurant-by-day, lounge-by-night kind of spot. It has two floors, and you can often find DJs and dancing in the basement. The crowd tends to be upscale; the bar specializes in champagne.
Wild Indigo 607 College, at Clinton, 416-536-8797. A chic Indochine vibe makes this one of the strip's hipper spots and one of the most relaxed. Tasteful fashionistas and just plain folks sip smart drinks to a soulful soundtrack that rarely breaks a sweat.

Live Music

College Street Bar 574 College, at Clinton, 416-533-2417. Pretty dang laid-back, but still cooler than your average bar, featuring live bands specializing in world, folk and reggae, and really cool-looking old black-and-white photos lining the walls.
Free Times Cafe 320 College, at Robert, 416-967-1078. Ever wonder where all the hippies went? Well, they're here, catching mostly local acts of an acoustic bent in the caf�'s intimate rear performance space. Sundays, don't miss the terrific klezmer brunch.
mod club 722 College, at Crawford, 416-588-4663. Union Jacks and Vespas abound at this reno'd pool hall in Little Italy. The pro sound and lighting set-up can make shows at this mid-size venue feel like arena concerts. See Live Music Venues feature, page 60.
Orbit Room 580A College, at Clinton, 416-535-0613. Even though it's owned in part by Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, don't show up at this second-floor muso hang expecting Tribute to 2012. Instead, retro rockers perform most nights while patrons pig out on competent pub grub.
Rancho Relaxo 300 College, at Robert, 416-920-0366. If a show's in progress when you approach the top floor of this Mexican restaurant, enter quickly – you'll block the stage to reach the more comfortable rear section of the extremely narrow room. However, the margaritas are killer and the sound is more than decent.
Revival 783 College, at Shaw, 416-535-7888. Better suited to dance parties than to live shows, Revival offers decent sound but crappy sightlines. Unless you score a table along the right-hand wall, you'll wind up with an aching back before the show's over.
Savannah Room 294 College, at Robert, 416-975-0845. The former Oasis, this long, narrow bar has been Restaurant Makeover'd into a sleek, stainless steel-appointed lounge. Live entertainment that ranges from weird alt-comedy to dyke dance parties happens in the back room.
Sneaky Dee's 431 College, at Bathurst, 416-603-3090. Known by habitu�s as Sneaky Disease, this Tex-Mex tornado comes fronted with a psychedelic Fiona Smyth mural. Inside the cluttered space, graffiti-scrawled booths encourage late-night lounging. After the bar closes on Friday and Saturday nights, it still slings hangover helpers like cheesy nachos till 4:30 am. See Weekly Open Mic feature, page 71.
Tiger Bar 414 College, at Bathurst, 416-710-2453. The back entrance to this club hidden in the basement of the College Street Diner has misled some into thinking they've stumbled into an illegal booze can. Unfortunately, you're not going to get served after last call here, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the live bands and DJ parties.

Dance Clubs

El Convento Rico 750 College, at Crawford, 416-588-7800. A subterranean cha-cha-teria that's as popular with cross-dressers as it is with straights ready to rumba. Even those with two left feet will eventually find themselves on the end of a conga line.
MANA BAR 722 College, at Crawford, 416-537-9292. Tucked away beneath the Mod Club is this hot and sweaty Latin dance club. You'll get a bit of North American mainstream club music thrown in, but you're more likely to hear reggaeton hits or Brazilian party music.
Octapus 293 Palmerston, at College, 416-929-7214. The original Octapus Lounge was legendary in the 90s soul and rare groove scene, and this sequel carries on that funky vibe in the converted garage space. DJs spin deep house and soulful beats most nights; it's known to reach capacity relatively early, so plan ahead.
Shallow Groove 559 College, at Manning, 416-944-8998. This busy mainstream bar has lots of seating and a decent little dance floor. It's not the fanciest place on the strip, but you should still avoid wearing running shoes and track pants if you want to get past the door.
SUBA 292 College, at Spadina, 647-272-5067. Once you make it up the stairs, you enter a surprisingly spacious Latin dance club. The crowd is friendly, but it helps to know the language or, at the very least, the dance steps. Most nights you'll find DJs playing a mix of Latin club music, with some top 40, house and hiphop thrown in here and there.

Roncesvalles

Bars & Lounges

Inter Steer 357 Roncesvalles, at Constance, 416-588-8054. This legendary west-side watering hole, now in far swankier digs than its original home two doors north, may have gone slightly upscale, but it keeps its working-class roots. While much of the Old World menu remains, Susur kitchen vet Bart Murawiecki adds a contemporary and often offbeat spin. Warning: Phil Collins on the jukebox.

Live Music

Gate 403 403 Roncesvalles, at Howard Park, 416-588-2930. Right across the street from the Revue rep cinema, this retro jazz lounge recalls the 52nd Street of 1950s New York – polished wooden floors, an old-school stand-up bar – right down to a grand piano in the corner where jazzy crooners sing the blues nightly.
HUGH'S ROOM 2261 Dundas W, at Bloor, 416-531-6604. One of the best jazz joints in town, this unpretentious venue is open-minded about bookings and welcomes all forms, including poetry readings. Well worth a jaunt to the Roncesvalles village. See Weekly Open Mic feature, page 71.
Local 396 Roncesvalles, at Howard Pk, 416-535-6225. It's warm, friendly and inviting, so it's sort of like a pub version of chicken soup on a cold day. It's also a local fave known for being a good place to catch live music on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

West Bloor West

Bars & Lounges

Bryden's 2455 Bloor W, at Jane, 416-760-8069. Once-dry Swansea may lack the cool of King West, but it's home to this family-friendly local with 16 beers on tap and a popular weekend brunch.
The Fan 2448 Bloor West, at Jane, 416-762-1151. Downstairs from Billy Bob's, this raucous sports bar comes complete with 26 TVs, leather couches, pool tables, trivia terminals and ladies' night karaoke Thursdays.
Yellow Griffin 2202 Bloor W, at Runnymede, 416-763-3365. This small Guinness-slinging pub in Bloor West Village may look like every other ye olde English pub, but it has something no other T.O. bo�te can claim: 35 different types of burgers!

Liberty Village

Bars & Lounges

Academy Of Spherical Arts 1 Snooker, at Atlantic, 416-532-2782. This massive warehouse space – once the home of billiard manufacturer Brunswick – has been converted into an elegant Victorian-style club with 15 antique pool tables. More than 140 single malts, 130 cognacs and 60 grappas at the bar.

Dance Clubs

MUZIK 15 Saskatchewan, 416-595-9998. Located in the Horticulture Building at the Exhibition, Muzik is big, bold and spectacular-looking. Size definitely isn't an issue here; there's room for 3,000, not to mention nine fully equipped bars.

Church Street

Bars & Lounges

Alibi 529 Yonge, at Maitland, 416-964-9869. There's tons to do for the young, hip gay crowd here, including Underwear Party Sundays and Men At Work Wednesdays. And with two dance floors, two levels, three bars and a cruise maze, what the hell isn't to like?
Bar Volo 587 Yonge, at Gloucester, 416-928-0008. Beer lovers flock here for the well-priced selection of regional craft beers – more than 100 different bottled beers and more than a dozen local micros on tap. Artisanal cheese and special beer-tasting events, too.
Black Eagle 457 Church, at Maitland, 416-413-1219. Toronto's only leather bar – unless you count the Bovine – attracts the BDSM crowd for theme nights like Toy Of The Month and Retro Porn And Music and cruisy year-round barbecues on the rooftop deck every Sunday afternoon.
Byzantium 499 Church, at Wellesley, 416-922-3859. The upscale cocktail lounge opens to the street, making it one of the village's prime cruising zones. Unusually good grub for the nabe and a gazillion different types of martoonis.
Crews/Tango 508 Church, at Maitland, 416-972-1662. Drag shows happen nightly at Crews on the first floor, while upstairs at Tango dykes get down to DJs Thursday through Saturday.
Fuzion 580 Church, at Dundonald, 416-944-9888. This luxe second-storey cocktail lounge over the resto helmed by Oprah Winfrey's former personal chef makes the perfect spot for after-dinner chilling. Pee shy? Then you'll have to hold it, cuz the sole washroom is unisex!
George's Play 504 Church, at Alexander, 416-963-8251. George Pratt's ornately decorated playroom is home to a number of drag residencies – Chris Edwards and Michelle Ross both hold regular nights – as well as Tuesday's Are You Smarter Than A Drag Queen? Shemales and bingo afternoons seven days a week!
Goodhandy's 120 Church, at Lombard, 416-760-6514.
A pansexual playground for T-girls, T-boys, drag kings and their admirers.
Hair of the Dog 425 Church, at Wood, 416-964-2708. At the south end of the village, this friendly watering hole sports an upstairs dining room that serves the creditable likes of nachos 'n' veggie burgers, while downstairs in the pub there's an extensive cocktail card.
Local 4 4 Dundonald, at Yonge, 416-915-0113. This modishly appointed space attracts a neighbourhood crowd doing their best to ignore the chaos of nearby Yonge and Church Streets. First-rate weekend brunch, and a primo viewing station for the Pride parade.
Lo'la Martinis 7 Maitland, at Yonge, 416-920-0946. Another hot destination for the predominantly queer crowd, Lola looks lush and lavish inside and plays home to a Saturday-night drag queen show.
Pegasus
489B Church, at Wellesley, 416-927-8832. This relaxed second-storey space features four pool tables, as well as a number of video and pinball games. Fans of Miss Piggy will want to check out the Shrine of Swine, a display case of stuffed toy pigs.
Red Lion 449 Jarvis, at Mutual, 416-967-5551. Sixteen beers on tap in a sprawling Victorian mansion on the fringe of the village.
Slack's 562 Church, at Wellesley, 416-928-2151. Once a slacker named Alice, this neighbourly gastro-pub pulls a mixed crowd for $5 martinis Wednesdays, DJs Thursdays through Saturdays and live music most Sundays.
Statler's 487 Church, at Maitland, 416-925-0341. The strip's only piano bar moves a block north into the much larger digs of the former Lub. Second-floor smoking patio overlooks the street below.
STRAIGHT 553 Church, at Dundonald, 416-926-2501. A prime destination for a unisex crowd in the village, Straight is actually housed in a 19th-century town home done up to look sophisticated and sexy. Aside from the decor and clientele eye candy, weekends here feature solid DJs and a fantastic selection of champagne.
Voglie 582 Church, at Dundonald, 416-929-9108. In this converted Victorian house – home to Spiral and Looking Glass before it – the main floor acts as a backdrop for clandestine dining by fireplace, while the second floor is known for its martini mayhem. Get married in the backyard!
Wish 3 Charles E, at Yonge, 416-935-0240. Sibling to nearby 7 West and Straight and steps off downtown's main drag, this suave white-on-white oasis of South Beach chic offers an extensive martini lineup, contemporary kitchen and year-round tented terrace.
Woody's 467 Church, at Maitland, 416-972-0887. The village's busiest scene, this rambling funhouse is home to the infamous Best Ass, Chest and Legs contests held Thursday through Saturday nights. Wednesdays, watch American Idol en masse on one of 21 TV sets, plus day prices all night.
Zelda's 542 Church, at Maitland, 416-922-2526. Loud, in your face and tasteless. And that's just owner Zelda Angelfire! If you like your disco as cheesy as your nachos, this mirror-balled disco palace is the village's party central. Tuesday night, kings and queens battle it out in Zelda's annual Drag Idol competition. Specialty of the house: deep-fried macaroni 'n' cheese.

Live Music

Spirits
642 Church, at Hayden, 416-967-0001.
Long-running sports bar. See Weekly Open Mic feature, page 71.

Dance Clubs

BARN 418 Church, at Granby, 416-593-9696. About as iconic as it gets for a club on Church, the Barn has been an institution for over three decades for patrons with a fancy for denim, leather and whatever. Recently reopened, it still has plenty of room to dance and drink on two levels, and even a nice red brick fireplace to further set the mood.
Fly 8 Gloucester, at Yonge, 416-925-6222. Laser-strafed after-hours party space rocks late Friday and Saturday nights to circuit party DJs. Shirts optional. Trivia: doubled as Queer As Folk's Babylon.
Tallulah's Cabaret 12 Alexander, at Yonge, 416-975-8555. Describing itself as the place where "art meets dance culture," the basement cabaret space of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre morphs into a happening party space Friday and Saturday nights after 10:30 pm. Saturdays, DJ K-Tel spins twisted top 40 while �ber arts guru Andrew Harwood presents Gaza Strip Club every second Friday.

Cabbagetown

Bars & Lounges

Big Mamma's Boy 554 Parliament, at Amelia, 416-927-1593. Heather Mackenzie (Slack Alice, Looking Glass) brings the Church Street scene to bucolic Cabbagetown in this shabby-chic Victorian townhouse. Pizzas named for Doug Flutie – who knew? – and Cher, plus comedy nights every Tuesday and jazz Sunday afternoons in the upstairs lounge.
Cobourg 533 Parliament, at Carlton, 416-913-7538. Anyone in or near Cabbagetown not taking advantage of this hip and beautifully decorated bar should feel damn ashamed of themselves. With live jazz on Sundays and techno DJs every Friday, this place is pretty much perfect.
Grasshopper 460 Parliament, at Carlton, 416-323-1210. Not flashy, fancy-pants, well-lit or pristine, this downstairs Cabbagetown joint makes no bones about being anything other than a typical watering hole with a regular and decent smattering of live performers and a Wednesday open stage.
House on Parliament 456 Parliament, at Carlton, 416-925-4074. Long-running archetypal C-Town pub – tin ceilings, damask banquettes rung with round tables, florid carpeting – features inexpensive plonk by the glass and traditional Brit prime rib dinners complete with Yorkshire pudding every Sunday from 5 pm for $13.95.
Left Door 424 Parliament, at Spruce, 416-961-9425. Old couches, thrift-store lamps and a retro alternative soundtrack turn the south side of the venerable Ben Wicks Pub into the Squirly's of Cabbagetown.

Live Music

Phoenix 410 Sherbourne, at Carlton, 416-323-1251. In terms of size and scope, the Phoenix is a stepping stone for bands who've outgrown Lee's Palace and the Horseshoe but aren't quite ready for stadium-sized success. Along with regular weekly DJ nights, the concert venue also features all-ages and 19+ rock shows. See Live Music Venues feature, page 60.

Annex

Bars & Lounges

Green Room 296 Brunswick, at Bloor, 416-929-3253. First-timers have a hard time finding this obscure boozer hidden down the alleyway behind the Poor Alex Theatre. Eventually, they discover a two-storey warehouse full of Goodwill furniture and shelves of books that provide distraction when conversation dies amongst the pseudo-literary set.
Insomnia 563 Bloor W, at Bathurst, 416-588-3907. This Annex mainstay has the multiple appeal of being an Internet lounge, a trendy, eclectic restaurant and a nightclub offering themed nights seven days a week like funk, Britpop and drum 'n' bass.
KILGOUR'S 509 Bloor W, at Brunswick, 416-923-7680. Best known for its big couches and decent hangover-helping brunch, this sports-bar-meets-grill offers good suds, friendly service and funky local art. Bonus for Canadiens fans: this is the place to go if you wanna wear your Habs jersey and cheer on your team.
Labyrinth Lounge 298 Brunswick, at Bloor W, 416-925-7775. This quiet, out-of-the-way spot tucked behind Future Bakery makes a great place to while away the afternoon over a laptop or secretly meet an art student for a late-night snog. Cheap drink specials.
Madison 14 Madison, at Bloor, 416-927-1722. A maze of interconnected rooms spread over three Victorian row houses, this popular boozer has a Brit pub look, all red velvet banquettes and some 150 brass draft pumps with 20 beers on tap. Pool tables and gas fireplaces, too.
Paupers 539 Bloor W, at Albany, 416-530-1331. Once the local branch of the CIBC, this converted three-storey bank is now one of the most popular pubs on the strip. Great rooftop patio with a skyline view, too.
Rowers 150 Harbord, at Major, 416-961-6277. With its proximity to U of T's gymnasium, this two-storey sports bar festooned with Ned Hanlan paraphernalia is the perfect spot to unwind after a hard workout.
The Tap 517 Bloor W, at Borden, 416-533-5321.
The joint where the cool locals drink and the kids go before hitting Lee's. It's claims to fame are beloved Canrock icon Moe Berg manning the decks Saturday nights, the Hot Thom and the bartenders Party Time mentality.
Victory Caf� 581 Markham, at Lennox, 416-516-5787. From its prime location in a Mirvish Village multi-room Victorian townhouse, this student-friendly joint serves cask-conditioned ales and microbrews and features a residency by the Hot Jazz String Quartet every Wednesday night.
Ye Olde Brunswick House 481 Bloor W, at Brunswick, 416-964-2242. Long an Animal House of collegiate hijinks (established 1876!), the new Brunswick has been restored to its former Edwardian splendour. On weekends, the beer cellar where Rockin' Irene once held court is now a dance space spinning top 40 hits.

Live Music

CENTRAL 603 Markham, at Bloor W, 416-913-4586. Formerly the Red Guitar, this resto-bar tucked away from the bustle of Bloor doubles as a popular live music venue showcasing everything from jazz to Latin to pop and folk, as well as occasional DJs. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the upscale pub menu should keep you happy till the music starts.
LEE'S PALACE 529 Bloor W, at Lippincott, 416-532-1598. Perfect mid-size club for mid-level touring bands and locals hitting their stride. If only it sold draft beer, the place would be a live venue 10. See Live Music Venues feature, page 60.
Trane Studio 964 Bathurst, at Follis, 416-913-8197. Functioning as both a Cajun/Caribbean resto and a jazz club, this place looks pretty much like a beat poet hangout from the 50s, so that's cool, and nightly live performances also give it plenty of hep-cat cred.
TRANZAC 292 Brunswick, at Bloor, 416-923-8137. An Aussie cultural centre with an innocent charm. Its sole purpose is not to sell beer, but to provide a creative space for the community. What a concept. See Weekly Open Mic feature, page 71.

Dance Clubs

ANNEX WRECK ROOM 754 Bathurst, at Bloor W, 416-546-0346. This club caters to the university crowd every Friday and Saturday night. DJs play alternative rock, retro, Britpop and whatever else gets the kids dancing and drinking. There's also a stage for the occasional live act, but that's not currently the focus.
Dance Cave 529 Bloor W (2nd floor), at Albany, 416-532-1598.
Long-time student alternative rock hangout features dancing to DJs five nights a week.

Bloor West

Bars & Lounges

BLACK HORSE 928 Bloor W, at Concord, 416-531-9096. The building dates back to 1891, and fortunately, much of its historical facade and interior has been retained along with a classic pub feel. While the menu won't blow you away, the Horse's weekend brunch is notable, as is its little-known back patio, perfect for pretending you're not on Bloor.
Ciro's House of Imported Bier 1316 Bloor W, at Lansdowne, 416-533-4914. As its name suggests, this pub is home to more than 100 varieties of imported suds. Out back, find a heated deck shaded by an overhanging canopy of trees.
Whelan's Gate 1663 Bloor W, at Indian, 416-531-1311. A friendly-looking pub with tons of Old-World charm. Only downside is its tiny size, but the equally nice second floor and separate party room kinda make that a non-issue.

Live Music

Clinton's 693 Bloor W, at Clinton, 416-535-9541. One of Toronto's oldest alternative venues – Cowboy Junkies got their start here back in the 1980s – this log-lined multi-storey tavern features comedy Sundays and Mondays, live bands most nights and karaoke upstairs every night.

Yorkville

Bars & Lounges

Avenue 21 Avenue Rd, at Yorkville, 416-928-7332. During film fests past, the lobby bar of the posh Four Seasons Hotel has attracted celebs like pre-rehab Mickey Rourke and Nick Nolte onto its exclusive couches.
Bedford Academy 36 Prince Arthur Ave, at Avenue Rd, 416-921-4600. Formerly the Toronto Ladies' Club, the 'Ford rocks like a non-stop frat house kegger with 19 beers on tap, three floors of bedlam and pool tables.
Duke Of Gloucester 649 Yonge, at Charles, 416-961-9704. At one end of this second-storey space hidden away over an Indian restaurant – all leaded glass, mahogany panelling and velvet booths – sports fans gather every Saturday for UK footie matches piped in by satellite. Great UK-themed jukebox, too. See Live In A Dive feature, page 67.
DUKE OF YORK 39 Prince Arthur, at Bedford, 416-964-2441. The closest thing in Toronto to a British mega-pub, the Duke is impressive: two full floors of prefab Old World brass and wood. It caters mostly to the lame local U of T jock contingent as well as the middle-aged Avenue Road crowd – not exactly the most exciting crowds. Beware of overpriced food and drinks and witless, loud sports fans, but the service is generally bang-on.
Hemingways 142 Cumberland, at Avenue Rd, 416-968-2828. Unofficially the city's premier Aussie/Kiwi bar, Hemingways has Down Unda decor and is generally fairly, if not extremely, busy. Good thing there's plenty of room and live music Thursday through Saturday, mate.
Panorama 55 Bloor W, at Bay, 416-967-0000. Take a short ride in a tiny elevator up to the penthouse bar on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre and find an elegant nightclub in the clouds with two outdoor terraces offering spectacular views looking south and north.
Pilot 22 Cumberland, at Yonge, 416-923-5716. Established in 1944, this Yorkville watering hole is one of Toronto's longest-running bars. A long silver-trimmed stand-up bar overlooks a performance area and a wall of clocks all telling the wrong time. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, it's time for a jazz matinee.
Roof Lounge 4 Avenue Rd, at Bloor W, 416-924-5471. The rooftop bar at the Park Hyatt has been a literary landmark for more than 50 years. Even Gourmet magazine called it one of North America's 10 best gin joints. See Hotel Bars feature, page 65.

Summerhill

Bars & Lounges

Abbot on the Hill 1276 Yonge, at Woodlawn, 416-920-9074. A two-level upscale pub, the Abbot attracts the lower rungs of Rosedale/Summerhill to scarf Scotch eggs, fish 'n' chips and shepherd's pie while downing pints of bitter.
Rebel House 1068 Yonge, at Roxborough, 416-927-0704. Beer-lovers fill both the cramped downstairs and upstairs rooms, all worn plank flooring, craggy wooden counters and coarse stucco walls. With only Ontario microbrews on tap as well as a Canuck-themed menu, this Rebel yells around the clock.

Danforth

Bars & Lounges

Allen's 143 Danforth, at Broadview, 416-463-3086. Looking like a saloon straight out of New York City complete with a Wurlitzer jukebox programmed with golden oldies, Allen's features a large cross-section of microbrews, an all-QVA Canadian wine list (many available by the glass) and over 200 single-malt scotches.
Auld Spot 347 Danforth, at Hampton, 416-406-4688. With brick walls and billious plaid booths, this low-key local carries 12 brands of draught, a selection of small-batch bourbons, 15 single malts as well as Irish stout and cider. Decent pub grub menu ranges from ploughman's lunch to trad steak 'n' chips and coq au vin.
Only Caf� 972 Danforth, at Donlands, 416-463-7843. A crowded neighbourhood diner just beyond the borders of Greektown, the Only is an oasis on a decidedly down-at-the-heels stretch of the Danforth. Guinness on tap and massive breakfasts guarantee a full house on weekends.
Sarah's Cafe 1426 Danforth, at Monarch Park, 416-406-3121. Part Celtic pub, part Greek taverna, Sarah's stocks a large range of Belgian, German and UK marques and has more than a dozen Euro-brews on tap.

Live Music

Black Swan 154 Danforth, at Broadview, 416-469-0537. Showcasing live blues, folk and Celtic every music every night of the week, this English pub serves as a hangout for everyone from east-end dads to older blues fans to 20- and 30-something first-time homeowners playing pool or darts.
Eton Tavern 710 Danforth, at Pape, 416-466-6161. This spotless Danforth tavern advertises itself as "3,200 km to Newfoundland, five steps to Newfoundland on the Danforth." A taproom from the 50s, the Eton sports cafeteria furniture, terrazzo floors and wood panelling everywhere. Belt screech while catching the club's Saturday-afternoon Newfie country matinee.

Riverside

Bars & Lounges

Comrade 758 Queen E, at Saulter, 416-778-9449. Just down the block from the Citizen, this louche lounge looks like it would be more at home on chi-chi King West than in dumpy ol' Riverside. It's part retro furniture shop, part art deco cocktail bar. Expect wine by the glass and cheese by the nibble.
Prohibition 696 Queen E, at Broadview, 416-406-2669. Self-described Brit-style gastro-pub offers a selection of Oyster Boy's finest nightly as well as a video jukebox, Industry night karaoke Mondays and cop appeciation night Wednesdays: "You protect, we serve."
Soma 703 Queen E, at Broadview, 416-778-7662. It's going to take more than a 30-some-martini drink menu, Dirty Bingo Thursday and a couple of leather couches to turn this refrigerator of a room into a hot spot. Looks like the east side isn't quite ready for minimalist chic.

Live Music

Opera House 735 Queen E, 416-466-0313.
Former opera house is a mid size venue that is used for special events from metal to hip hop to raves.

Leslieville

Bars & Lounges

Kubo Radio 894 Queen E, at Logan, 416-406-5826. Paris meets Saigon at this east-side brasserie with a number of libation options: Kubo lager on tap as well as several Japanese, Singaporean, Vietnamese and Thai brews, lychee martinis, sake flights and el cheapo wine by the box. Tuesday is foreign movie night!
Velvet 932 Queen E, at Morse, 416-461-9762. After a hard day's shopping at the Value Village down the street, who couldn't use a stiff drink?

Live Music

Duke Of York 1225 Queen E, at Leslie, 416-463-5302. Hipsters and wrestling fans pack out this east-side tavern for karaoke with iconic Canuck wrestler/country 'n' western crooner Sweet Daddy Siki every Saturday afternoon at 3 and Sundays at 6 pm.

The Beach

Bars & Lounges

Castro's Lounge 2116 Queen E, at Hammersmith, 416-699-8272. Wear a Che Guevera T-shirt and matching Chairman Mao cap to fully appreciate this diminutive Fidel-themed cantina. More than 100 imported beers by the bottle in the fridge and 12 brands on tap. Did we mention this place is small?

Uptown

Bars & Lounges

Granite Brewery 245 Eglinton E, at Mt Pleasant, 416-322-0723. Decorated in bare-bones pub style, this bar makes its own beer that's both good and cheap. Drink a Blue or a Canadian if you insist, but everyone else comes here to drink more than a dozen made-on-premises ales.
McSorley's 1544 Bayview, at Millwood, 416-932-0655. Essentially a gaudy, over-decorated sensory attack masquerading as a sports bar/family haunt where beer-drinking dad types have the freedom to dump their kids by the video games and eat boring pub-style grub.

Live Music

Alleycatz 2409 Yonge, at Broadway, 416-481-6865. It has a dress code and features nightly live jazz, funk or soul. A slightly hidden walkway entrance leads to a chic, cool bar that still manages to look inviting for the singles crowd, specializing in high-end Mediterranean eats and martinis.
Chick 'N' Deli 744 Mt Pleasant, at Eglinton, 416-489-7931. This long-running meat market – chicks and deli, geddit? – has Top 40 cover bands Friday and Saturday night, Dixieland on Saturday afternoon with the Climax Jazz Band, jam nights Tuesday and both karaoke and half-price fajitas Wednesday.

St. Clair West

Bars & Lounges

Gem 1159 Davenport, at Ossington, 416-654-1182. Was a bar ever more aptly named? This unpretentious diner tucked away in a neighbourhood that doesn't even have a name yet could be the most perfect boozer in town. Cool tunes on the jukebox, a respectable selection of single malts and microbrews, and zero attitude from regulars and staff – well, most of 'em – add up to heaven in our books.