Dance clubs, live music, rooftop bars, speakeasies, LGBTQ+ venues, listening bars and late-night dives in Toronto.
Dance clubs, live music, rooftop bars, speakeasies, LGBTQ+ nightlife, listening bars and late-night dives across Toronto, with where to go and what is worth the late night.
The Drake Sky Yard on top of the Drake Hotel is the city's reference all-season rooftop bar since 2004, the Queen West view and a seasonal Spanish-style snack menu.
Order: A frozen palomas with the patatas bravas.
Tip: Open year-round; the heated patio runs through winter. Reservations on Resy.
Kost on the 44th-floor Bisha Hotel penthouse is the Charles Khabouth Mexican-Baja rooftop room since 2017, the CN Tower view and a tequila-and-mezcal driven.
Order: A Smoky Margarita on the south terrace.
Tip: Reservations only; tables book three weeks out. Sister Akira Back on the same floor for omakase.
Civil Liberties on Bloor at Ossington has run a no-menu speakeasy since 2014, the bartenders mixing to flavour preferences, the door at 878 with no signage.
Order: Tell the bartender three flavours you like and let them mix.
Tip: No menu. The door at 878 has no signage; ring the bell. Late nights until 02:00.
Mahjong Bar on Dundas West runs Asian-inspired cocktails behind a Vietnamese sandwich-shop facade since 2016, a speakeasy through the back door.
Order: A Pandan Highball with the banh mi sliders.
Tip: Enter through the sandwich shop. The back door opens after 19:00; reservation on Resy.
Get Well on Dundas West is the arcade-and-listening bar since 2015, vintage pinball machines and a vinyl-only DJ booth, the room runs craft beer and bar snacks.
Order: A pint of craft beer and a quarter for the Williams Defender pinball table.
Tip: Cash and card. No reservations; weekends fill from 21:00.
Coda on Bathurst at Bloor is the city's reference techno club since 2014, the basement room with the Funktion-One sound system and a rotating roster of European DJs.
Order: A Red Stripe and a ticket on Resident Advisor.
Tip: Friday and Saturday only. Tickets through Resident Advisor before 22:00 cheaper than door.
Horseshoe Tavern on Queen West has been Toronto's reference rock-and-roll dive bar since 1947, the room where the Rolling Stones, Wilco and the Tragically Hip.
Order: A draft beer at the bar before the band starts.
Tip: Cover after 22:00 on band nights. The Tuesday-night Beat Camp jam is free.
Lula Lounge on Dundas West has run a Latin and world-music venue since 2002, salsa, Afro-Cuban and live samba nights with a Cuban-Caribbean kitchen menu.
Order: A mojito with the ropa vieja and stay for the salsa lessons.
Tip: Salsa lessons Friday 19:00; advance ticket online. Dinner-and-show pricing best on the website.
Woody's on Church Street has been the Village's reference gay bar since 1989, the room from Queer as Folk that drew the show's location scout.
Order: A pint at the front bar before the drag show.
Tip: Drag shows nightly; cover after 22:00. The Friday tea dance at 17:00 is free.
The Communist's Daughter on Dundas at Ossington is the strip's reference dive bar since 2003, a former Portuguese diner with low ceilings and cheap beer.
Order: A pint of local lager with a shot of rye.
Tip: Cash preferred under $10. Late kitchen has frozen pizzas after 22:00.
Sneaky Dee's at College and Bathurst is Toronto's reference dive bar since 1987, the upstairs live music venue and downstairs Tex-Mex kitchen open until 04:30.
Order: The King's Crown Nachos with a pitcher of Stella.
Tip: Cash discount under $20. Late-night kitchen the city's most reliable after-bar option for nachos.