Horseshoe Tavern is a nightlife spot in Queen West, Toronto.
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.
Must 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.
Address: 370 Queen Street W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A2
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.
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.
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.
