Lula Lounge is a nightlife spot in Little Italy, Toronto.
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.
Must 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.
Address: 1585 Dundas Street W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T9
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.
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.
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.
