Mahjong Bar is a nightlife spot in Kensington Market, Toronto.
Mahjong Bar on Dundas West runs Asian-inspired cocktails behind a Vietnamese sandwich-shop facade since 2016, a speakeasy through the back door.
Must 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.
Address: 1276 Dundas Street W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X7
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.
