AFTER DARK SERIES: TORONTO
- Michael
- Jan 30, 2016
- 6 min read
As much as I love travel, history, culture, adventure and trying out new activities, nightlife was my first passion.
Being the biggest Metropolis in Canada and home to Drake, The Weeknd and the OVO crew, the 6ix as everyone refers to it has quite a vibrant nightlife, maybe not as vibrant as the legendary days of the 90's but you can still get your fix no matter what your taste is. There are some massive hospitality groups, super cool out of the way lounges, massive nightclubs, great festivals, vibrant concerts and music scene with some of the best hotel lounges you will ever visit. Here are some of my favourites and why:
Bars, Dives & Lounges
I could write a 20 page essay on the different spots to go for a great drink in Toronto but these are the ones that jump to the front of my mind when I think of where to go for a drink before dinner or before going out.
This little gem reaches for the heart strings as soon as you walk up to an oversized black door on a black wall. You walk in, more black on black but done with taste, originality, art and style. The amber lighting sets the mood as the hostess greets you with a warm smile and escorts you (if you are very lucky) to a nice cozy table. The place is packed, 3 deep at the bar and tables are full, the music is good and the vibe is there. When it comes to the drinks, it is not mixology, it is chemistry, from dry ice to chemical reaction, drinks are made to extract exact flavours and tastes, leaving you wanting for more and more. Be warned, if you go there for a few drinks before hitting the clubs, you might never make it to the clubs.
$$$$$
5/5 on the drinks
4/5 on the snacks
4/5 on music
5/5 on decor
5/5 on staff
The Good Son I don't know about their food but the drinks are amazing. Setup as a speakeasy where you entre thru a small shop where a slightly annoyed hostess will then walk you thru the back door to a very well lit room that feels quite warm, homey and old school. It's busy, the vibe is vibrant and the music is amazing - not as amazing as the Solera Old Fashion however. Conveniently located next to the Wayward Son for the late night sessions after a few amazing drinks at the Good Son.
$$$
4/5 on the drinks
5/5 on the music
4/5 on the decor
4/5 on the staff
If you are a fan of Tequila as I am, this is a spot for you, I have never seen such a Tequila list outside of Mexico. They even have the rare and exquisite golden amber of Clase Azul "Extra Anejo", a $4320 CAD bottle of tequila or $180 CAD a shot, pure blood of the Mayan Gods, I kid you not! It is a basement joint, dimly lit with cool staff and an industrial feel meets the back road Pancho Villa tavern in Tijuana. We didn't have the food there as we were eating at Los Colibris upstairs, their sister restaurant, which is quite convenient if you want to have a few original cocktails before or after your dinner.
$$$
5/5 on the drinks (tequila)
4/5 on the music
4/5 on the decor
4/5 on the staff
A French inspired restaurant that is also lounge and nightclub (see below definition of Nightclub in Toronto). I enjoy Brassaii quite a bit as a lounge and the restaurant is above average but the late night is not my style. It is nestled a good 50m from the sidewalk in the heart of the Entertainment District on King W. where you need to pass a very large and lavish patio before entering. The front room is great and the decor works, feels chic and refined (probably why all the suits go there). Their bar manager Oliver is a genius behind the bar, the drinks he puts together are original, filled with explosive flavours and so smooth. Brassaii is also home to a cool day party once a month on Sundays that is worth attending.
$$$$$
5/5 on the drinks
4/5 on the food
3/5 on the music
4/5 on the decor
4/5 on the staff
Nightclubs Suprisingly, Toronto Nightclubs are not really traditional nightclubs (or very few are) where there is a large dance floor, insane production, big lineups and what not. Most of the "it" places right now are small capacity (under 500) lounges that are treated like nightclubs. Also, music of choice (unless you go to the specific venues) is Hip Hop and Rap. Must also be said that the legendary Guvernment closed its door in 2015, creating a massive void in the scene (a new version is supposedtly being built at a different location).
A new player on the scene and currently biggest nightclub in the city. It is a 3 room/3 theme complex opened on Fridays and Saturdays as well as special events. The front door staff is probably the nicest and most welcoming in the city (believe me, that is a big issue in Toronto), the drinks are fairly priced (lowest in the Entertainment District), the vibe is amazing and the place feels warm and welcoming. Orchid caters to the masses and regular people, you won't find any barstars there but the place will have 1200 people. They have the massive main room, a ultra posh VIP room and biggest patio complete with 2 bars, heaters, covers and tent so that it can be open year round.
$$
3/5 on production value
4/5 on the music
5/5 on the vibe
4/5 on the decor
5/5 on the staff
3/5 on the crowd
From the people behind The Guvernment, this is the quite essential "nightclub" of the city. Massive room, big production, special appearances, performances and DJ's week after week, high cover, expensive drinks and arrogant doorman. Once you get in, if you want to make things go fast, put two 20's in your hand and shake the hand of the doorman, quite entry no hassle, the place is loud, crazy and packed. You will see some of the best production effects in the city while 1000 people litterally rage to some of the best music in the world. It can be a bit overwhelming if this is not your type of scene so be ready for being bumped into, picked up, sweaty and deaf.
$$$$
5/5 on production value
5/5 on the music
3/5 on the vibe
4/5 on the decor
3/5 on the staff
3/5 on the crowd
A dope venue that tries to find a balance between the masses and the after dark elites, they have really good events, bookings and performances as well as regular nights that are not so hard on the wallet. The age group is also all over the place but it creates a kind of cool vibe and offers something different than most of its competitors; diveristy.
$$$
4/5 on production value
4/5 on the music
4/5 on the vibe
4/5 on the decor
4/5 on the staff
4/5 on the crowd
This is one of those nightclubs that is not really a nightclub but kinda is (I know how odd that sounds). It is open 5 nights a week, is home to some of the most exclusive events in Toronto, has a great looking crowd and seems to always be busy (the room expands or shrinks as needed). This is also the kind of place where you need to know someone or a promoter if you don't want to spend most of your night outside. The door staff are probably the worst in the city, complete douchebaggery but it seems to work. Home to celebrities, athletes, models, gangsters and the very wealthy (or those who want to seem as such).
$$$$
1/5 on production value
4/5 on the music (if you like hip hop and rap)
4/5 on the vibe
4/5 on the decor
2/5 on the staff
4/5 on the crowd
Hotel Lounges
Hotel lounges ultimately are all built on the same concepts and needs, just happens that some do it better than others, here is the list of the ones we liked the most in the city.
The Music Scene
Toronto has a really vibrant music scene, a ton of music venues, concert venues and festivals to choose from that will fufill any of your needs and musical tastes. See here our favourite ones.
Festivals
Boots & Heart (Country Music Festival)
VELD (EDM Music Festival)
Bestival (Various with EDM influence)
NXNE (Various)
Riot Fest (Rock & Hip Hop)
OVO Fest (Hip Hop)
Music Venues Adelaide Hall (various)
The Danforth (various)
The Hoxton (EDM)
Tattoo (various)
Phoenix Concert Theatre (various)
The Mod Club (various)
Coda (underground various - EDM influenced)
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