Guide to the best nightlife in Toronto

If you’re about the cocktail life like I’m about the cocktail life, this hot spot is for you. As soon as you step through the doors of the Shameful Tiki Room, you feel as though you may have stepped into an enticing underground bar in Polynesia. The tropical vibes and decor offer the perfect backdrop to cocktails galore and delectable Polynesian-inspired eats. A solid pick for a fiery sip? The Fire Breathing Tiger because sugar and spice are everything nice in this potent blend. But be warned, almost all of their drinks are rather potent. However, they also have delicious mocktails that make this cocktail-lover-on-a-mission-to-throw-back-less a happy urban imbiber. Come for the vibes, get cozy with your tribe, and stay for the delightful menu items and live music. For a hot minute or a hot night, it feels as though you may have wandered into a bar in Asia.

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Rebel, but with a cause…a cause for celebration, that is! This sprawling 45,000-square-foot club with multi-sensory entertainment, a 65-foot stage and urban views from Toronto’s eastern waterfront area can be a poppin’ spot. For better or for worse. Better because this venue hosts and has hosted some of the hottest acts, including Drake, Future, DJ Pauly D, Tyga, ASAP Rocky, Swae Lee, T-Pain, Steve Aoki, Sheck Wes, DaBaby, French Montana, Cardi B, Tiesto, Pete Tong, Loud Luxury, and many others. The seductive mezzanine area is rather becoming. The location is one of the city’s only waterfront nightclubs offering sweet skyline views. The worst of it? Because it’s located on the waterfront, it’s not the easiest venue to get to. And, this club can get very crowded. Take note that some folks have had items stolen from their person (read phones). So, pack your patience, take care of your belongings, and get ready to throw down

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While a large majority of hot spots live in the west end of downtown Toronto, CC Lounge is located in the heart of the city in the beautiful St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. The restaurant and whisky lounge, built within the historic Beardmore building, dating back to 1841, can get lit (and packed) from Thursdays until the end of the weekend. The restaurant and lounge include an intimate, custom-made wood whisky tunnel, a bustling main bar with cozy leather-booth seating, and a back cocktail room with a VIP lounge, two bars, a DJ booth, and what can be a pretty rammed dancing area. So, indulge in family-style comfort food before sweating off those calories on the boogie floor.

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This dark basement bar at Dundas and Dovercourt is a hotspot for underground dance parties and electronic beats. It fills up quickly with patrons who tend to care more about dancing to their favourite tune or DJ than picking up a date. This is the place to hit if you’re itching for an alternative night out. Arrive early to grab a cocktail at the upstairs neighbor bar, Mr. Flamingo.

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Track and Field boasts shuffleboard and bocce lanes along with a game invented in Ontario: crokinole, a wooden dexterity game that is a lot like curling. A great selection of beers, cocktails on tap (including the hangover-free, non-alcoholic variety), and friendly staff create a homey, welcoming atmosphere. Explore your inner retiree with a round of shuffleboard. Playing isn’t required, but why wouldn’t you since if you’re coming here, you’re coming to play and slay.

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Lob, an east-end joint that combines bocce with mini-golf and booze, also invites you to parlay your drinking skills into another play and slay night on the town. Nine courses feature astroturf lanes and uneven terrain lined with gutters that’ll challenge seasoned (and sober) bocce players. Perfect for nights out with a competitive edge, Lob has become a popular spot for birthday parties and office nights out.

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Yearning for the tunes of yesteryear? The schedule of events at the Piston spans the decades with disco parties, ’90s video dance nights and ’60s mod vinyl DJs. There is plenty of space to dance, and a separate bar at the front makes it easy to take breaks from the action. An inclusive environment and easygoing attitude make nights at the Piston friendlier and more approachable than your average venue.

This indie comedy bar is the place to catch local talent and touring pros. With over 150 shows a month between two stages, there’s a welcoming vibe here emphasizing inclusive, homegrown comedy. You’ll often catch comedians and patrons lingering over beverages long after the show is over.

This bar on Dundas West pours an impressive list of craft beers on tap and fancier bottled options that you won’t find elsewhere. With a North of Brooklyn Pizzeria in the bar—and a decent selection of vintage arcade games—you can happily set up shop for the whole night. Do you like beer? Do you like pizza? How about Galaga, Gauntlet and the original vector Star Wars? What are you waiting for?

While not associated with the Toronto-born rapper of the same name, the Drake Hotel’s nightlife offerings are no less hip or happening. This boutique hotel is a hub for local events, including concerts, DJs and multimedia art. The Drake’s basement venue, the Underground, hosts a rotating roster of dance parties, touring acts and cultural happenings like slam poetry nights. A separate lounge and rooftop bar are suitable spots for a breather when you need it.

Formerly the Wreck Room and Footwork, CODA is a popular underground music venue on Bathurst Street. Amazing parties ensure a packed spot every weekend, so arrive before midnight if you want to get in. If Toronto’s 2 am last call isn’t working for you, you don’t have to pack it in and go home; CODA will keep you going all night long, or at least until the sun comes up.

Dance with dinosaurs at this bash that brings booze, pop-up food vendors and live music into the country’s largest museum. Nights are often themed around the ROM’s latest special exhibit or a seasonal holiday. We can all agree that booze and snacks make museums infinitely more fun to explore. Stay late to catch a lively dance party that often breaks out on the main floor.

Don’t let the religious name fool you. All manner of gender-bending revelry breaks down at this Little Italy club in the form of a lively drag show on weekend evenings. In between, dance it out to live DJs spinning tunes with a Latin flair. The love for Latin tunes and drag culture brings all walks of life, and an impressive span of ages, to this lively club. You aren’t likely to feel out of place here.