Toronto Guide
Toronto
Nightlife and entertainment
1 Big Bop 651 Queen St W; Streetcar: Queen (#501) 
416/504-6699 
www.bigbop.com This vast space is filled with urban rockers and holds several different stages, all of which cater to the live alternative rock scene. The main stage is decorated with sumptuous mural-sized reproductions of famous nineteenth-century paintings – making the walls the best-dressed thing in the joint. Just east of Bathurst.
2 
Cameron House 408 Queen St. W; Streetcar: Queen (#501) 416/703-0811 www.thecameron.com This old tap house has been a performance space and refuge for members of Toronto's alternative arts scene for two decades, and includes its own vibrant cabaret. The interior is covered with trompe l'oeil skies and angels, while, outside, artists have been rearranging the facade for twenty years now, the only constant being the huge, red metal ants marching up the side of the building. Just west of Spadina.
3 C'est What? 67 Front St East at Church; Subway: Union Station 416/867-9499 www.cestwhat.com Located in a dark, low-ceilinged basement in the St Lawrence district, C'est What has over twenty micro brews on tap – including the popular house brand, hemp beer – plus an impressive selection of single malt scotches and hearty pub food. The performance space here has seen the likes of Bare Naked Ladies and Jeff Buckley, to name just two. Opening time: Daily 11.30am–2am
4 College St Bar 574 College St; Streetcar: College (#506) 416/533-2417 www.collegestreetbar.com A laid-back, groovy jazz bar that often dips into R&B. An excellent alternative to some of the city's over-hyped, more sensationalist establishments. Opening time: Open nightly from 5pm until 2am West of Bathurst.
5 El Convento Rico 750 College St; Streetcar: College (#506) 416/588-7800 www.elconventorico.com Walking into this lively joint, replete with red velvet, flocked wallpaper and baroque spot welding, makes you feel like you've stumbled on the best party in town – and you may well have. The crowd ranges from earnest suburbanites to dishy Latino drag queens, and the DJs spin Latin and disco classics. Opening time: Mon– Sat until 4am (Sun until 10pm) West of Bathurst, but before Ossington.
6 El Mocambo 464 Spadina Ave at College; Streetcar: College (#506) 416/777-1777 www.elmocambo.ca The stuff of legends insofar as live acts are concerned, having had visits from luminaries like the Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Blondie, and hometown favourites like Nash the Slash. The tables are sticky and the carpet is scary, but the bands are (usually) great.
7 Horseshoe Tavern 368 Queen St W; Streetcar: Queen (#501) 416/598-4753 www.horseshoetavern.com Lots of Toronto bands got their start here, and it's still a favourite place for the newly-famous to sit in for a set or stage a special one-off concert. The interior is relentlessly unglamorous, but the phenomenal bar staff is a major compensation. Just east of Spadina.
8 Lee's Palace 529 Bloor St W; Subway: Bathurst 416/532-1598 www.leespalace.com Lee's continued popularity has nothing to do with the decor, the food or even the draft beer. Its reputation is entirely based on the outre bands it consistently books. Patrons can also check out the DJ dance action upstairs at the aptly named Dance Cave.
9 Matador 466 Dovercourt at College; Streetcar: College (#506) 416/533-9311 This noble institution has been memorialized in song by none other than Leonard Cohen in "Closing Time". When everyone else starts to shut down, the Matador opens. Don't think about showing up before 1.30am. A good place to star-watch and catch great bands trying out new material.
10 The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar 194 Queen St W, corner of St Patrick 416/598-2475 www.therex.ca In arguments about which is the best jazz club in town, this one is consistently near the top of the list. A well-primped crowd lounges in the spiffed-up interior, but any reservations about pretensions evaporate once the music – which is always top-notch – begins.
11 This Is London 364 Richmond St W at Spadina; Streetcar: Queen (#501) 416/351-9579 www.thisislondonclub.com A club you have to enter off an alleyway (and up a flight of stairs). When it opened, people were appreciative of its stylish interior, DJ selections of disco, soul and good old Top 40, but the real buzz was about the women's washrooms: they take up the whole top floor, and hairdressers and make-up artists are on hand for touch-ups.
12 Princess of Wales Theatre 300 King St W at John; Subway: St Andrew 416/872-1212 www.mirvish.com Built in 1993 to accommodate the helicopter in Miss Saigon, and currently home to the blockbuster musical The Phantom of the Opera, this addition to Toronto's more traditional playhouses manages to have a surprisingly intimate feel, despite its 2000-odd seats.
13 Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King St W at Simcoe; Subway: St Andrew 416/872-1212 www.mirvish.com Built in 1906, the "Royal Alex" is a charming Edwardian theatre that has been fully restored to its original, gilt-edged glory. Puts on everything from classical theatre to exuberant musicals like Mamma Mia.
14 St Lawrence Centre for the Arts 27 Front St E; Subway: Union Station 416/366-7723 www.stlc.com The St Lawrence Centre contains two stages: the Bluma Appel Theatre, which specializes in presenting new works by contemporary artists, and, upstairs, the studio-sized Jane Mallett Theatre showcasing experimental and workshop productions. Opera and dance performances too.
15 Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman St; Subway: Dupont 416/531-1827 www.tarragontheatre.com A renovated factory space, the Tarragon has contributed much to Toronto's thriving theatrical community, by consistently presenting challenging, innovative performances.
16 Glenn Gould Studio 250 Front St. W; Streetcar: King (#504) 416/205-5555 www.glenngouldstudio.cbc.ca Named after the great pianist himself, this small, boxy hall located downtown in the Canadian Broadcasting Centre is so sprung for sound that enthusiastic performances leave audiences literally vibrating. The programming is first-rate, generally showcasing Canadian talent.
17 Massey Hall 178 Victoria St; Subway: Dundas 416/872-4255 A turn-of-the-century recital hall that boasts great acoustics, and has hosted a wide variety of performers – everyone from Maria Callas to Jarvis Cocker. The austere architecture is offset by Moorish details, like the fanciful moulding along the balconies.
18 Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe St; Subway: St Andrew 416/872-4255 www.roythomson.com Home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra ( 416/593-4828, www.tso.on.ca), this modern hall looks like an upturned soup bowl during the day, but at night the place is transformed, its glass-panelled walls casting light into the sky and over the reflecting ponds outside. Inside, the circular hall has excellent sightlines, and its acoustics have been tweaked to rave reviews.
19 Canadian Opera Company Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St W; Subway: Osgoode 416/363-8231 www.coc.ca Canada's national opera troupe, the COC, has impressed international audiences for years with its ambitious productions, devotion to young talent and the musical erudition of its director, Richard Bradshaw. Seats are often scarce, particularly for the eagerly anticipated season premieres, so reserve as far in advance as possible. Price: Ticket prices begin at $60
20 National Ballet Company Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St W; Subway: Osgoode 416/345-9686 www.national.ballet.ca The NBC's prima ballerinas are much admired, as is the company itself, performing classical ballet and contemporary dance with equal artistry. Price: Tickets $40–200
21 Bloor Cinema 506 Bloor St W; Subway: Bathurst 416/516-2331 www.bloorcinema.com Though this cinema won't win any beauty contests, it's still a great place to view second-run films. Frequently plays host to the numerous film festivals that fill up the Toronto calendar.
22 Carlton 20 Carlton St; Subway: College 416/598-2309 The Carlton showcases first-run art films on its eleven screens. The café and espresso bar make a nice change from standard concessions fare, although that too is available.
23 Paramount 259 Richmond St W; Subway: Osgoode 416/368-5600 Perfect venue for filmgoers who want to feel like extras in ‘Blade Runner'. Half the spectacle is the theatre itself, with a mammoth, pixel-board cube showing film clips, an almost vertical ride up the escalator to the cinemas above and, of course, a sound system to blast you out of your seat. Just west of University Ave.
24 Varsity 55 Bloor St W; Subway: Bloor-Yonge 416/961-6304 A recent expansion has turned this two-screener into an eleven-cinema behemoth, replete with displays of Hollywood costumes, premium prices and full-service (drinks and snacks delivered to your seat) screening rooms. The cinemas are well appointed with deep, comfortable seats.