Toronto nightclubs to start your weekend off right
You’ve worked hard, and the weekend has finally arrived. It’s time to shed the suit, blow out your hair and get ready to dance up a storm. Toronto’s diversity ensures that these seven nightclubs run the gamut of ethnicities, cultures, musical tastes and orientations.
Lee's Palace
529 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y5It can take a few nights on the town, or even a few years to find your nightclub niche. Dance Cave, the second floor of Lee’s Palace, is a perfect spot for those who aren't sure what type of club they prefer, with reasonably-priced drinks, hot tunes that span multiple genres and a roomy space that’s gritty cool. Whether you check out a live band or a DJ spinning music, there’s always something to rock out to.
Fifth Pubhouse
221 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1W2This Queen West nightclub is elegantly decorated in white with dark accents, and there’s a giant chandelier on top of the main bar. Make no mistake: This is where Toronto’s cognoscenti come when they want the ultimate blend of urban edginess and high glamour. Bottle service is definitely worth the indulgence, and dancing is something that happens sooner rather than later. Weekends attract a good cross-section of Toronto’s diverse party lovers.
El Convento Rico
750 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C4Head over to Little Italy if you want to catch some of the better drag shows in the city, with serious beats, hot dancing and a Latino twist. Shows start fashionably late, giving you plenty of time to get a drink and approach the cutie you’ve been eying. It’s one of the few gay clubs that’s managed to retain its heritage, while still appealing to mainstream culture and welcoming people from all walks of life.
Uniun Nightclub
473 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1T1Located in the heart of the Entertainment District, Uniun combines steampunk chic with glossy, modern touches. Dance under bronzed metal arches until the early hours of the morning or coolly survey the floor in VIP seating at this 16,000 square foot nightclub. Revel in the top-of-the-line sound system and LED installations so breathtaking, you’ll feel like an extra in a sci-fi movie.
Muzik
15 Saskatchewan Rd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3Every Saturday night, the Exhibition grounds plays host to one of the biggest mega clubs in the city with an area of 41,000 square feet, capacity of 3,000 and multiple sections for different clubbers, including a pool area. Dress code is upwards of semi-formal, making it the nightclub in which to see and be seen. And, if you want a private suite, premium bottle service, a beauty lounge or your own VIP entrance, Muzik will happily cater to you.
Buddies In Bad Times
12 Alexander St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4Toronto’s suffered a serious decline in gay nightclubs since gentrification hit Church Street, but this institution is still standing strong. Part theatre house and part dance floor, Buddies hosts Tallulah’s Cabaret every Saturday night when traditional boundaries in the gay community are completely erased. As you party on into the late hours, remember that every dollar you spend at the bar goes to the theatre so Toronto’s queer stage scene can continue to flourish.
The Bovine Club
542 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B5There are no cows here, despite the name — just a rock club with music so loud your teeth will rattle and you’ll be reduced to communicating with hand signs. It’s one of Toronto’s best experiences for rock, with a wholly unpretentious attitude, starting with the rusted bikes nailed to the exterior and finishing with the lit dance floor. When you want your drinks hard and your music harder, head here.
