Toronto Nightlife

If you thought that molecular gastronomy was all about food then think again. At Barchef, you'll be served concoctions that look like they belong in Frankenstein's lab, with foaming drinks and liquid nitrogen-filled fish bowls heralding a spectrum of delicious flavours.

The Madison Avenue Pub is something like a super-pub, taking up four floors within three converted Victorian houses. It was founded in 1983 and has been going strong ever since, gradually getting a reputation around the world for its incredible 12 bars, six British-style pubs and five multi-level patios.

Ball games and beer go hand in hand at Toronto's first ever lawn games bar. The basement venue has a dance floor that gives way to bocce and shuffleboard courts, and games lubricated with cocktails and craft beer.

This new addition to Toronto's nightlife scene channels a relaxed, hipster vibe with its pop art-lined walls and modern loft interior. When you've had enough of dancing to hip hop and house, relax on the patio with a hookah or recover in one of the private cabanas that line the outdoor roof area.

If you find yourself in Toronto late on a Monday night and fancy a spot of postprandial entertainment then head for Lost and Found. This recently renovated venue on trendy King Street West has established itself as Toronto's premier Monday evening hotspot, with stylish young professionals getting down to hip hop, mash ups and house.

This gigantic club, located bang in the centre of Toronto's entertainment district, creates a trippy vibe with its psychedelic décor and the giant LED screens. However, the real bonus of this unapologetically commercial venue is the rooftop terrace, which has incredible views over the city.

Rough around the edges, but still one of the best live music venues in Toronto, the Lee's graffitied exterior is symbolic of its alternative vibe. In the past it has hosted the Torontonian debut of Oasis, Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins, and continues to put on the top talent of today.

The Horseshoe Tavern, a gritty down-home and historical venue, is a good place to hear local and international acts. When it opened in 1947, the Horseshoe was a blues and jazz bar, but nowadays it dabbles in a range of different genres.

Don't be fooled by the highbrow name – Toronto's Opera House is one of the city's grittiest live music venues, with a reputation for hosting quirky international acts. It was originally a Vaudeville theatre and still channels its cabaret heritage with a huge diversity of bands, comedy acts and DJs.