Toronto: Nightlife

C'est What? C’est What may seem laid-back, but they’re serious about beer – you won’t find anything but un-pasteurized, hand-crafted, Canadian droughts here (musts: Hemp Ale and Coffee Porter). Knock one back while you play pool, watch TV, or chat with the locals. Old Town; 67 Front St. East; 416-867-9499; www.cestwhat.com
bar | local favorite | pub

Circa Art and revelry intertwine at this unabashedly ambitious, four-story pleasure palace designed by Peter Gatien (best known for his long-running New York City club Limelight). Here, everything from the pumping dance floor to the light-up bar is a spectacle – even non-scenesters get a kick out the hospital-themed washroom. Entertainment District; 126 John St.; 416-979-0044; www.circatoronto.com
smart splurge | dancing | nightclub | dj

Fly Boys come to Fly (the inspiration for Babylon from the TV-series Queer as Folk) for the house and tribal beats, the beautiful bodies, and the fun-loving vibe. Even the ladies like to play at Toronto’s hottest gay club. Entertainment District; 6-8 Gloucester St.; 416-410-5426; www.flynightclub.com
smart splurge | dancing | gay | nightclub

Lçuack Block Converting a 19th-century Victorian building, formerly a family-owned meatpacking business, into a bar was a stroke of genius on the part of owners Adam Baguley and Amber Honor Elson. Now this historic-cum-hipster space, with its raw brick walls, oak bar, and neon-lit dance floor, is a cornerstone of the artsy Ossington nightlife scene. West Queen West; 88 Ossington Ave.; 416-916-0571; www.levackblock.com
new | dancing | bar

O Ultra Lounge An attractive, sophisticated crowd descends on Ultra for its grown-up sex appeal. The club’s gentle curves, floating staircase, and vibrant hues easily transition from the lounge to the dance floor, making the space ideal for both cocktail conversation and libation-infused grooving. Entertainment District; 612 Upper James St.; 905-383-1494; www.oultralounge.ca
trendy | dancing | lounge | nightclub

The Communist's Daughter Duck into this kitschy dive bar off Ossington for a refreshing break from the Toronto glamour scene. The cozy, Christmas-light-bedecked hole-in-the-wall welcomes everyone, from the tight-pantsed to the black-leather-clad to the jeans-and-tee-shirt set. The talented owner has been known to entertain patrons with live jazz. West Queen West; 1149 Dundas West; 647-435-0103
jazz | live music | local favorite | dive bar

The Guvernment Entertainment Complex The sprawling Guvernment complex is so big that it feels like a small city – you will get lost in its warren of eight rooms, each of which thumps with a different rhythm (DJs usually serve up a mix of R&B, hip hop, house, and progressive), but that’s part of the fun. Techno junkies gravitate to the main floor. Entertainment District; 132 Queens Quay East; 416-869-0045; www.theguvernment.com
dancing | nightclub | dj

The Rex Sure, the retro, chrome-and-leather ‘50s vibe is charming and the beer is ice-cold, but here it’s all about the jazz. A mainstay since the ’80s, Rex keeps ’em coming with nightly riffs and star-studded lineups (think Kurt Elling, Randy Brecker, and Joshua Redman). Queen West; 194 Queen St. West; 416-598-2475; www.therex.ca
jazz | lounge | bar | live music