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Guvernment
For a diversity of venues, nothing beats the massive Guv. Although critics say it's too mainstream and full of suburbanites, DJs spin hip-hop, R&B, progressive house and trance music to satisfy all appetites. Rooftop skyline views are as impressive as the Arabian fantasy lounge and Art Deco bar.
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Harbourfront Centre
A focal point for Canadian dance companies, the Harbourfront Centre also hosts a kaleidoscopic array of international touring troupes, usually performing at the two-tiered Premiere Dance Theatre in the Queen's Quay Terminal. Classical Indian dances, traditional folk performances and modern French comedies are among the productions staged here.
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Hardrock Café
Yeah, we know, it's a big-ass multinational chain, but you just can't beat this view! Where else can you sit with your pint by a huge plate-glass window and watch the Toronto Argonauts bump into further success, or the Toronto Blue Jays fail to live up to expectations. And it's free! The usual collection of John Mellencamp guitars and signed Aerosmith records adorns the walls.
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Healey's
The 300-capacity Healey's has an idiosyncratic line-up of rock, blues, soul and roots. Established by Jeff Healey, a Canadian music icon, audiophile and radio DJ who passed away in March 2008, this joint is always jumping. Tuesday open-jam nights and Saturday muso matinees are free!
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Hemingway's
Equal parts sports pub, singles' bar and jazz venue, Hemingway's is an undeniable Yorkville hot spot. The heated double-deck rooftop patio makes for a vivacious night full of opportunity amongst an upwardly-mobile crowd of bright young things.
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Hooch
Lounging around upstairs from Gypsy Co-op, Hooch heats up with rare grooves and hipster moves on various nights of the week, often with no cover charge. DJs spin soul, jazz, house, swing and drum 'n' bass, while tarot card readings happen in a darkened corner.
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Horseshoe Tavern
Well past its 50th birthday, the legendary Horseshoe still plays a crucial role in the development of local indie rock. Not so local, The Police played here to an almost empty house on their first North American tour when Sting did an encore in his underwear. Tuesday is usually no-cover music night!
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Hugh's Room
Hugh's is one of Toronto's only dedicated old-school folk venues for local and touring acts. Mandolin, ballads, floral shirts and sincerity by the truck load. Save a few dollars by booking in advance.
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Hummingbird Centre For The Performing Arts
With an entry awning protruding over Front St like a Hummingbird beak, this place is hard to miss. Book through Ticketmaster or at the box office for shows like Annie, performances by the American Dance Theatre or maybe the Soweto Gospel Choir. In true North American style, there's pizza and beer available in the lobby.
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Jet Fuel
So arty and self-consciously cool, this hangout is for east-end gentrifiers, cyclists and literati who like to jeer at the beautiful people of Yorkville. The best coffee east of Yonge St.
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Kaffeehaus Konditor
Konditor is a traditional, Germanic coffeehouse at the city end of The Beaches strip, serving piping hot coffee and Teutonic staples like goulash, chicken schnitzel and what's allegedly the world's best apple strudel. Who are we to argue?
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Kalendar
As much a bistro as it is a coffeehouse, Kalendar's darkly lit booths fill with coo-cooing couples, so you'll have to scramble for a seat. The kitchen creates delicious pastry-wrapped 'scrolls,' naan pizzas and orange-ginger-carrot soup, plus generous desserts.
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Labyrinth Lounge
Bad-ass rock and 'Shit happens' nights collide with stand-up comedy, jam sessions and guest DJs at this bar out the back of the Future Bakery & Café. The student crowd morphs between the two venues with little regard for boundaries, haircuts or study.
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Laugh Resort
Squeeze inside the small, split-level Laugh Resort, where Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano and Adam Sandler once cracked jokes and served up the big laffs. New talent takes the stage on Wednesday nights, which can be a bit hit-and-miss, but it'll only cost you around C$7 .
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Lee's Palace
Legendary Lee's Palace has set the stage over the years for Dinosaur Jr, Smashing Pumpkins and Queens Of The Stoneage. Kurt Cobain started an infamous bottle-throwing incident when Nirvana played here in 1990. With booming acoustics, it's definitely still an ear-throbbing alt-rock venue. Upstairs is the clubby Dance Cave .
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Library Bar
A clubby atmosphere pervades this opulent room, with rich wood paneling and overstuffed chairs. Debonair barman Mike whips up the best classic martinis in town, although wilder combinations appear on the menu - chocolatini or banana split martini, anyone?
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Lion on the Beach
An expansive pub that spills out onto The Beaches sidewalk (lyin' on the beach - geddit?). A respectably long beer list and hearty pub grub (tex-mex, bangers and mash, fried rainbow trout) keeps everyone occupied. Kids run around between people's legs.
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Lorraine Kimsa Theatre For Young People
Toronto's oldest nonprofit theatre delivers enlightening children's plays from Canada and around the planet, including storytelling dramas, musical adaptations and comedies. Themes are timely, diverse and multicultural. Some shows are signed for the hearing-impaired.
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Louie's Coffee Stop
Standing on a busy corner of Kensington Market since 1965, Louie's coffee shack is a mellow oasis, with vintage jazz and plastic grapevines stapled to the eaves. There's not much room inside, so get your espresso to go.
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Madison Avenue
Consuming three Victorian houses, the Madison is positively elephantine. A 25-to-35 crowd is lured through the doors - billiards, darts, a sports bar, polished brass, antique-looking lamps lighting the curtained upper floors at night, five patios and plenty of hot babes. Strictly no rollerblades; hot babes on rollerblades OK.
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Matador
For more than 40 years there's been after-hours chaos on the Matador's huge dance floor, just west of Little Italy. Shuffle in under the rusty ballroom sign for live bands playing honky-tonk and classic rock. It's alcohol-free, but if you're up this late, chances are you won't need any more.
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Mill Street Brewery
With eight specialty beers brewed on site (and what a site the Distillery District is!) these guys are a leading light in local microbrewing. An arty crowd of locals and tourists quaffs swirling pints of wheat beer, seasonal fruit beers, Cobblestone Stout and their famous Coffee Porter. On a sunny afternoon, their courtyard is the place to be.
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Mod Club
Celebrating all things post-WWII and UK Mod, this excellent retro club plays electronic, indie and Brit-pop, with occasional live acts like Paul Weller, The Killers and Muse taking the stage. Up-to-the-nanosecond lighting technology rifles across Yellow Submarine-era murals, giving way to candle-lit chill-out rooms.
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Moonbean Coffee Company
'Nothing here is just ordinary,' says the dude behind the counter, and that's true. Serving the best latte west of Yonge St, Moonbean has organic and fair trade coffees, all-day breakfasts for around C$6 , and 'Bite Me' vegan cookies. Grind your own beans from $10 per pound.
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Music Showbar
Off to one side at C'est What?, Music Showbar is a small-capacity live venue with an stellar sound system. Expect intimate pop-rock with an edge - Jeff Buckley, The Tea Party and Wilco all played here. Tickets are sold at the door - first come, first served.
