Best of Toronto
The Best Jazz Bars in Toronto
Toronto jazz may not have its own distinct sound in the way that New Orleans or Chicago does, but given the city's status as cultural hub and home to an astounding number of ethnic groups, its main distinction is the sheer level of talent, quality and diversity within.
Live jazz in Toronto has changed radically in recent years. When Jazz Report Magazine editor Bill King was asked to name the hottest current jazz clubs in the city for the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) in 2003, he picked three: Top O' The Senator, Montreal Bistro and The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar. Today only The Rex is still in business.
But if high-profile, historical jazz clubs have faded in recent years, the wealth of talent in the city has only grown. It seems more than ever clubs are opting for PWYC covers, hole-in-the-wall bars are providing intimate settings, and artists are engaging in spontaneous collaborations. Seems like a pretty exciting creative moment to be in, even if you're just stopping in for a pint.
Writing by Joel Elliot. Photos by Joel Elliot and Zoe Alexis-Abrams.Top photos by KJ Lloyd, Daniel Marcincak and Dube on Flickr.
The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar
With some 19 shows a week and relatively cheap entertainment, food and drinks, The Rex may be the most popular jazz bar in Toronto by default, but it's also built its reputation by featuring everything from internationally-renowned artists to up-and-comers like the weekly U of T jazz ensembles. With a sound so loud that it spills out into the street on any given night, it's inescapably magnetic, even if you have trouble finding somewhere to sit. More »
Trane Studio
Featuring performance art and poetry as well as music, the Trane Studio, in an odd location between Bloor and Dupont on Bathurst, isn't exactly a stop-off for a lively night on the town. Still, the relaxed atmosphere is great for taking in the performances, and the studio places a special emphasis on tributes to key historical artists (including, unsuprisingly, John Coltrane) and contemporary movements in world music. More »
Gate 403
Occupying that cozy space in between local pub and classy piano bar, Gate 403 somehow manages to pull off being the perfect spot for young romantic couples and singles who need to cushion their loneliness with some sultry blues. An intimate setting that favours smaller ensembles, the bar still manages to fit in the coolest grand piano in the whole city. Hands down. More »
Reservoir Lounge
It's in a dimly-lit basement, and yet the Reservoir Lounge may just have the brightest atmopshere of any bar on this list. The bands, which tend to lean towards early be-bop, swing and boogie-woogie, are heavy on performance, giving the whole place a martini-glass sexiness that makes it impossible to walk by the stage without shaking your ass. More »
Dominion on Queen
The Dominion used to be a brewery way back in the late 1800's; today they have 15 or so beers on tap and live jazz most nights of the week. The pub has a special kind of community focus with its Corktown Radio project, and frequent open jams. More »
Grossman's Tavern
Grossman's is the token poor man's jazz club here. There's never a cover, and there's live music every night. The bar carries high points for authenticity, and not just as a grimy "House of Blues" - Sunday's 5-hour open jam sheds all traces of formality and separation between performer and audience. More »
The Tranzac Club
It started out as one of the many worldwide clubs for Australian and New Zealand culture, but has expanded to be Toronto's premiere centre for avant-garde and fringe music, with drama and other performance art as well. Galleries and studio spaces are great, but most of them don't have this many beers on tap. More »
The Pilot Tavern
The jazz is mainly focused on Saturday afternoon matinees, but with its long countertop that wraps around the stage it may be one of the best designed bars in Toronto for watching performers. Originally set up in 1944 to honour the RCAF, its aviation theme is more than just a clever design. More »
Lula Lounge
Toronto's premiere Latin jazz club, set in the Brazilian Quarters of Dundas West, the Lula Lounge is also one of the best combinations of live club and dancehall as well. The skill on their feet of some of the regulars can make it intimidating for novices, but the club has a dinner and dance lesson package on weekends to coax out your inner rhythm. More »
The Home Smith Bar
Located at The Old Mill Inn and Spa, the Home Smith Bar might appeal primarily to people already guests or visitors of the site, but the bar does host some of Toronto's top jazz artists on weekends. The $10+ cover means it's not the cheapest place to catch these artists, but if you like cozy turn-of-the-century decor, it's worth checking out. More »
Reposado
A fairly new establishment that's gaining a reputation as Toronto's best Tequila Bar, Reposado also has a phenomenal house band that plays twice weekly, adding to the bar's Spanish flavour by throwing flamenco and other styles into their more traditional jazz. The low-lit bar can get a little tight for space, but you can always escape downstairs where the washrooms double as private listening booths. More »
Harlem
Another up-and-coming restaurant/live club, Harlem is one of the few places devoted to African culture in Toronto in all its forms, from the Jamaican cuisine to live soul, jazz and Motown music and visual art. It's a shame that the elegant design of the main floor doesn't extend to the upstairs where the live music is featured. More »
Quotes Bar & Grill
Featuring amusing quotes from celebrities all over the walls and menus, and located across the street from the Roy Thomson Hall, Quotes Bar & Grill has inherently caught on with Seniors. Jazz is only offered on Friday evenings with the Canadian Jazz Quartet and the food is moderately-priced so it's not the kind of place to drop in casually. More »
Ten Feet Tall
With a design like your eccentric aunt's kitchen, Ten Feet Tall has a quirky, cafe vibe that gives it a friendlier atmosphere than most jazz clubs. With lots of light and colour, it's one of the best places here to go for a matinee show, which they feature every Sunday. More »
The Orbit Room
Jazz is just a small portion of the music featured at The Orbit Room, along with funk, soul, classic rock, reggae and R&B. It's owned by Alex Lifeson of Rush, which explains a lot of the repertoire, as well as the celebrity sitings, on and off the stage. Warning - the music contained within tends to inspire bad dancing. More »
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Great post, btw.
C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siz_CtWDBNc
I have been going to the Rex for years and I love the place. It's relaxed and inviting unlike some places that cater to jazz snobs only. The music is fantastic and some of the UofT ensembles I have seen have been incredible. To witness a full brass band in a small club is difficult to find now days.
Not crazy about Reservoir Lounge. I find it a contrived and overpriced. It's probably just because I can only take about 10 minutes of the atmosphere before I start making Vince Vaughan "you're so money, baby" jokes.
Congrats!
From the jazz people I have met from Humber and York lately, there's a real PUSH to make distinctive music in Toronto's scene... not sure if this will produce better music, but it does serve to create the 'creative/abstract' young jazz sound in our city.
I'm really liking what I hear - can't wait to check it out in person.
So, where's MOMO's bistro?? Hmmm?
It's the only place on the west side that's sweet and sexy and warm and friendly and has a line up of excellent artists.
Even a great menu! It's a jewel, seriously.
check it out: http://momosbistro.com/
AND no cover AND flattering light AND lotsa parking AND has been there SIX YEARS.
Add to your list, please and thanks?
You can find a lot of new movies, games and music there. Enjoy it!
I wish they would do somwthing about it !
A local friend recommended and took my Cali group to this amazing bar. He said that mostly locals came here so I didn't really know what to expect ambiance wise... but screw it, the view at this bar was absolutely breathtaking! No joke. I felt like a celebrity w/ superstar treatment as the staff are friendly and amazing to say the very least.
I don't know who the house DJ was but he definitely was playing music right up my alley. It would've been my dream for people to start dancing, but it's all good.
It's a bit sceney for my taste, but it really didn't bother me much. the bartenders knew their stuff, although their 1st cocktail was a little weak, when he saw i understood cocktails the next 2 were stronger. I also liked that even though the place was really hopping the bartender remembered what i was drinking when i came to order another. (he also understood how good a gin hendricks is, and not to overpower it with the mixer). It was amazing to see their “das boot” which is shaped like a boot filled with beer. Don’t get me wrong, I am not drunk…it’s an actual boot shaped beer container ready to be emptied..try it ..you will love it!! Oh..how can I forget, they even have a wheel o' shots where you just have to spin it and have to drink whatever shot it lands on!! Now call that bar creativity at its best!!!
We ordered the Veal and Fish Tacos. They were delicious. Mm! We ended up asking for spoons to polish off whatever remained in the platter. (Faux pas? Who cares as long as it gets in my tummy.) The fries were crispy, but not overcooked, just the way that I like them.
So take in this scene: You walk in to what seems like an overly crowded place, but soon fine an empty table. Time seems to stop and the only indicator of the night moving on is the moon and your brain cells slowly going to bed forever. The music is not to loud and the people around look good, the only thing left for you to do is to enjoy that drink you paid ridiculously low for and laugh at the joke your co-worker just told.
The vibe of the place just never seems to die out and if you happen to spot some NYC socialite, sports player, or star, don't let it get to you... because for that moment, this night they are no long more important than then you. In fact go up to them and introduce yourself!
All in all just a great place to meet new people, or just have drinks with people you already know. I've been to numerous bars in the city but i would say this place is just great. Very welcoming staff, very laid back ambiance. I’ve been here twice after my first visit with my Cali group . I would say its worth the every penny you spend!!
http://twitter.com/cobourg
Came accross this site by chance. I'm one of the premier pianists from South Africa relocating in 2011 to Toronto.
Would love to get active on the music scene and am hoping to make some contacts with a view to starting something.
I'd especially like to hook up with a bassist and a drummer to work with as a core group in and of itself as well as for bigger projects.
I've worked internationally having opened up for John McLaughlin and the Free Spirits, Irakere and others and I've performed with such notable heavyweights such as as Regina Carter, Donald Harrison, the late Carl Andersen, Canadians such as Bruce Cassidy, Amy Sky and Paul Gross as well as a host of others.
Would be great to meet fellow musicians, jazz lovers and artists and to build up a network of friends and contacts.
Check out my website at www.lightyearsmusic.co.za for a better idea and feel free to drop me a line sometime. Looking forward to hearing from you and to playing with you one day.
Came accross this site by chance. I'm one of the premier pianists from South Africa relocating in 2011 to Toronto.
Would love to get active on the music scene and am hoping to make some contacts with a view to starting something.
I'd especially like to hook up with a bassist and a drummer to work with as a core group in and of itself as well as for bigger projects.
I've worked internationally having opened up for John McLaughlin and the Free Spirits, Irakere and others and I've performed with such notable heavyweights such as as Regina Carter, Donald Harrison, the late Carl Andersen, Canadians such as Bruce Cassidy, Amy Sky and Paul Gross as well as a host of others.
Would be great to meet fellow musicians, jazz lovers and artists and to build up a network of friends and contacts.
Check out my website at www.lightyearsmusic.co.za for a better idea and feel free to drop me a line sometime. Looking forward to hearing from you and to playing with you one day.
After last night, I'm now asking: WHY?
It all started off okay. The place was packed and the host tried their best to fit in 7 people in as little time as possible. But that is ALL I can give them credit for.
They seated us close to their patio area, right by the door, and if you happen to go out last night--it was chilly. We had to ask SEVERAL times for the waitress to turn on the heater for us because we were cold. After one status report from her (the manager needed to wiggle some stuff around it to get it working...?) the heater was NEVER turned on and our lovely waitress, when we were paying for the bill, closed the garage door that was open the entire time of the night then asked US why it was open and who opened it.
Additionally, the food was AWFUL. It has NO taste and was extremely heavy. Their entrees do NOT include sides--you have to pay EXTRA for that. As well, gratuities are already included when there's a group of 6 or more. And let me tell you, we did NOT feel as though our waitress deserved a tip.
As well, they no longer have any live performances--which was NOT indicated on their website.
The bad experiences are always the ones you remember first--I will NEVER forget this experience at Harlem Underground, I will NEVER step foot in the restaurant again, and you can be sure that my friends and I will be sharing this experience with other people we know.
I'm an Italian tourist here in Toronto for few days.
I'm desperately seek for a jazz jam session in Toronto on Friday or Saturday (16-17 July) where I can trst my new brand guitar. Do you have any Infos?
Thanks
Daniel
I'm an Italian tourist here in Toronto for few days.
I'm desperately seek for a jazz jam session in Toronto on Friday or Saturday (16-17 July) where I can test my new brand guitar. Do you have any Infos?
Thanks
Daniel
After the Top of the Senator and Montreal Bistro's gone the only surviving jazz place is The Rex. And even that one now tends to go gastronomical.... It's a crying shame - a big city with no real jazz club.