best jazz bars toronto

The Best Jazz Bars in Toronto

The best jazz bars in Toronto are where musical mavericks and rookie ragtimers alike can be found playing for the crowds. Find the city’s jazz lovers congregating at these essential venues for cool beers and cooler tunes. 

Here are the best jazz bars in Toronto.


The Rex
1

The Rex

This corner stop on Queen West is a certified institution. The Rex hosts 80 shows monthly and has been around for more than 40 years, making it the longest-running jazz haunt in the city. They’ve also got a hotel upstairs if you live, eat, and sleep jazz.

Jazz Bistro
2

Jazz Bistro

This jazz club near Yonge-Dundas Square is the place to watch some acclaimed acts bang it out on their Steinway piano, a.k.a. the Red Pops. In the summer months, you can even soak in the sounds while sitting on their large patio.


Reservoir Lounge
3

Reservoir Lounge

Tucked away in the basement of an historic building near St. Lawrence Market, this cozy little lounge is considerd a premium destination for swing. They have different bands playing daily, plus the seven-piece swing band Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm twice a week.

Grossman's Tavern
4

Grossman's Tavern

This Chinatown venue is a total dive—as it should be. Operating since 1943, it’s one of the oldest music venues in town where you’ll find the likes of The Rattles playing for the room (and the occasional swing practice), cover-free, like always.


Poetry Lower Westside
5

Poetry Lower Westside

Succeeding the now-closed Poetry Jazz Café in Kensington, the new location has more space, which means more room to enjoy funky jazz beats any day of the week. Thanks to a new kitchen, you'll also get to enjoy a side of tasty treats while you take in some tunes.


The Bluebird
6

The Bluebird

This cute neighbourhood fixture in Roncesvalles offers up cocktails, a sweet back patio, and some amazing local acts gracing the front of their little space all year long. You’ll be treated to a variety of styles, from foot-tappin’ classics to some more instrumental stuff.

Drom Taberna
7

Drom Taberna

Sister establishment to La Palette, this community-oriented bar on Queen West is Toronto’s hub for multicultural music. Experience Eastern European plates and global drinks while enjoying sounds from all over the world, including numerous iterations of jazz, from arabic jazz to open jazz jams. 

Lead photo by

The Rex, Jazz Bistro, @yokoirei of The Reservoir Lounge, Hector Vasquez of Grossman's Tavern, @buddytheprophet of Poetry Jazz Cafe, Bluebird, Fareen Karim of Mandy's Bistro, Hector Vasquez of Drom Taberna and The Oud & The Fuzz


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The Best Jazz Bars in Toronto

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