Dylan YoungI used to be the kind of person who preferred quiet restaurants, but things changed when my friend who loves jazz started bringing me to restaurants with live music. Now, I can’t believe I never went to one before. I’ve missed out on so much!
If you’re in the mood to watch musicians perform while you’re dining, here are my recommendations for the best restaurants with live music in Toronto.
Drom Taberna
– From: shout_theband
Address: 458 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—5 pm to 2 am
- Thursday and Friday—5 pm to 4 am
- Saturday—11 am to 4 am
- Sunday—1 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16477482099
Drom Taberna is a restaurant inspired by the Romani, who are people known for their nomadic lifestyle, and the different places they’ve visited throughout history. That’s why its name has the word “drom”—the Romani word for “road” and “journey.”
The homage isn’t just in the name. It’s also in the dishes served here. There’s a wide variety of cuisines here, such as Polish (I really like their version of pierogies, which are Polish-style dumplings), Bosnian, and Georgian.
The events are another reason why I love coming here. Usually, it’s live music featuring jazz musicians and string quartets, but sometimes, there will be open dance sessions, dance classes, and more!
| Pro Tip: This restaurant actually has an online store where you can find products made by local artists. Some of the ones I’ve seen here are poetry books, t-shirts with original art, and zines. |
Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse
Address: 205 Marycroft Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—5 to 11 pm
- Friday—5 pm to 12 am
- Saturday—4 pm to 12 am
- Sunday—4 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +19058562427
Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse is a much-beloved restaurant chain in Toronto with live entertainment. Here, live musicians perform old and new hits, and dancers show off their skills.
The best part about this restaurant is that they have an unlimited tasting menu. Whenever I come here, I always stuff my face with any of the skewers, especially prime rib with cheddar, parmesan filet mignon, and chicken seasoned with cilantro and lime.
The tasting menu also has options for side dishes. My personal go-to choices include the salmon tartare (the salmon chunks just melt in my mouth like butter) and spicy chicken fried rice (I can never resist the pull of fried chicken).
| Pro Tip: This restaurant can get fully booked really fast, so I recommend booking a reservation to ensure your spot. |
Lapinou
Address: 642 King St W Suite 102
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—5 to 10 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—5 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14164794414
Lapinou is a bistro inspired by regional French culture, but it’s also a hotspot for jazz lovers. Jazz musicians come here to play their saxophones, trumpets, and pianos, and it’s always lovely to listen to them improvise.
The food is just as wonderful here. I’m fond of the tagliatelle pasta because its flavor reminds me of Spain (thanks to the Iberico chorizo and manchego cheese) and the lamb shawarma because it’s savory perfection with a bit of zesty undertones.
I also recommend trying the specialty cocktails, especially the Café Jalisco. It has the punch of a tequila paired with the bitterness of coffee liqueur and the zest of a lime.
| Pro Tip: Planning an event soon? You can book this bistro as your venue! |
The Emmet Ray Whisky Jazz Bar
– From: lazarettes
Address: 924 College St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—5 pm to 2 am
- Friday to Sunday—4 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14167924497
Here’s a fun fact about this bar that a lot of people don’t know: it’s named after a man who was somewhat of a mythical character. Some people argue that Emmet Ray was a real jazz guitarist in the 1930s and 1940s, but some people say he never existed!
Even to this day, there’s no definitive answer to the question of his existence. But real or not, he’s become a legend that jazz musicians love.
With that in mind, it’s not a surprise that this bar celebrates jazz music. There’s always a musical act performing here, and their music always varies in mood and style. Some nights it’s a string quartet and other times the music is catchy and very pop-adjacent.
While listening to the musicians, indulge in a few dishes from the menu. I recommend the mac n’ cheese. This comfort food has been elevated with the use of cured pork and black truffles.
| Pro Tip: If you want to see what musical acts and events are happening when you visit, check the events page on the bar’s website. |
Drums N Flats
Address: 1980 Avenue Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—12 pm to 12 am
- Thursday to Saturday—12 pm to 1 am
Contact Number: +16473479474
Drums N Flats is a lively spot on Avenue Road that attracts both music lovers and sports fans. There’s always either a sports-watching event or live music happening here.
When it comes to live music, the genre is usually rock and pop, so you might feel the urge to dance or bop your head. Sometimes, the musicians will play hits from the 1980s and earlier, so the older crowd will have the time of their lives basking in their nostalgia.
For your food, try the chicken wings because that’s the restaurant’s specialty. The wings are so crispy and coated with a delicious sauce. My favorite sauce so far is cracked pepper and lemon because it balances spiciness and tanginess really well.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning a special event soon, you might be interested in having Drums N Flats as your venue. |
The Pilot
Address: 22 Cumberland St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11 am to 12 am
- Thursday—11 am to 1 am
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14169235716
The Pilot has been around since 1944, and to this day, it’s a popular spot for jazz music. If you want to watch jazz musicians of all ages play some tunes, come here on a Saturday because that’s when the jazz matinées are held.
While watching the performance, treat yourself to food and drinks. I like getting any of the burgers here because they fill me up without any problem. My favorite is The Patty Melt because it’s so cheesy and juicy!
If you’re just looking for a light snack, you can’t go wrong with the chorizo poutine (chorizo and sour cream are great additions to the traditional poutine recipe).
| Pro Tip: You can book this restaurant as a venue for your party. |
Poetry Jazz Cafe
Address: 1078 Queen St W
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday—6:30 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14165995299
Have you ever wondered what the poetry jazz fusion is like? Well, now you can have your question answered by checking out Poetry Jazz Cafe.
This spot supports up-and-coming bands that make experimental music. I’m always struck by the songs performed here because the melodies aren’t what I’m used to. Plus, the lyrics are always so hard-hitting and clever—very much like poetry, indeed.
While watching the musicians perform, I like to drink a cocktail. My go-to is the Poetry Espresso Martini because it picks me up instantly (thanks to the espresso), but I also really like the Cocoa Cure because of how creamy and lightly sweet it is.
There aren’t full meals here, just crostini bites. These bites are topped with organic cherry tomatoes and basil, sliced peach, pesto, and salami. Despite being small, they are tasty, so I end up consuming a lot of them.
| Pro Tips: Poetry Jazz Cafe has limited seating, so reservations aren’t allowed. To ensure your spot, be sure to come here as early as you can. If you want to book an event at this bar, you can message them via their Instagram. |
McVeigh’s Irish Pub
Address: 124 Church St
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday—4 pm to 2 am
- Sunday—12 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14163649698
Get a taste of Irish culture at McVeigh’s Irish Pub! Aside from serving a wide array of Irish-branded beers and other types of alcohol, this pub also holds shows of musicians playing Irish music.
While you’re jamming with the songs, order a few classic Irish dishes. One that I’d always recommend is shepherd’s pie with salad because it’s so comforting and hearty!
You can’t go wrong with a plate of fish and chips. The fish is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the fries are well-seasoned. It’s considered a snack, but in my opinion, it’s a filling meal all on its own.
| Pro Tip: Usually, live music usually happens late at night, so I recommend coming here around 9 or 10 pm. |
The Dakota Tavern
Address: 249 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6:30 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14168504579
The Dakota Tavern is a music venue where countless Canadian acts have performed at least once. Examples include members of Barenaked Ladies, The Skydiggers, Blue Rodeo, and more. You can expect great talents to grace its stage!
What I like most about this spot is that the venue is small and cozy, so the performance always feels so intimate. It’s almost like you and the musicians are sharing a secret conversation—such a special experience.
For the food, the menu is filled with Southern American comfort food. I really like the Southern-style fried chicken because of how crispy and juicy the chicken is. Plus, the dish comes with mac and cheese, so it fills my stomach in no time.
| Pro Tips: Are you a singer? Come here on the last Sunday of the month because there’s an open mic. Show off your vocal chops! You can also book a show at The Dakota Tavern if you want to share your music with a live audience! |
Loose Moose/Antler Room
Address: 146 Front St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Wednesday and Thursday—11:30 am to 1 am
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14169778840
Loose Moose is a bar that’s unabashedly Canadian. The interior is cozy and reminiscent of bars in the country’s rural parts, and there are also decorations like paintings that depict various Canadian landscapes.
The main highlight of this bar is the Antler Room, a live music venue located underground. This is where local up-and-coming bands come to show off their music!
Partying downstairs takes a lot of energy, so be sure to take a break from the live music and eat something. I recommend getting any of the epic burgers, especially the Bacon Mushroom Melt. It’s so jam-packed that your hunger will be gone in no time!
For your drinks, take a pick from any of the local and imported beers available. If you prefer something sweet, get a cocktail instead. My recommendation is Pineapple Paradise, which is sweet and tart at the same time.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning a party, you can book Loose Moose as a venue! |
Lula Lounge
Address: 1585 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—12 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 to 5 pm, 7 pm to 2:30 am
- Sunday—3 to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165880307
Lula Lounge is a restaurant and nightclub rolled into one, so you can shimmy or twerk on the dance floor while a live band is performing a catchy song and then take a break to eat something before coming back to dance again.
Sometimes, Lula Lounge even hosts themed nights like Cuban Fridays! On this day, there will be a live band playing a wide variety of Latin music, such as salsa and bachata.
Whenever I come here, I always get the chicken and rajas. It’s roasted chicken topped with flame-roasted poblano chiles, so it tastes savory with a strong kick of spice.
As someone with the worst sweet tooth, I, of course, get a dessert as well. My favorite is Tres Leches, which is a light sponge cake soaked in sweet milk. It’s so fluffy and decadent!
| Pro Tip: You can host a party at Lula Lounge! |
Jazz Bistro
Address: 251 Victoria St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—11:30 am to 5 pm, 5:30 to 11 pm
- Thursday—5:30 to 11 pm, 11:30 pm to 12 am
- Friday—12 am to 5 pm, 5:30 to 11 pm, 11:30 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14163635299
Jazz Bistro is a premier supper club in Toronto, and it’s also one that jazz lovers must have on their itinerary. This spot invites amateur and veteran jazz musicians, so you’ll really be exposed to a wide pool of talent.
While watching the live performances, indulge in something delicious. I recommend getting the oven-roasted lamb rack (I love its rosemary jus) or the grilled Alberta strip loin (the meat is so succulent, and the red wine reduction adds a bit of sweetness).
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the dulce de leche cheesecake. It’s sweet and kind of dense, and the gooseberry compote sprinkles in some tartness to balance everything out.
| Pro Tips: If you’re still looking for a venue for a party, you might want to consider booking Jazz Bistro. The bistro has an event calendar on its website. Check it out to see if there’s a musical act you want to see perform live. |
The Reservoir Lounge
Address: 52 Wellington St E
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday—7:30 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14169550887
The Reservoir Lounge is inspired by the 1920s speakeasy, so the vibe here is old school. To complete the theme, there’s a live band (different every night) performing jazz tunes.
The crispy thin-crust pizza is my favorite thing to order here. So far, my favorite flavors are the Portuguese-style roasted chicken (somehow, it tastes like summer because of all the tomatoes) and quattro formaggi (it’s the cheesiest option, and I love cheese).
If I’m with another person, I like to get pan-fried crab cakes and chili lime scallops + shrimps to share.
| Pro Tip: If you love oysters, come here on a Thursday before 10 pm. On this particular day and time, the bar has a promotion where oysters are available at half-price! |
Rivoli Toronto
– From: cwofame
Address: 334 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—12 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16474944540
Rivoli Toronto first opened its doors in 1982, and since then, it’s become a leading musical institution in Toronto’s Queen West neighborhood. The music genres featured here come in a wide variety—from jazz to indie to rock!
The menu is filled with many kinds of comfort food. I really like the salted caramel lobster grilled cheese served here. I know it seems like a weird combination (I certainly thought so at first), but somehow, it actually works!
The chicken pesto linguini is another one of my go-to orders. The chicken is pan-seared, and the pesto pasta is topped with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, arugula, and many more. It’s such a filling meal!
| Pro Tip: The restaurant has an event calendar if you want to check what shows and which musical acts are performing for the next few days. |
