Dylan YoungIf you’re a fan of Canadian jazz musicians like Oscar Peterson, Paul Bley, and Gil Evans, then chances are that you’d visit one of the clubs on our list. If you’re curious about jazz music, consider this your guide.
Let’s take a tour of Toronto’s best jazz bars, where both seasoned mavericks and rising ragtimers perform for enthusiastic crowds. These jiving joints bring together cool jazz lovers for a perfect mix of beers, tonics, and tunes.
The Rex
Website: https://www.therex.ca/
Address: 194 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z1, Canada
Contact details: 416-598-2475
Operating hours:
- Opens daily from 9:30 AM – 11 PM
The Rex is Toronto’s longest-running jazz club and has been a jazz institution for over 40 years, hosting 80 monthly shows. It features a daily lineup of top Canadian and international jazz talent, along with pub-style fare.
For those into music at earlier times, they have the Saturday Matinees, usually starting at 2:30 PM.
| Pro Tip: Tired but wanting more? There’s a hotel upstairs for those who want to live and breathe in the jazz music day in and day out. |
The Pilot
Website: https://www.thepilot.ca/
Address: 22 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M4W 1J5, Canada
Contact details: 416-923-5716
Operating hours:
- Monday: 3:30 PM – 12 AM
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
- Thursday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 2 AM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 11 PM
The Pilot in Yorkville has been a longstanding jazz venue with an enthusiastic crowd and live jazz every Saturday afternoon. This storied haunt offers outdoor seating, great cocktails, and vegetarian dishes.
Think you know it all? Join their Big Bad Trivia nights every Tuesday to test your knowledge and skills.
| Pro Tip: Arrive early for a chance at a seat and enjoy the eclectic menu at the rooftop patio while perusing over 17 draft lines. |
Jazz Bistro
Website: https://jazzbistro.ca/
Address: 251 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
Contact details: 416-363-5299
Operating hours:
- Closed Sunday to Monday
- Tuesday to Thursday: 5 PM – 11:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 5 PM – 2 AM
Jazz Bistro near Yonge-Dundas Square is the go-to for acclaimed acts on their eye-catching red Steinway piano, known as the Red Pops. This club hosts local and international jazz stars, making it a perfect spot for a musical date night out.
Don’t worry if you get hungry though. They’ve got great options, and one of the crowd-favourites is the duck confit.
| Pro Tip: In the summer, enjoy the music on their spacious patio while sipping on your preferred drink. |
Lula Lounge
Website: https://www.lula.ca/
Address: 1585 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T9, Canada
Contact details: 416-588-0307
Operating hours:
- Sunday: 3 PM – 11 PM
- Monday to Thursday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 7 PM – 2:30 AM
Lula Lounge stands out as a top Toronto venue for local and international acts when it comes to Latin jazz and world music. With a unique old-world dance hall ambiance, great staff, and impeccable sound, it’s a prime spot for salsa and jazz enthusiasts.
Think you or someone else has what it takes to be a great singer? A $1,000 prize awaits the singer of the annual Soul Slam with the audience being the judge.
| Pro Tip: Enjoy their deliciously unique cuisine before or after dancing to their salsa lessons during lively Latin nights on the weekends. |
Reservoir Lounge
Website: https://www.reservoirlounge.com/
Address: 52 Wellington St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C7, Canada
Contact details: 416-955-0887
Operating hours:
- Closed from Sunday to Tuesday
- Wednesday to Saturday: 7:30 PM – 2 AM
Reservoir Lounge has been Toronto’s hippest night spot for over 20 years, offering live jazz every night. With a focus on uptempo jazz and jump blues, it features artists weekly, complemented by a small but delicious food menu and excellent bartenders.
Now they’re known for their bourbon mixes, but don’t go drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. A bite of the Roasted Chicken Churrasco Pizza shared with friends, can help you enjoy the jazzy blues longer.
| Pro Tip: Reservation is required as doors open exactly at 7:30 PM. Arriving early means waiting outside until the scheduled time. |
Reposado
Website: https://www.reposadobar.ca/
Address: 136 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 1R5, Canada
Contact details: 416-532-6474
Operating hours:
- Closed on Sunday
- Monday to Saturday: 6 PM – 1:30 AM
Reposado is a tequila joint in Trinity-Bellwoods that offers freshly squeezed margaritas, imported beers on tap, and live jazz and swing music on Thursdays and Fridays. With an intimate vibe and dusky atmosphere, this sets the weekend mood right with live jazz.
| Pro Tip: Enjoy this joint even more by ordering their in-house tequilas, with some varieties being hard to find and bordering on collectible. |
Grossman’s Tavern
Website: https://www.grossmanstavern.com/
Address: 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2G3, Canada
Contact details: 416-977-7000
Operating hours:
- Opens daily from 11 AM – 2 AM
Grossman’s Tavern has been a Chinatown dive since 1943 and is one of Toronto’s oldest live music venues. Known for its blues music, this lovable dive has hosted legendary acts like Jeff Healey, Blue Rodeo, and the Downchild Blues Band.
Fancy yourself a jazz prodigy? Sign up for the Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship (ALGMS), usually open in September.
| Pro Tip: Take a good look at its walls reflecting decades of history that feature current acts like Combo Royale and Laura Hubert while enjoying their cheap draft beer and classic bar food. |
Home Smith Bar
Website: https://oldmilltorontohotel.com/dining/home-smith-bar/
Address: 9 Old Mill Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1G5, Canada
Contact details: 416-232-3718
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 5 PM – 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 5 PM – 10 PM
Home Smith Bar at the Old Mill Toronto Hotel is a groovy watering hole offering live jazz on weekends and often during the week. With a warm, timeless ambiance, phenomenal bar staff, and a revamped menu, it stands out as a unique hotel lobby bar in Toronto.
And if the space isn’t too crowded, you can even dance and show off your musical moves. You can even ask Mike to tickle the ivories for your favourite tune.
| Pro Tip: Guests enjoy the solid years of the best local jazz at this joint, making it a top spot for a jazzy experience with great cocktails and outdoor seating. |
Poetry Jazz Cafe
Website: https://www.poetryjazzcafe.com/
Address: 1078 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H8, Canada
Contact details: 416-599-5299
Operating hours:
- Closed from Sunday to Tuesday
- Wednesday to Saturday: 6:30 PM – 2 AM
Poetry Jazz Cafe is a hub for the next generation of jazz, featuring experimental jazz and spoken word in a narrow, dimly lit room. This cool, youthful, eclectic, spirited, and brave venue offers something completely different, breaking from the norm.
For aspiring singers and poets, they’ve got open mic nights for you to showcase your poetic thoughts or simply sing the blues.
| Pro Tip: Poetry Jazz Cafe doesn’t accept reservations. However, guests can enjoy the back patio hosting live music if they come early. |
Poetry Lower Westside
Website: https://www.poetryjazzcafe.com/
Address: 1078 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H8, Canada
Contact details: 416-599-5299
Operating hours:
- Closed from Sunday to Tuesday
- Wednesday to Saturday: 6:30 PM – 2 AM
Poetry Lower Westside, succeeding the Poetry Jazz Café in Kensington, offers more space for enjoying funky jazz beats any day of the week. With a new kitchen, patrons can now savor tasty treats while immersing themselves in tunes.
Genres often go from soul and RNB to blues and smooth jazz, changing every other night or so.
| Pro Tip: While seating is limited, it’s an intimate spot perfect for solo visits, dates, or small gatherings. Expect a cover charge. |
The Bluebird
Website: https://www.bluebirdbarto.com/music
Address: 2072 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1W9, Canada
Contact details: 416-535-0777
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Friday: 2 PM – 11 PM
- Closed on Saturday
The Bluebird has great cocktails, a cosy back patio, and amazing local acts throughout the year. This neighborhood spot treats patrons to a variety of styles, ranging from swinging and bopping classics to more instrumental performances.
They usually have a featured artist every Thursday. If you’re a fan of a local jazz artist, then you just might have a shot of checking them out at this spot when they’re on the roster.
| Pro Tip: The Bluebird doesn’t accept reservations. Items on the menu include tax, so guests don’t have to bother with the calculations after. |
Hugh’s Room Live
Website: https://hughsroomlive.com/
Address: 296 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G7, Canada
Contact details: 647-347-4769
Operating hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Saturday: 7 PM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 1 PM – 5 PM
Named after founder Richard Carson’s late brother, Hugh’s Room Live is a not-for-profit organization with a cooperative and diverse sensibility that mirrors Toronto’s jazz scene. Uniquely supportive, it nurtures jazz artists in the city and across Canada.
They even have tickets (as of this writing) for Jeff Rogers, who’s set to perform his music in February after scoring a place on Billboard Canada for Song of the Week.
| Pro Tip: Hugh’s Room Live is a cashless, tipless bar and has a separate show fee for patrons. |
DROM Taberna
Website: https://www.dromtaberna.com/
Address: 458 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A8, Canada
Contact details: 647-748-2099
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 6 PM – 2 AM
- Thursday: 6 PM – 4 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 5 PM – 4 AM
- Sunday: 5 PM – 2 AM
DROM Taberna is a sister establishment to La Palette on Queen West and serves as Toronto’s community-oriented hub for multicultural music. It offers Eastern European plates, global drinks, and diverse sounds, including Arabic jazz and open jazz jams.
They recently hosted Taraf Syriana, nominated for a Canadian Folk Music award for best global music album.
| Pro Tip: It has plenty of paid parking spots. Special events advertised on its website can range from dance lessons to appearances by Persian solo artists raising awareness. |
The Emmet Ray
Website: https://www.theemmetray.com/
Address: 924 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A4, Canada
Contact details: 416-792-4497
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 5 PM – 2 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 4 PM – 2 AM
The Emmet Ray is a relatively new addition to Toronto’s jazz scene, known for its extensive whisky selection of over 250 varieties. It has live jazz performances almost every night, attracting a diverse crowd.
It’s definitely not your typical jazz spot as it has hints of 20’s speakeasy noir mixed with 80’s retro made a bit sleeker with contemporary influences.
| Pro Tip: This spot is perfect for spotting new acts, including nontraditional bands led by university students and other potential future jazz stars. |
