Queen Street is located in downtown Toronto. It is an important east-west thoroughfare with several major commercial and residential areas. The west part of the street, also simply called the Queen West, has evolved over the past 25 years to become an important tourist attraction, as well as the center of Canadian music, broadcasting, performance, the visual arts, and fashion.
It also contains several well-known bars.
1. Bovine Sex Club
One of the most famous live music bars in Toronto, it has been around for over 20 years. A range of different music is performed in this bar, such as punk, retro, and metal. There’s a rooftop tiki bar. Not many dive bars can say they have a rooftop bar. This makes Bovine a hidden gem on Queens Street.
2. Cabin Five
A lodge-themed club that has been around for several years, Cabin Five considers itself to be a “no-nonsense” bar providing fun to its guests every Friday and Saturday from 10 PM to 3 AM. Don’t expect a huge line to get in but do expect awesome service and cheap drinks.
3. Bar Chef
It serves innovative cocktail in a city like Toronto, a place that lacks it. It has been open for over 5 years now and is the pioneer of Toronto’s cocktail Renaissance. This unique cocktail place will have your friends talking about it for quite a while. The drink menu might be intimidating but don’t worry the staff enjoy educating newbies.
4. Cameron House
It features some of the most excellent musicians in Toronto 7 days a week. A live music bar with some extremely talented musicians is what it takes to make people fall in love with this bar. Not only that but some describe it as whimsical and punk which wouldn’t seem to mix but someone Cameron makes it happen.
5. Horseshoe Tavern
One of the oldest and most popular live music bars in Toronto, its stage has been graced by some legendary names in the music industry, such as The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, and Etta James to name a few. This place is a complete dive bar but if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!
6. The Hideout
It holds performances by local blues and rock bands, offers full menus, and on the weekends, offers brunch as well. This diver bar welcomes people from all different backgrounds to watch blues and rock bands. Their drink specials are also something to look for. You can have a good time without spending all your money on drinks.
7. The Music Gallery
Another one of Toronto’s beloved live music bars, this bar has amazing acoustics, something that easily makes any music lover fall in love with the place. One look at the decor and anything sounds epic. This isn’t just a show it’s intimate conversation between performers and the audience.
8. Rush Lane
Another cocktail-focused bar, it opened last summer and has been the subject to a lot of buzz. There’s a reason that this retro decorated place is buzzing with people. The cocktails are quality and reasonably priced. They also have Manhattans on tap which is a rarity for a bar. Rush & Lane definitely has an atmosphere and lives i
9. Velvet Underground
It used to be the hangout place for the goths before, but not anymore. It is one of the hottest places to be in. Think cheap drinks, billiards, and a variety of music and you get Velvet Underground. The name is just as cool as the decor. There’s a great sized dance floor, drinks are always flowing and the music sounds insanely good.
10. Yuk Yuk’s
A comedy club that features some of the most famous stand-up comedians. The staff are nice and the food portions are incredibly huge. The comedy is hit or miss depending on when you go. You either get a really good show that you’re laughing all night or a really terrible show that you’re still laughing all night but for all the wrong reasons.
What are your favorite Queen Street go to spots when you’re looking for a good time? Did your favorite make the list?
