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» Best Live Music Toronto
The world’s coolest cities have live music scenes that come in all shapes and sizes. The common denominator is that they deliver an outstanding evening of great music—be it blues, Latin, soul, funk, jazz, rock, indie-pop, or something in between. These are our hands-down favorites.
Best Live Music in....
Best Live Music
Toronto
Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar 194 Queen St. W., Entertainment District, 416-598-2475
The Draw: This downtown beer parlor has become a venerable home of jazz and blues with an honest musician-friendly feel. The Scene: The audience will be thick with musicians and art-school types, and music lovers dressed in anything from Prada to Levis who come first and foremost for the great music--18 live shows per week--and casual, relaxed vibe. Canada's finest musicians play here against a post-modern retro tavern-chic backdrop. The Rex is an industry and a local jazz community mainstay. Hot Tip: During the Downtown Jazz Festival, the Rex hosts the likes of Harry Connick Jr. and Ani DiFranco, who show up from time to time for a jam.
Mod Club Theatre 722 College St. W., Little Italy, 416-588-4663 themodclub.com
The Draw: Owned by former glam-rocker Marc Holmes, this club is where the hottest new bands and DJs perform. The Scene: Mod Club offers music-lovers a full-service entertainment complex and bar, including a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, a wall-size screen for videos and films, and enough cred to bring out the hipsters in droves. Hot Tip: On Saturday nights you’ll find most of the women in the crowd dressed up in Britpop go-go boots, minis, and long fake eyelashes. It’s a scene not to be missed.
The Draw: A legend in the Toronto entertainment scene, the Phoenix delivers 18,000 square feet of funky and original space devoted to music and other art forms. The Scene: The Stones and Metallica have played the main stage here, where the floor features a 50-foot-long marble bar and a huge dance floor outfitted with the latest in sound and light. Le Loft overlooks the scene below with its own bar, and The Parlour has pool tables to test your skill. Hot Tip: Local fave rock radio station 102.1 FM broadcasts live here on Saturday nights.
