20 bars worthy of your Saturday night in Toronto

by YP Contributor

Saturday night is prime party time in the 6, but how do you find the best bar to match your mood? From creative cocktails to charming dives and dancing depots, the following is a list of the best bets for your Saturday night in Toronto. [Image credit: iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages]

Check out some of Toronto’s most unpretentious dive bars, where jeans are definitely dress code.

• Thirsty and Miserable is a Kensington Market gem for those looking for a bare bones watering hole.
• Also located in the Market, Ronnie’s Local 069 has a great outdoor patio and cheap drinks with no frills.
• The Green Room is a two-storey bar with plenty of booths and tables for bigger parties; it is the prime place for cheap pitchers and late night eats (we recommend their pad Thai).
• With rag-tag furniture, loud tunes and a bumping backyard patio, Sweaty Betty’s on Ossington is a favourite spot to spend a funky Saturday night.

On Queen West, The Shameful Tiki Room serves up Polynesian-inspired food alongside a cast of original fruity drinks (if tropical cocktails are your thing Toronto has no shortage). If you’re looking for a hip and happening Haitian haunt, try Rhum Corner on Dundas West, across the street from their sister-establishment Cocktail Bar (they make a particularly delicious Absinthe Whip). A deal of note is the $8, two-ounce cocktails at the Drake Hotel.

Toronto has no shortage of spots to shake a leg, including the following:

• Lula Lounge is the top spot for salsa and Latin dancing in Toronto; expect live music and dancers of all abilities.
• The Beaver is a Queen West queer haven with bumping theme nights.
• The Boat is a popular Kensington Market dance venue, which plays music ranging from pop to rock to electronic dance.
• The Dance Cave plays indie, mod and retro tunes for a younger crowd.

For those keen on brass and New Orleans-style jazz, be sure to check out Fat City Blues. For local folk and rock in an intimate setting, try the Cameron House. The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar is another live music staple on Queen Street West. The Bovine Sex Club is a kinky club with live punk metal and rock.

Sometimes all you need on Saturday night is a solid group of buds and a simple pub. Toronto has a bar to meet every mood (not to mention a plethora of craft beer brewpubs).

• Birreria Volo is the new generation of Toronto’s most infamous brewpub Bar Volo. The Little Italy spot offers one of the best selections of craft beer in the city and a truly gorgeous interior in which to sip it. You’ll feel the casual pub vibes in the inspired setting – this spot is all about gathering and good vibes.
• The Queen & Beaver Public House has two patio decks, a great selection of local and imported beer, and UK sports on the TV.
• Stout Irish Pub is known for their board game and trivia nights, as well as their Irish charm (and beer, of course).
• The Only Café is an east Toronto institution with funky décor, regular poetry readings and tons of unique beers on tap.

Toronto is a hub for weekend bar-hopping. Whether you are getting loose on the dance floor, sipping on a fruity cocktail or watching the game with friends, make your Saturday a night to remember.