Hockey night at the ACC

Brad Kincaide

Finding a memorable place to visit to experience the Toronto nightlife during your trip will depend largely on your tastes and interests. Whether or not the "nightlife" includes alcohol for you, you're sure to enjoy at least one of the following:

Lee's Palace and the Dance Cave

Aimed at twenty-somethings and anyone who's young at heart, Lee's Palace at 529 Bloor Street is located in an eclectic building and has been voted the best live band rock and alternative club in Toronto for over a decade. On the second floor of Lee's Palace is the Dance Club, where you can dance the night away Mondays and Thursdays through Saturdays to rock, alternative, punk and ska music played by a disc jockey or live musicians.

On Wednesdays, the Dance Club space turns into a spectacular mid-week concert for Lee's Palace. Everyone who visits the building must be age 19 or older. Alcohol is served at a full bar and fairly inexpensive. You can expect a $4 to $30 cover for Lee's Palace live shows and a $7 cover for the Dance Club on Fridays and Saturdays, although the latter is waived if you show a university student ID. Dress is however you please, but most patrons will wear rock or punk attire.

Reservoir Lounge

If a more relaxed atmosphere is what you need to enjoy a martini, head to the Reservoir Lounge, a celebrity favorite at 52 Wellington Street East. This classy establishment has a grand piano as its centerpiece and nightly swing jazz and jump blues music. You'll be transported to the post-prohibition style of nightclub, as the decor is meant to reflect a classier, sassier time.

There's a full menu of foods, the highlight of which is the Cajun-style dishes, like Southern fries and pizza. Seafood, salads, chicken, pork and vegetarian dishes insure that you can enjoy the nightclub with or without alcohol. Drinks average around $10 to $12 and include beer, martinis and fine champagne. On Mondays there's no cover charge, but expect a $5 to $7 cover charge the rest of the week. Dress how you please, but feel free to dress a little fancier.

Toronto Centre for the Arts

Whether you have kids along or not, you're sure to enjoy an evening catching a play hot off the Broadway circuit or an night of live music at the Toronto Centre for the Arts at 5040 Yonge Street in Toronto. The Toronto Centre for the Arts has three separate concert halls and theaters and features a rotating selection of live music, public readings and plays. There are even plays aimed at children, such as the Seussical plays. Expect prices to be between $25 and $80 depending on the date and your preferred seating.