The Best Jazz Bars in Toronto

The best jazz bars in Toronto are where musical mavericks and rookie ragtimers alike can be found playing for the crowds. Find the city’s jazz lovers congregating at these essential venues for cool beers and cooler tunes. 

Here are the best jazz bars in Toronto.

10 - Alchemy Food & Drink

The best spot in Little Italy for some live tunes is definitely this pared down restaurant that used to be Fat City Blues. It’s rustic without being outdated, and comes equipped with a piano for their smooth sax tributes and weekly jazz brunches on Sundays.
11 - Relish

This Danforth mainstay moved slightly more west, abandoning its beloved space by Main to sit closer to Pape station. The vibes are still the same though as it was when it first opened in 2005, though, with delicious eats and live bands playing bluegrass and more.
5 - Jazz Bistro

This jazz club near Yonge Dundas Square is the place to watch some acclaimed acts bang it out on their Steinway Piano, aka the Red Pops. In the summer months you can even soak in the sounds while sitting on their large patio.
4 - Reservoir Lounge

Tucked away in the basement of an historic building near St. Lawrence Market is this cozy little lounge, considerd a premium destination for swing. They have different bands playing daily, plus the seven-piece swing band Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm twice a week.
6 - Grossman's Tavern

This Chinatown venue is a total dive—as it should be. Operating since 1943 (it’s one of the oldest music venues in town), you’ll find the likes of The Rattles playing for the room (and the occasional swing practice), cover-free, like always.
7 - Poetry Jazz Cafe

Kensington’s hip stowaway takes over an old garage to give a stage to the next generation of artists. It can get really experimental, which is refreshing for anyone trying to get away from your typical bebop and into stuff like afrolatin drumming or trap jazz every tuesday.
8 - La Rev

It’s more than tacos at the Mexican cantina La Rev, located in the Junction. Get into the revolutionary spirit of this creative space for live jazz nearly every day of the week. There’s piano and horn duos, funky quartets, and open mic Saturdays, coupled with some homestyle cooking.
9 - The Bluebird

This cute neighbourhood fixture in Roncesvalles offers up cocktails, a sweet back patio, and some amazing local acts gracing the front of their little space, all year long. You’ll be graced with a variety of styles, from foot-tappin’ classics to some more instrumental stuff.
3 - The Rex

This corner stop on Queen West is a certified institution. The Rex hosts 80 shows monthly and has been around for more than 40 years, making it the longest-running jazz haunt in the city. They’ve also got a hotel upstairs if you live, eat, and sleep jazz.

by Tanya Mok via blogTO