Top entertainment in Canada: Shining a light on Canada’s nightlife hotspots
Canada isn’t all cold winters, vast expanses of wilderness and imposing waterfalls. Sure, those are just some of the wonders that drew upwards of 20 million visitors in 2016 but they’re only the tip of a very large iceberg. As you peel back the layers and start to explore the various hotspots around the country, you’ll quickly see that Canada has a number of places ready to greet you with a warm welcome you won’t forget in a hurry.
In this travel guide, we’re going to focus on Canada’s leading evening entertainment options. Ranging from the relaxing to the adrenaline pumping, this collection of local treats will illuminate what life’s like when the lights go down in Canada.
*“Le Vieux port de Montréal” (CC BY 2.0) by FRITSCHI PHOTOGRAPHY
Raise a Toast to the Best Bars in Canada
Canadians love a drink. In fact, according to the National Post, 80% of Canadians drink alcohol and the average annual consumption among those of legal age in 2014 was eight liters. With liquor always on the menu, it’s little wonder there are some top pubs, bars, and clubs in Canada. For the younger crowd, Scanner in Quebec City is the home of rock, punk, and metal music. However, this isn’t your average rock dive. With state-of-the-art sound systems, a summer terrace and an inside pool, this place offers a cooler type of hand banging.
If heavy basslines and crashing drums aren’t your thing, Rex Jazz and Blues bar in Toronto offers an altogether more chilled out experience. With great beer, fantastic chicken wings and some old hands playing classic jazz sets, this place is a cool place to hang out in downtown Toronto. Of course, if you really want to chill in Ontario’s capital, CHILL Ice House is the place to be. For $10, you can step into a world where everything from the walls to your glasses are made of ice. If that wasn’t enough, you can even smash your frozen goblets when you’re finished.
“The Ice Bar” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by teamaskins
TIP: If you are visiting Montreal, here’s my summer guide to Montreal which might be useful for you :)
Laugh at Canada’s Top Comedy Clubs
The final thing you’ll want to try when the sun sets in Canada is a comedy club. According to Side Splitter’s 2016 guide to North America’s best comedy clubs, Toronto’s Yuk Yuk’s is one of the continent’s leading lights. Like the Comedy Store in the US, Yuk Yuk’s network of clubs is synonymous with comedy in Canada and the Toronto venue is the best. As well as being a breeding ground for local talent, Yuk Yuk’s welcomes traveling talent such as Bert Kreischer and Adam Ferrara.
For something alternative, Toronto’s ALTdot COMedy Lounge is, according to NOW Magazine, the place to be if you want to spot the next Jim Carrey. As well as providing a stage for A-list talent and emerging stars, ALTdot also plays home to a celebrity audience. In years gone by, Will Ferrell and Tom Green have been among the revelers enjoying everything from slapstick to dark comedy. Basically, if you fancy a laugh, this comedy club is a great place to get your chuckle on when you’re visiting Toronto.
Regardless of whether you want to drink, bet, or have some fun, Canada has plenty to offer. Even though the country’s natural wonders are the main reason most people make the trip to the wilds of North America, there’s plenty to do when day turns to night if you know where to look.
