Nightlife in Markham

Since its Toronto location opened in 1976, Yuk Yuk's has been a collective launching pad for such comedy heavyweights as Jim Carrey, Rick Moranis, and Russell Peters. All of Yuk Yuk's laugh-establishments invite seasoned jokesters and up-and-coming comedians to their stages every weekend for up to three days of high hilarity and three nights of cozy lodging atop their cocktail tables. Many Yuk Yuk's locations offer drinks, dinner, or bar fare during the show, but those interested in dining should contact their club of choice to find out about reservations.

Samovar Room melds vodka and voluptuousness to give patrons an upscale, Russian-influenced night on the town. Ignite imbibing with an item from Samovar Room's drink menu, such as a vodka-infused lychee martini ($9) or the Sparkling Pear ($11), made from pear vodka and sparkling pear juice. For guests seeking further forays into distilled derring-do, Samovar Room offers vodka tastings, with three standard vodkas ($32) or three premium vodkas ($42) available. Both options are served with Russian bread and pickles as well as smoked salmon. Samovar Room's edibles extend beyond vodka-accompanying sidekicks, however, with a full dinner menu using local and seasonal ingredients. Split steamed mussels ($12) with the doctor to your Zhivago, or opt for a roasted boneless chicken ($17) with vegetables and fries. Caviar is also available (prices vary).

After walking into Irish Embassy Pub and Grill, which is housed in a building dating back to 1873, patrons are surrounded by mahogany-panelled walls, traditional vaulted ceilings, and Doric-style columns. Wall-mounted TVs show sports, and the taps at a dark wood bar dispense Irish brews and long slips of paper with the poetry of Yeats printed on them. Patrons huddle around wooden tables for brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night dishes rich with Irish influence, such as shepherd's pie and Kilkenny-battered fish 'n' chips. While eating and drinking, patrons can enjoy the sounds of Irish music and gaze upon the four 50-inch plasma TVs that televise all Maple Leafs and Raptors games.

Underfoot and overhead, neon bulbs project violet, crimson, and fuchsia coloured light across the dancescape at Crown Bar & Lounge. Angular booths surround seated revellers who sip on cocktails and munch snacks while the room around them pulses with music. Shrouded by gauzy curtains, VIP and private party areas sequester guests with bottle service perks until they’re ready to hit the dance floor repeatedly with their feet.

Lists of seasonally inspired cheeses, meats, and garnishes are printed in chalk on a board titled "Picnic Platters," tempting guests to design their own charcuterie spreads or delegate control to a knowledgeable staff member. PicNic Wine Bar has something for everyone, earning it a spot on Vacay's 2012 list of Canada's top 50 restaurants. Flare magazine also deemed the eatery a Toronto hot spot, saying, "the combinations are endless."

PicNic's widespread appeal is due to more than just their picnic platters. Guests can select from more than 30 wines by the glass, as well as from a handful of bottled and draught beers. Chefs also craft more elaborate small and large plates of gorgonzola-stuffed dates and mini foie gras sliders, served at long, communal tables that add sophistication to picnic-style dining.

While the diners of Krazy Cactus Restaurant & Sports Bar watch sports or play XBox 360 games on one of 13 plasma TVs, they keep coming back to sample the restaurant’s 75 wing flavours. Ranging from mild to extra-hot, the sauces include traditional barbecue and jerk selections to more distinctive options such as dill, gravy and cheese, or pineapple mango curry. To complement these finger foods, chefs mould dough into pizza crusts and fire-grill chicken souvlaki until it gains the charred texture needed to complement lemony flavours or look at home on a fireman’s nightstand. On Friday nights, the staff turns down the volume of the game to accommodate the live bands that serenade guests until the bar closes.