Nightlife in North York

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.

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.

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).

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.