Nightlife in Toronto

The House of Comedy's stage plays host to a hilarity-spreading horde of comics drawn from across North America. Jokesters gracing the stage might include David Coulier of Full House fame, Saved by the Bell's Dustin Diamond, and soap-opera star Walt Willey. Simultaneous feasts let guests alternately chortle and tear into succulent chicken and stashing away half-eaten rolls to leave threateningly in wheat fields that haven’t paid their protection money.

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.

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).

The sound of honking horns, chattering pedestrians, and singing puppets fades away when diners duck into Wine on Third’s dimly lit dining rooms. Here, the din of Third Street is replaced with soft music and tinkling wine glasses. Diners perch along a lengthy wooden bar sipping red, white, and sparkling selections from the eatery’s comprehensive wine list, which was awarded the Award of Distinction from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Small plates of tuna sashimi, assorted cheeses, and greek dips flood tables throughout a spacious dining area flanked by vibrant local artwork where guests linger over last bites of New York–style cheesecake and final sips of sweet martinis. Branching out beyond satiating taste buds, the elegant eatery plays host to special events including art shows and live music throughout the month.

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.