Few places in the city buzz as long and loud as Clubland, with its thumping dancefloors, glowing bars and wandering eyes. But there’s more to this entertainment district than miniskirts and megaclubs. Whether you’re in the mood for a trendy club, rowdy pub or breezy patio, this renowned party area will provide.
OLD STANDBYS With a giant wood-fired oven surrounded by a spacious dining area, Montana (145 John, 416-595-5949) provides a quality array of food and drink ideal for a relaxed family dinner or a pre-clubbing snack. On a long patio bordering the restaurant’s front entrance, diners can enjoy the summer evening breeze while savouring colourful nacho platters, gourmet flat-bread pizzas and cool cocktails. The place also offers a sweet meal-and-movie-ticket deal for $19.95, so you can catch the latest flick at the Cineplex across the road.
The lighting at Republik (261 Richmond W., 416-598-1632) is sure to make your moves and outfits shine even brighter. The club is equipped with multi-coloured strobe lights and lasers, 1,000 square feet of fibre-optic curtains, and 12 rotating plasma screens above the dancefloor. Even the bar tops emit various glowing hues. To escape the sensory overload, VIPs can relocate to a second-level lounge, decked out with its own bar and pristine white couches.
If you’ve always wished the Rainforest Café were less family-oriented and more alcohol-infused, visit Crocodile Rock (240 Adelaide W., 416-599-9751). After a few drinks, you could mistake the faux foliage indoors for real jungle plants. For an authentic outdoor excursion, venture to the top-level patio, where guests sip beer on high green stools. The light-hearted theme attracts a slightly older clientele, with a refreshing lack of high-gloss club snobbery.
The rooftop patio with palm trees made of bright orange lights can belong to only one spot in the entertainment district: Hooters (280 Adelaide W., 416-977-4668). This large area is a prime spot for enjoying breasts and thighs — of chicken. Next door is Alice Fazooli’s (294 Adelaide W., 416-979-1910), another well-known chain with an Italian twist and waiters wearing more clothing.
Ménage (333 King W., 416-971-3332) provides the ideal evening threesome: restaurant, dancefloor and patio. Only a short flight of stairs divides the dining area from a cozy boogey space and adjoining patio. To get some fresh air between dance moves, you can chill on the intimate patio with a retractable roof and walls dripping in white Christmas lights. This club’s biggest night is “Wayback Wednesdays,” when Z103.5 goes live to air with Tony Monaco.
No party area would be complete without its pubs, Irish or otherwise. At 10pm on Saturday, Grace O’Malley’s (14 Duncan, 416-596-1444) already has a crowd of casual college-goers lined up outside the door, ready for some pub grub, live music and a glass of Guinness. Slightly further north, Fox and Fiddle (106 John, 416-593-4407) provides a small rooftop patio to scout out the latest club duds on passersby below.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Sip saki and sample sushi with the CN tower in full view at Dazzling (291 King W., 416-506-8886), King Street’s newest Asian fusion restaurant and bar. Red, glowing columns and sleek decor surround stylish guests perusing an eclectic menu and extensive wine list. The venue has a second-level patio that holds 128 people, and a cozier third-level patio, for intimate pre-booked parties of up to 30.
New York club legend Peter Gatien wasn’t ready to abandon his club-running smarts when he moved north of the border. The result? CiRCA (126 John, 416-979-0044), a four-storey 19+ playground voted best new venue in the 2008 Club World Awards. Guys and gals who come to groove will get new rave, electrofunk, house and techno beats, while more chilled bohemian types can appreciate unique art installations and the constantly changing themed decor developed by art director Kenny Baird. The venue also holds the SKYY Cinema Lounge and the world’s only Kidrobot Room.