From The Fairmont Royal York Best Nearby Live Music (Nightlife) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Toronto, ON C'est What (Nightlife - Live Music) 67 Front St E, Toronto  ON  M5E 1B5 • 416-867-9499 Distance: ~0.730 km User Rating: 10 / 10         Description: DOWNTOWN. Subterranean it may be, but C'est What is definitely not sub-par. Dedicated to all things local, the establishment promotes Toronto with exhibits from regional artists and shows from local musicians in their state-of-the-art performance room/recording studio. Before they made it big, the intimate space hosted Barenaked Ladies, Jeff Buckley and Jewel, among others. An amazing selection of beverages includes their own line of craft brewed beers and wines, an array of Ontario microbrewed beers and wines, plus a great list of whiskies. In keeping with Toronto's rep as a multi-cultural city, the menu features fantastic food from around the world. A true Toronto favorite. Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar (Nightlife - Live Music) 194 Queen St W Rex Hotel, Toronto  ON  M5V 1Z1 • 416-598-2475 Distance: ~0.777 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. The Rex books about 18 shows every week, an astounding number by any standards. The roster is mostly comprised of local and regional jazz and blues artists, but does include international acts and a smattering of other genres. The vibe is super casual – the focus truly is on the music. But the food is pretty good, too, with numerous vegetarian options, and there's a good selection of draught beer. Charlotte Room (Nightlife - Live Music) 19 Charlotte, Toronto  ON  M5V 2H5 • 416-598-2882 Distance: ~1.007 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. When it opened in the late 1990s, Billiards Digest magazine named the Charlotte Room one of the top ten best new pool rooms in North America. The place has continued to live up to the initial kudos, offering a classy space with several tables and impressive food and beverage menus (no greasy wings and canned Schlitz here!). If the pool tables are occupied or you simply want a break, you'll find a number of other diversions in the form of board games, everything from chess to Boggle to Risk. Some Friday nights host live bands or magic shows. Guvernment / Kool Haus Entertainment Complex (Nightlife - Live Music) 132 Queens Quay E, Toronto  ON  M5A 3Y5 • 416-869-1462 Distance: ~1.037 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Massive is the operational word here. This place is huge – it's actually several clubs in one, each with its own vibe and specialty. Whether you want to dance til the wee hours, catch a live band, or sip champagne with friends, you can do it here. Horseshoe Tavern (Nightlife - Live Music) 370 Queen St W, Toronto  ON  M5V 2A2 • 416-598-4753 • 416-598-4226 Distance: ~1.165 km User Rating: 9.5 / 10         Description: DOWNTOWN. Since 1947, the Horseshoe has been entertaining Toronto's thirst for live music with a roster of musicians as varied as Arlo Guthrie, the Ramones, the Cramps, the Police, Johnny Lang, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Bragg, and Soul Coughing. Well known for keeping up with the times, the performance schedule has morphed over the years, from county and rockabilly, to folk and reggae, to punk and metal. A renowned sound system and near-perfect acoustics makes the Shoe an industry fave, as well, so you never know who might be sitting next to you. If you like music, don't pass this one up! Rivoli (Nightlife - Live Music) 332-334 Queen St W, Toronto  ON  M5V 2A2 • 416-596-1908 • 416-977-5082 Distance: ~1.165 km User Rating: 7.5 / 10         Description: DOWNTOWN. The Rivoli nurtures its reputation as a purveyor of eclectic entertainment by booking live music, comedy acts, DJs and poetry readings. You may recognize some of the acts who have performed here in the past, including the Kids in the Hall, Cowboy Junkies, Beck, the Indigo Girls, Iggy Pop and Janeane Garofalo, to name just a few. There are several spaces here: a restaurant, a bar, the back performance room, and a 5000 square foot pool hall upstairs, complete with 13 vintage pool tables. If you can swing it, go on Monday night for the ALTdotCOMedy Lounge – it's a winner. Dominion on Queen (Nightlife - Live Music) 500 Queen St E, Toronto  ON  M5A 1T7 • 416-368-6893 Distance: ~2.167 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. A bar with history! Dominion on Queen was originally opened as a hotel and brewery. Over a century later, the place is still operational, although these days it functions as a bar and restaurant, but the award winning brews are still on tap. The classy, wood-paneled atmosphere is enhanced by live jazz and blues several nights a week. Byzantium (Nightlife - Live Music) 499 Church St, Toronto  ON  M4Y 2C6 • 416-922-3859 Distance: ~2.231 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. A mixed crowd mimics the cosmopolitan nature of this bar's namesake, the Roman-Greek city of Byzantium, which later became known as Istanbul. Aside from that, there's little resemblance. The lounge is stylish and sophisticated; the dining room opposite is a bit more luxurious. Dining here is always an adventure, with globally inspired flavors and beautiful presentation. But simply sipping a cocktail or two in the bar can be, as well – the inspired martini list includes something like 100 different versions. Lee's Palace (Nightlife - Live Music) 529 Bloor St W, Toronto  ON • 416-532-1598 Distance: ~3.156 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Lee's Palace is regarded as THE place to catch up-and-coming bands (and sometimes well established ones, too). Past performers include The Smithereens, Tragically Hip, The Mekons, Lucinda Williams, Dinosaur Jr., Henry Rollins, The Sundays, Our Lady Peace, Throwing Muses, Superchunk, Bob Mould, Verve, Cracker, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Soul Coughing, Mercury Rev, Elliott Smith, Eels, UK Subs, and a bunch more. If no band is scheduled, Lee's is closed. DJs spin dance tunes several nights a week in The Dance Cave on the second floor. Annex Wreck Room (Nightlife - Live Music) 794 Bathurst St, Toronto  ON  M5R 3G1 • 416-536-0346 Distance: ~3.238 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Wreck Room is a play on words – this place has a casual, rock-and-roll vibe with pool tables, a dance floor, arcade games and a huge bar, sort of like a glorified rec room. There's a stage for live acts, but usually DJs provide the sounds, which range from alt rock and Brit rock to retro and electronica. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.