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With drinking comes the urge to dance, and we’ve got plenty of options. If you’re looking for a straightforward top-40 dance or a retro night you can pretty much pick a direction and start walking and you’ll hit something before long.
If, on the other hand, you want something a bit different, we’ve got suggestions, including some old standbys and some intriguing new upstarts.
Circa (126 John, 416-979-0044), the most-hyped new club in recent memory, has made a strong entrance into clubland. It’s more like a maze of clubs within a club, and approaches the difficult medium of the mega-club with some creativity. Fridays attract a young nu-rave crowd for all your electro and indie dance needs, and Saturdays bring an older house music scene.
For a completely different take on two generations of partiers sharing a new club, Blak (178 Bathrust) does the smaller, darker and dirtier promisingly well. Younger rave and drum ’n’ bass crowds are balanced with the slightly older electro fans. If you like a raw and edgy space and you don’t want to get kicked out until you’re done dancing, this spot’ll be good fun while it lasts. As long as you’re not into VIP bottle service and dress codes.
Also on the late-night side, Footwork’s (425 Adelaide West, 416-913-3488) has been open for almost three years and is still a consistent bet for techno and house. Saturdays usually feature international DJ talent, but expect patrons to stay at least as late for the locals on Fridays.
Out on West Queen West, the Social (1100 Queen West, 416-532-4474) has also established itself in the last few years, although more with the hipsters and indie dance kids. It seems like the Social’s last expansion wasn’t that long ago, but soon it’ll be opening Anti (get it?) upstairs where Spin Gallery used to be, to accommodate the growing crowds and high-profile guests.
Newcomer Wrongbar (1279 Queen West, 416-516-8677) has made a strong start with hipster dance parties, leftfield disco nights and live acts in a cozy and comfortable room. The sound is crisp and the lights minimal and tasteful, a welcome reversal from most clubs.
Other venues that offer a dance-floor fix are Andy Poolhall (489 College, 416-923-5300), which has finally been able to combine with its sister bar next door, Ciao Edie Roxxx, as well as LeVack Block (88 Ossington, 416-916-0571), a new addition to the rapidly growing Ossington strip. Cute mellow bar in front, small club-like room in the back that’s already seeing some action.
And while they’re not really dance clubs, the Boat (see sidebar, page 67), the Drake Underground (see sidebar, page 60) and Sneaky Dee’s (431 College, 416-603-3090) all have regular parties that are worth checking out.
