Nightlife Spots That Put the Word 'Entertain' in Toronto's Entertainment District

Many people have a phase of life where when the phrases "Cheap" and "Booze" go together, they get all sorts of excited. If that phase is currently on for your right now, Bar 244 (named for the address on Adelaide) has $3 drinks all night, which is practically unheard of, particularly in the Entertainment District, when one drink can blow your budget. Of course, there is also a gigantic dance floor, because it is very likely that the first thing you are going to want to do after all those $3 drinks is show off the moves that look better in your head than they do on the floor. The great news is that everyone will be in the same boat that you are.

You may be able to have too many shoes, but you can never have too many brew pubs (too much beer is another thing, but let's not bring the mood down). Toronto's Barhop doesn't require that you engage in a tour of the city. There is more than enough brewing goodness in one place. You can get a large format table bottle if you and your friends are the sharing types, or you can sample from their seasonal beer list. There is even a nice array of gluten free beers and ciders. The gastropub atmosphere means that you are not stuck with some greasy reheated fare, but rather hearty food that matches the fancy brews. Start with the garlic doughnuts and don't shy away from the breaded pickles. Breath mints might be a nice thing to pack along with your wallet.

From press conferences to large scale versions of game night, The Real Sports Bar doesn't pull any punches. It treats you, the sports fan, and your relationship with your team with the utmost respect. Right beside the Air Canada Centre, on game nights the Real Sports Bar can have upwards of 1,000 people watching with rapt attention. The screen is larger than most apartments in Toronto. A number of games are often on at once for those who wish there were more hours in the day...for watching sports. Don't worry about going to the washroom, because there are screens there too.

Steam Whistle Brewery makes a Canadian pilsner that they are rightfully proud of. This local beer maker is located right near the Roger's Centre and the CN Tower. It is a perfect stop on the Toronto tourism train. The beer recipe has been exacted using European brewing standards, yet there is a lightheartedness to the company that is all Canadian. The four ingredients of hops, malted barley, spring water and yeast are balanced to perfection. They say that the fifth ingredient is the passion of their staff. There are always events going on, from art shows to lobster bakes. You can also privately rent out the space for tours or even your own (big fat beer) wedding.

Toronto's Entertainment District has changed frequently over the past decade or so as tastes and consumer demands shift. But N'Awlins has been a fixture in the neighbourhood. Its success can be traced to offering a nightly schedule of live entertainment that includes blues, jazz and other New Orleans-inspired music. No matter when you visit N'Awlins, you're guaranteed to hear some talented musicians. The venue also offers a pretty solid menu of Cajun-Creole inspired dishes, from Cajun calamari to fried alligator to seafood jambalaya. (Alligator comes as an appetizer, if you want to test the waters, so to speak.)

Toronto's Second City has churned out some of the best of the best of epic Canadian comedy talent. We are talking Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Michael Myers, Catherine O'Hara, Gilda Radner, Martin Short and Dave Thomas. With 50 years of laughs under their belt, The Second City has comedy sketches, revues and late-night improv, polished to perfection for your side-splitting amusement. The 316-seat venue feels intimate and works just perfectly for a date, with pasta and pizza and other options available to replace the calories burned by laughing. Go to see the future stars on Canada's walk of fame.

When it comes to Fynn's of Temple drinking policy, the short answer is that you should do it. Whether it is their highly recommended brunch with $4 Mimosas and Caesars or a hefty dose of beer every night of the week, Fynn's extends their Irish hospitality one pint at a time. With dark wood accents, it is the perfect place to nurse your winter sorrows. When buds come onto the trees, their large patio opens and fills with people who have jobs that allow them to drink their lunches. Every night of the week there is a new special, including free oyster Fridays and 2 for 1 entrees on Tuesday. Live pub music is played every Wednesday for winter, spring and fall. In the summer, they just expect that you will go outside.

Wear something fancy and indulge in an equally fancy cocktail at the Ritz Carlton's elegant DEQ Terrace and Lounge. During the winter, cozy fireplaces and furnishings inspire patrons to hunker down. During the summer, the fireplace will follow you outside to the expansive patio which overlooks the CN Tower and downtown Toronto. Enjoy complementary kettle chips while you imbibe, or indulge in a lovely light menu that includes gems like truffle frites with pecorino and bacon wrapped dates with asiago cheese. Cocktails are one-of-a-kind, with luxurious choices such as "Les Fruits d'Amour" with grand Marnier, sparkling wine and fig pearls topped with grapefruit infused champagne foam. DEQ, you had us at champagne foam.

Ping pong used to be about as cool as shuffleboard. Well, we better keep our eye out for a shuffleboard resurgence, because Susan Sarandon made ping pong hot. The SPiN clubs have popped up around the US and now Toronto to bring a little friendly competition to cocktail hour. Tables book around $20 an hour and it is advisable to book early as many people take the game seriously. There is a menu with the usual Canadian bar snacks (late night poutine, anyone?) but a local and ethical sensibility. Drinks can be as fancy as champagne or as low key as a punch bowl with 9 oz of alcohol added. Whether or not the punch will improve your game is yet to be decided.

The TIFF Lightbox is one of those places that helps to solve the conundrum "I'm bored!" without transforming into a Smartphone. This building is set up to allow you to watch all of the film festival favorites, as well as the fantastic films that slip under the radar when the next Avengers movie dominates the box office. There are snacks (guacamole instead of popcorn should become a thing) and they do not frown at people who see wine as a perfectly viable concession snack. Look around you and you may see a celeb watching their own film under the radar. Do as the Canadians do and play it cool.