Hip haunts to visit during the Toronto Jazz Festival

Cool cats rejoice! More than 1,500 musicians will bring some serious sizzle to the city when the TD Toronto Jazz Festival returns on June 18-29. There’s plenty of action happening at the mainstage marquee in Nathan Phillip’s Square and soulful singers and instrumentalists will be performing at dozens of jazz clubs and bars across the downtown. Here are a few hip haunts where you can catch your favourite acts.

Hip haunts to visit during the Toronto Jazz Festival
Jessica Emma Napier By

The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar

1
194 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z1

This Queen West legend has been attracting musicians from around the world since the late ’80s. The bar hosts over 30 performances throughout the festival so you’ll have to plan ahead to if you want to catch your favourite artists. On June 20, check out Brooklyn-based ensemble Huntertones, whose performances blend jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, rock and gospel. And if you’re looking for that big band sound, visit on June 26 to hear eclectic bassist icon Chris Tarry.

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N'awlins Jazz Bar & Dining

2
299 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1J5

Get a taste of NOLA in the heart of the Entertainment District at this longstanding jazz bar. The King Street hotspot hosts free performances throughout the festival with Sam Heinement, Stacie McGregor, the Jim Heineman Trio, Brooke Blackburn and more. Visit on weekends during the festival to check out the sweet sounds of the N’awlins All Star Band. If you’re feeling hungry, the bar specializes in authentic Cajun-Creole cuisine. The diverse menu features Cajun chicken breast, pan-fried blackened catfish and a Bourbon Street inspired pasta dish with bacon, chicken and a vodka rose sauce.

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The Painted Lady

3
218 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z9

This bohemian bar on Ossington Avenue is known for its live music scene and entertaining burlesque shows. Visit on Wednesday, June 24, to check out Toronto-based quintet, The Boxcar Boys. You might recognize this quirky folk group as regular buskers at the St. Lawrence Market — their playful fusion of wild gypsy, old-jazz, folk and klezmer has been known to inspire impromptu dance parties from audience members. The funky fivesome includes Juno-nominated sousaphone player Rob Teehan.

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Alleycatz Restaurant Lounge

4
2409 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2E7

You’ll find hip cats and Mediterranean-inspired eats at this Yonge and Eglinton jazz bar. During the festival, the club will be hosting nightly performances with local jazz favourites — including Lady Kane, Jamesking and Carlo Berardinucci — and there’s no cover charge when you make dinner reservations. The menu features crowd-pleasing appetizers (think spinach and cheese dip and fish tacos), salads, pastas and meaty mains. If you’re hungry, there are $25, $30 and $35 two-course set meal options.

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Grossman's Tavern

5
377 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2G3

As one of the longest running live music venues in the city, this Spadina Avenue haunt has a dive-bar vibe and a seriously cool legacy. Toronto’s self-described “Home of the Blues” will be hosting more than 10 performances during the festival. Your best bet? Visit on June 27 when Toronto-based Happy Pals take the stage to play their foot-stomping, hand-clapping old-time New Orleans party music. The joyous seven-piece jazz band has been bringing their Southern-style big-band sound to Grossman’s every Saturday for over 30 years so they know how to put on a memorable show.

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The Tilted Dog Pub & Kitchen

6
424 Parliament St, Toronto, ON M5A 3A2

Stop by this Cabbagetown restaurant in the afternoon on June 21, to enjoy a free performance by Zimzum. The melodic jazz funk quartet plays a free show at 4:30 pm, making it the perfect musical appetizer to enjoy before dining on The Local Gest’s farm-to-table dinner fare. The seasonal menu features a tasty variety of sandwiches, burritos, salads and mains prepared with sustainably sourced local ingredients

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More from Jessica Emma Napier Jessica Emma Napier
Jessica is a writer, editor and self-professed foodie. She loves exploring the city on two wheels, spends almost all of her disposable income at restaurants and never apologizes for Instagramming her food. After living in Toronto for almost a decade, she traded YYZ for YVR and is now the Vancouver City Editor for YP.
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