Fun and entertainment - Ontario in 2024

Practical information : Going out Ontario

Timetable

Mainly located in the city, nightclubs are generally open on Fridays and Saturdays (and other evenings depending on the club) from 10pm to 3am, or even later. For activities with friends (movies, billiards, bowling, go-karting, getaway games, etc.), schedules vary greatly depending on the type of establishment. There are also a few casinos in Ontario, most of which are open 24 hours a day. For the performing arts (music, comedy, theatre, etc.), the annual program is mainly concentrated outside the summer season, mostly in the evenings.

Budget & Tips

Going out clubbing is generally less expensive in Ontario than in Europe (although it must be said that it is not necessarily the same in Europe either). As everywhere, admission is often free before a certain time (usually 11pm) or by registering on the guest list. Ladies also benefit from free admission on ladies nights (at least one night a week). For the cinema, discounts are offered on the weekly reduced price day (usually Tuesday). Great deals on entertainment: Gametime offers last-minute tickets to shows and sporting events in Ottawa and Toronto (gametime.co), and TodayTix offers last-minute theatre rates in Toronto (todaytix.com/x/toronto), among other things.
Please remember that prices are always quoted exclusive of taxes. Not only is the 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) added, but also the 15% service charge where applicable. All methods of payment are accepted, but there may be occasions when the bar counter in an auditorium, for example, will only accept cash and/or debit card.

To be booked

To ensure a place, reservations are highly recommended for shows. In the case of certain activities such as karting and getaway games, reservations are often imperative and a deposit may be required. For the rest, all you have to do is show up the same day.

Night transport

In Toronto, no problem getting home late. If there is no night service for the subway and buses, most streetcar lines operate 24 hours a day and cover the entire area south of Bloor Street. As for Ottawa, six bus lines offer night service. Elsewhere in Ontario, there is no overnight public transit service, except for taxis, Uber, Lyft and the like, which offer 24-hour service. However, many cities - and even towns - have year-round drive-through services, but you generally need to be a member to take advantage of their services.

Age restrictions

In Ontario, the legal drinking age is 19. Wherever a bar licence applies, only persons over the age of majority are allowed to drink. Note that if you look under 25, you will likely be asked for official photo identification. You should also be aware that some clubs may require that you be 21 or 25 years of age to frequent them.

What's very local

Toronto is doing very well in the field of Broadway-style musical theatre. Great classics, such as Cats or Les Misérables, are usually presented in one of the theatres managed by Mirvish Productions.

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted in clubs, theatres, casinos and their terraces. The same applies to billiard rooms, activity centres (karting, escape games...), etc. Smoking is also prohibited at a distance from the door of the establishment and its terraces (the law indicates 9 meters).

Tourist traps

As with sporting events, the resale of tickets for shows is omnipresent online, and sometimes even on the street. While it is true that you can save a few dollars by buying from resellers, it would be a shame to lose your money on fake tickets. So go through the official ticket offices.

Fun and entertainment Ontario

PROJECT GIGGLEWATER

THE REX HOTEL JAZZ & BLUES CLUB

MEDIEVAL TIMES

D'ARCY MCGEE'S

CENTRE NATIONAL DES ARTS

BLACK SQUIRREL BOOKS

CABANA POOL BAR

CASINO NIAGARA

THE WHEELED BREW BOTTLE SHOP

STACKT

FREE TIMES CAFE

MASSEY HALL

M. GREENJEANS

BLACK EAGLE

BIRD

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

STEELTOWN GARAGE CO.

SUPERNOVA COFFEE

PARADISE GRAPEVINE

BLOOD BROTHERS BREWING

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