Live it up in Toronto and have a taste of its breathless nightlife.

Get Ready

Aside from the expected large crowds on Fridays and Saturdays, Torontonians also favor Thursdays and Sundays. Stores typically close at 2am, after which you can only take the late-night buses instead of using the subway. There are several spots where you can stick it out 'til dawn, perhaps with a good breakfast menu even.

In Ontario, you must be at least 19 to drink. Many Americans under the legal limit in the US (usually 21) use this to their advantage.

The Scene

Toronto's club scene is pretty straightforward. You can head to any one of these "atmospheres", which pretty much dictate the dress code and the cover charge: young (usually ages from 19-25), casual, gay, artsy/musical, or upscale (usually 20s-30s). Choose from Clubland itself, the fashion district, Parkdale, or the Annex. Comedy clubs and jazz/R&B clubs are also must-sees.

Much of the pub/bar crowd consists of university students (mostly from University of Toronto, that is). It's easy to spot them at Madison Avenue as well as anywhere downtown or near it. Adelaide and Queen Street beat everyone else hands-down.

Also check out College Street, where its mainly Italian cafes and restaurants turn into bars by night. Yonge and Eglington has been nicknamed "young and eligible" because of the night crowd while the beaches area makes you feel right at home.