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Toronto is undoubtedly a nightlife paradise and the jewel of Canada.

Going to a nightclub or a bar is much more than dressing up and hitting the club with your gang. If you’re a first-timer, you may find it difficult to locate the best clubs and bars in Toronto. In this blog, you’ll find the top tips and guides for visiting clubs and bars in Toronto and what to remember while clubbing.

About Toronto

The provincial capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto boasts a young and diverse population.

Toronto has a bustling nightlife scene with so many neighborhoods primed with watering holes, speakeasies, and mixology establishments that offer varied experiences. The city has a vast multicultural history consisting of ethnic groups who call Toronto their home.

Toronto is a prominent art, music, theater, economy, production, and broadcast hub. It has various cultural institutions, from museums to art galleries. The city hosts major festivals, like the Toronto Caribana Festival, that attract millions of tourists worldwide. It also has landmark buildings like the CN Tower, the Casa Loma, and more.

The Nightlife in Toronto

With so many things to offer during the day, you’re genuinely spoiled for choice in the city. But things don’t wither down after the sun goes down either. In fact, it becomes livelier. Whether you’re looking for a jazz outing or a dash of Hip-hop club music, Toronto has got you covered. You can grab unique drinks and cocktails and dance the night away with your friends.

As mentioned earlier, you have no dearth of options regarding bars and clubs in Toronto. So let the magic unfold in the ‘City of Queens‘ with the perfect night out with your gang.

Guide to Find the Best Bars and Nightclubs in Toronto

The varied and vivacious nightlife in Toronto means you can find a watering hole in almost every neighborhood. But if you’re new here or are exploring the city for the first time, you would naturally want to know the best locations to have a good time. After all, nobody wants their nightlife experience to be a bummer.

So here’s a list of the top neighborhoods in Toronto that have an impressive lineup of unique bars and nightclubs:

King West

How time flies! Not long ago, King West was an industrial area in the city. Today it’s one of the most happening locations to get sloshed and partying deep into the night. Apart from nightlife establishments, King West also has several upscale hotels and lounges.

Queen West

The fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue described Queen West as the second coolest neighborhood in the world. The area has multiple bars, swinger clubs, and boutique hotels, making it the prime choice for clubbing in the city.

Ossington Avenue

Having been recently developed into a plush area sprawling with bars and nightclubs, Ossington Avenue has slowly but surely made a name for itself as one of the most vibrant locations in downtown Toronto.

Little Italy

Amongst all the top locations across the city, you’ll truly need help in Little Italy regarding where to start. From cozy Irish pubs to bars offering late-night snacks and booze, you want to take advantage of this neighborhood whilst in Toronto.

One of the most renowned luxury nightclubs is situated in Little Italy, Barcode Saturdays. Every Saturday night, our premium space becomes a sizzling destination of dance, drinks, and infectious clubbing vibes that’ll keep you swinging all night long. We’re the number one celebrity party ritual in Toronto, which means that we’re frequented by celebrities every weekend who elevate our parties to the maximum. Witness peak clubbing with premium drinks, house champagnes, decadent Hip-hop music, VIP Bottle booths, and much more at Barcode Saturdays.

Dundas Street West

Jukeboxes, open mics, and gaming machines; imagine a place where you can find all these gala experiences for a memorable night out. If this sounds appealing, head to Dundas Street West and indulge in an old-school clubbing experience that gives you those retro feels. A simple walk down this neighborhood, and you can find all of the above and much more at Dundas Street West.

Top Clubbing Tips and Hacks

Now that you know the top nightlife destinations in Toronto, it’s time to spruce up, get the gang together and let go of your worries for the night. Not quite!

Before you get the party going, it’s wise to keep a few things in mind so that your clubbing tryst is enjoyable and memorable.

Dress Comfortably, But Mind the Dress Code

The first thing to remember is to wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t make you feel stranded in a box, especially if you want to boogie all night long. But having said that, it’s essential to be mindful of the club’s dress code. Most clubs don’t allow baggy clothes, and you should certainly leave your flippers and trainers at home for the night.

Party with the People you Trust

This may seem obvious, but we remind you that it’s always handy to have close friends and people you trust by your side for a night out. Indeed, you want someone dependable after you’ve had a few rounds too many.

Avoid Drinking Like There’s No Tomorrow

Although you have trusted people to back you up in case something goes south, it’s always wise to keep a check on that drinking spree. Clubbing is all about having fun and celebrating, but you shouldn’t go overboard with it and risk being a nuisance at the club. Also, you don’t want that killing hangover the next day that sours your clubbing memories.

Socialize

While enjoying with your gang is always the idea, many people like socializing and meeting new people at the club. We’d recommend partying the good old-fashioned way and making new friends out there (and certainly keep off your phone).

Don’t Overspend

Another vital tip to keep your clubbing experience memorable. You don’t want to wake up the next day trying to figure out where you spent a chunk of your bank balance. You have to pay for the cover charges, procure drinks from the bar, pay for the cab, and indulge in some post-party food. Be mindful of your budget so that you have a memorable time while not burning a hole in your pocket.

Avoid Driving

This is the most important thing to remember for your clubbing night. It’s wise to avail of ridesharing options or hiring a cab for the night. If you have a buddy who doesn’t drink, it’s best to let them drive.

Visit the Best Nightclub in Toronto

Make your clubbing experience extra special in Toronto. The city’s party animals consistently rank Barcode Saturdays as the top nightclub in Toronto. Whether you’re looking for Hip-hop, Trap, Latin, Reggae, or a top 40 hits club in Toronto, we can please first-timers as well as veteran clubgoers in the city.

Join our guest list or reserve a VIP Bottle booth to know why Barcode Saturdays is the best nightclub in Toronto.

Playing spooky or goofy is fun. We love to scare our friends out of their wits every year during Halloween. We all want to be told that our dress truly stands out at a party or gathering. But if you’re bored with the pumpkins and the Dracula, you may be looking for something new, something unique.

But being creative for Halloween has its disadvantages: first, you need to figure out something unique, but you also have to ensure you find the dress or can create one yourself easily, while wanting to avoid burning a hole in your pocket. So if you’re fixed on going the extra mile this Halloween on a budget, we have you covered with a list of unique costume ideas.

Whether you want to be draped in horror or pull out a modern twist in your favorite celebs, these outfit inspos will surely be impressive and creative. From Disney fans to John Wick, you’re spoilt for choices when it comes to dressing up for Halloween.

All inclusions on our list are pretty easy to create. A simple DIY without spending exorbitantly is all you need here. Keep reading to learn the unique costume ideas that’ll make you the center of attraction at the Halloween party.

1. Britney from Toxic

Britney Spears has given us an entire career as a fashion inspiration. From her schoolgirl look in ‘Baby one more time’ to the oomph-inspiring Toxic, where she plays a sexy air hostess, Britney has always been at the forefront of pop culture influence. Her sparkly and sexy sheer rhinestone bodysuit from Toxic is truly a unique way to get the party started. A word of caution, though, go for this if you’re prepared to be bold this Halloween.

2. Clint Eastwood from Good, Bad, and the Ugly

There’s nothing new about Cowboy costumes, but this one’s truly one-of-a-kind. Clint Eastwood launched into fame with his 1967-hit ‘The Good, Bad, and the Ugly.’ All you need to complete this ranch-style look is a denim shirt under a Suede waistcoat with trousers and a western hat. Something’s missing, isn’t it? Well, that would be his signature bold alpha poncho that he wears throughout the movie.

3. Captain Jack Sparrow

Our favorite comedy pirate is back, this time plundering the attention of everyone at Halloween. The most famous pirate in the world isn’t just quirky but also distinctive in style. A loose-fitting white shirt over trousers, a dreadlock wig with a bandana, knee-length boots, and a mustache and beard set complete the Jack Sparrow look this Halloween.

4. She-Hulk

The She-Hulk costume seems to be the right fix for those who want to take it a notch higher. The main ingredient for this is green paint, which you need to apply to the exposed parts of your body. But the good news is that the superhero is a daytime lawyer, which means you just have to paint your face and palms while a black blazer and trousers over a white shirt will cover the rest.

5. Elvis Presley

The greatest rock n roll icon, Elvis, was not just an insanely talented musician but was also the embodiment of the rock n roll machismo. He was also quite a maverick when it came to setting trends with his fashion. His most memorable fashion piece was the one he wore at the Viva Las Vegas show (that shimmery all-white Elvis). Although you may find it challenging to procure those humongous bell bottoms and achieve his hairstyle, you can give a modern upgrade to this classic Elvis style. You’re ready for the ultimate Jailhouse rock at Halloween this year with a brocade suit, a sparkling chunky ring, a golden belt, and fence climbers encrusted with crystals.

6. Maverick from Top Gun

The high-flying Maverick was back last year with his slick moves as a fighter pilot. Maverick reflects a ‘larger than life’ attitude and makes for an instantly recognizable Halloween costume. Top Gun superfans can complete this look with a simple navy green bodysuit that has multiple pockets. A pair of black boots and Aviator sunglasses, and you’re cleared for take-off for your Halloween gig.

7. Viking Couple

Back in the 9-11th century, Vikings were much feared across Europe and beyond. So dressing up as a Viking couple for Halloween seems fitting when you want to plunder all the attention. The Viking man simply wears a long-sleeve shirt without buttons that go down to the knees. There’s also a cloak over his shoulders fastened with a brooch. The female Viking wore more of a close-fitting strap dress made from coarse material. You can leave the sides open or sewn together, as per your wish.

8. Astronaut

For those with love for deep space explorations, being an Astronaut is perfect for spacey adventures at the party. You can find astronaut costumes fairly easily online, but creating one yourself is so much more fun. Simply find a white jumpsuit or overalls and stick or sew NASA logos on it. You can use a plastic bucket and silver spray paint for the helmet, and you’re ready to aim for the moon.

9. John Wick

Become the master assassin himself this Halloween. The John Wick franchise has grown since its first edition, and today it’s a global sensation with jaw-dropping action. Being John Wick is pretty straightforward. The classic John Wick look is a sleek suit, a dress shirt, a tie, and shoes, all of them jet black.

10. Melisandre from Game of Thrones

Becoming the Red Priestess is perhaps the easiest GoT costume there is. Melisandre basically had two outfits during the course of the show. The first one was a classic witch story: a robe with heavy fabrics on the shoulders and hands. The second was more seductive and sexy: a tight body dress with wide sleeves and deep cleavage. Both these dresses were deep red. Add fiery red hair, and you’re ready to serve the Lord of the Light.

Wrapping Up

These were our top ten picks for unique costume ideas that are based on pop culture and real-life references. We hope you enjoyed imagining yourself in these outfits. We’d love to see them too. When you go creative with your dress, you need an equally creative and wacky Halloween party.

Join Barcode Saturday’s Halloween party this year with unique, cagey, and downright eccentric dresses to boogie deep into the horrors of the night.