So im moving to Canada!

[Swin]

Hey guys,
In just under 14 days i will be crossing the Pacific and becoming a Canadian resident for the next 24 months....will be based in downtown Toronto. Any suggestions as to good live music venues (pubs, clubs etc) that should be on the list to attend?

[bmc]

At the top of your list of things to do, should be to buy seasons tickets to watch the greatest hockey team in history: the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by bmc

At the top of your list of things to do, should be to buy seasons tickets to watch the greatest hockey team in history: the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He only has 24 months, the waiting list is much longer than that.

lowsound

[Swin]

My GF is actually a big Maple fan...so i'm sure she'll take me to some games.

Other top sport activities will include the following;

Ski Blue Mountain
Ride Blue Mountain
Participate in a ice rink cyclocross race
Curling while drinking

any other good activities that haven't come up yet?

[Jim Nazium]

Awesome! Say hi to Celine Dion, Alannis Morrisette, and the guys in Rush.

[derridiandrift]

Dakota, Free Times, Mitzi's Sister, Bread and Circus have great indie bands and roots music. Queen West in Parkdale has all the hipster bars. The Drake has some cool bands, and of course The Horseshoe and the Elmocambo are legendary. There are other rooms that bring in higher profile acts, but you'll be able to find those in the Eye mag.

Good luck seeing a Leafs home game unless you work for a company that owns season's tickets. Drive down the road to Buffalo to actually see some NHL hockey. Better yet, get on the train to Montreal. Just don't bring a Habs jersey back from the game.

[Jonyak]

the mod club, the elmocombo, the pheonix are all great venues.

[bassrique]

So how much time do you plan on "snow birding"? [That would be time spent in Florida for those not familiar]

[CrispyDelicious]

Go to the Rex. Often. 2+ shows/day. We have an awesome jazz scene. http://www.therex.ca/shows.html

As for pubs, if you like good beer. And by good beer, I mean real beer, go to C'est What for a plethora of Canadian microbrews. http://www.cestwhat.com/beer.asp

Two of my favorite spots in the city.

[R. Laevinus]

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

Dakota, Free Times, Mitzi's Sister, Bread and Circus have great indie bands and roots music. Queen West in Parkdale has all the hipster bars. The Drake has some cool bands, and of course The Horseshoe and the Elmocambo are legendary. There are other rooms that bring in higher profile acts, but you'll be able to find those in the Eye mag.

Bread and Circus appears to be gone, actually. I was down in kensington the other day, and it had been renamed. Not sure if it's still a live music venue.

OP - it really depends what you're into! We have a little bit of everything here, I'm sure you'll be able to find something you dig.

Toss me a PM when you get settled, we'll go for a beer!

[crispygoat]

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

Go to the Rex. Often. 2+ shows/day. We have an awesome jazz scene. http://www.therex.ca/shows.html

As for pubs, if you like good beer. And by good beer, I mean real beer, go to C'est What for a plethora of Canadian microbrews. http://www.cestwhat.com/beer.asp

Two of my favorite spots in the city.

+1 on the Rex

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Swin

My GF is actually a big Maple fan...so i'm sure she'll take me to some games.

Other top sport activities will include the following;

Ski Blue Mountain
Ride Blue Mountain
Participate in a ice rink cyclocross race
Curling while drinking

any other good activities that haven't come up yet?

Blue Mountain isn't a mountain. It is good for Ontario, but it isn't good skiing, speaking as a former season pass holder. If you want good skiing, head up to Quebec.

And I wish you really good luck on the Leafs tickets. They are expensive and hard to get. Drive to Buffalo, get better seats, spend the night in a decent hotel and drive home. It will cost roughly the same.


lowsound

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

... if you like good beer. And by good beer, I mean real beer...

It can't be overstated: don't mistake the mega-beer-corporations -- Molson and Labatt -- for good beer. The best Canadian beers are the micro-brews. And there are a ton of them, mostly small and locally distributed. Support 'em and you will be rewarded!

[Swin]

Awesome! TY for the venues, i will visit them all eventually...jazz/indie/rock/prog, as long as its live i'll be in heaven.

I take it that the Eye is a weekly gig publication circulating Toronto then? Is it through music retailers or news stands?

[CrispyDelicious]

Eye Weekly and Now Toronto are free publications available on most street corners.

Now Toronto is also online, and has pretty much every venue covered. It generally covers all forms of entertainment in the city. Pick it up and you can almost always find something going on that would pique your interest.


http://www.nowtoronto.com/

[Randall]

Originally Posted by bmc

At the top of your list of things to do, should be to buy seasons tickets to watch the greatest hockey team in history: the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I bet a lot of Hab fans will want to argue that statement with you. Go Oilers Go

[Richland123]

I was just in Toronto about 6 weeks ago (my favorite place to go) but it seemed the music scene was not as vibrant as it was even a few years ago. Healey's was a good place but I don't know if it is still open. The Phoenix, Kool Haus, The Horseshoe, and Lee's Place to name a few still have some good live acts. Now, in the summer, there are many music events. As far as Maple Leafs tickets, good luck getting any even if they are in last place. If you want to cross the border into Buffalo to see a game it is not a long drive but the border guards have become very unfriendly and plan on getting your vehicle searched and make sure you have all your passports ready.

You can visit toronto.com to see what is happening. They don't have everything listed there; so, I too, would suggest getting the Eye and Now weekly free newspapers.

http://www.toronto.com/events

[Downunderwonder]

You made a mistake in your thread title, should read:

So I'm moving to Canada eh!

[Thornton Davis]

Make sure to bring a serious winter jacket, snow boots, hat and gloves with you to keep warm for the next couple of months.

TD

PS - You don't have to worry about flooding here.

[bass12]

My best advice would be to visit Montreal and Quebec city (speaking of real beer...).