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All About Toronto:
Places to jazz it up...
Alleycatz (2409 Yonge Street)Alleycatz is a little Toronto gem hidden in a surprisingly clean alleyway on Yonge Street, just blocks north of Eglinton Avenue. For the jazz enthusiasts, it's a great place to catch a live band almost every night of the week. For the cocktail crowd, the extensive drink menu (averagely-priced) will please anyone who desperately needs an after-work drink to drown the pain. And, it helps that the name is pretty cool.
Once you actually find this place, the rest comes naturally. The cozy décor is perfect for an intimate tête-à-tête with your favourite date, but you won't find the usual smoky jazz atmosphere unless you step on the outdoor patio, open as weather permits. The staff is friendly and efficient (you won't wait your life away for a martini), and because of the open concept room, you'll most definitely find someone showing off their salsa skills on the dance floor. There's no need to get dressed up for this place, and there's no reason not to. There's enough diversity to make anyone feel at ease.
Another great thing about Alleycatz is its dance lessons. If you're anything like me and have three left feet - the extra foot just spontaneously appearing at the oddest times - then it may be time to boogie yourself over to some lessons. Mondays at 8:00 PM is their salsa extravaganza ($5 will make you a pro), and Tuesdays at 8:30 PM, you can swing your way into your date's heart. On weekends, Alleycatz sticks to a more mainstream formula, playing funk, soul, reggae, R&B, and top 40.
Whether you're looking for a break from the usual club scene, or you've heard the same Usher song ad naseum, then you need to head over to Alleycatz.
The Top O' the Senator (249 Victoria Street)
As the name suggests, this funky jazz club sits above The Senator Steakhouse and Torch Bistro, and has long hosted some of the greatest names in jazz. If you're yearning for the golden days of yesteryear, yearn no more. Stepping into this club is like stepping back in time - minus the group of gangsters and their molls sitting in the back.
The Senator Diner betrays its name - it's far from a diner, in the sense that you won't see someone named Fran serving coffee behind a counter. It's actually an upscale, intimate restaurant that serves some of the best food in town, that is, if you don't mind selling your kidney for it (I realize that this is the second time I've referenced selling kidneys for cash - I must have a kidney black market obsession). A dinner reservation will automatically get you into The Top, and with one of the best seats in the house. If you'd rather skip dinner and go straight to the show, there is usually a $5 - $10 cover charge for the night.
Once you reach The Top, be ready to hear a full jazz band and some of the best vocalists around. The narrow room is nice enough, but at times you'll feel that it does injustice to the sophisticated sound of the musicians. When you need a break, or a good cigar, you can climb up yet another floor to their Torch Lounge, which serves cocktails and fine Cuban cigars until 1:00 AM. Since the building is old and compact, you'll still be able to hear the jazz band as you perch on one of the comfy couches, enjoying a drink and a good ol' cigar.
The Top O' the Senator manages to infuse old-world charm into modern dining without losing the integrity of what it set out to do. As you watch the band, you can almost picture Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday having once graced the same stage. Whether you're a jazz aficionado, or someone who just wants to expand their repertoire, don't pass up the chance to see this place for yourself. ¤ C.Ho.