Jun 11, 2025

Lee's Palace Toronto

Live music and dance parties

""Lee's Palace" is a club in Toronto known for its bright mural on the exterior, more visible during the day, but the spot comes to life at night..."

Toronto is the kind of city where there are new clubs popping up all the time- the shiny and new is appealing to many. But for me and my friends, we end up going to our old standbys- someplace where the drinks are cheap, the music is nearly always the same, and where you can sing and dance until you collapse onto the grungy, sticky floor. It's Lee's Palace.

Lee's Palace is known for its bright mural on the exterior, more visible during the day, but at night is when this place comes to life. It doubles as a live music venue on the ground-floor, where you can often see local bands perform. Upstairs plays host to an evening called "Dance Cave" on Friday and Saturday nights. In fact, if you really want to be a local, we would almost never call the venue Lee's Palace. The shorthand is always to call it Dance Cave.

Dance Cave has cheap cover but is actually free if you show a student ID (I've tried to pass off my ID from my student days, but no one is buying it anymore). They play a reliable amount of Top 40 from now and the last decade (you're bound to see the crowd mimicking gun shots to "Paper Planes") and if you get enough liquid courage, there is a stage for you to perform your moves in front of the entire crowd. It's grungy, the crowd trends young, it smells funky- but it's so. Much. Fun.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

About this spot

529 Bloor Street West

Cover:

C$

8

4165321598

Find your way with 145 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Toronto guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Toronto

Allan Gardens Conservatory

Ready for some green?

"Allan Gardens Conservatory", strangely advertised as a major Toronto landmark, remains a well-kept secret. Have a picnic in 100s of flowers and old trees!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Mauricio

Alas

Jul 11, 2025

Arcadia Earth

An inspiring, immersive experience

Throughout the experience, you’ll visit several different rooms, each with its own focus on threats to our precious planet, such as electronic waste.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Arts Market

Great selection of artisanal gifts

From beautiful jewelry to handmade or vintage home decor, amazing artwork, and candles scented with classic Canadian smells, it’s a gift-givers heaven!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

A Different Booklist

A bookstore for better

A couple of great finds I’ve gotten from this store are Braiding Sweetgrass, my favourite book of all time and The Intersectional Environmentalist...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

The Latest Scoop

Treasure trove for trend seekers

Each visit to The Latest Scoop is a like a little treasure hunt, with regularly updated inventory to keep up with the latest trends.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Karma Co-op

A co-op for the conscious consumer

Somewhat tucked away in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, this sweet shop welcomes you with a selection of locally made baked goods you can take to-go.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Ecotique

Great for eco-friendly goods and gifts

I’ve bought a bunch here, from seed bombs to sustainable swaps like planet-friendly nail polish, and a pair of mittens made from old sweaters!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Pretty Clean Shop

A sustainable & stunning shop

There is so much to see in this stunning space, and they have such a wide selection, you could spend hours inside and still not see it all!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Coal Miner's Daughter

Canadian clothing and more

Their guiding principles are rooted in the slow fashion movement of quality over quantity, meaning sustainably and ethically produced pieces!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Brodawka & Friends

Sweet store for grabbing gifts

I’ve bought plenty here from a beautiful, sustainably-made beach towel to a gorgeous gold-dipped necklace - both were gifts for myself!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Broadview Espresso

Comfy coffee corner

"Broadview Espresso" in Toronto makes cappuccino just the way I like it -- almost scalding hot! I love sitting at the patio in the wooden seats...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Jun 28, 2025

Maids' Cottage Butter Tarts

Taste of Ontario

"Maids' Cottage Butter Tarts" in Toronto makes some of the best butter tarts you can find in the city, and there's nothing more Ontario than eating them!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Jun 28, 2025

Heading to Toronto?

145 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Toronto?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

145 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves Toronto

Get to know our other Spotters from Toronto

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7300
Filters