Stones Place
Twenty-something queer clubbers shimmy and preen at this Parkdale bar three Saturdays out of four at Shake a Tail, the oldies-centric night. The first Saturday is reserved for Big Primpin’, the four-year-old homo hip-hop dance party co-founded by fashion designer Jeremy Laing and his friends. Favoured blingy accoutrements include long, manicured nails, pricey logos and ghetto-fabulous DIY creations.

Gladstone Hotel
Not only is this Queen West West stalwart home to the city’s coolest karaoke, it also lays claim to two of its best dance nights. Hump Day Bump is the Melody Bar’s popular Wednesday night party, drawing coeds and artsy scenesters with asymmetrical haircuts; Foxhole, the monthly Big Gay Mixer, is a droll cross between a queer meat market and a high school prom.

The Beaver
Orphaned after the demise of the monthly Vazaleen and Peroxide parties (held at Lee’s Palace and Club 56 respectively), heartbroken queers found a soothing balm in Will Munro’s next venture, an intimate little spot down the street from the Gladstone. A restaurant by day, by night the Beaver hosts such happening events as Chunk (A Night for Hunky Hairy Chunky Boys), Bush Party (a weekly girls’ night) and Sticky Fingers (no explanation required) on its tiny dance floor.

Andy Poolhall and Ciao Edie
Downtown lesbians and their suburban brethren flock to Andy Poolhall for the Denise Benson–helmed Saturday night monthly, Savour the Flavour. Benson and her guest DJs spin a mix of house, electro, R&B and Top 40 to a receptive crowd gathered around billiard tables, low couches and the space’s multiple bars. Meanwhile, the pool hall’s predecessor (and next-door neighbour), high-camp rock lounge Ciao Edie, holds its weekly Sunday event Here Kitty Kitty, Toronto’s longest running girls’ night.

Crews & Tango
This converted Church Street Victorian has changed little over the years, but that doesn’t seem to faze patrons, who line up for the weekend festivities. Home to young and old queers alike, two storeys offer drag shows (mostly queens, but there are a few kings thrown in for good measure), two dance floors, four bars, karaoke, pool, and sizable back and side patios.

Slacks
A casual dining restaurant, Slacks is also a Friday night fave with the 20- and 30-something girl-loving-girl crowd. DJs play to a consistently packed house, though the bar’s Coyote Ugly–esque shenanigans (scantily clad staff doing body shots off one another) might have something to do with it.

Woody’s
The boys, meanwhile, can be found at Church Street granddaddy Woody’s. Its reputation as Toronto’s definitive gay bar (complete with Best Chest contests) was solidified during Queer As Folk’s five-year run, when it appeared as the characters’ main hang.