Reservoir Lounge
Reservoir Lounge
4
About
This perennial favorite is a modern-day speakeasy. The cramped space -- it seats only 100 -- is below street level, yet feels intimate rather than claustrophobic. Live jazz, whether Dixieland, New Orleans, or swing, belts out 6 nights a week. The epicenter for the swing dance craze in Toronto, this is still the place to watch glam hepcats groove.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
- King • 4 min walk
- Union • 8 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
122 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
35
Average
8
Poor
4
Terrible
10
Curiosity60470251659
2 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Danny B is not worth seeing. Since he bullied his way in to the Saturday night spot at the Reservoir lounge, all the loyal regulars, and many musicians have had to leave. We just can't stand his lack of energy, his bullying, or to hear him waddle his way through Georgia on my Mind at super-slow speed every week. The only audience that is showing up is out-of-towners, who have read reviews from the pre-Danny B. performers. And they won't be coming back for more.
Any of the other previous Reservoir acts would be better than this phony. What is a low-rated performer,Danny B, doing as a Saturday regular in a formerly top-rate club like the Res?
Any of the other previous Reservoir acts would be better than this phony. What is a low-rated performer,Danny B, doing as a Saturday regular in a formerly top-rate club like the Res?
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanita C
2 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Friends
This lounge offers great music with a live band. It is a jazz/blues lounge and is cozy with the dim lighting. You can also dance if you choose to. EXCELLENT martinis!! I wish I had taken some pictures. Their strawberry coconut martini was soooo good. We also had their chicken skewers and a flatbread pizza and crème brûlée. Service was great as well. Side note.. 10.00 cover charge but well worth it. Looking forward to returning!!
Written June 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne L
1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
Not worth your time. Cancelled our reservation giving us a short amount of time to try and book somewhere else while visiting Toronto. They booked a private party so I guess customer service means nothing. Do yourself a favour and book elsewhere.
Written May 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Workin Man
Round Rock, TX120 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Friends
visited Toronto 3 weeks ago and I always look for a jazz / blues club where ever I go. All of my research kept leading me to try the Reservoir Lounge and the Poetry Room. I had some folks with us who had never experienced live blues/jazz club before so I wanted to get it right. I had 8 people in my party so I needed a reservation. That is the one and only negative. They don't have an online system and you have call at least a week out and leave a voicemail with your details. They do call back but I was a little nervous because of the popularity of the place. We were reserved for Friday night at 8pm on the day of our arrival. We were going to be late because of some travel issues coming in from Buffalo. I called ahead to advise but had to leave a voicemail. I believe that I had to call back and actually got the owner on the phone this time. No problem changing our time to 8:45pm but I believe that we lost our prime time Seating at that point. We arrived at via Lyft and had to be dropped off probably a half block away because of construction in the area. Upon entry you are greeted by the owner and a hostess and you pay your cover which is $20. I advise them that 2 people had dropped from our reservation ( They missed out ). We were anxious to get in because I could hear the set getting ready to start, so I didn't haggle about the US vs CA. They lead us to a table away from the front to a cozy little spot to the left and back against a wall. At first I was not to happy because it wasn't a front on site line, but we were late, so what was I gonna say? The place was almost packed and vibe was starting to jump. I love the darkness of the club. Our server came right away to get drinks and food started. I wish that I had written his name down because he gave us a lot of attention and we all loved this guy by the time we left. The drinks were great! This is one of the very few places we've been where my wife didn't send her drink back and even requested another round. I did tell him that one of my long islands was a little weak and he told me that he would get the next one tightened up. The food selections are limited, but most of us got the sliders and pizza and all of was great. That table location ended up being a good spot! It was cozy and we could see most of the band and the newbies in the group didn't have to worry about it being to loud. I would probably ask for this spot if I was ever to get back. The restrooms / sorry washrooms were small but clean. The group that played that night were fantastic! The lead vocalist had some soul inside of her! Would definitely recommend and wish that I had a spot like this in Houston Texas! We never made it to the Poetry Room so I can't offer a comparison.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy H
Toronto, Canada83 contributions
Nov. 2021
10 of us visited in November of 2021 (just before everything shut down again due to Covid) to celebrate my birthday. We were quickly greeted at the door but I took away a point as one had to pay cash for the cover charge which I was not told when I made the reservations and most of my friends only carry plastic which was irritating as many had to run to a bank machine. It is a cramped space but I knew this upon making the reservations and the food choice were quite limiting especially when I had one individual in the group who is gluten intolerant and another who is vegan but both did have at least once choice. Although limited choices, I found the food was delicious (I had the burger sliders and the mushroom toast) and the atmosphere is electric. The band was outstanding and everyone was up dancing again on the cramped dance floor. It was a crowded space but as we had a table we were just fine. We all had a fantastic night and I would definitely go back again and same as last time ensure I reserved a table as otherwise it would just be too crowded for me with barely standing room. I took off one point simply due to the cash only cover charge (when everything else inside you could pay with plastic and no mention of this) and the limited menu but other than that would be 5 stars.
Written February 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monique M
Ontario33 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Friends
Felt warm and welcoming like I was in my living room with a live band of friends. Bartender skills were off the chart good!
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon R
2 contributions
Nov. 2019
The bands are incredible, the staff is even better and the atmosphere is unbeatable. I highly recommend this location for a great evening out with friends.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just_Me_Bernie
Bowie, MD828 contributions
Jul. 2019
Loved the ambiance of this intimate Jazz Club, the decor was really nice, the customer service was impressive and the food and drinks were delicious. Very unique culinary choices that raised the bar, my expectation was exceeded. The music was very enjoyable. I would definitely come back when in Toronto. Definitely a must do, make reservations!
Written October 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmirMostaghim
Toronto, Canada65 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Friends
This is a charming jazz club that is crowded, fun, intimate and all around a good time. The food is pretty good, drinks are generous but let’s face it you are going there for the music and dancing. The crowd is definitely 30+, it is not really a pickup bar, but it’s a great date place for dinner or after dinner dancing
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HopeS
Philadelphia78 contributions
Jun. 2019
We went with friends last week. We made a reservation for dinner; that is the only way to reserve a table in advance. Food was very good, with more options than I expected. We had caesar salad, coconut shrimp and flat bread pizza - all delicious. The cocktails were delicious also.
Written July 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the best time to be there on a Saturday ?
Bfordtraveller
Brantford, Ontario248 contributions
Sorry it's past Saturday....To your question, weekends are busy as you can appreciate. If you are there by 8p.m. you will have no trouble getting a seat or a table, or better yet reserve your spot in advance. if you come between 9 and 11 for example it will be standing room only, although the crowd thins out after 1130 or 12 midnight.
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Claim your listingRESERVOIR LOUNGE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Reservoir Lounge
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