Top 50 Music Venues In Canada

From Neil Young to The Weeknd, it may be a Jagged Little Pill to swallow if you’re still making jokes about America’s Hat, but the Canadian music scene is truly on (Arcade) Fire. A great music scene happens in great spaces, so we dug into the Yelp data to find the Top 50 Music Venues In Canada.

To create this list, we used Yelp data to rank small and mid-sized music venues across Canada based on the number of reviews and overall star rating. Everything is here, from spectacular art deco theatres, to sweaty, sexy dive bars and all the venues in between. Check out some highlights, then find the full list below. After that, why not read up on the Top Music Venues in the US while you’re at it? They’re ok too. 😉

Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC.

Rank: 4

Go Here For: Living history. Sammy Davis Jr, Tina Turner, Nirvana, who hasn’t played here? Get there now to see the icons of tomorrow!

“If you want to go early and stand you can belly up to the stage and use it as a coaster until the show begins. Anywhere provides a good view (and excellent acoustics). There is an upper level with tables and chairs and these can be found on the sides of the stage level as well… I love the layout and it is one of my favorite places to see shows in Canada. One of my friends saw Lady Gaga here. The next time Gaga visited she played GM Place; so it is a great place to get up close and personal with acts that may move onto less intimate venues.” Sunshine M.

The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto ON.

Rank: 22

Go Here For: Secret Rhianna show anyone?

“Originally a cinema, the floor is inclined so it’s a little easier to see. The very front row is sectioned off for the professional photographers to move around, get their pictures fast and get out. Most importantly though is their lineup of shows! It never ends, I’d recommend following their social media right now and keeping an eye out for things you like!” Jason H.

Bearly’s House of Blues and Ribs, Hallifax NS. 

Rank: 23

Go Here For: Applewood smoked ribs alongside the best live blues in the Maritimes.

“You come to Bearly’s for proper roots music: jump blues, swing blues, swamp blues, Chicago blues, Mississippi blues, you name it.” Tim D.

Bar “Le Ritz” PDB, Montreal QC.

Rank: 36

Go Here For: Impeccable booking by co-owners from Blue Skies Turn Black and Godspeed You Black Emperor. Pop Montreal is right around the corner and this venue will be one of the key spots to be during the festival.

“This is the best place to see an intimate indie concert. Inexpensive, small and great setup for your favorite band. I have and will go back for the next show because of the laid back vibe and simple setup.” Denzil D.

Top 50 Music Venues In Canada

1 Orpheum  Vancouver BC
2 Barfly  Montréal QC
3 The Dakota Tavern  Toronto ON
4 Commodore Ballroom  Vancouver BC
5 The Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver BC
6 Le Cercle Quebec QC
7 La Sala Rosa Montréal QC
8 The Boat  Toronto ON
9 Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal  Montréal QC
10 Massey Hall  Toronto ON
11 Koerner Hall  Toronto ON
12 The Seahorse Tavern  Halifax NS
13 Theatre Rialto  Montréal QC
14 The Cobalt  Vancouver BC
15 The Emmet Ray  Toronto ON
16 Broken City Social Club  Calgary AB
17 Roy Thomson Hall  Toronto ON
18 Divan Orange  Montréal QC
19 The Carleton Halifax NS
20 Cameron House  Toronto ON
21 Imperial  Vancouver BC
22 The Danforth Music Hall  Toronto ON
23 Bearly’s House of Blues and Ribs  Halifax NS
24 The Monarch Tavern  Toronto ON
25 Orbit Room  Toronto ON
26 Grumpy’s Bar  Montréal QC
27 Placebo Space  Toronto ON
28 Arden Theatre  St Albert AB
29 Better Than Freds  Grande Prairie AB
30 Chapel Arts  Vancouver BC
31 Théâtre Corona  Montréal QC
32 Poetry Jazz Cafe  Toronto ON
33 L’Escogriffe Bar Spectacle  Montréal QC
34 Lee’s Palace  Toronto ON
35 Mercury Lounge  Ottawa ON
36 Bar Le “Ritz” PDB  Montréal QC
37 London Music Hall  London ON
38 LanaLou’s  Vancouver BC
39 Les Foufounes Electriques  Montréal QC
40 Chan Centre  Vancouver BC
41 The Opera House  Toronto ON
42 The Fox Cabaret  Vancouver BC
43 The Union Street  Berwick NS
44 Call the Office  London ON
45 The Garrison  Toronto ON
46 The Media Club  Vancouver BC
47 Phi Centre  Montréal QC
48 Vogue Theatre  Vancouver BC
49 Les Voûtes Napoléon  Québec QC
50 Katacömbes  Montréal QC