Country bars don't get any hipper than the Matador, a legendary Toronto dance club that's been in business since 1964. The after-hours club (it's open until 5:30 a.m. on weekends) hides behind a rickety facade, but inside it's an urban party where traditional old timers mingle with hipsters and celebrities, all of them enjoying a rollicking good time. The Matador was nearly leveled to make way for a parking lot in 2007, but having avoided that fate, the club seems to be here to stay.
Matador Dance Club
466 Dovercourt Road
Toronto, ON M6H 2W4
Canada
416-533-9311
This little bar at Dundas and Ossington Avenue pumps up the country atmosphere with rustic wood paneling, vintage rural decor and understated lighting. The menu offers plenty of meat and potatoes for real cowboys, but visiting urbanites can choose a veggie burger or fish tacos instead. Musicians take to the stage most nights to play all manner of roots music, from bluegrass to classic rock.
Dakota Tavern
249 Ossington Avenue
Toronto, ON M6J 3A1
Canada
416-850-4579
thedakotatavern.com
A fixture in Scarborough since the 1950s, this pub has served hearty bar food, including breakfast for those who are up and about early, for more than half a century. Birchmont offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights; musical genres vary on Fridays, but Saturday is reserved for country. The establishment is closed on Sundays.
Birchmount Country Bar and Cactus Pete's
462 Scarborough Road
Toronto, ON M4E 3N2
Canada
416-698-4115
