This is a true hidden gem in Toronto with an incredible, speakeasy vibe. The music is soulful! Very talented musicians. The service is on point as well. You step down into the basement and almost feel like you've stepped into a different time and place. They have a nice menu with various small plates and an extensive drink menu as well. I'd suggest a reservation in advance if you want a table, but I've been here with standing room only at the bar and that was also great! A very funky place! read more

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We love the Reservoir lounge and used to come here all the time, but it became much more crowded lately. People come here for music and for drinks, if you want food, pizza is your best choice. We tried all other items in the menu and didn't like any. Drinks are pricey but mostly good. Except for old-fashioned, it was really bad last time. read more

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The ambiance is really nice and the band was amazing. The food wasn't bad. We ordered the beef tartare, mushroom crostini and crab cakes. It was annoying to have to pay $10 cover when we showed up at 7:30pm for dinner, when the show starts at 9pm. I understand charging for cover if you're just coming for the show. Also, there's no warning prior on their website that cover is cash only. Our server specifically is in dire need of customer service training. Aside from greeting us and taking out orders, and clearing out plates, there was no service at all. She never checked in to see how things were (serving 101), I had to ask to for our waters to be topped up, which didn't clue her in to check later on to see if we needed more water. Strange that she never offered the dessert menu when we were done dinner, so after a while, we asked for it placed an order. We ordered a chocolate cake and a creme brulée, which took over 30 minutes. I'm certain she forgot to punch it in right away as we often saw her talk to other servers in the kitchen. Even 10 minutes after asking for the bill we found her chatting and had to approach her in the kitchen to get the bill. No apologies. She did not mention that she didn't split the bill evenly even though we shared everything, so one person paid more (I guess our fault for not double checking, but strange that she would split some items 50/50 and some not). After we paid, she just walked away. No thank you (again, server 101). We both didn't want to tip her because of her terrible service and after that regretted tipping her. I mentioned this to the gentleman at the host stand collecting cash cover, and he very obviously did not care. Hopefully this is a one off and not all servers are this terrible. It's such a shame because otherwise the vibes are great at this place. read more

Stay away from this place! The scam you! Horrible customer service. We often do fine dining and expected a decent service. on the contaraty we got very rude and poor service! Will never go back! read more

Such a great experience! From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out I was smiling ear to ear. You walk down a short flight of stairs and are greeted by two gentleman who take your coat and walk you to your table. It's a very nice and cozy spot with booths and high tops. The bar is beautifully in the centre next to the small stage where the band performs. I went on a Friday night and cover was $15/person. The band was playing Blues and they were FANTASTIC! Service was great but the food was not very good, however it's not very expensive and the vibes were so great I didn't even care it honestly made up for it. This establishment is clean, cozy, and comfortable. It felt like real adults owned and ran it. This was so refreshing after experiencing so many downtown bars/lounges who serve with snootiness and charge you a stupid amount that leaves you upset. There were people of all ages at the Reservoir who enjoyed themselves so much it radiates throughout the entire establishment. Yes, $15 cover is annoying but I swear this is one place I'd recommend to anybody. You will leave incredibly happy watching their live performances and being around the people they serve. read more

Hidden Gem! This place is a little tricky to find (especially with construction) but so worth it. We had a fantastic evening with great food, great drinks, great service, and fantastic music. The band we saw, led by Stacey Kaniuk, was really rocking. The Reservoir Lounge has that classic upscale jazz club vibe. You feel cooler just being in this place. The food exceeded our expectations, especially the chocolate cake. Making reservations was tricky however. I never received any confirmation of my reservation via the online form, and when I sent an email and left a voicemail to follow-up and confirm, I never heard back from anyone. If they step up their reservation game, this place would be perfect. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Stacey Kaniuk and band playing at the Reservoir Lounge 8 Sept 2022 - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our time here. The ambiance seems very upscale and the live music is a great touch. The drinks are pretty pricey though so be prepared to spend. read more

This place was a nightmare. Food was not good. Drinks were half glass. And staff was rude. The reception guy told me to get the 'f out of there' because I didn't tip his gf while I tipped the other waitress who actually served me. I would never ever go there again. If I had less than one star I would put that there. Never go there! read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Worst place don't ever go there! Thanks - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Came down to Toronto to the bar on a whim for a deliciously slow drink to unwind: wonderful ambiance and great vibes, service is warm and welcoming. Stayed for the live music and hoping it will be worth it. Thank you so much for making my night to The City so spectacular, love the space, what a tribute to the soul of the West. Here's to music! read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Bar area - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Great lounge for live music. Staff are friendly and helpful. Great relaxed atmosphere to enjoy blues music. Food is also good. They have a bar menu that includes a martini and wine lists. I've been here before and know it to be a popular spot so I made a reservation. We were seated at a nice table close to the dance floor. Tables were lit by small tea candles which added to the atmosphere. We ordered a couple orders of devils toast, tapas and sliders. All were yummy. read more

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In A Nutshell: -The Reservour Lounge is the place to go if you want a fun night in Toronto listening/dancing to some blues/jazz. -We stumbled into this place after my wife checked it out on Google. -Get in early if a live band is playing b/c the place will get packed. -You can eat dinner while you watch/listen to music, I saw customers eating artisan thin-crust pizzas, which looked delicious. -The bar is square-shaped, so you can find a place to post up at. Overall, the band that was playing was very, very good. Like my favorite former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh used to say when he heard good music, "It's a toe-tapper". read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Bar. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This place is just a few blocks away from our apartment and had been meaning to check it out for a while. Couldn't be more impressed! Fantastic live music in an intimate venue with smooth cocktails paired with a great old school atmosphere. The only surprise was the $5 cover charge, but completely worth it once you sit down for a few minutes. I will definitely be coming back on a regular basis. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Delicious cocktails - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We came here because my friend wanted to celebrate her birthday here. The live music starts at 10pm. I wasn't too happy about having to pay for $10 per person for the cover charge. I understand if I don't eat and just come in and listen to music. I suggest that this fee should be deducted off customer's bill if they were dining and drinking. Anyways, the Asian pear drink was good. Then I ordered the one with ginger, way too strong and bitter. One thing that I do give them credit is that you can request shut out from the band to call out and wish the birthday person their name. We ordered the scallops and shrimp, the appetizer was good, but small portion. The main, I ordered the slider and pizza. The pizza was a little dried and the slider didn't taste too good. Not sure if it was worth the price. read more

Jazz and cocktails - can't get any better than this! Came here with a group of friends on Saturday for their jazz night and upon walking it the atmosphere was packed yet intimate. We got a table that was further away than most of the other tables so we were all able to talk and catch up over some drinks. I ordered the strawberry coconut martini and it was presented super nicely! Perfect for the gram if you need some nice cocktail photos. The drink was also tasty but it didn't seem like that much alcohol was added - I think there was more juice than alcohol in it. The music on Saturday night was amazing. Expect lots of live performance and they really try to engage the crowd to dance and sing along. There's a small dance floor in the restaurant too if you want to work off your wine. Service was a bit on the slower side as it look quite a bit of time to flag down our server at the end of the night. But overall we had a fun time and enjoyed coming to the lounge. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Menu - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Came here for a holiday party a few weeks ago and loved the vibe! It definitely oozes with an old-school NYC energy, perfect for a romantic date night or just something fun and different to do with a group. Seems like the type of place Carrie and Mr. Big would go. ;) The menu is pretty wide-ranging and affordable. Lots of veggie options for those who lean green and a great cocktail selection, of course! Great music! I have heard the best nights are Tuesday and Saturday and music starts around 10. There is a $10 cover charge and since it gets quite busy it's best to make a reservation. The website looks very strict in terms of resos so I was worried how it would all go down, but when we got there, everyone was super friendly. My advice would be to come around 8:30 or 9 to eat and chat and then when the band starts, you are hands-free to dance the night away! Will definitely be back, hopefully next time with my own Mr. Big in tow. ;) read more

The evening started on a fun note at Reservoir Lounge. The venue is located at Front & Church (52 Wellington East) and after paying an entry free of $5 per guest, our group - comprised of six work colleagues - enjoyed the live music entertainment. At 1:20am, we paid our bill and ordered one last round of drinks to finish the evening on a fun note. At 1:30am,shortly after receiving our drinks, we were rudely confronted by an aggressive employee (picture attached) ordering us to leave immediately. Despite explaining that we had just been served moments earlier, the bouncer aggressively instructed that the venue was closing, ordered us to leave and prevented us from finishing our drinks. Based on our experience, this is an establishment that does NOT care about its patrons. The bar was perfectly willing to sell us a last round of drinks but then very aggressively ordered us to leave. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for administering the Liquor LicenseAct and doesn't condone this conduct. Toronto is a great city with great nightlight and plenty of bars - We highly recommend that you do NOT frequent Reservoir Lounge which offers extremely poor customer service. Nick read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Aggressive bouncer aggressively ordered us to leave Reservoir Lounge within 10 minutes of being served. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This place will make you feel like crap BEFORE you even get there! Birthday girl tried to make a reservation for 8 ppl, wasn't made aware that even larger parties that book for dinner AND the show STILL have to pay $15 cover (???) until I got the "confirmation email". Simply by bringing this up over the phone, I was told "if you don't like our policy - don't come." This is NOT the way to make someone feel special, welcome, or like dropping dollars at your establishment for their bday. read more

I always thought this place was great but last Saturday I was there and this lady was kicked out in front of me in a rough manner for no apparent reason, and I just felt very uncomfortable. It seemed like a terrible way to handle any situation, and I couldn't really fathom why you'd treat a guest like that. It makes me think it could happen to me at any time too. read more

Come early for dinner and drinks, and stay for the jazz and dancing!!! There is a $10 cover charge at the entrance, but it's a great price if you are spending the whole night there. The live band kicks in around 9:45pm, taking breaks every hour or so. I would recommend the Quattro Staggioni Pizza to nibble and any of the cocktails to sip on between sets (all the drinks are on the strong side, just how I like it!). The service is great, coming back often to check in and pick up new orders as people got thirsty or hungry. A fun little place to hang out for a night. Pro tip: There are tables tucked away from the crowd of dancers and away from the band or alternatively, tables with a perfect view of the stage by the crowds. Depending on your night, reserve accordingly ahead of time! read more

Night out with JC, I wanted to surprise her with a night on the town.. To top off a lovely evening we decided to go to The Resevoir Lounge in the St. Lawrence Market District a few doors down from Pravda Bar. Please note they do have an entrance fee of $10 per head which kicks in after a certain time and if you don't have a dinner reservation. Nonetheless walking downstairs and into the dark, gloomy, bricked walls, cozy booths and red lights you truly feel like you've stumbled into a underground jazz bar. Thankfully we scored a great table near the bar and plain vision of the small stage. Being a fan of jazz music, the venue is great and after a certain time the place comes alive with patrons filling up the venue and getting their groove on the dance floor. I like this place a lot because its not too big, but rather small and cozy! perfect! Be sure to show up early/ or make reservations as seats and tables fill up quickly especially on Fridays and Saturdays. To keep things light, post dinner, we ordered a round of drinks, she had their Asian Pear Martini which was awesome, and I settled for their Malbec. Complimenting our drinks we ordered their Devil's toast; Sweet and Spicy Veal that almost tasted like minced spaghetti sauce lol.....not the best thing however I couldn't be too picky. Overall food (mediocre) and drinks are quite good. Food & Drink 3/5 Service 4/5 Experience 4/5 read more

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This is a little gem of a place! Went with a group of 4 on a Saturday night but definitely make reservations as it gets very crowded!! The food was good - especially the pizzas. Menu is limited but something for everyone. Prices reasonable for what you get. The music was awesome and the place was jumping! Loved it! Jazz/swing music. The only drawback is that you can't really see the band because people are standing right in front of the stage from the minute they start playing. Still it was a lot of fun and would definitely go back! There was a $10 cover charge for the band even though we were eating g dinner there. read more

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Came in here on my Birthday, live band, it was quite nice. Only setback was the entranceway which brings in a very cold draft! Staff was great, food options are there for veg, and meat eaters. Overall good spot! read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I was looking to surprise my jazz-loving dining companion, so I booked us a table at The Reservoir Lounge for a busy Saturday night. The site warns you in advance you'll have to pay a $10 cover charge, and I have to say, it's completely worth it. We were shown to an amazing table that was within view of the performer but also a little private, so right there I knew we were in for a special night. For food, we decided to share a couple of items: Chili Roasted Pork Loin sandwich ("with avocados, yellow tomatoes, mozzarella + light coriander lime yogurt spread, on a san francisco sour dough stick, with asian slaw"). This is one tasty sandwich. The various ingredients all work very well together, and I was happy to discover that they didn't skimp on the pork loin. (The pork taste was quite pronounced even in the face of the various toppings.) The Asian slaw is fine, if a little generic, but the sandwich is the star anyway. Southern pizza ("spiced shrimp, scallops, louisiana roasted peppers, asiago cheese + black olive tapenade"). As soon as I saw a pizza on the menu with shrimp and scallops on it, I knew I had to try it. As weird as it sounds, the pizza really works! It's served almost like a flatbread, but the crust is more reminiscent of a traditional pizza. The various toppings were perfect, and the copious cheese was beautifully hot and melty. And as for the shrimp and scallops, they somehow worked amidst the various other toppings. I really enjoyed this. The service was efficient and the performer was excellent. It really was a memorable night. read more

I made reservations well in advance for a night away in Toronto for my husband and I. A few days before our reservation we get an email that they just confirmed a private party and canceled ours. Leaves us scrambling for somewhere else to go. Very disappointing. Will not try again! read more

Looking for the sexiest, coolest, hippest, heppest, swinginest jazz joint in town? You just found it downstairs on Wellington. The pros Nightly old-school jazz/swing music, usually with great vocalists Super-fun atmosphere TYLER YAREMA IS NOT TO BE MISSED Cocktails are excellent, food is also very good Great spot for a date Dancing friendly!!! The cons Difficult to get a table during peak times (weekends etc) unless you arrive early or reserve for dinner Some tables have partial or zero view of the stage It's gets really loud if you were hoping to actually talk to your date Bottom line The Reservoir Lounge is a guaranteed fun night out read more

Reservoir Lounge is one of the nicest jazz bars in the city. The live music being played is always great and provide a truly unique ambiance. The crowd that comes out are here to party and are not shy to dance the night away or show their significant other how much they love each other (PDA). If you have issues with PDA then stay clear because people here are not shy. If you don't then jump on in as the drinks are good, service is fast, food tasty, and music is cool. It's hard to describe what the decor looked like as it was very dark inside but from what I recall it is very nice. Lots of candles, dim lighting, abundant amounts of dark wood, small tables with white table cloths, small stage, exposed brick and a 360degree bar. It was nice and cozy inside as there isn't much room and there are a lot of people. If you want to snag a table here I recommend coming very early or booking a reservation. On live music nights there is a $10 cover charge. Overall, Reservoir Lounge is a very cozy cool jazz bar in the city. Drinks are a little pricey and the cover charge doesn't help much but it is a lot of fun if you enjoy jazz and an outgoing crowd. Don't be surprised if many people approach you looking to talk, seems to be the thing to do here since it's so cozy. Bring some cash you're going to need it and come early so you won't be disappointed. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

A cozy jazz bar in an unassuming location in downtown Toronto. The one thing I love about traveling is finding gems like this - specifically jazz lounge gems. We are at a loss for this experience in ROC so it's a treat to experience the house band underground jazz scene when trekking to new cities (literally very basement-like with brick and black walls). The drinks are strong and the music robust. You can find a nook to nestle into here and enjoy the experience however you like. I like a good view of the band but out of the way of the dancers which usually means to the left or right of the stage. We were there on a Tuesday night when Tyler Yerema was playing piano with his band. I love a good jazz trumpet, and bonus! they had a lady friend hop on stage to sing some great tunes too. The dancers are fun to watch and some get realllly into it, writhing in a drunken stupor. They have a little area to the left of the stage that the dancers dominated, invoking jealousy with their rhythm. Give it a whirl! The place is worth visiting. read more

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This place is always lively, and all around a great Jazz lounge. Unlike other music focused lounges, The Reservoir Lounge has decent food, and good selection of drinks. The staff is attentive and accommodating. I've been there a couple of times. Once on a date, and another time with some friends. It's a really lovely place for date night. The ambiance, candle light, small tables - perfect way to cozy up with your partner. Or get up and dance! The music starts close to 10, and by 10:30 the dance floor gets quite crowded. But it's a good crowded; with enough personal space. You NEED to make reservations ahead of time - they tend to book up quite quickly. And they will only hold your table for 15 minutes. Also, the bathrooms are in the corner, close to the stage, so it can get a bit annoying squeezing through the crowded dance floor. It's totally not a big deal, but maybe avoid chugging those beers. Note: There is usually a cover charge of $10. read more

What a great live music bar! The music was absolutely phenomenal, super close to the band. Came here on a Friday night when the Dirty Martinis were playing and they did a great job, great banter with the audience and boy did they deliver! My only issue is with the venue, super small, crowded and not enough seating. :/ Def a place to check out when you are in Toronto! read more

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This is an incredible underground Jazz and Blues club. By far one of the most magnificent places I've ever had the pleasure of going. I attended on New Year's Eve for a special 3 course lobster dinner. I was blown away. --- Food --- The food is incredible. The chef is excellent and properly understands how to cook Lobster. As well the appetizer of cheese and meat was spectacular. --- Drinks --- The old-fashioned was amazing. Due to the late nature of our meal (which in reality was only 20 minutes, not something I had an issue with) they sent drinks on the house to myself. --- Service --- The service was incredible. The staff was well versed in wine and liquor, as well as the food. Service was polite and quick. I am incredibly pleased. --- Atmosphere --- Its a small feeling, exclusive dancing club. The lights are dimmed low with live Jazz which blows you away. Up in front of the stage is a small area to dance swing and whatever your heart desires. The crowd ranges from young professionals and older women and men enjoying the music. You will definitely want to dress up. --- Overall --- I beyond love this place. I will keep going back and back and back. I cannot get enough. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This is one of those places you normally don't find in Toronto.. A cool sense of gravitas, exposed brick walls, drenched in candle-light... the perfect underground lounge vibe, making this place a great location to spend a night if you enjoy jazz. If people were allowed to smoke The Reservoir would look just like any of those jazz lounges you see in movies. Well, perhaps a little more upscale. The food is not bad and the alcohol is plentiful but the reason you are truly here is the live music. They have live music almost every night and although it can get pricey, ($10-20 cover, depending on the night) I think it is a fair price to pay for quality and ambiance. Great for a night with friends, it might be a bit too loud for a date, unless you are not expecting to talk much during the night as once the rhythm starts grooving, forget about having any in-depth Miles Davis related discussions. The most memorable time for me was when my GF took me there a few years ago for a surprise birthday party. It wasn't as much as a surprise as it could have been thanks to the an air-headed "Hey, so will I see you at the party tonight?" spill made by a friend of mine. So even though I suspected a party, I had no idea it was going to be there and it was awesome. This place is good for large parties to hang out and enjoy some wicked live music. The food is alright although a bit on the pricey, but then again, not unexpected. So just remember this, if you want to watch and hear, then get/order a table in "front of the stage," if you want to hang out and maybe socialize with strangers then 'the bar" is where you want to be and if you are there with a large group of friends and you want to enjoy the ambiance then request to be "at the tables at the right of the stage.' Definitely worth the visit. Highly recommended. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - A Night @ The Reservoir - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

On the first day of this supposed spring we braved the gloomy weather and decided to venture out in our neighborhood. First stop was the rather mundane marche. As the night progressed our demands became more elaborate so on a Thursday with not many options in the area we ended up at this Jazz lounge. I regularly walk by this area but other than them sharing the address with the Thai spot next door have never noticed much happening in this place. The cover was 7$ on the day we visited, fine as all the people in our group would take LIVE music any day. They have got all the bases covered that are a requisite for a decent jazz bar i.e dim lighting, decent music and reasonably priced alcohol (more emphasis on the later). According to Seinfeld majority of the population is undateable and many people end up meeting courtesy of the social lubricant. I saw this unfold in front of my eyes at this spot which can be a good thing if you are looking for romance or want to make a mistake you want to regret (some mistakes are worth making BTW :) or if you are here to drown your sorrows this place will do fine as well. The band got us in the right mood with a famous song rendition after another. The night progressed fine with its share of "characters" sashaying on the dance floor. Think Amy Winehouse having a bad hair day (oops too soon!) but this is the best way to describe one of the person on the dance floor. The place was packed for Thursday though I don't have a reference point on what to expect here. Crowd is what one would expect at a jazz bar. I didn't try any food here though the charm of LIVE jazz will bring me back for sure. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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What a great find for live music. It's listed as jazz but Wednesday was an amazing mix of music. Thursday was more traditional jazz with the best sax player in Toronto, she was the highlight. Food is also really good as well as the service. Great place to take a date. Will come back again with my wife for sure. read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Great music! - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I really enjoy the place. Got there around 9:30 on Saturday night. The place was full but because someone just cancelled reservation we were offered a table. It was close to the music band. The place is very cozy with dim lights and brick wall. Very romantic I would say. The band was excellent. There were a lot of people dancing. At some point there was no room. We had drinks and crab cakes. They were good. I would recommend this place for good music and romantic atmosphere. read more

Absolutely beautiful jazz lounge! Their drinks were so good and the live jazz band playing were amazing. Such great vibes felts there. I recommend reserving a table as there are no seats around the bar. read more

This is definitely a Toronto landmark... I've been coming here since it's opening 20 years ago when I hung out with the unknown Michael Buble.. My favorite night spot...my favorite Quattro stagione pizza...my favorite hangout. World class talent...every night!! read more

Music will move you........................................ Have never even tried the food....................... Always a great time That's my review in Haiku :-) read more

For some reason we tried coming here our second night in town on Monday at 9 and they weren't open! Luckily we were persistent and tried again the next night. The place was packed! They have live music every night and on Tuesday, we caught the enthusiastic show from Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm. Awesome awesome live music on the piano, trombone and sax. We ended up purchasing their CD too. The Lounge's drinks are pretty decent. They carry Pepsi products so no Coke. Cover is $10 a person, guy or girl. We came wayy after dinner, so it's a nice place to just relax, grab some drinks with friends, and enjoy live jazzy music. read more

It is a small venue, but with big sound! There are not many tables so most of the time it is standing room only. But I have loved it every time I have had the opportunity to be here read more

Spending time in Toronto and want a night out? This is the place! We thought Wednesday night was a different vibe from Thursday both excellent. Want to dance - Wednesday. Want to listen - Thursday. The small cover is well worth it!! read more

The Reservoir Lounge - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Toronto, Ontario