For the life of me I cannot figure out if the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern is the city's best venue or if it's actually awful. I know this is a super controversial thing to say, given its legacy but think about it objectively:
1. The layout sucks: unless you are in the area directly infront of the stage or extraordinarly tall you can't see anything.
2. It's always hot as hell with zero ventaltion. I once had to leave a set by comedian Michael Showalter because I almost fainted.
3. You have to walk through the front part which is always full of weird old scene dudes or people playing pool who give you condescending looks because you're seeing a band they refuse to pay for.
But despite all these factors or maybe because of the romanticism they inspire, bands usually shine it at the Horseshoe. It's super odd.
Monday night's performance by Jukebox the Ghost is perhaps the best example of the Horseshoe's incredible power to redeem itself... or a good band's power to redeem the Horseshoe. Not only was the back the hottest it's ever been despite being only about half full, most of the crowd was born after 1990* and I had a tummy ache.
In other words, I was "that" guy — the cranky music reviewer standing at the back with a cup of water. Worse, I had to put up with two cackling, wasted young ladies just to get said water**. And then I quickly realized that I had only actually listened to the band's first album when it came out and save for Schizophrenia, I'd forgotten the rest, let alone their new material. And finally, it was raining outside. What was I doing there/here/anywhere?
But here's the thing, the goddamned thing: they still put on a dynamite show, which is not too surprising as they'd already played 2000 shows (by their estimate) and are very talented songwriters and players. What was amazing was that I, with a wet blanket draped over my heart dreaming of getting home, out of the rain, and watching a James L. Brooks movie on Netflix, could acknowledge the fact it was a dynamite show.
A set of boisterous numbers played on real instruments centred around a virtuoso piano player and two singers performing above your average indie pop range. They brought me back to my younger days, particularly with ol'disco punk high hats, akin to glossier and grandeur Unicorns or at least a less uptight Hot Hot Heat. Their banter was excellent and hammy, and save a the stiff guitar player, the keyboardist and drummer were playfully hammy.
In plain English: They were a surprising delight. But the question remains: was this because of the Horseshoe or despite of it? I would have asked somebody but as soon as the band exited the stage, I was outta there like a jackrabbit...
Because, either way, there's no point being at the Horseshoe when no bands are playing.
END NOTES
*I know how crotchey I sound, but it's common knowledge that 18 year olds are pretty cool. And, then, you know, as soon as legal drinking age hits, people turn into assholes until they hit at least 22. They've earned it. When I was an early twentysomething I was an asshole, as were you. Everybody agrees with this. Some continue to be assholes but most turn back into reasonable people.
**They seemed to find my mustache quite hilarious. This in and of itself is not hard to bear insofar as I understand that most people have been brainwashed to diagnose mustaches as cultural relics worn only by the severely out of touch, by those trying too hard, or the severely ironic (particularly if the dude is handsome). What was hard to bear, on the other hand, was that they weren't funny about it — instead they just kept on repeating "mustache" under their breath and giggling like robots might giggle if robots giggled.
And yet.
Sometimes the ultimate insult is a failed one. The joke was on them — the drummer had a mustache and they had PAID to see him.
Photos Brian Chambers
This place is not new to Toronto's real estate listings, but with blue skies set to take over the city skyline (fingers crossed), I'd say this property is poised to host a few impressive upcoming showing (and the lowered price tag will certainly help some, too.) Three storeys, three bedrooms, and a view that would make any skeptic swoon, this place will certainly take your breath away — if in large part just due to its crippling maintenance fees.
SPECS:
NOTABLE FEATURES:
GOOD FOR:
MOVE ON IF:
If you had the dough, would you buy this home? Let us know where you stand in the comments below.
Bell Media is selling the Masonic Temple at Yonge and Davenport, a historic building most recently known as the home of MTV Canada and several other Bell productions, including some of the best shows on television (you know, eTalk, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and Canadian Idol).
Several of the building's features are protected by heritage agreements so if it were sold to developers any new construction would have to retain large portions of the existing structure. If it's possible to glean anything from the listing, it seems the building is being steered towards residential use.
Lawrence Avenue East might have the highest concentration of falafel joints in the city (sorry Annex) which means alternative dining options around the area known as 
Toronto Fashion Week (née LG Fashion Week, née L'Oreal Fashion Week, née 
St. Patrick's day in Toronto is a special time when people in the city take time to reflect on the Feast of Saint Patrick, the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and to generally celebrate Irish culture. To mark the occasion, I propose an essay on the historical significance of the day and what it means to be Irish and to respect the traditions of the Emerald Isle. Just kidding! Here's a list of places you can go to wear green plastic crap and get shitfaced on Guinness and Jameson this weekend!
And the record for fastest to the deadpool goes to...
Workers have been pounding away in a trench near Strachan Avenue since early 2011, busily burying a short stretch of Union station rail corridor as part of the GO transit Georgetown South project. When it's finished, the tracks that used to cross Strachan via a level crossing will be buried out of sight in an 8-metre hole beneath the street.
The north trench as it appears now
Rendering of the finished product
Close-up of trench "roof" and Strachan overpass
This new restaurant and cafe on Bloor St. has a former chef from Lucien in the kitchen, and a range of soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and smoothies--all aimed at serving up healthy fare from breakfast to dinner. You'll find delectable treats from Circles and Squares Bakery, antibiotic and hormone-free deli meats, and freshly-baked breads from Ace and St. Johns Bakery.
Breakout Toronto Bands features local artists that we think you should give a listen to.
Volta Lofts is "loft-inspired" living set to arrive at Annette and Runnymede. This project is modest in scale with fewer than 20 units, with its greatest amenity set outside its front door. Yes, fresh pies and specialties cheeses just steps from its entrance. While this condo will surely appeal to those backing low-rise living and west-end personality, its roomy suites are limited only to those with grandiose pocketbooks to match. Here is a closer look at 
SPECS
THE GOOD
THE BAD
THE VERDICT
The first of the TTC's new longer, low-floor streetcars recived its inaugural road test under the cover of darkness this morning, giving early-risers the chance to glimpse the vehicle outside of a TTC car barn for the first time.
Back in the lab, the car has undergone static tests of its air conditioning, heating, lights, stop announcements, and ergonomics.
The best DIY spots in Toronto offer something for everyone--whether you want to learn how to make a fascinator, build a bike, 
Opened in the space that used to house the original location of Ciccio's Pizza and Pasta (and more recently a bong shop) near Dundas and Claremont, this new sustainable seafood restaurant specializes in reasonably priced fish sandwiches and tacos. And while there's no liquor licence yet, you can expect craft beer and a variety of whiskeys to grace the bar in the near future.
This St. Patrick's day, as always, revelers will get terribly and obnoxiously intoxicated from imbibing far too much green beer. Some of Toronto's most recent additions to the pub scene are celebrating 
The 
The photos of the week collect each of the editor-selected photos of the day into one post for a contest to be decided by our readers. Sponsored by 
This new Yorkville womenswear boutique focuses on trendy, current pieces from the world's fashion capitals (New York, L.A., Paris), but strives to stay within an affordable price point. Unabashedly feminine, you'll find delicate silks, lots of colour, and various Toronto exclusives, as well as a small stock of consignment pieces.
