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| - No matter how old I get, it is hard to imagine a year without a few nights here dancing to the likes of the Smiths, Joy Division, the Cure and all of those sounds from my younger days.
I usually hang out in the back room. The lighting is pretty fun back here--those rays of light, almost like lasers cut through the artificial fog. Plus there are mirrors which give the space a cool "hall of mirrors" type of effect.
The back room, in days past used to have a 2nd bar but nowadays you only get drinks from the main bar. Nice touch on the real glass for the drinks. No taps, just very basic bottles. I think drinks are about $7--pretty standard pricing.
In terms of eye candy, everyone from the bar tender to virtually every patron, at least the women, have made a great effort to look amazing. Ink, piercings, outfits--this has always been a great place to people watch. (Not gawk! Please don't gawk!) And some of the dancers, especially in the main room, really have the moves down--me and my two left feet stay in the darker retro room.
Security has always been fine here but then I'm not the type that would ever give them any issue. I do feel like this is a safe place to play. There is certainly a "scene" here with lots of regulars but there is also an openness about it too.
Bathrooms are fine--and in the back. Don't think I've ever had to wait or been unable to dry my hands.
But it is really about the music right? I've only ever been on Saturdays and it is usually always good. The main room, with Lazarus, spotlights a sub genre or band. Volume is about perfect. The retro (back) room can be tricky as "retro" means lots of different things to different people and it is hard for the DJ to please everyone. Some want britpop, some want classic industrial so go with an open mind because you may hear Morrissey blend right into Nitzer Ebb. Volume can be a tad loud too.
It is hard to imagine spaces like this not existing on Queen or being a part of Toronto's nightlife. Enjoy them while you can. Someday Nocturne will probably be condos.
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