I have been to the Hugh's Room a couple of times as I search for an upscale blues and jazz venue in Toronto that is similar to Scullers or Regattabar in Boston, my hometown.
The entertainment has been mixed with excellent blues singers at the Etta James festival and a poor performance by a disinterested blues singer, Susie Vinnick. The quality of the performers is not high enough to justify any cover compared to the myriad of pubs that provide local bands in the Toronto area.
The biggest negative is that purchase of a ticket does not ensure a seat unless one makes a dinner reservation and orders the poor food. This is so ridiculous that I will not go back.
Pros:
- Friendly servers
- The acoustics and the viewing are quite good.
- Some appetizers are healthy and tasty
Cons:
- Slow service
- Expensive ticket for the quality of entertainer
- Entree's are average at best
- Still just a little step up from the typical pubs that dominate the Greater Toronto music scene
If anyone knows of higher quality venues in the GTA, please let me know.