Fun and entertainment Canada

Timetable

Mostly located in the city, nightclubs are generally open on Fridays and Saturdays (and other nights depending on the club) from 10pm to 3am or even later. For activities with friends (movies, billiards, bowling, karting, escape games, etc.), the hours vary greatly depending on the type of establishment. There are also casinos in Canada that offer extended hours and even 24-hour operation. For the performing arts (music, comedy, theater, etc.), the annual programming is mostly concentrated outside of the summer season, in the evening most of the time.

Budget & Tips

Going out to a club is generally less expensive in Canada than in Europe (it must be said that you don't necessarily find the same standard of service there either). As everywhere, the entrance is often free before a certain hour (usually 11pm) or by registering on the guest list. Ladies also get free admission on ladies nights(at least one night a week). For movies, discounts are offered on the weekly discount day (usually Tuesday).

Good deals for shows: several websites offer last minute tickets for shows and sports events. For example, Gametime offers last minute tickets to shows and sporting events in several major Canadian cities (gametime.co), TodayTix offers last minute theater rates in Toronto (todaytix.com/toronto), and La Vitrine offers special deals and low pre-sale rates for all kinds of shows and events in Quebec (lavitrine.com).
Remember that the prices listed are always exclusive of taxes. Not only must you add sales tax (between 5 and 15% depending on the province or territory), but also the 15% service charge when applicable. All methods of payment are accepted, but it may happen that the bar in a theater, for example, only accepts cash and/or debit cards.

To be booked

To ensure a seat, reservations are highly recommended for shows, and sometimes even required. For certain activities such as go-karting, paintball and escape games, reservations are often imperative and a deposit may be required. For the rest, you just have to show up on the day.

Night transport

In some major cities across the country, getting home late is no problem. For example, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal offer night bus service and most streetcar lines in Toronto operate 24 hours a day. Elsewhere in Canada, there is generally no nighttime public transit service, except for cabs, Eva, Uber, Lyft and the like, which offer 24-hour service. However, many cities - and even towns - have year-round drive-through services, but you usually have to be a member to use these services.

Age restrictions

In Canada, the legal drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on the province or territory. Wherever a bar license applies, only adults are allowed. However, some places have a different permit (restaurant, craft production...) that allows minors to be present. Note that if you look under 25, you will probably be asked for official photo identification.

What's very local

There is nothing special about this except that proper attire is required in most nightclubs and casinos. And if you like Broadway-style musicals, Toronto is a leader in this field. Classics such as Cats or Les Misérables are usually presented in one of the theaters managed by Mirvish Productions.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in clubs, entertainment venues, casinos and on their terraces. The same applies to billiard rooms, activity centers (karting, escape games, etc.), etc. Smoking must also be kept away from the door of the establishment and its terraces (generally 9 meters).

Tourist traps

Just as with sporting events, the resale of entertainment tickets is ubiquitous online, and sometimes even on the street. While it's true that you can save a few bucks by buying from resellers, it would be a shame to waste your money on fake tickets. So go through the official ticket offices.