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On Friday and Saturday nights, the percussion-heavy sounds of salsa music and refreshing cocktails welcome you to Lula Lounge. Since being founded in 2002 by Jose Ortega, who wanted to bring the salsa scene he was influenced by in New York City to Toronto, the entertainment venue’s vision has widely expanded. These days, Lula Lounge retains its Latin American roots while also bringing to its stage musicians from all over the world and genre-bending sounds that include Korean folk and electronic, Brazilian funk, and Arabic jazz fusion.
Much more than a unique nightlife option, Lula Lounge’s Havana Lounge restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The venue also hosts private parties. That means it isn’t uncommon to see kids enjoying authentic Latin American eats before joining their parents for a spin around the dancefloor. Lula Lounge is also a field trip destination, hosting cultural workshops for high school students that include West African drumming, Haitian Creole music and dance, and the Afro-Indigenous roots of the Cumbia musical rhythms and folk dance traditions.
Visit Lula Lounge, open seven days a week, at 1585 Dundas St. W. and then catch some of the musicians you experience across Toronto’s festival stages. Lula Lounge partners with Toronto staples such as TD Toronto Jazz Fest, TD Union Summer, Do West Fest, and the TD Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival.
Want to test your salsa steps or take in the vibe at Lula Lounge? Here’s what you need to know.
1585 Dundas St. W. (between Dufferin Street and Lansdowne Avenue)
Friday and Saturday salsa nights run from 7 pm to 2 am. Dinner is served from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Hours for other events vary.
Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, Havana Lounge is open from 11 am to 4 pm. On Sundays, you can dine from 12 pm to 10 pm.
Metered street parking is available on Dundas Street and Parking Indigo Toronto at 1544 Dundas St. W. You can find additional Green P parking on Bonar Place just north of College Street.
There are a few ways to reach Lula Lounge. Hop on the subway and get off at Dufferin Station, transfer to the 29 Dufferin bus, and ride four stops to Dundas Street West. From there, it’s a four-minute walk. You can also take the 505 Dundas Street streetcar and exit at Sheridan Avenue. Before heading out, always check ttc.ca for service disruptions.
Lula’s front entrance is fully accessible. There is one step down onto the dance floor and one or two steps to the elevated dining areas. Lula has a movable ramp that allows wheelchairs and walkers to access the dance floor and the elevated dining area. There is a fully accessible universal washroom on the main floor off the lobby. The coat check, basement washrooms, and mezzanine areas are not yet accessible.
It’s easy to book your table online, and Lula Lounge recommends making reservations due to limited seating. After 11 pm, you can also book a table for Lula’s bottle service package. The restaurant accommodates walk-ins for tables based on availability. Lula’s site has all the reservation fine print you need for a memorable visit.
Lula Lounge is not only rich in events and the music it brings to the stage, but also in features that enhance the experience. Here are three ways to elevate your time at Lula.
Watch all the action below from the VIP Balcony. Located on the mezzanine level with its own private bar and washroom, the space is ideal for hosting private parties of up to 50 guests.
End your week by travelling to Havana without leaving the city during Lula Cuban Fridays. Dance lessons at 9 pm will warm you up before the party starts at 10 pm. Salsa continues on Saturday nights, in the Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Uruguayan style of salsa. On select Sundays, start your day with drag performers, mimosas, and a menu that includes Huevos Rancheros, Belgian waffles, and more during Lula’s Drag Brunch.
Mexican and Latin American cuisine inspire executive chef Javier Romero’s menus. He incorporates ancestral ingredients from all regions and has options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers. On Fridays and Saturdays, take advantage of the prix fixe menu. The ticket includes a three-course meal, beginners dance lessons, and Toronto’s best big salsa bands plus DJ sets until closing.
Did you know that Lula Lounge’s surrounding area is officially one of the coolest neighbourhoods on the planet? Time Out Index — which ranks the coolest streets and neighbourhoods for fun, food, culture, and community — placed Little Portugal, which encompasses Dundas West, from Trinity Bellwoods Park to Lansdowne Avenue, in the 12th spot out of 51 neighbourhoods around the world. Here are some arts and culture experiences to check out before or after you visit Lula.
The Dundas West Open Air Museum is a public collection of street art showcasing local and international artists. Starting at Dundas West (near Lansdowne) and finishing at Trinity Bellwoods Park, the tour of 10 murals includes two pieces by Lula Lounge founder, Jose Ortega. Look out for them at 1575 Dundas St. W. and at 1473 Dundas St. W.
The neighbourhood’s art galleries include Cry Baby Gallery, which doubles as a cocktail bar, and The Propeller Art Gallery, the last remaining artist-run gallery in the Queen Street West Art + Design District.
A nationally recognized live-arts incubator, The Theatre Centre serves as a public space where citizens can imagine, debate, celebrate, protest, unite and be responsible for inventing the future. It facilitates stage productions, community meals, and more.
Trinity Bellwoods Park, just a 15-minute walk, eight-minute street car ride, or five-minute drive from Lula Lounge, is an escape in the middle of the city. It has everything from baseball diamonds, volleyball, and tennis courts to a picnic area, dog off-leash area, and children’s playground.
