TO: Brant House

Most Torontonians have a love-hate relationship with the Entertainment District, the city’s clubbing hotspot for single 20-somethings looking for an excuse to throw on their sparkly minis and stilettos. I happen to love it.

Brant House is admittedly overpriced and a tad pretentious, but it’s a got a big city vibe with a deliciously attractive crowd and a lively dance floor. I’ve frequented many of King Street’s clubs, but Brant House stands out because of its sophisticated crowd. This might mean that you’re turned away if you’re below 25, so make sure you enter with an older group so you can swing yourself in.

Brant’s brick exteriors are absolutely charming and the soft wooden interior, complete with fluorescent aquariums makes for an urban retro vibe. Thursday nights here are especially fun, mainly because I love their choice of hip-hop and Top 20 remixes with innovative beats. Saturdays cater more to the house crowd, so make sure you line up early, because who in this city doesn’t love house?

DEETS: 522 King Street West, Brant House

CHI: Enclave

Let me preface this post by saying that my clubbing experiences in Chicago have mostly been limited to cheaper, more student-friendly bars and clubs. Now that I’m in Toronto for the summer (yes, you can expect many more TO posts!), I’m excited to explore a more upscale clubbing scene since I’ll be living with my party animal/working brother.

So Enclave is definitely the nicest club I’ve checked out in Chicago, along with Republic – a sweet spot I snuck into my freshman year. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Enclave on countless birthdays and occasions in the past, but I’ve always avoided it because of the expensive covers and difficulty getting in. But when my friend decided to splurge on a party bus and bottle service at Enclave for her 21st, there was no saying no.

Enclave is a pretty intense clubbing experience, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But I’m one of those girls who loves the energy of dance nightclubs. I love walking into a club and feeling the beats of the deafening music pulsating inside my body, I love the rush of fast-paced house and hip-hop remixes, and I love feeling intoxicated even before heading to the bar.

The decor’s pretty average, but Enclave still has the look and feel of an upscale nightclub. My only complaint was the crowd – might have been because we were there on a Thursday, but it sucked to be the only group of girls in a crowd of much older men. Bouncers were all over the place, so safety wasn’t an issue, but it’s no fun partying when sleazy men are trying to crash your table.

Otherwise, Enclave’s a fun place. The music’s fun and recognizable, the go-go dancers are HOT HOT HOT (three stationed right at the center of the dance floor and I couldn’t keep my eyes away from them), and the drinks are strong.

And most important note – if you RSVP online before 8 pm on your night out, you get free cover. Kind of annoying if you’re trying to get a big group together for a birthday, but convenient if it’s just a few of you out.

DEETS: 220 W. Chicago Ave, www.enclavechicago.com