f you’re an R&B or hip hop fan that just isn’t getting enough dance in, do we have the answer for you. The newest bar to hit the scene in Toronto is Toika, a dance lounge focusing on great tunes- minus the drunken frat boys and scantily clad women. While nothing will stop girls from squeezing into that postage stamp-sized dress, this lounge is classier than your run-of-the-mill dance clubs. The vibe is much more mature and upscale dressy, but you’ll still fit in with jeans and a nice top. Have no fear- they’ll be no suits here sipping their $14 martinis.

This spot on Richmond street has reincarnated time and time again, as it was formerly Room 471, Zinc, and Sucre. Out of all of those, I definitely prefer Toika the best. It creates more of a classy dance scene than others up the street filled with 19 year old girls (or at least you hope they’re 19). The prices aren’t obscene either, which is a possibility when we’re talking lounge-ey upscale bars. A beer is around $6, which isn’t that bad. It just means you won’t be incoherent drunk after 20 minutes of being there.

Although the space overall isn’t huge, there’s space for you to get your groove on, and will be more of once they tear out the old kitchen. I always get jiggy in my kitchen and practice my hip hop moves- everyone knows the slippery laminate flooring of kitchens is the best place to practice sliding around. Don’t try and tell me you don’t run and slide on any slippery surface- and Toika Lounge is the perfect spot to showcase your moves. Just make sure you really hone them before going all out- no one wants to see you doing the snake if you end up looking like a fish out of water.