Nomad Toronto — Attraction in Toronto

This review is long overdue! Going to see Sabo and Goldcap at NOMAD was my first and will be my last visit to NOMAD - it was the worst experience at a live music venue that I have ever endured. First, the staff insisted that my two friends and I had to check our coats before they'd let us past the lounge area. I said I found the venue cold and that I'd need my coat (we had light jackets, not big winter coats) and they still wouldn't let us in. So we went to coat check and then went in. Sure enough, I was so cold all night that I was actually uncomfortable. As the night wore on we saw more and more people wearing jackets. How the staff decided that they'd enforce their "rule" with me and my friends and not the other attendees, I don't know. Then there was so much vaping on the dancefloor, which security did absolutely nothing about, that I kept having to try and find another spot. When I smelled full on cigarette smoke I realized that it was coming from the stage - the actual performers were smoking while they performed, plus half of their friends at the back of the stage were smoking. This is a flagrant violation of the law. Again, Security did nothing to prevent it but open some doors at the back, which made it even colder inside. Eventually the fumes got so bad that I had a brutal headache and had to leave before the show was even half over. As I was leaving the security staff at the front door said "leaving so soon?" and when I explained the situation to him he was very apologetic and took me to the ticket booth and asked the woman there to make sure my ticket was refunded. She took my name and number and when I asked her name, so I could follow up later, she wouldn't give it to me; just said "I just work here - I'll make sure the owner knows". I had a bad feeling about this and sure enough, I never heard back about it from anyone. I went to NOMAD's online contact form to explain the situation and nobody ever responded and I never received a refund. It was a terrible experience from beginning to end and I honestly can't believe their complete and utter lack of regard for the law and for the experience that they offered to somebody attending their venue for the first time. I would never recommend NOMAD to...

Normally not the type to write a review, but this place was so bad that I had to. Been to a lot of clubs/bars, but this was one of the worst. This was my first and last time going here.

Be prepared to be forced to wait outside in the cold to make the line look "big" before they let you in even though barely anyone is inside. They take their sweet time, then you get frisked by the bodyguards very intimately and aggressively. They then force you to pay for coat check, which is $5 per item so say you have a sweater and jacket, that's $10 (which is ridiculous). The bartenders REFUSED to provide tap water (a lawsuit waiting to happen btw if someone passes out or feels unwell from drinking so much) and say "they are not allowed to give water out" but can sell you a small bottle of water for $5. The stairs leading down to the washroom and coat check is a tripping hazard waiting to happen. Not to mention the washrooms are communal and are open concept for everyone to look into. The sketchy hallway between the washroom and "coatcheck" (you wouldn't know the coat check is there unless someone told you) is super narrow and easily a hazard and can get trapped in. They also from time to time blow what I assume is frozen nitrogen from the ceiling into your face/body, which sometimes burns your skin and likely bad for your health to breathe in. Read the other bad reviews, they...

First of all, I wish I could give this place 5 stars but the washroom situation and bouncers are absolutely awful. But I’m really not here to bash the venue cuz otherwise, it’s great.

This place really does feel like it was well thought out, like there was a plan when building it, which apparently is a rarity in Toronto. The sound system is great and doesn’t just blast you unnecessarily like some other small venues. The light show set up is amazing. It extends to the back of the venue so that no matter where you are in the crowd you can have a good visual experience. It’s also great that they have a nice lounge area in the back so you can take a little breather if need be. They also didn’t try to make it gimmicky like other small venues and just pack it with useless booths. Also, a very important thing to note: this venue is extremely well ventilated. The DJ we saw played a 4 hr set and at no point was it unbearably hot or humid like you would expect from a small venue like this.

The other thing is that this venue is very reasonably priced. Red bull and bottles of water are obviously marked up but still fair especially considering this is still a nightlife spot. However, I can’t speak to the price of alcoholic beverages since I didn’t buy any.

Overall, amazing little venue, will definitely return when I get...