Lee's Palace — Local services in Toronto

Bartenders inside are lovely. However, one of the security guard outside is on a huge power trip. He accused two people in front of us that they switched outfits to get back in after he told them to leave, which is a ridiculous Scooby Doo villain fantasy. The stranger behind me and I vouched for these poor girls in front of us since we were in line together all this time, then we were told we also couldn't come in, just because we tried to help these strangers? Even the other security guard tried to tell him to chill out but he was not listening to anybody explain whatsover. Even though we managed to get in since the security inside did not care what this guy was on about, nobody seems to be in charge, security inside and out act like headless chickens and let this one guy bully girls outside and force them to refund their tickets. Isn't this a decision for the manager and not this racist guy to make? I hope you'll hire better staff Joe.

I wouldn't book my show here if I don't want to scare my audience away. If you do, prepare a good apology paragraph for your social media because you'll have to refund your sold tickets.

To your reply: Yes, I'm aware that's the reason your staff turned those people away, which is why us strangers vouched for them because we were right behind them and they did not drink or switched outfits. Why would we go through this trouble and risk our own tickets if it wasn't true? Even then, that doesn't accuse your staff's unnecessary aggression and denying entry towards other guest who's just trying to help. It was a very simple misunderstanding that could've been resolved if they...

I went to Lee's Palace on Thursday March 28th around 10pm to go to the 90's reunion party. The DJ had me and a plus 1 on guest list so we went past security who were cool and then we got to the lady taking payment and checking the guestlist. When I mentioned my name she said I wasn't on the list. That was weird I thought, so I showed her my email exchange with the DJ and she said "that doesn't mean anything" even though it was clearly for Lee's Palace on that date and night. Then we determined that the event I was on guestlist for was upstairs; on a different level from the main level I was expecting. No big deal right? So then I asked the lady where the stairs were to get upstairs were and she literally barked like a wild animal, "UPSTAIRS" in a really nasty, condescending and toxic tone. I was shocked at how miserable and nasty this person was. I have been to about 30 concerts at Lee's Palace over the years and have never once been upstairs so had no idea there even was a 2nd level. So now my buddy and I are going upstairs and I could STILL hear the rude toxic person downstairs telling someone else, "it's upstairs!". Super nasty and unpleasant person. As mentioned I've been to about 30 shows at Lee's and this is the first time something like this has happened. Not sure why a nasty person with no communication skills is placed in a position like that we those skills are necessary?

Anyways. The bartender upstairs was awesome in addition to the 2 people who were checking guestlist. Total night and day different from the miserable...

Really disappointing experience. After an event at Lee’s Palace, the massive, saturated black ink stamp they used at the door bled through and completely ruined a brand-new satin top. I went to the dry cleaner the next morning, and she took one look and said she wouldn’t even try — the stain was permanent.

Unlike most venues that use small, dry, coin-sized purple stamps, theirs was the size of a business card and soaked with black ink. To make it worse, the stamp was placed on the inside of my arm, where it was guaranteed to smudge onto clothing. Are guests supposed to raise their arms all night to avoid it? Completely careless.

I contacted them right away with photos, receipts, and proof. I was in touch with two staff members who initially responded like they were going to help — then completely ghosted me. No replies to multiple follow-ups over the course of four months. I wouldn’t be writing this review if they had resolved it privately.

This felt like a clear case of negligent behaviour. If they weren’t going to take responsibility, they should’ve just said so from the start — not strung me along hoping I’d give up. Zero accountability and terrible customer service.

If you're going here, don’t wear light colours — or be prepared to have your clothes permanently ruined. Or good luck getting a reply if you need any...