Bsmt 254

Bsmt 254 is a live music and DJ venue on Toronto’s West End, at 254 Lansdowne Ave near College Street. It opened in 2021 in a former Portuguese tavern-style space below street level. Vas Cranis, formerly a manager at Lula Lounge, and Alex Bordokas established the venue to give emerging and younger bands opportunities to play, and they direct its programming. Its music spans reggae, electronic sounds, contemporary jazz, and Latin and South American styles.

The room has space for about 71 people, with a removable stage that can fit up to nine musicians; without the stage, there is more room for dancing. Its equipment includes a Behringer X32 mixer, monitors, a full-range PA, and stage lighting. A custom sound system called Higher Heights HiFi takes inspiration from traditional dub speaker stacks. Monthly series include Saturday Night Rockers, Pena Criolla, and Meltemi, while past performers include Rumbleton, Gremlinz, Jesta, and Marcus Visionary.