we are a couple in our mid thirties, visiting toronto for two nights in june.
can anyone suggest the best area to stay, to be within walking distance of some bars with live music.
we like dualling piano type bars.
thanks in advance.

price range?

In broad terms, you want to stay within the rectangle from Bloor Street on the north (up to two or three blocks north of blook for The Fourseasons and a couple of other hotels, Spadina on the west, Church on the East, and Lake Ontario on the south.

I just realized I don't get out enough.

I can't suggest a dueling piano type bar any more. A couple of friends were bar singers years ago, but all I can think of now is really loud non-musical music.

Regardless, within a couple of days folks more sophisticated than I will report in here.

Back to hotels: the Bloor area from Spadina to Church is uppercrust, quite refined, ...

FArther downtown, there are lots more hotels and the Entertainment Distict, packed with clubs, but, as above, I'm not sure what's inside.

should have said up to $300 per night.

http://www.toronto.com/ - maybe you'll find something there

for $300 a night - first choice would be le germain (cool location, close to restaurants, bars, and transportation)

a little further west, the drake hotel is a great spot, a bit far if you want to walk everywhere, but close to some great bars.