The Comrade is totally a friendly, laidback, neighbourhood watering hole. It just happens to be so stylish that I don't think I should even be allowed in here in my signature "I'm unemployed" freebie t-shirt. A quick glance around reassures, though. Mine isn't the only free t-shirt in this joint, although something about the dark, sumptuous look of the place makes me wish I were wearing a trench coat and pumps instead, and that I was sitting at the bar smoking long cigarettes in holders.
I feel nostalgic for a time I'm not even sure existed. An Indochine/Orient Express kind of a time when a lady might walk into a beautiful, moody bar like this wearing a beret and scarf instead of a t-shirt advertising a local magazine.
Every desirable decorating detail you can think of is represented in this old-world-inspired lounge, from the high tin ceilings to the exposed brick walls to the unique designer furniture. In the front section, large daybeds make for private seating enclosures, while the antique tables along the wall feel intimate and old-cabaret topped by little, individual lamps.
In the back, settees and leather chairs are arranged in small clusters under Chinese lanterns and old communist propaganda posters from Saigon. A large fireplace keeps it cozy in the winter months. If you are looking to impress with your choice of cocktail lounge, this is a foolproof destination.
I guarantee that at the very least, your date/boss/mother-in-law will wish out loud that his or her home was as well put-together, because even if the extensive wine or 55+ beer list doesn't impress, there is something truly inspiring about sitting in the perfectly crafted design space of this bar - co-owned by, and side project of, the same people who run Leigh+James Furniture on Bathurst.
There's no kitchen, but you can order cheese and charcuterie plates, desserts and light sandwiches. Fans of deli food will go wild for the fine cheeses, selections of breads, and accompaniments like olives and pickles. The smoked salmon platter is particularly recommended but definitely for sharing.
Cocktails are the recommended beverage at the Comrade, in keeping with the ambiance. Fresh and high-quality cocktail ingredients are kept on hand and the bartender is known for his skill. The Cafe Comrade with creme de cacao and expresso is bit of a signature drink and pays homage to the bar's first lowly liquor-license-free months, when it operated as a coffee shop.
The Comrade attracts stylish Riverdale yuppies, the art-and-design set, and even unemployed people in freebie t-shirts.
Writing by Jessica McGann
Additional Details
- Beers on Tap:
- 55+ beer list
- Signature Drink:
- The Cafe Comrade
- Bar Snacks:
- Cheese, charcuterie, olives, pickles
- Patio:
- No
- Music/Genre:
- Live Music:
- No
- Who Goes There:
- Riverdale yuppies, the art-and-design set
- Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm to 2am
Discussion
9 Comments
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My local watering hole and a great place to hang out as long as you're okay paying $10 and up for a beer. The charcuterie platters are definitely tasty and big enough that two people'll be really full after inhaling one.
Love this place. So easy to relax and spend several hours, even on a Friday or Saturday night. Staff are awesome, cocktails very good. And, if that weren't enough, their musical taste is truly awesome.
Hallo, mein Name ist Fabian Bornscheuer.
Ich bin 18 Jahre alt und komme aus der Umgebung Frankfurt/Main.
Eigentlich wollte ich nur mal fragen ob ihr gute Schwulenpuffs in meiner Umgebung kennt und was ihr für Erfahrungen mit denen gemacht habt. Wäre schön wenn ihr eure Meinungen posten könnt.
du
du hast
du hast mich
Salut,
mon prenom est : Anna, J'ai 20 annees bientot
Je vais bientot presenter mes activites sur un petit blog de france2
http://blog.france2.fr/musculation-appartement/ sur la musculation d'appartement
peut etre pourrons nous echanger sur le sujet ?
A+
Yo,
I am Sebastien, soon 34 years ,
I teach plastic art at college
see you,
Seb from seduction
oh the beers don't all cost $10. the bottled beers start at $6 for a mill street organic.
The Comrade is my home away from home - absolutely LOVE this place. All the staff are wonderful and they serve Stiegl. Doesn't get better than that.
The waitresses are scammers... DON'T COME HERE!! Yes, the bar is nice, sure. But the waitresses and owner short change their customers. They made us pay our bill twice. We were with a group (5 or 6 people) and half the people left early and payed their portion of the bill. My friend and I went to pay our portion of the bill at the end of the night when they insisted none of our friends payed and that we were responsible for the paying the whole bill. Our friends did pay and we had to pay again. We even called the owner herself and she basically said it was our word against hers.... funny thing is if you google them, this is not the first time someone felt ripped off by them. Horrible way to run your business... As a business owner myself I feel horrified that someone would let their staff get away with this. GOOD LUCK TO YOU COMRADE.