I must have walked by Margret dozens of times during the three years that I lived in the Junction, always wondering what the tiny, inconspicuous red neon lit sign that read Margret in the window actually meant. A couple years ago it was a seedy gambling/hooker den by the name of Common Ground, so it wasn't a stretch of the imagination that this was either an advertisement for, or at least a remnant of, a former employee.
Then last summer curiosity finally caused me to venture in and I was immediately mad at myself for not going sooner (although, Margret did only open about a year and a half ago). First of all, a bartender/DJ was sitting behind the turn tables spinning everything from Roy Orbison to Tone Loc, a black and white film was playing silently on the projection screen at the back wall, and the mismatched furniture straight from your parent's rec room was full of a solid representation of everyone that lived in the Junction - hipsters drinking tall cans of beer, grimy artists in the corner sectional, likely from the Academy of Realist Art next door, pants still covered in paint, and a table of women in their 40's and 50's with glasses of wine.
I've since moved from the Junction but thought it would be worth the trip back to see how things changed. It was nice to see that they hadn't. The decor was still the same - one wall, bare concrete minus what looks like a few vinyl bomber jets ironed on to it. The other wall a full on shrine to ever yard sale an 80-year-old couple has ever had. Think dog portraits, lots of them, painted on canvas, on black velvet and even crocheted into blankets. They're mixed in with a thorough assortment of pictures of Mack trucks, eagles' heads and of course your poor man's Group of Seven landscapes. And that's just the start.
One of the owners, Chris Brown, a 37-year-old music producer, prides himself on his yard-saling and value-villaging techniques, and is constantly adding to the kitsch wall. The effect is surprisingly pleasing in that "it looks cool because it's not trying too hard" sort of way.
If Brown and co-owner Jill Rooksby bought Margret with the goal to create a cool bar that had the vibe of your favourite perverted uncle who still lives at home in the basement but has a wicked vinyl collection (and I mean that in the best way possible) then they've succeeded.
Not to mention there are plans for a fully licensed patio, just as soon as the permit is granted, and while they don't serve proper food per se, Brown says they will be serving things like grilled cheese, olives, and "anything under $3." And if all that sounds like what you're looking for in an up and coming neighbourhood bar, then Brown's plans to take out the taps in order to make more room for more tall boys (there are already at least a half dozen to choose from) make it that much more perfect.
Writing by Jesse Kinos-Goodin
Additional Details
- Beers on Tap:
- Mill Street lager
- Signature Drink:
- None
- Bar Snacks:
- Grilled cheese, olive bowls coming soon
- Patio:
- No
- Music/Genre:
- Various DJs spinning their vinyl collections from Wed to Sat.
- Live Music:
- No
- Who Goes There:
- Junction artists
- Hours:
- 8pm-2am daily
Discussion
24 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
Wow, looks really cool. The Junction seems to get more awesome all the time... pity it's kind of inconvenient to get to.
Sounds like a cool spot
It's a good local option with a different feel most nights of the week. I never know what I'm getting into and that's one of the reasons I drop by.
The Junction is "more awesome" every summer, especially with places like this and the Troubadour. But Paul is right - it's inconvenient to get there. Add in all the good restaurants though and it makes it a perfect neighbourhood to go for dinner and drinks, which is worth the shitty bus ride.
I've never been there, and it's only about a 10 minute walk from my place. May have to change that very soon.
Visited this place for the first time last night. It's a great local spot with lots of potential.
And it's only inconvenient to get to if you call a subway and short bus ride inconvenient. Most people do that when they go downtown anyway.
I heard this place has ping-pong, is that true?
I've heard nothing but good things about this place - but can someone clear up whether the first Friday of every month is one for the ladies who love ladies?
Thanks!
sounds like there's a queer night every first Friday.
Is this place still open? I also walk by this all the time and never even noticed it (also instantly mad at myself). Google maps street view doesn't do this place any justice... not seeing a sign up at all?
Hmm... their phone number is "not assigned" which I'm guessing means Margaret is no-more? Boo.
I love this place. A wonderful addition to the junction.
The owner is the biggest DOUCHE ever.
There are have been some really shady people at this bar lately. I came here last summer and it was a riot. But now I would never recommend coming here. I am not sure if it the staff or the clientele but it has been getting emptier and emptier and the music is shit.
Terrible music and rude staff
@holly
Having gone there with a date (a male date) on the first friday of the month I can definitely say that it's full on lesbionic that night. It was great, the vibe was fun and the music was just amazing and not ten minutes into us getting there the entire place was on the dance floor. It was my first time going to this bar and let me tell you it won't be the last!
And seriously, the Junction isn't that hard to get to- but if you don't want to, I'm ok with keeping it to all the cool kids who will!
Why is the owner a 'douche'? What did he/she do to you?
I am the owner, and youre right James, I am the biggest Douche. It feels good when the little people notice...
Is there a patio yet?
Cool place man... Women with hairy legs bro@
I love Margret! It's so much fun and the staff are very polite/friendly. Hyphy atmosphere even when it's not busy... The music is always good and the bar itself is set up well with lots of seating and a dance floor. No patio but there are chairs set up outside the door if you want to sit down while you smoke. I always have fun when I go to Margret.
Not sure what a "hyphy atmostphere" is but I definitely know it's not something I want to be in.
In any case Margret sucked when I went there. THere was literally nowhere to sit as apparently the owner thought it would be cool to remove all the furniture so people could dance... even though it was completely empty.
Kind of awkward when you want to sit at the bar. Beer fridge was empty except for like three bottles.. of which was a pretty good selection at least. Anyway, would be cool if this place still looked like the photos above, but it was pretty sad. I'll be going to other locals in the junction.
How is this place still in business? It's always empty...
Skank, show up at midnight.. its completely full on the weekends.. too full actually for my liking, but full.