The Avro is a new bar on Queen St. East in Riverside and upon entry, I couldn't help but feel like I'd taken the Queen streetcar the wrong direction and ended up on Ossington or Dundas West. While it was fun the first time around at places like Sweaty Betty's and Crooked Star, this grab anything from your Grandma's attic, throw together some mish mash of chairs and tables, put vintage-y pictures, vinyl and a sense of irony up on the wall, buy some booze from the LCBO and open a joint aesthetic is really getting tiring at this point (on Ossington and Dundas too) - even with a more aeronautical theme to work around.
I guess an important thing The Avro has going for it is that it is about 5km east of all those other bars and, thankfully, unlike most of them, it sometimes has live music, not just some cheap jukebox or ipod on shuffle.
The above being said, The Avro is a pretty cool, little place (seats 30). It attracts a very local clientele that's growing and while this area isn't known for its plethora of childless couples and is a much more family oriented part of town, that doesn't mean its residents don't know how to party (witness Rasputin, Jilly's, et al). After all, this neighbourhood's singles, couples and child-full couples alike still need a comfortable, relaxed place to drink.
In a way, this makes The Avro a perfect fit in that it allows many of the denizens of Riverside and Leslieville who used to live downtown but moved out here, a way to enjoy their new environs while still feeling connected, urban, and hip.
The drinks list is as basic as they come, with cocktails like Screwdriver's and G&T's going for $5.25, good local Mill Street Organic and Tank House at $6.25 a pint, and shots or most bottles of beer to be had for $5.25 as well.
As for food, they encourage you to bring your own (they'll provide the plate!) or for $3 you can nibble on dill pickles or a slice of birthday cake - which I thought was a really fun idea.
There are various promotions throughout the week as well with Sunday's being a "bring your own vinyl" play off, Monday's having $4 shots, Tuesday's Rock'n Roll night with live music, Wednesday's DJ night, and Thursday's $5.25 pints "if you wear plaid" night. Weekend's are business as usual.
Open 7 days a week from 7pm - 2am, The Avro isn't a destination bar, but if you're in the area and want that final drink after Ruby Watchco in a "cheap and cheerful" atmosphere, then it's the place to do it.
Additional Details
- Beers on Tap:
- Mill Street Organic, Mill Street Tank House Ale
- Signature Drink:
- Anything with rye
- Bar Snacks:
- Birthday cake, pickles, BYO
- Patio:
- No
- Music/Genre:
- Various. Check schedule online
- Live Music:
- Yes
- Who Goes There:
- Riverside and Leslieville locals
- Hours:
- 7pm-2am daily
Discussion
18 Comments
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What an awesome name for a bar.
^^ Why? Avro was just a corporate business name like Boeing, Bombardier, Pepsi or Ford.
Except all those companies are still in existence so you'd get in trouble for naming a bar after them (Just ask Betty's).
The Avro is a fantastic name because the company produced a truly iconic piece of technology (heck it even spawned a Dan Aykroyd movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118641/), nad its catchy and nostalgic.
Great bar by the way, perfect for the area.
Sigh....obligatory Pabst:(
It is just a sign Bob they only have Mill St brews on tap...
the bar was named as a tribute the proprietress's granddad who used to work for the company.
this is my local, so take salt as desired, but it oozes personality. and yes, i've been to the west end, but i just don't see the comparison. there is an honest-to-goodness thought put into the decor and it isn't mis-matched or overly kooky.
put that together with the amazing wait staff and let's just say i hope less people find out about my secret watering hole. i won't stop going there, it just may keep getting harder to find a seat.
Music/Genre:
Various. Check schedule online
Um... where online? NO WEB PAGE!!!!!
Try here: theavro.com
I realize it's not an embedded link but you can always use the old google machine to find things on the internets.
Also this bar is awesome.
Hey I worked on the Avro Arrow film as a visual fx artist!
Hey Bob have any Avro stuff to donate? I thought the signature drink was the "afterburner". TheAvro.com or the bar has a facebook persona. I think they are working on some other interesting events, had an arts and culture Monday thing just started.
The only really good bar on the east side if you ask me. Friendly, cozy and cool without being trendy.
I'm afraid I can't offer any paraphernalia, as I only worked on the digital FX work.
Just wondering... I saw a link (above) to the US website imdb and so left a comment with a link to a Canadian website about the star of The Arrow, Dan Aykroyd but it never appeared. Censorship? Anti-Canadian?
Still love The Avro. Question blogto though...
They encourage unisex washrooms.
Love the Avro! My recently-late brother Clint Bomphray wrote a play about the Avro Arrow which was produced at the National Arts Centre and in Calgary during the '88 Olympics. He donated a great poster of the aircraft, which occupies a prime spot in the bar. Rachel is fabulous. The bar is cosy and interesting and they make great drinks. Not too noisy as many of the area bars. (so much for keeping a great place a local secret) :o)
The place doesn't open until 7 p.m. The sun-glowed photo is not representative at all. It's dark and kitschy, and pretty cool.
My girlfriend and I just moved here from MTL and were so happy to find a place like the Avro that makes us feel less homesick for our old neighborhood (Mile End). Definitely our speed, unassuming and unpretentious with some very cool event nights, great drink prices and close to our home.