The Peacok is a dark and narrow hallway situated in the remains of beloved King West establishment The Underground Garage. Unlike the Garage, which wore its dive bar status proudly (down to the brassieres tacked up on the ceiling by the more willing patrons), The Peacok attempts an upmarket "rock n' roll" experience by way of the scumbag. Here is a dank basement bathed in pricy blue and purple flood lights with exposed brick walls and LCD screens advertising cigarettes everywhere you look. With its negligible service, overpriced drinks and rock n' roll posturing, The Peacok might just be the worst bar on King West.
Where do I begin? Perhaps with a drink, which will set you back $7 for a pint of Creemore. To be fair, a gin and tonic is a less ludicrous $6 and the bar features $4 domestic bottles and rail drinks on Ladies Night. (But ladies, please do not go here! The toilets were smeared with excrement!) Though we were the only patrons on a Thursday evening, both bartenders ignored our beseeching looks until we begged them to take our order. Then they asked if we had a light. How can a bar that has been operational for almost a year not have its own lighter?
The centerpiece of the bar's threadbare décor is a lit up sign that acts as the establishment's mantra, reading, "here's to 5 a.m. cabs, instead of 5 a.m. runs." One bartender explained that it was the experience of "being wasted going home in a cab at five in the morning and passing joggers on the street" that the bar holds as its credo. On Twitter, The Peacok describes themselves as a place "where we know what you drink...and who you took home." But I cannot imagine wanting to stay past last call to fondle around on one of The Peacok's disgusting off-white couches (there is minimal seating with a capacity for maybe 70 people), for it would be like blacking out in hell.
I should try and end this review on a positive note for the establishment's sake. Um, there are two foosball tables? And the bar has good acoustics (if not great sightlines) for live acts. (We caught a bit of Angela Saini's Indie Week set and it was totally Sixpence None The Richer in the best way possible.)
But if you want to listen to rock music in a narrow bar that is genuinely dingy, it will take you two minutes to walk over to the eternally charming Wide Open. The Peacok might brand itself as a rebellious place to get fucked up, but it is the drinking equivalent of 30 Seconds To Mars. Plus, even CBGB's cleaned their toilets.
Additional Details
- Beers on Tap:
- Creemore, Guinness, Strongbow
- Signature Drink:
- “The Burt Reynolds,” a spiced rum and butterscotch shooter
- Bar Snacks:
- Nope
- Patio:
- No
- Music/Genre:
- Alternative rock in the vein of Rancid and Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Live Music:
- Yes
- Who Goes There:
- Clueless corporate rockers, the dammed
- Hours:
- 5:30 to 2am daily
Discussion
43 Comments
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This review isn't worth the time it takes to read. Chandler, stick to going to the Central Perk or reviewing your favourite place for high tea - sounds much more up your alley.
BlogTO - learn the history behind the place, talk to the owners, have a real experience - this is totally off base.
I'm pretty certain that the Underground is still open and is occupying the upstairs space directly next door.
Looks like a Serbian mafia afterhours crap hole.
"here's to 5 a.m. cabs, instead of 5 a.m. runs."
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5534162004_e0a0c07080.jpg
Boy oh boy, does Puma ever make shitty-looking clothes.
Ummmmm ... I know of a House DJ that plays there every so often so I wouldn't classify the place as strictly Rock.
I learned nothing from this review at all?
Makes me want to go there even more actually to see the place
While I can't say anything for this place, as I've never been, $7 for a pint isn't that unreasonable, especially for a decent brew.
Sean no elitist, man! He prefers poop on his toilets.
The Peacok rocks my socks!!! One of the BEST places on King West! They have the nicest staff, good beats and amazing patrons! I've never had a bad time there once!
I guess the reviewer got there when they opened at 10pm on Thursday. The place doesn't get bumping until at least midnight. Oh and when you get to the bar, ask for a Burt Reynolds. Best shot in TO! ;)
"overpriced drinks"
"$7 for a pint of Creemore. To be fair, a gin and tonic is a less ludicrous $6 and the bar features $4 domestic bottles and rail drinks on Ladies Night."
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Good lord little boy have you ever bought a drink in a bar in your life?
Those prices arecheap.
Probably one of the worst reviews I have ever read. so harsh, and over the top. Who ever wrote this should be fired. "it would be like blacking out in hell"??? Who Fucking Writes this crap.
Everything I heard in this blog is untrue, except for the Foosball table. So untrue, that I wonder if Chandler Levack has even stepped inside the establishment at all?
Peacok is one of the coolest bars in Toronto!
Mixed music, mixed crowd, no attitude. $7 for a Pint of Creemore is reasonable, and mixed drinks for $6 too. The staff is charming, nice, and sexy.
The only good thing about this blog is the photographer that took that Siiick Pic!
Oh Yeah, I just found out its The Peacok's One Year Anniversary Party Tonight.
Come and check it out for yourself.
I knew I recognized that slogan. It explains the Puma doormat at the bottom of the stairs (in one of the slideshow photos, anyway).
This writer is crazy. Peacok is one of the best bars on King West. Its not pretentious and fun as hell. I don't know about you but when I go to a bar whether is FUN is the most important thing. Yes, the bathrooms aren't the best but who cares? I don't go out to hang in bathrooms!
And as far as the stupid statement of the year award - $7 for a pint is standard if not cheap, ESPECIALLY for King West.
This writer sounds like a dumbass in which case, yes, please, stay away from the Peacok!
Chandler, this is by far the WORST piece of trash I have ever read. Where the hell did BlogTO find this moron? He should stick to reviewing coffee houses on Church St.
Did this dude ever use the washrooms when it was the Underground Garage?
The owners are 2 of the nicest, non pretentious dudes in the industry and they bring with them a lot of experience and fun, hot friends and a wicked line up of musicians...not sure Chandler would fit in....
is there anyone writing in favour of the Peacock who is not an owner, employee, or friend thereof? b/c i've been there a couple of times, and i ahev to agree, it was pretty shitty. it was a pretty poor attempt to be "grungy", but without any genuiness or authenticity to it.
and yeah, weaksauce bar staff too.
$7/pint of creemore is pricey, if you've ever had pints of it elsewhere. there are loads of other bars with better priced creemore or, at least, better beer for $7/pint. just because you regularly overpay for beer, doesn't mean it's reasonably priced.
I'm not an owner, friend thereof or an employee. I'm just a patron that likes the vibe. It may not be the best bar on King St., but it is definitely not the worst or scummy as has been implied. It's a cool bar not because of the decor but because the people that patronize the place are pretty damn awesome.
I was offended reading that. I'll probably go back to the Peacock just to spite that reviewer.
Those prices are cheap by upmarket standards, or restaurant standards, but for a small "dive" bar that does most of its business in booze, they are high. I drink out several times a week, and I rarely pay that much for a pint. if I do, I get a little irritated.
I went there when it was the underground, and I still go now that it's the peacock, it's a fun bar.
I know reviews are all about opinion, but I think this reviewer has some other issue with the place. It reads like a personal revenge piece, maybe his girlfriend slept with the owner.... on the foosball table maybe?
RE: AL - I'm in complete agreement with you. This was a hit piece. The whole thing reads slanted and is begrudgingly tendentious. It's obvious the reviewer didn't meet and speak with the owners, let alone bunker down and party. I always get drunk and have a blast at this joint. And people who care about drink prices, and especially drink specials, are the kinds of bags that anorexics use to smell less dying; if prices are of concern, the reviewer should try and get a job at Toronto Life.
Post. Script. Is it any coincidence this piece came out on the 1st year anniversary? A little late for a review, no?
I'm a regular, and didn't know anyone from the bar previous to becoming one--this article is trash. Peacok is unpretentious and a great local. This author is either completely clueless or has a serious axe to grind.
Since they erased my comment, I'll post it again. Pathetic!
Its funny how a 20 year blogger thats been only legal to drink in bars for a year, is now blogging about them. Your bringing up CBGB's like you've been there?
It takes a lot of sand to write something so targeting, and bias to make a name for yourself. I hope is it worth it.
Without taking their side/opinion, they are "critics" and critics criticize. It's what they do. That being said I strongly disagree with writing that there was feces smeared on the toilet seats. It's not like that's a regular thing. Someone had an accident and this "critic" writes about it. So unfair. (And as if ALL the toilets were covered in it. A drop, which is what I'm guessing was on ONE seat, does not warrant a glaring warning to all women to avoid the washrooms.) I do believe that anyone with half a brain that reads the article and the comments will realize that the Peacok is not a dirty dive and patronize the place, if for no other reason than to see what all the hype is about. One bad article will not sink the Peacok. It has a devoted following of amazing patrons which is reflected in the comments.
So... After being a regular, and a friend of the owners..... I'm wondering, which bartender was it that plugged your girlfriend?
The reviewer is female.
This is a bit of a hit piece. I hope Levack went back more than just an opening night on Thursday. As someone who's done quite a bit of writing, she should know better.
As for the prices, they're not unreasonable. I wouldn't pay $7 for a pint of Creemore but there are many, many similar establishments that charge the same in the city.
What happened to objective journalism?
With reviews like these, there's no sense in even checking out BlogTo. I'm not going to waste my time reading other people's revenge pieces.
By no means am I an authority on King West bars, but I can say that the Peacok doesn't deserve this type of review. Shame on you.
Thanks for the censorship, BlogTO.
I've only been to this bar once, and as a female, enjoyed myself. I'd love to see a bit more objectivity in this review; It was a waste of my time to read a revenge piece.
Objectivity? It's a personal review of a bar, you morons.
For the record, there has only ever been one foosball table. Also, The dj on sunday is old and new school hip hop and house. The dj there on saturdays (and one other day of the week i think) is very much classic soul/rnb/hip hop on one night and mainly old and new school house/dance music.
Tuesdays feature a live (and extremely talented and attractive)acoustic act (Dani Jean).
The guys who own this place are actually dedicated to bringing something new and fresh to the neighbourhood and are super positive and supportive of local artists/musicians.
King W (especially around this particular hood) is way way overrun with fake tan meatheads and skanks in insensible shoes. The peacok is laid back, positive, and drama free, and its a breath of fresh air.
Its certainly not for people looking for the typical bottleservice/dress code/faux bourgeois king w crowd, but thats the point. While you're waiting in queue at cobra, texting your 'bro' to try and get in, we're at peacok making new friends and having fun playing baby-foot.
also, the underground garage still exists very much. It is on the floor above the peacok.
WHITE PEOPLE
Bar reviews are not supposed to be objective. They should be comprehensive. One gets the sense from reading some of these comments that the reviewer didn't do her homework.
Overall, the tone is pretty negative.
One of my favourite bars in the city, hands down. Unpretentious, real people, real fun. If you want to meet some quality people, the Peacok is the place. The owners are 2 of the most genuine, lovely dudes in town and the fact that a 'bare bar', that may not seem much to the naked eye, can pull the crowds they do is testament to these quality industry veterans.
Honestly kinda happy with this guys shitty review, it'll keep the doucebags out ;)
Burt Reynolds!
This review is so off base it's comical. I don't know who or what "clueless corporate rockers" are, but they certainly don't hang out at The Peacok, or "the dammed" for that matter. The Peacok is one of the most original, fun and no nonsense bars in town with the nicest, most hospitable owners and staff you could ever ask for.
Please do some homework and get your facts straight before writing this spiteful dribble that insults this establishment and BlogTO for that matter.
The Peacok is always a good time. Friendly people, cool music, cute owners.
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The Peacok is BY FAR my favorite bar in Toronto!!! The crowd is unpretentious and the music is alwaaaaays amazing. Friendly staff, cheap cover and cheap drinks. What more could you ask for? Definitely the best way to spend a night out in Toronto.
The bar is decent, make sure your drunk when you go. Ignore the ignorant review by blogTO.