What started as a hipster mecca on the burgeoning West Queen West strip in the early 2000s, has become more of a caricature of what a so-called hipster club is supposed to be. Yes, The Social is now overrun with underagers, 30-something investment banker types looking for "fresh meat," and popped-collar 905ers.
Yes, those in the "know" are so over it, as hipsters have their sights set ever-Westward and Parkdale's Wrongbar can now lay claim to be hipster mecca. However, "hipster" is a dirty word that immediately incites mildly amusing alterna-cultural debate amongst West Queen Westers that prove it has actually transcended a true definition. So, in this post-hipster age, what does it matter how we label the bar/club at Queen and Dovercourt that started it all?
The fact of the matter is that The Social is one of the few spots that can charge a cover on a Monday night and still expect a lineup outside. The bar's Monday Meetings night boasts $2 drinks until 11:30pm, DJs spinning electro all night, and a dancefloor packed with people who have no idea that the weekend is over.
From Thursday to Saturday expect to find a slew of Guest DJs ranging from local talents like St Mandrew and Mansion to internationally renowned acts like Boys Noize and The Crystal Method.
The space itself tastefully avoids overstated decor. Instead, the overall design is akin to that of a loft, with its wooden beams, exposed ventilation ducts, and stainless steel paneling. In fact, the only real standout in terms of decor is the large mural spelling out "Welfare" on the wall opposite the main bar.
Yes, it is common knowledge amongst locals that the bar was initially going to be called Welfare. Yes, many are even aware that the mural piece is entitled "Welfare: Allegory for the Death of Parkdale (As We Know It). However, it is interesting to note that when The Social first opened the mural was a commentary on how Parkdale was in a transitional stage - its death, so to speak.
The Parkdale that now exists is a far cry from the one that existed in the early 2000s and along with other similar neighborhood businesses like The Drake, The Social spearheaded this transition, this death.
As far as libations go, don't expect anything out of the ordinary. The usual domestics and premiums like Labatt 50 and Stella Artois are on tap and will cost between $4 and $6 for a pint. The bar stocks bottles of your typical imports like Carlsberg and Heineken and tall cans of Strongbow and Stiegl. Standard mixed drinks like vodka-cran and gin and tonic cost $5, but don't expect anything too fancy to be mixed for you at the bar, as it gets far too hectic for the bartenders on most nights.
Writing by Ian Leipurts
Address: 1100 Queen Street West, Get Directions
Neighborhood: West Queen West
Website: thesocial.ca
Phone: 416.532.4474
Hours: Check web site for schedule
Really? As someone who use to go to the Social way back when, I can assure you it wasn't then nor is it now an "Essential Bar".
I'm sure you have an ironic beard Ian and maybe you think this is an ironic choice, but even as a joke this place is over ripe.
This is ridiculous place full of an odd condo crowd...went there a few yrs ago on an advertised "rock" night but didn't realize what hipsters and douchebags consider "rock".Apparently euro pan beatin' music is the new is the new aerosmith and when i went to ask the dj where the rock tunes were this hipped out little oriental man with radiohead hair and shinny blue denim jeans didn't seem to know what i meant.but did his best to stay true to the rock theme by clearing the floor with the only rnr disc he had.....Heart's Dreamboat annie for christ's sake....parkdale has lost it man
Wow the pic on the front makes this place look like a gay bar. The social is a good place to go, no cover, no line, cheap drinks, good music, what more can you ask for. I guess only crap holes make hipsters happy.
There's nothing wrong with looking like a gay bar if you are a gay bar, this place isn't. It just seems to me to be misleading that's all. The gaybar equivalent to The Social is oddly enough called Strait Lounge, maybe mit should check it out
this place is sick. it has cover but it's cheap, it's filled with a diverse crowd of wieners and cool kids and overall hosts some of the best dj's around. if you're into the MUSIC scene, the underground electro scene... then this bar is for you. it's hot, it's sweaty, and the music is hard. but like all bars, you have to go on the right night. so be sure to find out when theres a good show before you show up.
...are you the oriental dj i'm talking about?....what term do the hipsters in parkdale use today ? ...last time i checked oriental is a term....
well you must've not "checked" since All in The Family was in production.
Oriental = inanimate objects such as rugs, food, designs.
Asian = People.
Got it? Good.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient[edit] British English
In British English, the term Oriental carries no pejorative connotations and describes Eastern Asian people of Chinese/Japanese/Korean descent and some Southeastern Asian groups such as Vietnamese, wheras the term Asian generally describes the people or descendants of people from the Middle East or the Indian Subcontinent and its surrounding countries.
....Looks like you're "un" concious today ;)
If you're still clueless - which I suspect you are - see the following link for information as to the origins of these terms and why the rest of us have evolved.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080519185050AAY53s5
Whoa...hold on here....I thought this post was about a gay bar on Queen St? Now all of a sudden people are arguing that its a karaoke bar?
Man....this is why every bar should be a Fox & Fiddle. No misinterpretations.
you got that right...at least they don't confuse rock with euro beats and wear gold underpants
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