Troubadour, a term coined in the Middle Ages to refer to French and Italian poets and musicians, is also the name of one of Toronto's newest hidden gems. Besides being an intimate live music venue, The Troubadour is a simplistic, charming bar with a very cozy atmosphere. Located in The Junction, the bar was opened in 2007 by 30-something owners Kristy Hollidge and Alain Richer (a French musician himself), who have created a quaint little space that serves the community of the Dundas and Keele area, giving them a place to call home away from home, have a bite and a pint, and listen to performances by many great local bands and artists.
It's a Thursday night, and the band (a creative ensemble of songwriters called Us and Others) is setting up gear and instruments in the front room, placing themselves around the Robert-Johnson-era piano that sits against the wall, check-1-2-ing as the patrons sip their microbrews and their French Onion Soup, a Troubadour specialty.
As I drink my Creemore, taking in the sights and sounds, I notice the Christmas lights that adorn the walls of exposed brick, two red lampshades framing the bar, ceiling fans turning in slow motion, and the promise of a soon-to-be-here weekend lingering in the air.
Framed photos by local photographer Matthew Marigold hang on the wall - a series of clowns boozing it up (apparently friends of the bar, and other people from the Junction community who offered to have their faces painted), all on sale in support of the Contact Photo Festival. The friendly waitress/bartender, Clare, is kind enough to answer all my questions, even though she's working alone and serving the now-packed room, calling many of them by first name and never skimping on the smiles.
The Troub (as it's affectionately known) offers a very hearty menu - pub fare with a home-cooked twist - at a very reasonable price. The most expensive entree is less than ten dollars. On Mondays, the bar hosts Homecooked Monday's - a special night of hearty comfort food. They even have a kids menu, affectionately titled "Little Munchkin Food" (Munchkins get a free bowl of vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry!)
For those just in for a pint, the bar also offers a wide variety of local microbrews, a great selection of bottled beers, and monthly features. And for those with musical aspirations and a bit of guts, Sunday nights are open jam nights, so bring down your instruments!
The Troubadour will celebrate its two-year anniversary in October; here's to many more years to come. The bar serves one of Toronto's most up-and-coming neighbourhoods, and is building a loyal fanbase of regulars, some of whom return several times a week, even if it's just to stop in for a quick drink and a friendly hello from the staff.
Writing by Andrew Hanna
Additional Details
- Beers on Tap:
- Microbrews including Mill St. Organic, Apricot Wheat Beer, and Wellington County Ale
- Signature Drink:
- The Sunset Martini
- Bar Snacks:
- Pub-fare with a home-cooked feel. A renowned French onion soup, sandwhiches, wraps, pasta, fish, desserts, and a kids menu. Homecooked Mondays (Special homecooked menu).
- Patio:
- Yes
- Music/Genre:
- Music ranges from folk, to bluegrass, to country, to rock and roll, to rockabilly and even jazz.
- Live Music:
- Yes
- Who Goes There:
- Junction locals, from 20 somethings to 50 somethings, artists, musicians, hardworking neighbourhood people.
- Hours:
- 7 days a week, Monday to Thursday 4pm-2am, Friday-Sunday 2pm-2am
Discussion
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The plural of Monday is Mondays. No apostrophe. Is there an editor in the house?
the Troubadour is awesome. They have a very cool backyard patio as well, decorated with with various old windows and things like that along with a garden. Lots of seating as well.
Bob: Loosen up, buddy.
Wait - should that "buddy" be capital B or lowercase?
"simplistic" as in facile?
Where is that editor?
Dre: This blog is supposed to be a legit publication, with (one would hope) standards slightly higher than Facebook status updates. It should be properly edited.
This place is great - the most reasonable prices, great food and friendly staff all around. Kid friendly (My 7 year old loves it)and the best selection of microbrews around with the best price on a pint i have seen in a long time. If you live in the area you have no excuse not to go here and support the Junction - you wont find a better place to relax and enjoy some live music.
JB
The Troubadour is indeed a gem!
I moved to the Junction a few months back and was so pleased to find this cozy local. They have an excellent selection of local beers on tap and the live music is superb(very cool bluegrass bands and the jam sessions are a ton of fun as well!).
This place has awesome energy and is truly a staple of the Junction community.
I love the Troub. And Ed and Bob, you all have way too much time on your hands. Oops, shouldn't start a sentence with "and". And crap, that last sentence was a fragment. Oh well, I must be an idiot. I should just give up on life.
The Junction is a great neighbourhood...my wife and I moved to the area last August...and were very fortunate to experience the Junction Arts Festival in early September. As I strolled up Dundas Street on the Friday evening, I stumbled across the Troubador and decided then that it was a place to check out. That's exactly what we have done over the past nine months. The Troubador has been a favourite hang out for us. You just can't go wrong with the great beers on tap, friendly welcome from the staff, and great live music that starts at 9 p.m. We've even chatted with Alain a couple of times. During our last visit, we were informed that the Troubador would be closing down on May 9th, quite a shock! Alain and Kristy, if you read this, please count us as supporters and find another local spot to work your magic!
Does anyone know the status of the Troubadour's search for a new location? My friends and I used to go to the Junction just for the Troubadour's amazing neibourhood vibe, so we were really disappointed to hear that they got booted out when the building was sold. We're dying to know if the owners are looking into a new location. Does anyone have the scoop?