Best of Toronto
The Best New Bars in Toronto, 2009
While purveyors of luxury items might have been tightening their belts during 2009's economic downturn, booze slingers had little to worry about, as down-and-outers proved the old theory that everyone will splurge on a pint in tough times. And the crop of new bars that hit the ground running this year were a testament to that fact, as Toronto's bar scene showed that it was as robust as ever.
From no-frills, faux dive bars to Russian-themed enclaves, the best bars in Toronto for 2009 ran the gamut from east to west - but it was Lower Ossington that took the cake this year, with spots like Watusi and Painted Lady offering everything the modern drinker needs for a night on the town: eclectic decor, unique style, hip location, and all the right imbibables.
New territory was broken in up-and-coming neighbourhoods this year, too, with bars at Dufferin and Bloor, Dovercourt and College, and Lansdowne and Dundas, inspiring renewed use of that favourite Toronto term, "gentrification."
Here are the 12 best new Toronto bars of 2009.
3 Speed
This new project from Communist's Daughter owners Paul Emery and Trish Welbourn has all the laid-back ease we've come to love at The Communist's Daughter, with plenty more room and a stand-up menu that will keep you well-fed till closing time. With the same effortless touch for spinning all the best indie tunes, including some chilled-out live music nights, 3 Speed finally brings Dufferin and Bloor residents a cool watering hole they can call their own. More »
The Garrison
Hailed by some as the west end's answer to Toronto's live music scene, The Garrison boasts former Sneaky Dee's booker, Shaun Bowring, and hosts events like Wavelength and Trampoline Hall. With a crowd-friendly layout and plenty of space for the revelers streaming into the Dundas and Ossington area, the Garrison's going to be showing up on a lot of event billings in 2010. More »
Painted Lady
This decadent-looking place on Lower Ossington brings a taste of New Orleans to Toronto's hottest neighbourhood. With over 50 photographs and paintings adorning the walls and sumptuous-looking touches like velvet couches and chandeliers, the owners' artistic backgrounds lend the bar its beautiful, eclectic look. A wide selection of drinks and a tasty menu make it a local favourite. More »
Red Light
Sweaty Betty's sister bar and neighbour, The Red Light, is a cozy watering hole with Sweaty's signature look but slightly more square-footage. It still gets packed, though, despite only being identifiable by the red lantern hanging in the front window. More »
Swirl Wine Bar
Leslieville keeps it classy with this adorable little gem, tucked away on a second floor location in what was once a small one-bedroom apartment. Preserves and anything else that can be spread on bread are served in little mason jars with accompaniments of baguette - even dessert is available in a jar! Wine lovers and unrefined boozehounds alike will enjoy Swirl's small but carefully chosen sommelier's picks, in a simply priceless space done up by design agency Fame. More »
Double Deuce Saloon
Nestled between the Gladstone and the Drake hotels, the Double Deuce Saloon is a designer dive bar with rustic touches like reclaimed wood and a mounted boar's head that will make you feel as manly as Patrick Swayze in 1989's *Roadhouse*. More »
Watusi
From the makers of The Bovine Sex Club and Shanghai Cowgirl, it's Watusi - the 1960s-inspired mod bar on Ossington that wins points for its creative martini menu, its tapas-style menu, and its solid brunch. More »
Black Dice
This tiny, rockabilly bar on the far reaches of Dundas West has quickly earned a loyal following, thanks to its eclectic food and drink offerings, warm atmosphere and groovy retro tunes. A hip little hideway in a sea of Little Portugal's aging sports bars, Black Dice takes its '50s aesthetic very seriously, while its menu - featuring snacks like Swansea TV dinners and Ritz crackers - is a light-hearted crowd-pleaser. More »
The Emmet Ray
Whiskey lovers now have a full complement of whiskey offerings at their disposal at the city's friendliest bar, The Emmet Ray. Homemade goodies and an upscale menu make this a nice little destination for a respectable night out, and signals a change to College and Dovercourt's nightlife. More »
Hard Luck
The Gasworks might be closed, but in Hard Luck, downtown Toronto has a hard rock venue that looks set to make waves. The two-storey music venue brings a variety of musical talent to the stage, notably in its no-cover Tuff Luck Tuesdays set, and also hosts other fun gigs like Sunday night comedy. More »
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West side being "new" and "touristy" with the east side being "pretentious" and "arrogant".
Everyone who's a rampant know-it-all on this blog (aka 95% of posters) will be doing the same thing regardless of location come midnight:
Sit at their computers at their barely liveable(re: "hip") loft or apartment bitching about how they are the best. How where they eat is the best. How where they go out is the best. Why everyone else is fucking wrong. Why "that little nook" near their apartment that serves $12 "velvety lemon cupcakes" and free-trade vegan tea is the best thing to happen since the printing press.
Guess what? You're not always right. Your liberal arts degree and "digital media, viral marketing, guerrilla advertising" job where you get coffee all day and pretend you're someone important are pretty much pointless and don't make you a "maven" on anything.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Quagmire-hates-Brian-rant See this for further explanation as to why you aren't as special as you think you are.
Quick hating. It's juvenile and it's getting us nowhere.