The Best Places to Drink a Pitcher of Beer in Toronto

The best places to drink a pitcher of beer in Toronto can best be described as a perfect convergence of ambiance, location, food, beer selection, and of course, cost. The places below run the gamut from certified, but beloved, dive bars, to haunts for craft beer aficionados, to classic pubs. One thing many of them have in common is the presence of a much-coveted patio, because the appeal of a sun-drenched summer afternoon lost over a pitcher can't be overlooked, and fairly reasonable prices (because neither can the draw of a brew that doesn't break the bank).

Here a list of the best places to drink a pitcher of beer in Toronto.

See also:

The best beer selection in Toronto
The best sangria in Toronto
The best cocktails in Toronto
The best cheap drinks in Toronto
The best martinis in Toronto
The best hotel bars in Toronto
The best new bars in Toronto, 2011
The best pubs in Toronto

Victory Cafe

The Victory Cafe is an Annex stand-by for university students (I’ve whiled away many a summer afternoon on its somewhat-shaded front patio) and the general beer-loving public. Aside from its varied pitchers around $15 to $22 for brews from Spearhead, Muskoka and Flying Monkeys, occasionally unexpected bottle stock, and decent and affordable bar grub, it’s one of the area’s best arenas for stumbling into philosophical debates. More »

Sneaky Dee's

Sneaky Dee’s is the place to go if you’re hankering for some passable, but accordingly priced, Mexican-inspired food and snippets of overheard music from the upstairs’ live music space. Their pitchers are reasonably priced between $12.50 for the eminently drinkable Cool Lager or Buzz Amber to $17 for Keith’s IPA. More »

The Only Cafe

The Only Cafe is just brilliant. Reigning over a stretch of the Danforth otherwise devoid of watering holes with an artistic bent, you’ll find moderately priced pitchers (between $17-$20), and (though it might be sacrilegious to mention in this post) some of the weirdest beer bottles in that neck of the woods. If you enjoy a touch of caffeine with your brews, head over to the cafe side for snacks, coffee, and occasional live entertainment. More »

The Rhino

The Rhino is perplexingly frowned upon by some Parkdale residents I know, but that’s mainly for its sports-bar-esque interior. The large ground-floor patio is a perfect place to while away the day’s last rays, and their $14-$20 pitchers serve wallets both large and small. They always have an extensive list of international and craft breweries represented on tap and in bottles. Like Red Room or Nirvana, their menu might lure you with tempting and innovative dishes, but always consider the too-reasonable price. You get what you pay for. More »

Java House

Java House does one thing really well, and that’s dirt-cheap pitchers at $13 for beers such as Mill St. Organic, Creemore, or Steamwhistle. Their interior is dingy without being dirty, their food does the trick (barely), but their patio offers an ideal people-watching spot off Queen West. More »

Betty's

A solid, no-frills pub in the east-end, Betty’s satisfies the thirst of George Brown students and financial district workers alike for a decent $15 per pitcher. Their enclosed back patio features picnic tables, a bit of shade, and (I’ve seen it with my own eyes), a glimpse through large condo windows at sometimes debaucherus goings-on. More »

O'Grady's

O’Grady's is a classic, feel-good Irish pub in the simplest sense of the word. The menu features by-the-book pub grub, but their patio is a truly prime piece of outdoor real estate in the Village. Even their pitchers are reasonable, with 16oz pitchers of domestic beers for $15, and imported beers for $20. More »

Disgraceland

Disgraceland is a versatile bar that’s been known to accommodate families for brunch as readily as the rowdy twenty-something spill-off from the Annex. If you fit in with the latter, you’ll find pitchers around $16, pool tables, an eclectic mix of tunes, and even board games. More »

Mugshot Tavern

The Mugshot Tavern is a newer pub that’s garnered quite a following for its commitment to local and craft brews, a quality Southern-inspired menu of comfort foods, and a small, intimate patio. Their pitchers range from $18 for domestic beers, including a selection of craft brews such as King’s Pilsner, or around $21 for imports. More »

The Wheat Sheaf

The Wheat Sheaf is sometimes under-appreciated in discussions of good places to grab a beer, perhaps for its auspicious Bathurst and King location. Nevertheless, it has solid pub food, a side patio that affords glimpses of the evening club parade, and pitchers between $16-$22. More »

Pour Boy

Pour Boy is instantly recognizable for the painted facade that overlooks its modest patio, but venture inside and you’ll find a comfortable mix of wood and brick, retro accents, and pitchers that tend to ring in around $15. The food is an unfocused mix of international flavors that might not be haute cuisine, but might help you pass into the morning with a minimal hangover. More »

House on Parliament

House on Parliament is technically a pub, with pitchers hovering around the $20 mark for a wide variety of brews, but their food and general atmosphere are also deserving of a mention. From their better-than-you’d-expect sandwiches, to the quaint patio, it’s a great place to bunker down with friends and not have to shout to be heard. More »

Rebel House

The Rebel House is the only entry in the Rosedale area, but it’s a well-deserved victory. Aside from its large patio, above-average pub food (including reasonably priced wings), they offer pitchers of a wide variety of Canadian brews for an even $20. More »

Duffy’s Tavern

Squirreled away in Bloordale Village, Duffy’s Tavern has been a mainstay of the area since 1949, and frequently sees a mix of weary regulars and curious neighbours. But don’t let the nearby strip club and unassuming facade fool you; although they tend not to offer imported beers in pitchers, their domestics range between $14-$16.50 and you can always try your luck at the pool tables. More »

The Hideout

The Hideout is a strange mix of goth and club kids, and regular joes at night, but during the early evening its patio is an under-appreciated gem for enjoying pitchers of Coors or Rickards. It's a surprisingly good spot to bunker down for a lunch or dinner of pub staples catered by Lou Dawg's, and stay for the live acts, including acoustic lunches. More »