Best of Toronto
The Best Pubs in Toronto
Being an inveterate drunk you'd think writing this post would be easy. I spend a lot of time in pubs 'Keeping a shine on the bar with the sleeves of my coat' but I realized during the writing process that putting in your time at pubs can be counter productive since, by the time you're done, you're not really in any condition to be critical of such places. You always leave with a slight wobble and a warm fuzzy feeling as you walk out the door .
It's once you walk out the door, alone into midnight and our cold common darkness, pulling your collar up in the way you'd imagine Tom Waits does (ah, you're such a romantic) that it hits you.
What really makes a great pub is staggering distance from your front door. Everyone has 'a local' they probably spend too much time in and although the wait staff may not know you by name there's a deep sense of connexion most people have with their neighbourhood watering hole because it encapsulates everything they love about the hood. And try as you might to try and sway any friends living in other neighbourhoods that your 'local' is better, they'd probably have strong opinions to the contrary.
In point of fact, there's only one pub that I've ever gone out of my way to visit: Pemblitt's/The Queen's Head in Cabbagetown. It made some of the best steak & kidney pie i've ever had, printed its menus in royal family memorabilia, had a blown out 60s era jag parked on the patio and was the sitting room (and basement) of a heritage victorian home. It's sadly long gone though.
All the pubs on this list do some descent nosh and pull a mean pint but what really makes them stand out is that they rep for their hoods and stand out as charming, comfortable places you can meet the locals (or get dragged to by friends living in those hoods) and feel at home.
The beauty of this list is that the #1 is actually called The Local and fully represents its community in exactly the way it should. It's artsy, soulful, a little frumpy, serves a decent burger, has the usual domestic & import suspects on tap, and it's a great place to catch the local colour inside or as they walk by on a Spring Saturday afternoon.
So if you ever find yourself a little parched and in any of these neighbourhoods, feel free to pull up a stool and start up a random chat with a stranger. You won't be disappointed.
Headline images from blogTO flickr pool members whogan & raveneye
The Local
If a pub should be a microcosm of the neighbourhood, then this west-end haunt hits the mark with a laid-back, arty, shabby chic vibe that is very, very Roncy. Import pints at the bar, local art on the walls, huge plate glass windows for people watching and plenty of foliage to hide your illicit tryst make this a fun place to chill and catch some live local tunes while noshing on some pub grub from the 'compact' menu. More »
Rebel House
This Rosedale beacon of insobriety offers a casual atmosphere with upscale cuisine. Rebel House acknowledges the past history of the neighbourhood while still representing the bourgeois tastes of the current denizens. Their website offers up daily menu specials which means you can ensure ahead of time you'll be well fed while you're busy plotting some civil unrest; although I strongly suspect that the only thing being 'foam'-mented here is the beer. More »
C'est What
This Front Street basement bar has been faithfully wrecking Toronto livers for decades and serving up some serious tunes along with the odd snack or two. Lousy with taps (35 at last count) serving a serious selection of domestic, import, local and in-house brews, scads of local and international artists (Jeff Buckley is rumoured to have played here early in his brief career) got their start stepping up to the mic at C'est What. Plenty of thoughtful, tasty takes on traditional pub grub are on offer so whatever you're hungry for, you can get your fill here. More »
Mill Street Brew Pub
Located in an area that's famous for its historical ties to 'spirits' Mill Street Brew Pub feels perfectly at home catering to tourists and the retail-therapy set while faithfully churning out quality brews next door which can be found in tap houses throughout our fair burgh. On a sunny day there are few places better in the city to soak up some sun and suds than the huge cobblestone patio listening to some live music and feeling a million miles from the 416. More »
The House on Parliament
A fantastic card of tasty nosh, (tops of which is the delicious pulled pork sandwich and fries) and some serious characters keep the peeps coming back to Cabbagetown to grab a pint, some food and some serious conversation. More »
The Longest Yard
If there had to be a sports bar to grace this list, it could only be The Longest Yard. Slightly less frat boy owing to its Mount Pleasant location, this pub offers all the pub standards (13 beers on tap and the traditional fare menu) with some surprises (16 wines by the glass and some fusion-y menu items) which means mom can drink her cares away on the sunny patio while dad watches the game on one of several flickering sets. There's even an autographed picture of Burt Reynolds gracing one of the walls! With irony, natch. More »
The Auld Spot Pub
My current Local and a Danforth stalwart for people seeking a little refuge of vice in the midst of all things hippy that flow in a steady stream from the Carrot Common across the street. Scottish in spirit but with a well traveled belly The Auld Spot has a decent pint selection and an eclectic menu. Your faves with a spin, a highlight is some of the plumpest, tastiest wings in the city (the honey hot being my current fave)...I think they're organic too...heh... More »
Brazen Head
I'm still convinced the name is a double entendre but it allegedly refers to an occult prophetic instrument and the second oldest pub in Oireland (or is it the one in Scotland...damn, there are more entendres than I thought). No barstool prophets here, this pub services the Liberty Village mediarati and condo set with heaps of hospitality (nothing more hospitable than the free oysters on Fridays) across two levels. More »
Paupers Pub
Located in the former home of an Annex CIBC with a vault you can book for some cozy company, this three floor pub run by the good Madison Ave mensches offers up standard pub fare to starving undergrads over three fantastic storeys including a huge rooftop patio. A great place to catch the game or a co-ed. There's even a frat boy doing live Billy Joel covers on weekends. More »
Betty's
A mandatory finish (eastbound at least) to any King St. pub crawl, the former 'Betty Ford Clinic' still proudly displays a blown-up version of the cease-and-desist order from the eponymous Rancho Mirage rehab centre that prompted the name change. Wasting the day washing down some grub with several pints on the shady garden patio is a excellent way to starting off your own pre-hab. More »
A Dark Horse
My old local and a wonderfully scruffy little pub on the fringes of Bloor West Village near Jane Station. It feels like what you'd imagine a blue-haired British gran's sitting room would feel like if she had cute, friendly waitresses in shorts skirts serving beer instead of tea and crumpets. A Dark Horse has a huge street side patio in the summer and a surprisingly edible (for a pub anyway) pad thai from the kitchen which makes for a veritable gastro-pastiche when accompanied by a Guinness chaser. More »
Fynn's of Temple Bar
Like the Unseelie Court or the mythical Brigadoon this pub seems to've appeared from the aether (minus Gene Kelly, natch). Other pub references abound in the menu (The Brazen Head Lamb Shank anyone?) as well as Irish food names that have nothing to do with either Ireland or its cuisine. All of which gives Fynn's kind of a strange surreal quality like a police station in a Flan O'Brien novel. Still, can't really complain too much since they too serve free oysters on Friday afternoons. More »
Discussion
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Any Pub that serves beer, is the best Pub
:P
Blog T.O. - where amalgamation never happened, and Scarborough, Etobicoke and north of Eglinton don't exist.
I can't help but notice the absence of Dora Keogh. The list includes, as usual, a token Danforth pick ... but the Auld Spot over Dora's? Puh-lease!
Dave & Jay:
As with all 'best of' posts, the content was reader generated. So where were you when we were asking for input?
@Jay:
As a denizen of the Danforth I'll admit the Dora's a fantastic pub. Both Allen's and The Only should've made the list too.
Great to see so many places that are east of Yonge!
I've been consistently disappointed at the Mill Street Pub. C'est What, HoP and Betty's always deliver.
Guess I missed the poll.
What about Paupers and the Madison Avenue pubs?
This must have been fun to 'research' ;)
I must say, the food at House On Parliament is hand's down the best pub food I've ever had. I have dreams about the steak and mushroom pie.
I actually always enjoy these lists but only having recently discovered blogto I've never actually seen a poll for any of the lists - how does the poll happen? When does it happen?
I agree about House on Parliament. The food is fantastic, especially some of the specials. It's often busy but it's one of the few places I don't mind waiting for a table.
Auld Spot and Rebel House are also pretty great.
"What about Paupers and the Madison Avenue pubs"
Paupers is #9 on the list.
Carlos makes a good point.
Sarah's on Danforth also has a nice beer selection and patio. It's a tad dingy in the colder months though.
Personally, I like the space at the Madison but I think the place is a dump. Great place if your a frat-boy, though.
I couldn't be more disappointed and disgusted with Mill Street Pub, in what was my first and last visit there. Was there for my 30th birthday in February/08. After spending a great night there with a gang of friends that drank and ate all night (so basically a hefty tab) - we uncerimoniously had our beers forcibly grabbed out of our hands (I kid you not) after last call was called, by a bartender with a major attitude problem. Left my number with the manager that was on duty that night to further discuss the problem, and never even got a call back. Great PR there Mill Street... a birthday I know I'll never forget for all the wrong reasons.
Glad to see Betty's is one the list though - great patio on a hot summer day.
The Distillery only likes you these days if you wear fur and carry a little dog in a purse.
Smokeless Joe, Bar Volo and Victory Cafe are missing.
Auld Spot is great, C'est What isn't bad, neither is Paupers, though some friends of mine are there too often, (variety people!), the Local is alright, though I haven't been there in years, but Dark Horse? Come on! It's no good.
I second that Smokeless Joe, Bar Volo and Victory Cafe are missing
All in favour that Smokeless Joe, Bar Volo and Victory Cafe are missing?
Motion carried.
Whichever one is walking distance to home, and what Carlos said.
Everything at the pub ends up tasting like beer anyway.
how can any self-respecting barfly want to include a 'local' with cafe in the name?
hey, what about the unicorn?
I never "got" Victory Cafe. It's OK but it was never a place I was in an hurry to return to. It can be a bit sceney, in an off-putting way. Not as relaxing as I like a pub to be.
The burgers are good, though.
"how can any self-respecting barfly want to include a 'local' with cafe in the name?"
When it has better beer than the bulk of the places on the list...
C'est What used to be my fave pub. I had been going there since I was old enough to drink legally. But somewhere in the last few years they changed ownership or management and it has lost all its appeal.
A friend and I arrived at a half-empty pub on a Thursday evening and was told to wait to be seated, even though there were clearly tables available. I said we were expecting a third to join us but she wouldn't let us have a table and told us we'd have to wait for a table for two. I could hardly believe it!
I'll never set foot in there again. What a sure way to lose business from long-time regulars.
Can anybody recommend anything in the East end? And by East end, I don't mean something between Yonge and Sherborne.
No, I'm not complaining that there are few-east-end places on the lists. I would have nominated something if I wasn't new to the area.
That's why I have been watching the best of lists fervently; to discover places to check out in my new neighbourhood. Unfortunately, I have been left a little dissapointed that more places out this way haven't been nominated.
Also, I don't really see what is so special about the Victory Cafe. I'm thinking it's only on its high pedestal because of its popularity with particular groups.
@Ryan L.:
which east end hood? The Dora Keogh, Allen's, The Auld Spot, The Only are all along the Danforth from Broadview to Jones. If you're in the beaches try Murphy's Law. Can anyone else help a brother out?
Ryan L - There are lots of pubs on the Danforth that are worth a try. The Old Nick is OK. The food is basic pub grub and the Saturday night entertainment (local singer songwriter types) is hit and miss, but overall it's a nice little pub. Good service and an interesting eclectic crowd.
Allen's, Dora Keough, and Auld Spot are all good too.
Just how far east are you?
For East end, Brass Taps is alright too. Like someone else said, Sarah's has a good beer selection. The Only is a personal favorite. Farther down is the Renaissance Cafe which always has an excellent micro selection on tap.
Places in the beaches to check out include Castro's Lounge, Murphy's Law, Feathers, Lion on the Beach.
The Blue Moon in Riverside is always a fun, dingy place to drink some pints and shoot some pool with the strippers from Jilly's...
@Ryan L - If you're in Scarborough (Kingston Rd./Midland Ave. area) check out The Tara Inn. Further East I would recommend The Black Dog (Port Union/401).
In the Beaches try Murphy's Law, Lion on the Beach, and Quigley's (all on Queen St. E). The Grover on Kingston Rd. is an OK place too.
-Brian
I moved from Roncesvalles to Leslieville in March and the one thing I really miss is the Local pub - have not yet found another "local" pub to replace it.
The Victory Cafe rocks for three main reasons: it's tucked behind on a leafy quiet street, has a nice wrap-around patio, and the regional micro/cask beer selection is commendable.
yeah, but how's the coffee...heh...
It might be unreasonable to focus on one thing, but to me a pub drops at least a grade when they offer shoestring fries (as pictured in two of the images above) as opposed to the thick, "chip" fries or whatever they're called.
If you want, you can have thick, fresh cut fries, or even wedges, but shoestring fries are unacceptable. I'll get a pint anywhere, but I'll never order food at a place that serves shoestring fries.
I like Southside Louie's on College St. Decent food and service. Cozy, pubby atmosphere. But the crowd is always a little dull.
This may/will seem an odd choice to everyone, but it is a fave of mine (if it is still there? not in Toronto anymore) - The Black Horse Tavern near Bloor and Dovercourt.
For east of the DVP along Queen I'd recommend Prohibition:
http://blogto.com/restaurants/prohibition
The failure to include Dora Keogh on this list damns it into irrelevance. Missed the mark here guys. Fynn's and Mill St. are utter comic spectacle compared to the genuine pub spirit and simplicity that Dora's continues to embrace. Thumbs down.
I used to love C'est What? but since they opened up the restaurant portion a few years ago it's become far less friendly and snooty -- we were actually getting the stinkeye and really lousy service from the servers because we dared to want to want to have more people in our party than would comfortably fit at a four-person table...and they refused to put two tables together, actually saying to us "I can see where this is going...." Well, where it WOULD have been going is our party spending a bunch of money on both food and drink. Where it ended up going is down the street to another establishment that looked like it wanted our business. Au revoir, C'est What, au revoir forever.
@nope: the failure to recognize the diff between a simulacrum and the genuine article damns your last comment into irrelevance. I'd argue that McVeigh's is far more 'authentic' an Irish pub than the Dora (McVeigh'sused to funnel money to the IRA in the 70s for chrissakes). But the Dora is a comfortable spot (apart from those annoying milking stools)and the next time you're in the snug, look over and i'll be the one raising a pint in your direction...
By the way, that was meant to read "far less friendly and far more snooty". But that was probably obvious from the rest of the post.
memrobelia --> memorabilia
I say this deserves a correcto-box.
@jenia I think you're thinking of the wrong site :)
The Bow and Arrow, Cloak and Dagger, and Done Right Inn all deserve a mention too, I think
I can't resist, and I'm flabergasted that no one has mentioned it: The Only Cafe (Danforth/Donlands). Ok, so it sells coffee & has "cafe" in the title. But this joint is a proper local boozer that has excellent beers on tap & fabulous friendly service. Its become like a tradition in my family.
ummm...it's only been mentioned like half a dozen times. everyone omits the 'cafe' part which now that it has been brought to my attenion, means it deserves the same scorn previously reserved for The Victory Cafe. Except this one's on the Danforth so it's cool. ;o)
Well thanks for pointing that out...I'm so relieved...
so can anyone tell me how you vote on these things anyway? I know I asked once already but hey...I can only but try.
Good pick on "the local" it's good but not the best...
what about the rhino? wait that isn't much of a pub...but it does have a good bar stool area and the cheapest selection in town.
I have been drinking at smokeless joe's for over 7 years...every year it goes downhill and their beer selection gets worse and the prices go up...
For those wondering about how we come up with these lists....
Back in January we asked blogTO readers to nominate their favourite places in a number of different categories. Based on the nomination round, we then came up with a final set of categories and a list of nominees in each. We then ran a poll asking everyone to vote.
So....ever since the poll ended we've been publishing the results in these Best Of lists. Many of the lists include the final results of the vote + some extra places that were nominated but didn't make it into the final cut. The reason we've sometimes added these extra places is because in many cases the list was narrowed down to 5-10 for purposes of the vote. But when we started publishing these Best Of posts we realized there was more value expanding the list to 10, 12 or 15 spots.
At this point, we're basically finished announcing the results so some of our recent lists have actually been generated by the authors of the post itself in consultation with the rest of the blogTO team. An example of this is the recent Best Cupcakes post. Cupcakes was not a category in our January poll.
Moving forward, expect more blogTO generated Best Of lists but we'll also be conducting future polls to give everyone a chance to have their say.
Frank, you greatly misinterpreted my statement if you felt it was an appeal to "authenticity" (even if it was a great segue for you to throw some Baudrillard my way -- now there's a topic for us at Dora's). All that matters to me is the spirit and engagement of those who attend, day or night.
And I've been to a few of them!
How about a list (taken from a poll) of the top two or three pubs of all the major neighborhoods in Toronto? Because, as the author says "What really makes a great pub is staggering distance from your front door." I agree. But no pubs from my 'hood made the list;(
I remember a few years ago, Toronto.com had a similar best of list section on their site. That was of course before they became just one big advertisement machine. They used to ask for reader submissions, but also include their own picks. The nice thing about that system was that if readers forgot to nominate a very worthy locale, then it could still be voted on (and vice versa)
Perhaps next time around if readers don't get in their picks for places outside the core, then the writers can suggest their own to encourage a little 'diversity'. If the non-core suggestions still aren't good enough to make the list, well then perhaps we should get mad at the neighbourhood for failing to produce a good burger place rather then get mad at the BlogTO writers.
What, no Duke of Gloucester????
@Tim thanks very much for the info - I wish they hadn't all been done in January (not having found the site until May) but hey, they're interesting nonetheless.
Hey Carlos? Any sane person in Toronto wishes amalgamation never happened...is the Blue Goose in Etobicoke?....re: Pimbletts'- the best and possibly only authentic pub in Toronto by far..R.I.P.
I'm wondering what people think of the Bedford Academy. I ask because I can't figure out myself whether it's awesome or kinda sucky.
I like your strategy strategy! Thanks for keeping some of my favourite place(s) off the list. Keep sending people to sub-par, travel-guide inspired bars like these and keep the real places just that, real.
This is a great post on teh local watering holes that many people visiting Toronto might not be able to find. This is a perfect guide for those looking for a nice cold draft beer or warm beverage for those winter visits.
Southside Louie's on College Street is a good neighbourhood spot. The newest kid on the block is the Cornerstone Pub at Euclid & College. The Gem on Davenport, west of Ossington has a great wraparound patio at the corner of Davenport and Somerset. Other good pint pullers include The Red Lion on Jarvis Street, and The Artful Dodger on Isabella.
I forgot another one: The Roxton! Great food, great ipod selection. Cosy, no distracting TV's; wonderful fodder for conversation while watching the night go by over a pint or two.
The Artful Dodger - Yonge and Isabella.
Good mix of colourful locals, the usual suspects on tap and a better than average pub menu. Quality jukebox(es), three lounges and two patios.
What more could you ask for?
Artfful Dodger is best?? You can sit all day by yourself at the bar and nobody talks to you or says hello even if you gape at them and smile forlornely with homliest patheticness. I go and sit all day from 11:30 until late at night but still nobody like me or be nice except thems who works there but I heard them giggling behind my back. When I take the initiative and go hang out with peoples and join them they treat me like a I'm a turd. One really cute girl smiled at me when I asked to join her and her friends but when I went to sit down said GO AWAY and her friend said I looked like I just fell out of a nose.
I've just discovered this wonderful site, and love all the lists, but I do have to say the Victory Cafe is terrible, the service is super slow and the staff need to learn how to smile! Try the Central a few doors up and you wont be disapointed! Also The Only on the Danforth is one of the best hidden gems in the city! For East Enders - DO NOT go to Quiglys!
Are there any pubs in toronto that serve Murphy's Irish Red??
How did the Dark Horse in Bloor West Village make the list? G-H-E-T-T-O....
well said..
You tool. lmfao.
The Black Horse is a little divey, and definitely an unusual pick...but I was there last night and tried the Ken Burger.
It was a shame brushing my teeth because it tasted so damned good!
Personally I like the Fox and Fiddle’s, yes they are a chain, however, they serve up great beer, delicious wings and they are always changing up their features.
Most of them offer a good election of entertainment from local actors, singers and comedians.
P.S. Their Beef ‘N Guinness is to die for!
Cheers!
Why were prices not mentioned? I feel that's very important. Java House on Queen is probably the best place to drink with friends. It has $11 pitchers, a great atmosphere and friendly staff.
The Madison has got to be the #1 pub in Toronto with 6 floors, 5 patios, etc., etc., etc. With the new chef the food is excellent and the decor is great....you can't go wrong. Plus your right behind the subway so there's no need to drink and drive.