Spirits church Toronto

Spirits on Church closes after 30 years in business

Spirits Bar & Grill has shut down this month after three decades of serving up food, booze and laughter out of a big house with green trim in the Church Wellesley village.

A fixture on the stand-up comedy circuit in Toronto, Spirits hosted one of the city's longest running open mic nights before it announced its closure on November 17.

Comedians like Robin Williams, Seth Meyers and Lewis Black all performed live there at some point, according to a previous event listing, but the restaurant was loved for its food just as much as its entertainment.

Goodnight sweet friend

A post shared by Spirits Bar & Grill (@spiritsbargrill) on

"The best Greek Salad is gone :(," lamented a fan under the bar's closure announcement on Instagram.

"That sucks. Such an amazing place to eat," wrote another patron on Facebook. "One of the best places I've eaten ever."

But it's not all sad news.

"Closed but not forgotten!" reads the Instagram notice. "We are gloriously retiring after 30 years of fun, laughter and food."

"Thank you… Thank you…," it concludes. "Thank you for your patronage."

Lead photo by

Jesse Milns


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

50 essential restaurants in downtown Toronto you need to try at least once

'Steal from Loblaws Day' posters are popping up in Toronto

Here's an honest review of the new pizza at Tim Hortons

People are loving this anti-Loblaws public art from a mystery person in Toronto

Two popular restaurants could close due to licensing dispute with City of Toronto

Loblaws ridiculed for tiny pieces of cucumbers in vegetable rolls

Toronto neighbourhood upset that local Starbucks is switching to takeout only

Toronto restaurant that was a neighbourhood institution has permanently closed