Top Ten Toronto Bars

Whoa...long time no post. What can I say? Been busy as all hell. Anyway, I finally have some time to post something worthwhile. Good old Sunday evenings.

This is the second installment in the "Top Ten of Toronto" series - BARS. I'll make no bones about it - I frequent many sundry establishments in this equally diverse metropolis. For anyone who enjoys a night out on the town, Toronto offers pretty much any kind of watering hole to quench your sinful thirst. From bars and nightclubs, to lounges and boozecans, this city's multitude of beverage rooms is the single reason no socialite should EVER be bored. Now I realize nights out on the town can be pricey, which is why I limit myself, but to have such profound options on a Saturday night makes any downtown jaunt truly worthwhile.

A quick disclaimer: as a contemporary urban Nish, I enjoy all the fruits of pop culture. But when it comes down to it, I am a rocker, which may reflect in this list. So if you have any suggestions for spirituous saloons, please post a comment. I generally visit all kinds of taprooms, but in terms of the old faithfuls - they tend to be the ones that serve beer and play Rock n' Roll.

Bovine Sex Club
542 Queen St. West
The rockin'est bar in the city. If you've been there, you know; if you haven't, you don't know. That's all I can really say about my favourite bar in the world.

The Horseshoe Tavern
368 Queen St. West
They don't call this place "legendary" for nothing. Everybody has heard of the Horseshoe. For almost 60 years, it has been the hub of music activity in downtown Toronto. Countless revered acts have played here, and their vibes continue to echo throughout the place. The nicest set of staff and regulars in the city, anyone can enjoy a pint here.

Phoenix Concert Theatre
410 Sherbourne
This one is definitely gonna make the forthcoming "Top Ten Live Venues in Toronto" list, but in terms of a normal weekend club to check out, it's definitely up there. They cater to all kinds of crowds, depending on the night of the week. Sundays is hip-hop, Fridays new rock, and Saturdays retro, among other themes. A very large theatre with different rooms for different vibes. Ideal if you're out with a large group of people. The only downside is you may have to get there a bit early.

The Rex
194 Queen St. West
Sometimes you just wanna chill and dig some jazz. That's what the Rex is for. Live sets begin in the afternoon and run right through the evening, showcasing local talent and some bigger names in the genre. For a nice relaxing evening sitting around with some friends, one of the best places to do it at is the Rex. For some reason, jazz makes you feel cooler and at peace with the world.

The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St. West
The Drake made the preceding list in this series, based on one meal. A little lame, yes, but it was damn good. But what isn't lame is the Drake as a bar. Again, a multi-roomed locale which provides a variety of music and moods in each one. Probably the coolest atmosphere out of all the bars listed here, with a very classy and sexy crowd night in and out.

Mick E. Fynn's
45 Carlton St.
One of the ongoing beacons of booze for me and the old Ryerson crew. Across from Maple Leaf Gardens, so it has a killer view. But regardless, it's a good old-fashioned pub with lots of games and screens to enjoy any sporting event. Still attracts a big Ryerson crowd on a Thursday night, but for us old folks/alumni it's a great place just to meet up and tip some back.

Alto Basso
718 College St.
I had to pick a bar in Little Italy, so it was a toss-up between this one and the Lava Lounge. Two very different places, but a blast nonetheless if you're doing a College Street bar-hop. Dig them both to see for yourself.

Fez Batik
129 Peter St.
I usually only hit Toronto's "Clubland" about 2-3 times a year. I don't like going to bars early, standing in line, overpriced drinks, bad music, or shitty crowds. But Fez Batik is like a diamond in the Rough. Intimate, a cool atmosphere, and decent tunes. I'm not knocking the club scene, but this is something I can dig a bit more than the other options down there.

Bier Markt
58 The Esplanade
If you like beer, you should cart your arse immediately to the Bier Markt. They serve 100 different beers from all over the world - with a good portion of those on tap. Obviously, a joint of such international calibre is gonna be a bit expensive, but it's absolutely worth it. Whenever I pine for my days in Germany, I head here for some of the more authentic German beer.

Club Matador
466 Dovercourt
There are a few reasons this shouldn't even make the list. First, it's not a "legit" bar. Second, it's gone seriously downhill in recent years in terms of "service". Third, what service you do get is hella expensive. But I'm optimistic and hoping for a return to former glory. When last orders are called at 2AM and you still wanna party, this is your place. Great cover bands and a generally cool old venue, and the novelty never truly wears off.

Posted by waub at February 13, 2005 09:23 PM