Dropped in for a quick afternoon beer last week and had a good feeling about this place right away…read more It's got a friendly + cozy vibe + small but diverse selection of beer on tap. I think they call places like this "dive bars" in Toronto but they are known simply as "bars" in other parts of the world. They also have a fun newsletter called The Low Bar Bugle which was good reading. It seems to be only issue #1 but I look forward to more. Then we dropped in for a beer early on a Saturday night and the place was hopping. Seems like it is also a music venue. Which we clued in to as we watched the punk rock-n-roll crowd coming and going and listened to the sound blasting from upstairs (accessed via the red door next to the front door). Despite the busy night Low Bar maintained it's charm. Nice to have a great go to bar in the hood. (Low Bar is in the space formerly known as Gaslight.)

Feels auspicious that there's a cool new old dive bar in the neighbourhood. Dropped in once for an…read moreafter-work pint on a weekday. We tried the happy hour special Low Beer draft (big glass, $7), which was apparently something by Great Lakes. It was a quiet time of day with some regulars chatting around the bar and good tunes playing. Came back a second time on a Saturday night when there was a gig upstairs. Place was bustling with people getting a drink in before heading upstairs, then got briefly super busy during a break in the show. Cheerful crowd of punks, rockers and beer drinkers. Happy to see the scrumptious Bellwoods Roman Candle on tap (small pint, $8). Friendly place with groovy old chairs, low light, vintage lamps, random decor and even its own newsletter! There looks to be a patio out back, too. I'll be back!

Creepy staff: Underage party member got hit on, as did the other female members of our band and…read moreparty. Owner cancelled the sound guy on us and the door guy flaked. Despite many staff members, the majority of them were drunk. Nothing was cleaned in the 6 hours we were there. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. Do not book this venue, hell I don't suggest the bar if you're female.

Previously the Del Ray Tavern, it is now Tail of the Junction. Has kept most of the rough and ready…read morecharm thankfully. With the addition of live music many nights. Friday's and Saturday's acts lean towards the heavy side so be prepared for high decibels after 10pm. But these bands need a venue to rock out and this is perfect for that. Easy load in and surprisingly good sound. Drink specials change daily so be ready. Service is straightforward and swift. Most are easy on the eyes as well . Free parking in the back off of Runnymede. TTC at front door. Afternoons are populated by colourful regulars and evenings are more of Sunset Strip LA vibe. All good. This place is the most legit spot in The Junction. Hipsters can't get away with their usual pretentious antics but are welcome.

The Hole in the Wall is such a fun little spot for a relaxed night out, especially if you enjoy…read morewhisky, wine, and well-made cocktails. Their drink menu is impressively broad, with a strong whisky selection from different regions, plus plenty of cocktails, spirits, and wine. I especially loved the Scotchman in Sidecar, which blends Té Bheag and Laphroaig with Cointreau and lemon. It had this really interesting balance of smoky peat and bright citrus. Naked and Famous was also great if you like something a little sharper and more refreshing, while the Mango Mojito leaned sweeter and easier to sip. The food was just as enjoyable. The Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas were probably my favorite part of the meal, with a chewy crust and really satisfying flavor. The Savory Peach from the summer specials was surprisingly good, especially with the spicy sauce on the side, and the Spicy Ropressata was another standout if you like something a little salty and bold. We also tried the Shepherd's Pie, which was warm, hearty, and comforting, and the oysters were fresh and good quality too. Overall, it feels like one of those cozy places that works equally well for drinks, a casual date night, or a laid-back evening with friends.

I stopped by The Hole In The Wall recently and honestly, it turned out to be one of those places…read morethat just feels right from the moment you walk in. The atmosphere is relaxed and a bit cozy without trying too hard, which I really appreciated. The food was surprisingly good -- everything felt fresh and well thought out, not overly complicated but definitely satisfying. You can tell they care about quality and consistency. Service was friendly and easygoing, not rushed at all, which made the whole experience even better. Overall, it's the kind of spot I'd come back to without overthinking it -- whether for a casual meal or just to unwind a bit.

Formerly Junction City Music Hall....now Junction Underground. Sadly, the pinball machines are gone…read morebut this remains a low-key, no-frills, subterranean spot to catch some great live music and DJs. You'd walk right by it if you didn't know it was there, which I think is a plus. Shoutout to the monthly dance party Ruuted (soulful house by DJ Corey Dawkins), which I've become addicted to. Check the club website for listings, obviously. But another plus is they really know how to mix up some quality cocktails here. True, a paper plane served in a coupe glass might be hard to dance with (I would know lol) but damn, is it tasty :)

From the owner: The Junction Underground is a vibrant hub in Toronto’s west end, where local scenes unite to…read morecelebrate music, art, and community. Located on Dundas at Keele, we offer an exciting mix of live bands, DJs, comedy nights, open mic sessions, and karaoke, all complemented by our delicious cocktails.

A classic Punk / Rock n Roll Bar in Toronto CA. Basically the CBGB's of that scene…read more It's been around since the early 1990's and is exactly what a spot like this should be. Very nondescript outside facade - no sign telling you what it is other than a small "BSC" (for Bovine Sex Club) painted near the door. Hard to miss though as the exterior is made up a punk rock style sculpture of rusted bikes & other assorted ephemera. The interior is similar, visually. Great sound system & chill vibes pervade throughout. Weirdly the stage is right in the entrance of the club, on your left, with a long bar along the right side, heading back. Great, crowd, great location in cool area with lots of restaurants & plenty of parking - both on the street up to 2 hours & extended parking for a flat-rate of CA$20 (~$14 USD) from 6:00pm until the next morning, just 2 blacks away.

The Bovine is a fantastic place that is the same today as it was decades ago. not only that, but it…read moreis also one of the cheapest pints that you can find. Now, are the taps dry? Maybe. Are the beer cans running out? It's possible. But, it's a dive in the way of the old dives. And the acoustics for bands are... not great. But they are a sign of what once was. Without attempting to try to present a front of a time long gone, The Bovine simply exists today as it once did in that time long ago, before Smokes stickers, before iPhones, back when people would just go to a bar to talk with those they didn't know the morning prior. Bring cash though, unless you're looking to make some big orders, because credit card is a minimum fifty-dollar spend.

Met some friends here for a catch-up and drinks. I was a bit worried about the reviews about…read moreboisterous burlesque and was concerned about the noise level. But it was a Wednesday evening and Heidi was playing piano. We all arrived at the same time and were greeted immediately by the bartender and Heidi! We shared an enormous plate of delicious nachos. They weren't just slapped together but almost every single chip had a topping. Delicious and addictive. It was a great evening and the decor prompted more conversation. Interesting pictures and a laid back decor with exposed brick walls.

Their happy hour time changes on daily basis depending on the scheduled show on that day. They gave…read morean event every night and some of them have free admission and the other ones require buying tickets. They have live band or DJ nights (check their website). They gave great vibes. Usually the bar is packed and the staff and bartenders are very quick with providing service.

Today, I strolled into Canto café, hoping for a moment of tranquility…read more I ordered a latte and a freshly baked pastry. The coffee was rich and smooth, the milk foam just right; the pastry was warm and crisp, with a rich buttery aroma--a perfect match for the coffee. I found a corner seat and watched the people coming and going. What impressed me most was their attention to detail. From the carefully arranged tables and chairs to the friendly staff who remembered regular customers' names, everything felt thoughtful and welcoming. It's not just a place to drink coffee; it's a place to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy a moment of peace. Leaving, I felt refreshed and satisfied, already looking forward to my next visit. Canto is truly...

Amazing Old World ambience with a cozy speak-easy vibe. The food is incredible. Try the…read moreCreemore-battered fish and chips. You will not be disappointed!

Five stars for the service! Pedro was very friendly, attentive and took good care of us during our…read morevisit. The location is across the street from High Park and from the station. The food was just okay - the spicy crispy chicken wasn't really crispy, while the rainbow trout was a bit too salty. A good place to stop in for a drink after a visit to High Park.

This place has been in my neighbourhood for a long time and I've never ventured in - today as a…read moreresult of reconnecting with friends I have not seen in over 5 years I got to go there, while it's a "local" it's what I would think of a a sports bar - the hockey game was on, but honestly I was so into catching up with friends I didn't notice, the waiter was great as were the other staff we dealt with, when I got the chance I checked out all the mugshots on the wall - some of the most famous people are on the wall, including , #Presley, #Bowie, #Fonda& even the biggest crook in current day - can you guess- he's orange On the waiters recommendation I had the Lamb Chop, a big portion that was perfectly cooked and tasty with the root vegetables and a good portion of mashed potatoes, my friends had burgers and we all finished off our plates, full and no room for desert - I realized I should have taken photos of the food, but I missed the opportunity! Our booth was comfortable for the 2.5 hour stay but I was wanting to catch some images of the walls of mugshots- it was pretty interesting to see the array of subjects! I would go back again - I think it would be a great spot on the roof deck in the summer