Went here last night because The Rhino was full. It's not a place for big groups, more intimate and adorable. Pricing wise: Drafts were $8: Beau's and Henderson's with one more in forgetting. A shot of tequila is $6.50. They had a fridge stacked with craft beer and awesome choice in top shelf stuff, with at least four different whiskey options - and none of them Crown Royal. The decor is red lighting, couches, tiny tables, and hard wood chairs. There's a red bench with a half bed frame attached. Really enjoyed the vibe - there's records all along the wall behind the bar, and the music they play is loud but not too bad all things considered - I had a headache, so if it had made my head throb, I could have told you! The bartender was very kind - even put ice in my water when I asked for a glass. I give five stars because this place doesn't deserve the low rating. It does all things a dive should, and if I were to ever go on a first date again (ha!) in this area, I would absolutely go here. read more

Motels. I'm a fan of all of them. Whether it's a door-outside weirdness on a road trip, or this sweet small bar in Parkdale, I am a fan. A big fan. The tunes are always good, the pours are strong, and they're open until 2am. They have couches at the back, nice owners behind the bar and don't judge your last call tequila shot on mom's night out. I see mo Motel in my future. read more

Motel was created as an outlet for owner, Christover Sven, to drink with friends and listen to the Strokes. Most of the art on the walls predate 1850 and at least six of the feature paintings adorned the walls of the Palais Royale throughout the depression and post World War 2. The vibe is fun, easy, and strangely frusturating (the pinball machine is rigged). There's no dance music, no hip hop, no bullshit of any kind. the jukebox is stacked and Pbr is only $4 on tap. read more

Located right next to door Salvador Darling[1], this dashing dive serves as a presage to Parkdale. It represents all I've come to expect from this 'hood: a somewhat sketchy deviation from Queen West with boundless potential. I came here to see Thom Huhtala and friends play and it turned out to be Whiskey Wednesday. Being a fan of both humpday and grain-based spirits, I couldn't refuse. Like an actual Motel, the bar is a little worse for wear but casual and welcoming. It's long and narrow with a few tables throughout. Decidedly not good for groups, the best seats are up at the bar where you can ogle the bottles and drool over your freshly shaken drinks. Whiskey Wed means $4 for all whiskey drinks. I started with a bourbon sour. I downed it quickly, but it was a bit tart for my liking. I requested something a little sweeter, and Ryan fixed me a Chancellor (Scotch, Port, Dry Vermouth, Bitters), a drink I've never tried before. Truth: it was not the best, but to his credit Ryan re-mixed it for me three (3) times before I quit and had a Manhattan instead. And that was just dandy. Great service here. There are a only a few tables near their tiny stage, and one couch orthogonally placed, so a killer venue this is not. But certainly a fine place to get a drink, or get drunk, or be drunk. Cash only.[2] Obligatory Title Pun: Un bon MOT-el. Menu Readability: I don't remember a menu. Need to mention: No kitchen. Bring some Doritos, I guess. What this place teaches me about myself: Maybe they should rename it Whisk-nesday? No wait, that's stupid. _____ [1] Yelp Trivia: the home of Toronto's first Yelp Elite Event. [2] And they took our American money at par. Why are my friends rolling with US funds? read more

I love this little bar. Very friendly staff, Mill Street on tap, a range of interesting spirits, good music and dueling pianos (well, one is used to house the beer taps) makes it a preferred destination for a small group of people up to no good on a Friday night. They try to have a DJ or two most nights pumping good tunes, there's also a single flatscreen TV tucked above the beer fridge (almost exclusively for Winnipeg Jets games). Look into the mirror above the bar and the backwards chalk message on the opposite wall "Everything is going to be alright" appears. It gives you a nice welcoming feeling. Should Toronto ever have a blustery winter again, this would be a great place to warm up. read more

Parkdale is known for it's hip artsy hotel/bars like The Gladstone and The Drake. I am guessing Motel is a play of words referring to these hipster hangouts just past the bridge. Motel is small and dark bar with minimal seating and no frills drink list (bar rail and beers boys and girls). The prices before 11pm on most night are awesome! Drinks are about $3-$4 and unlike other small bars nearby... *Cough Communist Daughter Cough* it's not packed... in fact I went on a Thursday night and it was relatively dead. I can't quite put my finger on it but I didn't feel particularly comfy here. Maybe it was because there was virtually no music, or how close the only seating was to the door but I felt antsy to leave and get to the next place on our list. read more

Decor is rad. The back part with the love couch is great for dates. TV is usually playing the baseball game. Awesome for what it's worth. The bartender will bring you your drinks if you're cool. Only two knocks are sometimes the live music is really damn loud and the hipster cliental. Not really the bars fault but if you go there and people shoot you dirty looks, you'll have to learn to ignore it. read more

I enjoyed this bar! My boyfriend and I were waiting for a table at doomie's and popped into this bar for a drink before our table was ready. The bartender was very friendly and made our drinks quickly. They have a small arcade game table and lounge chairs at the back of the Bar. read more

Motel Bar - They have an arcade game table for 25 cents! - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Okay so, I don't know too much about the back story behind this bar, but I feel like I've been filled in enough by a previous reviewer. The only thing I can really say about this place is.... What in the hell happened?! I don't usually tend to write a review unless I've been to a place more then once, something about cutting slack to people who work in the service industry busting their asses off at thankless jobs, bad nights, blahblah... Anyways, this place used to be AWESOME. like FIVE STAR awesome. and now... totally not so much. My second trip here was a total disappointment. I remember the first time I went to motel like it was yesterday: Awesome music at a level audible enough for people to rock the heck out and have a conversation in the process. One helluva sweet-hearted bartender who kept conversation with my girlfriend and I interesting in a completely comfortable way, cheap beer. This truly was an amazing venue to party your face off and have a wicked time doing it in. What more could you ask for? Everything about that spot was amazing at the time. I went back a few months after and I guess the place had just changed hands or something. Their prices changed, that awesomely wonderful bartender man wasn't there to have an interesting conversation with and they were playing terrible new-age type easy listening music over the sound system at a level where I had to talk to my partner at a volume just exceeding a whisper. BOO. three stars, because there is still hope, even though I haven't been there in a while and can't attest to weather or not they kept up with the easy-listening garbage. The thought that the only Hesher bar in Toronto may be no longer kinda bums me out, really. read more

The worst place I been in 7 years. is to small for live bands, was dirty the bartender picked his nose in front of us and of course if is winter and I don't get a table on the middle you will freeze your butt off sitting by the door. read more

Stumbled upon this place after hearing some cool music seeping on to the street one night and was pleasantly surprised. It was pretty late on a weeknight and the place was pretty full with a really chill down to earth crowd. My kind of place with this smokey underground jazz joint kind of atmosphere. The live music was amazing with this creatively funky bass guitar and drum player. Beer selection for a smaller place like this was great. The bartender was really nice, super cozy place. Hidden gem for sure, I'll be back. read more

We met up with some friends the other night and at first could not find the place. You would never notice it was there unless someone pointed it to you and said, "hey notice this place!" It is dark like many bars in this area, and makes me wonder what it looks like with lights turned on not off. Ok selection and the bartender let us be. Nothing speciale but sometimes that is ok if is what you are looking for. read more

Winnipeg Jets Ground Zero. 'nuff said. Plus, pop up vinyl record store on the weekend (well, Saturday anyway. Not sure about Sunday). Cool space, cool kats & kittens abound. Parkdale Proud. read more

if not for ryan -- simply one of the coolest bartenders i've ever met -- i wouldn't go out of my way for this joint. the decor is pretty rad but alot of the customers seemed kinda douchey...decently priced but the place doesn't seem to have developed a character of its own yet. i'm sure with time that will change but for now it's just an OK watering hole that isn't quite sure what it wants to be. read more

i dont drink. that said they have a pacman table. well, its a lot of games. so i am down and if anyone asks me to take em for a drink id take em here. parkdale rules! read more

I was in there last night. Amazing spot. The drinks were $3 until 11pm and after that... $4 (ouch!). The music was fabulous. Perfect atmosphere for the 50 or so people that were there partying and having a great time. A true gem. read more

Came in on a weekday night for a quick drink with a friend who was in town for the night. It wasn't packed, but wasn't empty either. I appreciated the low lighting and soundtrack. The bartender was friendly and helpful. There were only three beers on tap, which would be the only downside for me. Great place overall and I will definitely go back when I'm in the neighbourhood again. read more