The Embassy reminds me of my favorite cap. Not too beat up, holds up a fresh look and fits just right. This joint has a vibe of lounge, but also as approachable as a friendly dive. Good atmosphere & good music. I dig the decor. Be sure to bring a marker to leave your mark in the hallway to the bathroom. read more

See all

just updating: this place now accepts cards! otherwise it still rocks the same it always has.

Embassy was the last bar I was at before, and the first one I was at after the pandemic. It's a good spot for a beer at Kensington when you need to duck out from the mayhem going on outside on Augusta Avenue. The front has a small patio, obscured by a fence and slightly elevated, which makes it both great for watching market activity while also being slightly hidden from the crowds. When it was closed I would use this patio for eating takeaway as not many realized it was even there. Once inside, the space opens up with booths down both sides, one side being lowrider vinyl loveseats facing each other, just wide enough to fit two fit people if you want to. Very cozy! The bar curves around, inviting and helping you to maybe move back all the way closer to the worlds smallest DJ booth. The sound system rocks with Labatts Crystal clear sound and smooth bass with stereo imaging heard best while sitting at the centre of the bar. Further past the booth is a hallway leading out to a newly added back patio which is a perfect size for hanging out and inviting yourself into other peoples conversations, a specialty of this bar in general. Staff is generally friendly and accommodating. When it gets busy, watch out, it's sweaty and hot. Bathrooms are down the stairs (careful) and solidly places this spot as a dive, Amen! read more

See all

Drinks were ok. Service was average. The bartender seemed annoyed when asking questions about the drinks and what not.

Came here on Saturday night at around 11:30 and it was p a c k e d ! The small patio was full, but we were able to snag a table inside. Every third Saturday of the month is a Wedding Night (?) so each table was decorated; it was pretty cute. The music was pretty good - a mix of stuff. At one point in the night I heard Dolly Parton, but then heard Carly Rae Jepsen - fun times! The drink menu was extensive, which included domestic and international stuff. No cover was an added plus to my experience here. The only downside for me was that this place took only cash (because I'm a credit car person). Good for: a night out, a pint or two, dancing (in small spaces) read more

Dark and classy, The Embassy has always been one of the best places in Kensington. It's super clean for this hood, and I love the mood lighting and wooden booths. Things to know: They have Fin Du Monde on tap for cheap. They have a patio. They only take cash. You can often find me here. read more

Embassy is one of the better bars in the Kensington area; it's likely to be one of the busier places during the week, and the amount of pretentiousness is at minimum! In terms of their drinks, the list of Canadian beers is rather impressive, though there is less on offer in terms of international brews. The bar staff are nice and attentive, and though there is no kitchen, they are usually ok with you bringing in your own grub as long as the place isn't too busy. Embassy often has a DJ spinning records in the back, even on random weekday nights. I've seen a whole bunch of different people on deck, and can admit to having enjoyed some solid new disco / 80s electro at this joint. Overall a good choice if you're in the area and looking for a hassle free bar with good beer. read more

All of the good things about Kensington (diverse, reasonably priced and friendly) with none of the pretension. As Kensington's popularity increases let's hope more places take the Embassy path. read more

Stopped in there for a drink before dinner elsewhere in the Market and was charmed by the sparkly vinyl chairs, old school diner booths and excellent people watching from the front window. It's larger inside that I thought it would be, so despite being claustrophobic, I might come back here even if it was busy. Although decidedly hipster-ish, it's dive-y charm makes it a place that I might frequent. Hipsters aren't bad people and I don't feel bad making jokes at their expense because hipsters don't know they're hipsters, so I'm assuming there's no offense taken. read more

Embassy's a safe bet on any given night (or day for that matter) for good drinks and, as Beatrice P. put it, "good vibes all around". By night you can expect the cozy space to be swarming with all sorts of people, but mostly of the 'hip' variety (I'm talking guys with hats and girls in ill-fitting vintage robes), looking for a spot on the patio or among friends on a vintage couch, or perhaps squished into cramped but comfortable booths. Headbob-inducing tunes, art on the walls, warm atmosphere, decently priced drinks, and a range of interesting beers will keep me coming back for more Embassy, even after the patio's closed for the winter. read more

This is the kind of pace that takes me back to university, when I was in constant search of a quiet place to have a beer or coffee and sit for hours, reading. The Embassy is just a slip of a spot on Augusta. It's the bottom floor of an old house with less than ten booths against one wall. A small tiki like bar at the back and bathrooms in the basement. There's a tiny patio in front that seats maybe a dozen people and if it's warm enough to sit outside, it i generally full. The market is Toronto's best neighborhood. You can find whatever you want here and people are really laid back and devoid of cliques. And I am always surprised by the music selection. For instance, last time I was at Embassy, they were playing Joy Division B-sides, and completely without the pretense on cool. It was awesome. read more

Came here with a friend after eating at Seven Lives Tacos. It is your average dive bar with low lighting and quite an extensive list of beers (not super cheap at about $7-$8 for a beer) Service was mellow and friendly. My beer was not warm, but definitely not cold (which I don't love, because I think beers should always be COLD). The patio looked nice, but is tiny so we were inside at one of the booths (which are falling apart). We were told cash only, which wasn't ideal as I was cash poor at the time and had to pull from the ATM downstairs. read more

Kind of a fun, mellow dive bar in Kensington. I like the decor...light up Pantone-like panels on the wall with other completely random items. Kind of a somewhat decorated dive bar. They have about 8 beers on tap ranging from around $6.50-$7.50. Mostly nothing too impressive, but they do have La Fin Du Monde on tap, which is a solid Unibroue beer usually only served in bottles. The bartender was friendly, although by no means chatty. Standard Kensington crowd...pretty hipsterish. I think I prefer Cold Tea to this place, but it's nice to have choices. FYI, cash only! read more

The Embassy has a soft spot in my heart as the very first bar in town I went to when I first moved here a few years ago. I had the strange fortune of moving here on St. Patrick's day, which lead to whirlwind tour of all the bars in town, many of which were so packed you couldn't even set food inside. Eventually, however, my cousins landed on the Embassy, and I felt that the bar's name held a special sort of magic considering it being my first entree into the little world of Hogtown. With no more crowds than any other busy weekend night, the bar seemed both warm (in personality) and cool (in attitude). The staff were friendly as were my fellow patrons, several of whom introduced themselves to me as I waited for drinks, the washroom or stood outside on the patio. It struck me as nice how friendly people were, although I didn't realize that it was not going to be a longstanding trend on nights that didn't involve communal binge drinking as part of the celebration. I've been back a few times and the place remains small yet comfortable. Easy in manner although often too lousy with hipsters for the fastest service, it's still a nice place to meet for a drink if you go early. During off-peak times the place seems very relaxed and cozy, which is pretty key. Unfortunately, I don't spend so much time in Kensington that I have reason to go there often, but when I do I still remember to point out to friends that the Embassy was the first bar I went to in town. By now they mostly groan and say they know, but I still love the Embassy a little bit for that. read more

VIBE One of the best people-watching perches in the city and a Kensington Market favourite. Staff leave you alone and on Saturdays, they have some kicking DJs. Though Cold Tea is the new fave, Embassy will always have a place in my Bohemian little heart with their comfy booths and ecletic toy display against the back of the bar. The regulars here are just as good. Fun and relaxed and conducive to meeting people if you're on the front patio (if you can snag a seat). WE DRANK St. Ambroise Raspberry and Apricot ale. Mmm. Lots of other small organic labels as well on tap but no Heineken. Best to bring cash. OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK Ain't getting my passport here (or detained). One of those places where you stay a while. An old classic. read more

A nice place for a quiet drink on weeknights, or for a so-intimate-you're-squashed-against-the-bass-player weekend show. I've seen a handful of local bands play the Embassy and it's a great fun time that usually ends up being a group dance party. But the Embassy is a fun place for casual drinks too -- they've got a nice layout, a decent bar, and good prices. One of the great places in Kensington, but definitely getting more popular every second. Patio is totally packed in the summer because it's only about 4 square feet of wood. read more

Great local beer selection from breweries across Ontario and Canada. The service is A-OK but not fantastic or memorable by any means. The bathrooms are not clean and I don't like that. Otherwise, good chill spot with dim lighting. One of the only spots left in Kensington Market where a few adults might be hanging out.... read more

The Embassy Bar - angry ladies room - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I love Kensington, but there aren't too many options for good bars. It has a one of the best patios in the market and a really decent beer list. read more

The Embassy Bar - 10 bitter years - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

One of my fave late night hangouts in the City. Good mix of people of all ages. No attitude so far, just drinks, good music and good vibes. One of the coolest looking trippy washrooms, the beer quality is very high with lots of choices. I've only seen DJ's so far but the music selection was always fresh with tunes with many I haven't heard before. read more

Wandered into this place on a Thursday night, after having passed by this place and curiously peered in on several occasions. It was pretty mellow when we walked in, maybe a handful of people around, mostly groups of 2-3 in the booths and some at the couches. The decor was kitsch-ramshackle charming, sparsely decorated with red leather old movie theatre-esque seats lining the booths. They had just installed an interesting fixture at the taps which looked like an oversized old radio dial, nice touch. Come around 11 pm, the place was pretty packed. Lively, cool but welcoming atmosphere, lots of people just hanging out and having a good time, a couple of braver souls dancing on their own in the middle of the bar. All in all, great neighbourhood bar for a drink if you live nearby or are in the area. read more

this place is great and where i would hang if i was single & i still drank music, vibes, art, people, etc all A+ unless they've fixed it, the washrooms downstairs used to be a tad stinky but such is life read more

Killer spot. Full of a young and hip crowd and drinks are fabulous prices. Good spot in Kensington where you know you'll always have a good time with friends. Never too busy. And sometimes they play porn in the back wall! read more

This is where you visit for a cheap drink in one of the most laid back locations in the city. Music is always killer and the falling-apart-furniture and cool rotating art suits the the atmosphere perfectly. They sport a pretty decent beer list and always seem to have a good cider on tap. read more

This place keeps it simple. Think they have the 'moth-to-flame' concept down. Funky art on the walls, good music in the background. Light's are dimmed. Most of all, this place has a great selection on the taps. A great place to find Ontario Craft Brews and some of Quebec's Unibroue. Good place for taking dates, as the crowd noise generally seems to keep things intimate. Know several people who've brought groups for b-day gatherings. In the four seasons, it's a good spot - in the day and night - to chill / party. Solid pre and post club spot. Wish it was closer to where I live. read more

Chill interior with a laidback staff to match - wish I could blame being American on screwing up the tip. Asked for change for a five and got confused when I got a $2 coin so I thought the bartender took a tip for himself anyway. Well, regardless - badass place to chill out and have a drink. Try the fish and chips down the street as well - they let you eat in the bar and you can enjoy with a cold draft. read more

The Embassy Bar - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The place in itself is sort of interesting. The problem is that the glasses are easily the dirtiest I have ever gotten in a bar (and that includes Asia). read more

I was unimpressed by this place. The bartender was very sweet and knowledgable, but the rest of the bar made me uncomfortable. They clearly allowed underaged patrons to drink there, and the busboy had serious attitude. He was incredibly insulting and rude. He took our drinks from the table without asking if we had finished, and when we asked him why, he gave us so much attitude, it was just insulting. After that, we left. I doubt we will return. read more

Nice place. Cool atmosphere. Nice selection of beers. Relatively small. A definate stop if your in Kensington

The Embassy located in Kensington Market is a decent joint to stop in for a cocktail if you are in the hood. The interior of the Embassy is actually rather dilapidated. It is unfortunate because it has so much potential; exposed brick wall, high ceilings, interesting light fixtures, and a cool retro leather tufted bar. The paint is chipping off of the walls, there are massive rips in the leather booth seats, there were several lights that had burnt out in the light fixtures, and the bathrooms reek like urine (I thought they may have been training puppies down there-newspaper was strewn about the floors). Usually I like the industrial, worn, vintage look; however, the lack of renovation did not sit well with me. The Caesar I had to drink was pretty spicy and delicious. They have some good beers available on tap. Prices are within market value, cash only establishment. Service did not resonate with me and it did not make any sort of lasting impression. They also have a small outdoor patio. I am sorry to say that I will not be rushing back to the Embassy, however I would give it another chance. read more

The place is pretty good but it's lacking on local craft beer. I like the vibe and the atmosphere enough to keep coming back though. It's definitely worth checking out. read more