Narrow, long, grungy and fun. There was a band in the back with a small dance floor and, on the Friday night we were there, a burlesque show on the bar. The crowd is very diverse, from young to old but all there to have a good time. People buying people shots and super friendly. It's a good time. read more

Good place to watch a bit of dancing and listen to 80s music. Gets packed and hot in there fast. Quite a small place. read more

This place has it all. Great bands, great beer, superb atmosphere and oh who's that walking along the bar?!! Whoa! Nice dancing! Cozy bar with awesome vibes at Dundas and Oz. read more

I have been to this fine establishment on numerous occasions and have yet to experience a bad time. The Painted Lady is quite small and narrow, and usually has a DJ spinning raggae/hip-hop music on weekends. On Friday's there is evena burlesque dancer on the bar that spices things up with intermittent strip teases. This place gets packed and has an eclectic mix of people, this combo ensures that you'll meet a new people and increases the likelihood of a dance off happening at some point in the night. Painted Lady is my new go to dance party bar! read more

Relatively expensive for Ossington, The painted lady offers an interesting selection of beer and nachos. Nachos get top marks for using fritos instead of generic corn tortilla chips and cheese whiz instead of semi-melty shredded cheese. Watch out for the toilets- as you descend the stairs into a dark, dark place you might get scared. Have bat vision before going pee! read more

There is something about a good neighbourhood bar that makes you feel comfortable. Good food, decent entertainment and a very inviting staff, as well as clients. This place has all of the above. There is music in the back here many nights a week, and most of the time there is no cover - they just pass around a hat, which I think is a good way of charging. Sometimes you just want to go in for a bit, and paying a full cover isn't worth a couple songs. The other hidden gem of this place is the food! Yes, the food. You weren't thinking that they'd have good food, were you? There's a pulled pork sandwich which is juicy, sour and sweet all at once, put on a very fresh roll and served with fresh lettuce. The other menu items that I've had are good also, and they are served from their tiny prep area at the end of the bar. It gets busy, but it's because they've done a great job of making this a local place which tempts you in when you walk by. read more

Every time i go to this bar, it's completely different. The place always remains the same, but what's going on inside changes. Classic rock, to jazz to hip hop. And it's always packed with ppl who've come specifically to see the band/DJ play. i.e this place is one of those little institutions that you're going to catch someone really good play at. The key idea being that live sets are getting harder to find in this city - stop by here and check it out before deciding to go to another place if you're in the area. Find out what's going on that evening. read more

the Toronto Lover system: 5 stars = Must visit! 4 stars = Really good. I take my friends here. 3 stars = Somewhat worth it... if you have nowhere better to go. 2 stars = Below average. Attend only when necessary. 1 star = Do not visit! Forgive me for sounding curt but the Painted Lady is a bar. I don't have much else to say about it - nothing really stands out. It serves its purpose. It's loud, fun, hip, and narrow. If you're looking for a good place in this extremely trendy area, stop in and have a drink. Prices are what you expect ($5-8 for a drink) and there's surprisingly little attitude from the hipsters and regulars in attendance. 3 stars read more

The Painted Lady is the first bar on Ossington as you walk South after getting off the bus. This makes it my go to place when i'm waiting for friends when it is: raining, snowing, cold, etc. The fact it's a reasonably nice bar is a bonus. They have a pretty good selection of bourbons, so I usually get Manhattans when i'm here. It seems like a reasonable drink choice at this establishment. People are friendly and the service is good. I suspect i'd give this place a few more stars if I ever caught the burlesque shows. read more

I loved this place! The owners (husband and wife - I believe) are great! Really quirky, fun and you can tell they have put their heart and soul into this bar. The night we were there it seemed they were disagreeing on the music. The wife kept turning the music down so she could chat up the customers. As soon as she would turn her back to start a conversation her husband would pump up the music. It continued like that throughout the night. Overall: Great vibe! Great music! Great nachos! Will definitely be going back! read more

Service Friday night in one word was 'painful'. The bartender was incredibly rude and we were so disappointed especially given the reviews saying how great the bartenders are. She actually told me she didn't have time to make me a mojito and I would have to order something else. Across the street is a Portuguese Wine Bar which we escaped to. Service was exceptional. read more

I went there with a few friends the other night because we'd read some great things about it on the web. All in all the experience was very enjoyable! I had the Hefe Weiss and it came in a half liter glass, which I guess I'm not used to but was pleasantly surprised. The bartender was really excellent, chatting with us from time to time and in general doing his job extremely well. The other bartender was always flipping glasses and doing various bartender tricks, which was great entertainment. I would give this place five stars, but shortly after we got there, the DJ for the night started blaring music when the bar was practically empty. It would've been nice if he'd started a little more quietly and then pumped up the volume when the bar filled up! It's a little bit of a trek for me, but I'd definitely go back. Especially to try the food! read more

Very nice till midnight when the music changes and the douchebags took over the place.

came to TO for the wknd and wanted a new place to check out. Came across the painted lady and knew it was my kind of place. As soon as we came in and heard the music, I knew it was my kind of place. Not pretentious, all kinds of people of all ages, this is what I like. The decor was right up my ally as I am a huge fan of pin up girls and that cheeky decor. My only negative is that the place was too small. I wish it had a larger dance area but we managed to dance near the bar. The burlesque dancer was an added bonus., Overall a good time was had by all! read more

Best. Bar. Ever. The service is stellar. The drinks are cheap. The crowd is always cool (but not *too cool), and as such, the ambiance is perfect. If you want a local, this is it. If you don't like the Painted Lady, you simply don't like bars. read more

Solid place - I've been going here on and off since it opened about 8(?) yrs ago. The owners are incredible people who strive to create a fun, outrageous, unique atmosphere - all the while, they're super friendly (them and the staff) and immediately make you feel at home, remembered, and cared for. The bar is run by artists who participate in charitable efforts - and to that, I tip my hat. Their security is always professional and friendly. I'm not sure if they still have food, but when they did/if they do, it was quick, super quality and homemade. Not a huge menu (i.e. this is not a dinner date destination, per say, unless you're looking for super laid back and casual fair), but what you get is/was tasty. The nights vary so you would benefit from checking in with them to see what the night will bring. They are known for their live music nights, which I enjoy, and I will pop in on a weekend night from time to time - though I prefer weekday nights and after work times as the Fri and Sat pretty mainstream pop/party music isn't really my thing. The burlesque on the bar thing - they were doing it before it was even a thing in Toronto - ahead of their time. This is a fun, let your hair down kind of place. read more

Very lively, great music. People were telling us it's usually a live band, but not this night. The DJ was awesome. It's a quaint place with lots of atmosphere. The bartenders were the best part. Our bartender recommended a shot with spiced rum and butternut liquor, yum. Must have more. read more

This cozy burlesque style joint is one of the up and coming hot spots in the Dundas/Ossington area.. with occasional live bands and dj's playing on a regular.. this joint will definitely start your night OR end your night proper!! and if you're lucky.. the sexy bar staff will do The Painted Lady bar top dance which only sexy ladies are invited to do.. guys need not apply!! LOL. A nice treat is also the authentic burlesque dancer.. titty tassels included.. guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours!! Drinks are off the hook.. and the Guinness is delicious!! As for food.. I recommend you order the WHITE TRASH NACHO'S and/or PULLED-PORK SANDWICH!!! See you there... but you better be ready to throw down New Orleans style!! ;) read more

Checked out this bar the other night w a friend and it was a very nice, relaxed night. Each night there's some kind of entertainment which makes for a fun time. Whether it be a dj, live music, "lady entertainers" etc it's never a dull moment here. Very chill crowd here, only thing is font come if ur needing a quality heart to heart cuz it can get quite loud on key nights or event nights. But it is always Lively and a good time..great for a night out on the town! read more

Tap beer was watered down big time. Crowd was mostly low class hippy early 20s, space was very small and the staff was rude. There was no live band either, even though I called in advance and they told me there's a live band that night. read more

I came here on feb.11th for my 23rd birthday party and had so much fun! all of my friends told me how much fun they had! how they loved the decor (as did i), the food was good (especially the pork sandwich and the white trash nachos) the music was interesting (it was reggae that night) and the only complaints i heard were minor (the place was a bit too narrow, the basement that held the bathrooms were cold) everyone said how they loved how there was a really diverse crowd, good beers on tap, really great bar staff and the only other complaint I could think of was that the burlesque dancer didnt have the best sense of rhythm. whatever, didnt stop me from putting $5 in her garter with my teeth! go! you wont regret it! go! read more

We did our research before traveling all the way from the states to hit the Toronto bar scene. This place looked to be right up our alley! The decor is fantastic and the location was great. That's about where it ended for us though. The crowd was odd and the band was mediocre. The "burlesque" dancer that we saw the night we went looked like she'd rather be watching tv at home than dancing at a lively club. read more

Never realized how much I'd enjoy grooving to DJ music with live bongo drums ! A must go to on a sat night. Cover was reasonable. Oh plus they had someone dancing on the bar with pasties! read more

It has a great atmosphere, a good choices of beer. A small but nice patio and great music. Anytime the music festival comes into town there open till 4. read more

I did not eat here, to preface. I came for a few drinks with my best girlfriends to have a good time. What I encountered was absolutely disgusting. A patron at the bar who was intoxicated (possibly and probably drugged) was dancing aggressively on the dance floor -- taking off her shirt and grinding on the ground. A friend of our group went to help her with a bartender while we witnessed a male patron videotaping her. Horrified by this behavior, another friend of our group went to stop it. After being told that women want to be taped and treated like objects, as well as being called a bitch, we chose to ignore and try to have a good time. Meanwhile, we were informed by our friend (who is a health professional) that the painted lady REFUSED to call 911 for the girl and told our friend she was too drunk to make that decision, When we decided to leave, we gathered out things and put on our jackets...as we went to walk out, the same jerk that taped the woman (rather than helping her) stared at my friends chest...to which she responded with a middle finger. That was followed by his friend telling my friend his guy really wanted to f**k her. All women want that right?! I am beyond disgusted by the behaviors displayed at the painted lady tonight. We are all human beings and deserved to be treated as such. Will never visit this establishment AGAIN! read more

I love painting and I love ladies, so this place was it for me...OK not really, but it is an awesome spot for hanging out and seeing live music in Toronto. In fact, my favorite up-and-coming band, The Bettys, have played at this venue a few times and I have to give not only their musical talents, but also the establishments service and decor two thumbs wayyyy up! If you're lucky enough to hit up the Painted Lady after a delicious meal at Pizza Libretto (it's across the street - bonus!), AND you're lucky enough to be there when The Bettys are playing, then you are in for a serious treat my Yelp friend. The Painted Lady is dimly lit, with a long inviting bar, and beautiful photos of bodacious babes on the walls. Ah yes, what more can you ask for? Good drinks? Oh, please of course they have that! While I haven't eaten here, I heard the food is niiiice, and with items like "White Trash Nachos" what's not to like...or even love? (If you enjoy consuming Cheese Whiz that is.) I dig this place, and I'll definitely return before Pizza Libretto, after, during, whatever! And if The Bettys are playing while you happen to wander into this happening bar...tell the blonde that I love her. read more

I was the photographer for a wedding and birthday party here. The place was great but one of the bartenders has a serious temper and attitude. The girl with glasses and pigtails threw a drink on my $1200 camera because I took a picture of her and the other bartenders. If she didn't want her photo taken thats fine but rather than asking me politely to erase the picture she thought it wise to throw liquor on my equipment. I serve as a bartender myself for a high volume stadium and encounter many customers who yell at me and cuss me out. As a professional your required to keep your cool no mater what the situation and she clearly does not posses that skill. If I was Sean the owner id fire that bartender because she's a huge liability & risk to his business and well tipping patrons. read more

Really shady place. I've passed by this place before and seen fist fights happening. The one time I was there a member of the staff pushed me, and I spilled a big portion of my beer on myself. At the same time, a dancer from there, clearly disturbed and maybe a patient from the mental institution down the street, was pushing people off the stage for no reason (pretty dangerous). The crowd was reflective of the atmosphere. It looks like they manage this Yelp account pretty aggressively, so I wouldn't trust the rating. There are lots of other bars in the area, so why take a risk here, but if you have to, watch out. read more

You can always count on amazing music at the Painted Lady. It often gets pretty packed due to the amazing sounds coming out the front door and I'd like it if they had craft beer on tap. I love what they do supporting local musicians and keep coming back to support them too. read more