Where to go drinking around Chinatown in Toronto?

September 15, 2007 2:04 PM

Torontofilter: Nice chill yet not bland place to grab a few pints in the Dundas & Bathurst area tonite?

I'm a Montreal exile now living in 905 purgatory, and I'm taking some out-of-town friends out on the town tonite. I have never done this without my Toronto friends before and I have no idea where to go. We're gonna grab some vegetarian chow at Cafe 668. Where in the neighbourhood should we go to quench our thirst afterwards? Definitely wanna talk and not dance; looking for recommendations for pub or cafe style places. Thank you!

posted by Ladysin to food & drink (13 comments total)

Walk a few blocks south to The Bank Note at King and Bathurst for a neat atmosphere and a good selection of beer.
posted by maudlin at 2:21 PM on September 15, 2007

I've never been there, but there's the Wheat Sheaf tavern at Bathurst and King.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 2:23 PM on September 15, 2007

Magpie, a few blocks west (around Euclid, I think) on the south side of Dundas!
posted by avocet at 2:33 PM on September 15, 2007

The Press Club (850 Dundas, west of Bathurst) is small and fun, Wheat Sheaf is a sports bar with a nice patio and decent service -- great wings, Cloak and Dagger (College, east of Bathurst) is a hole-in-the-wall but good for a pint and some chat.
posted by mrmcsurly at 3:02 PM on September 15, 2007

If you walk west on Dundas towards the AGO, there is a cool little pub at Dundas and McCaul, can't think of the name but it's something mildly clever. Heading there you'd get a nice brisk walk through Chinatown, not sure if that's a bonus for you or not...Google is not helping with the name of the place. Generally speaking I'd say just walk north to College or south to Queen.

There's also Tequila Bookworm at Queen and Bathurst, everyone's favorite chill bar/cafe/bookstore. Love that place.
posted by SassHat at 3:29 PM on September 15, 2007

1000% the Magpie at Dundas and Euclid.
No need to be walking so far as has been suggested.

This is place is perfect based on your stated preferences.
posted by loiseau at 3:34 PM on September 15, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Right around the corner is the Red Room, on Spadina just south of College, west of the street. Maybe a little crowded and student-y but with a funky atmosphere that will definitely appeal to Montreal expats.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 3:46 PM on September 15, 2007

i think sasshat's talking about the village idiot, which is nice, and not that far really.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 3:53 PM on September 15, 2007

whoops, that worked in preview. the village idiot.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 3:59 PM on September 15, 2007

what the hell?

http://www.villageidiotpub.ca/

there.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 3:59 PM on September 15, 2007

In that area, there's no problem. No need to go as far as Red Room or the Bank Note (and King tends to be pricey anyway).

Closest - and pretty nice - is the Embassy, in Kensington Market. Walk two blocks east to Augusta, then walk north for a minute. It'll be on your right. There's also Last Temptation, still in the Market, one block further on Dundas and a bit north.

Otherwise, Dundas between Bathurst and Ossington has had a wee explosion of bars over the last few years. Just walk west on Dundas, you'll find something. If not, there are a bunch of great places on Ossington between Dundas and Queen. There's also the Communist's Daughter right at Dundas and Ossington, but it's small and tends to fill up.
posted by poweredbybeard at 9:49 AM on September 16, 2007

Thanks for the very helpful suggestions everyone. I would have been very down with a nice walk and cruise through Chinatown on the way to a pub but my American friends were shivering in the (mild) chill so we took shelter at the Magpie which was just down the street. The Magpie definitely fit the bill but there was a strong smell of pee...we got used to it though. I do like the Red Room, and thanks for all the other places...I'll definitely check em out some other time.
posted by Ladysin at 10:08 AM on September 16, 2007

The Dakota. It's a hipster country bar. Kickass live music. Sit at the back. NE corner of Dundas and Ossington.

The Communists Daughter. SW corner of the intersection. It's tiny, about 50 yards west. Enjoy a beer-cheese sandwitch.

Sweaty Betty. 18 Ossington. Just north of Queen on the East side. Nice room with couches in the back, if you get there early. Music not too loud.
posted by thenormshow at 2:34 PM on September 16, 2007