The best part about The Commie, aside from being one of the city's best dive bars, is Michael Louis Johnson, the musical barkeep. This man is a treasure--a multitalented musician who plays in many bands including The Lemon Bucket Orkestra. In season, you can catch Michael playing trumpet and singing with a jazz band on the back patio on Saturday evenings (5-8pm). The patio, accessible via an alleyway off Rolyat Street, feels like one of this neighbourhood's best kept secrets. Such a fun, chill vibe back there. Perhaps these Saturday shows will eventually move back inside, where they were held in the beforetimes, when the band sat cheek by jowl with customers in one of the city's most "intimate" performance venues. But whether Michael is performing behind the bar or on the back patio, the man is a marvel of multitasking. He'll perform part of a tune, set the trumpet down as the band plays on, take people's orders, prepare and serve drinks, and then pick up the trumpet and continue the song. So freaking cool. He also hosts a unique music listening event on Monday nights called Decide on the B-Side...don't forget to bring your favourite vinyl. As for the drinks, nothing fancy here, just a decent beer list and hard booze, mostly. But as described above, this bar is so much more. It's chock full of fun and character. read more

The owner was horribly mean to my friend. Do not go here if you aren't in the mood to be yelled at and physically intimidated by the crotchety old owner who polices everything that is said in the bar. Especially if you are a woman. Not a safe environment. Thought this place was meant to be open-minded and welcoming but apparently not. read more

On Saturday Michael has you captured With joy from the minute you walk in to the minute you leave.Friendly service And great music. Thanks Michael read more

Quite the place. Packed and rowdy on an early Saturday evening, I had often walked by and thought that would be a good spot for a drink. Settled in after what appeared like a bit of a rush went through - dirty tables and scattered chairs. Frankly, I was happy for a place to sit. Bartender was abrupt but not unfriendly. Got us our drinks quickly and checked on us once before we moved on. I would classify this as dive bar proxy, as close as we can get to that term in Toronto. No fuss, no muss.. I loved the simplicity. read more

This may be my favorite bar anywhere. We visited Toronto in Oct 2024. I always research local bars before we travel. This is not a dive bar. It is old and loaded with character but well run, efficient and clean. The crowd was friendly and welcoming. The bartender is excellent at what he does. Drinks were good and not overpriced. The bartender and the patrons made us feel welcome and everyone was friendly. read more

For years my warm up spot or sometimes just the spot. Great vibe and the best spot to strike up an interesting conversation

I love this place. Came one Monday night with some friends for record night. Absolutely great atmosphere. And the bartender, who I believe is named Michael, absolutely joy to talk to (and I'm saying this as someone who is naturally on the shy end). Definitely coming back again. read more

five stars. A1 from day one. best bar in town 21 years young and still going strong. Perfect for all your needs; catch up with pals, go on a date, or have a couple with a book. All welcome. read more

Nice little dive to grab a pint at. I noticed a couple jazz musicians playing in the window but didn't hear them when I was inside. That would be a tight spot for them as there isn't a lot of room but it would be cool nonetheless. The bartender was friendly and chatting to customers as I sat at the bar enjoying my Duggans stout which was a dollar cheaper than at Painted Lady just around the corner which was nice, plus they were open earlier which made it even better. For more fun and similar beer, try the Painted Lady, and for a better beer selection there is Get Well a few doors down. But these places open a little later, and that's where Communist's Daughter can help whet your whistle when you are in a bind. read more

Communist's Daughter - Duggans stout $7 - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This local gem is one I have kept in my back pocket for sometime. I frequent this watering hole before a nice evening in the Ossington neighborhood or after a nice afternoon stroll by Trinity Bellwoods. The outside deceivingly suggests a run-down convenience store but enter inside and you will find a no-frills moody bar packed comfortably at the bar and small tables. As the night's dark cloak settles, candles are lit inside and the noise raises to a pleasant bustling atmosphere. I always order a classic G&T (~$7), my favorite drink of choice. While it is nothing sensational, the bartender always nails the balance and ensures a buzz in my head. Their Long Island (although a bit pricier at $15-16) is quite lovely as well. When I asked for a gin-based drink once, the bartender surprised me with a pleasant gin, soda, and rhubarb bitters drink that I will revisit when I am back next. TL;DR: Cheap boozy drinks that will guarantee you a good time with good music. Insider's Tips: Visit the bathrooms for some hilarious and thought-provoking wall graffiti. Carry some coins with you to select your favorite tracks on their one-of-a-kind CD jukebox. Remember to collect cash (there's ATMs and banks nearby if you forget) for this cash-only joint. read more

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Cheeeeeers! We both know that this review for the Communist's Daughter is way overdue. For selfish reasons, I've been keeping this local gem a secret for years, but now I want to share this with the people of the World so that more people can enjoy this quaint, unpretentious, hipster, soulful bar that is bursting with character, ice-cold drinks, and intimate atmosphere. - Drinks are cheap! Around $5-8 for a beer or spirits. Fancy drinks will be $10+ Bartenders are always personable, just order at the bar. - Food: no real food here, but you can BYOF! There's pizza down the street at Super Point or North of Brooklyn in Get Well. There's also a convenience store next to the Communist for chips, nuts, chocolates, candies and your lotto tickets - Music: there is live music on Sat or Sun (no regular schedule) and expect to tip for this! The music is worth it! It's usually a band of 4-5 or a duo who are playing blues/country/folk. If you're a tourist, bring some change to tip your musicians - show them some love. The Communist (or the Commie) is my all time favourite bar for cheap drinks and unpretentious good times. Unlike any other bar in Toronto, it's a must for local and visitors from around the world. Tell them that the locals Justin and Will sent you! read more

My friend's stomach hurt so she ordered a non-alcoholic soda, after which we were told we weren't spending enough money and refused service by the abysmally rude bartender. Pretty ironic coming from a place called "Communist's Daughter"! I've been here plenty of times before but after last night never again. Really disappointing from a place I used to think was friendly and welcoming. read more

Come here from 4-7 on any Saturday to watch the Red Rhythm perform. Totally worth the experience every time. They pretty much only offer booze (no real food), amazing jazz, and a great crowd. We had an amazing time and will be back for sure! read more

Terrible man behind the bar. Had a short temper, couldn't make any sophisticated drinks and the bar smelled like beer stained clothing. Would never recommend, go anywhere else on that street. read more

My friends and I popped into this bar for a drink last night and were enjoying ourselves until it came time to pay the bills. The bartender, who we had only had normal interactions with up to this point, suddenly became extremely rude and inappropriate and reprimanded us for paying for our drinks separately. If she was too busy to do separate bills, she could have told us that and we would have happily paid all together. However, she did not say anything to this effect and got nasty with us for no apparent reason. Contrary to what she said, I have worked in the service industry in many different roles. I've never not tipped in my life, but her behaviour towards us was completely unwarranted and unprofessional, and I did not feel obligated to tip on a $9 beer after being treated like trash. Safe to say I will never be back. read more

I am a huge fan of Communist's Daughter. It's one of those hole in the wall places with cool people, good prices and a cozy atmosphere. This is usually where I end my evening, due to its close proximity to the Dundas streetcar. You won't find much in the way of frills here, or an extensive food menu. What you will find is friendly bartenders that are happy to recommend a drink if you're not sure what you'd like. They also have chips which I think every bar should have (come on, who doesn't like chips and a beer). In terms of the venue, it's quite small and fills up quickly, but there are usually a few spare stools around that you can grab if you're not picky. They rotate the taps quite often so there's always something new to try, but my usual is a Beaus Lugtread - you can't go wrong and it's always fresh. I've never tried the food, but they have pizzas, sandwiches and other simple dishes. If you haven't been, go - you won't regret it! read more

If you like to sit in the dark and drink, sans frills, next to a glowing juke box, you'll have a crush on the Communist's Daughter. Let's call her Natasha. Natasha is cash only, she pours vodka and whisky very well and is exactly what you'd expect of a dark dive. She's a good girl, so treat her kindly. read more

Came here for a first date on a Monday. It's a very cozy bar with just a few tables so we grabbed 2 seats at the bar. I'm glad we got there early because that place got packed to standing room only fast! They were doing a night where patrons can bring in a vinyl record, they play the A side and then everyone gets to vote (and debate) on if the B side should be played. It was hilarious and awesome. The date was a flop but I still enjoyed myself thanks to the other patrons and the wonderful bartender (thank you for the free tequila shot I must have looked like I needed it after that date!) I will be back (with vinyl next time). read more

Communist's Daughter - Groovy bar lights - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I missed my flight to dallas. Checked out of my hotel late. Woke up at 12:45pm with my pants half off, jacket, sweater, shirt still on, looneys strewn across the floor, camera cracked, documenting the previous night with 3 pictures of the Communist Daughter's bathroom & stairs... ...and I had blood on my finger. Things got weird. My "tour de toronto" quest to experience all things Canadian culminated at 1:47am at The Commies Daughter, who not only allowed me to taste hip Toronto, but live, embody it and actually feel like I was it till 5:00am... Pickled Eggs. Politics. Good Friends. Great Jukebox. And Labatt 50's. It's all about the 50's. This could stand as one of the best last calls of my life. You dirty commies. Thank you. read more

Communist's Daughter - stairs... - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Interesting comments from the previous posters. Saturday afternoons from 4-7pm is a must if you are really going to get a sense of this bar, the people, the atmosphere, the food and drinks. Michael Louis Johnson and the Red Rhythm band play every Saturday. Michael will serve you up a pint then pick up his trumpet and/or sing a song! Then in between verses serve up a few more drinks. Whether you sit in the back, stand to the side or sit up front; this cozy and intimate setting will either having you swooning or clapping your hands! If I am with a group of friends we try to sit in the back as to not to be too loud if we are talking. But last weekend I was late getting there and ended up sitting right at the front and had the pleasure of watching the other musicians work their magic on their perspective instruments. The decor may give you the sense that is it run down but it's not. It's just part of its charm! The booze is reasonably priced. The food options are limited but you're not really there to eat! ha! But the prices are very reasonable. And yes the bathroom is not the prettiest thing but we are talking about an old part of town, with old establishments. Are you there to hang out in the bathroom? no! Get there by 3:30pm to get a good seat. The music, the people, the drinks are why you go to the Communist's Daughter aka Nazare Snack Bar!! ha!! I will post pictures from last week when I finally upload them :0) read more

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I had the misfortune of visiting this bar, otherwise known as the "Communist's Daughter", on the evening of 8 December 2023. I have never in my life been on the receiving end of such incredibly poor service. It doesn't even warrant being called "customer service", it was just rude and nasty. After asking for separate bills and then receiving our bills without comment, our friend group began to pay. My first friend paid and tipped 18%. Then, as the rest of us waited to pay our bills, we were suddenly berated by the server who told us that "we should pay our bill together, it's the adult thing to do", "clearly you've never worked in the service industry", "never come back here", and then proceeded to walk back to the bar and tell other patrons that it was our fault their drinks were taking so long. Keep in mind that she was not working alone and that the bar was far from slammed. After being chastised like children in front of other patrons, the rest of our group (reasonably) chose to not tip. My friend explained, as we were leaving, that we would have been happy to pay one bill if it was that much of an inconvenience, to which we were told that "we should have said something". Apparently the onus was on us? Unfortunately, no one in group was bestowed with the gift of mind reading. Considering everyone in our group actually has spent, cumulatively, years of experience in the service industry, our collective conclusion is that this was, hands down, our worst service experience. This particular server is undoubtedly not suited to work in the industry given her temperament and nonexistent manners. read more

Hole in the wall bar if you're into that scene with a jukebox. The poor bartender was definitely alone and overworked. One of the patrons had $50 worth of drinks going and hadn't paid or left a credit card for a tab. We sat in front of the bartender for around 15-20 minutes before we had to wave and get her attention.. Like we were invisible. Gin and tonics were average. Folks in there are probably just as underpaid and looking for free drinks judging by their treatment of the bartender. Didn't feel good about being there and left after we finished our drinks read more

Communist's Daughter - The bar at communist's daughter - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Sweetest little joint (seriously tiny) with super helpful bartenders who notice you have arrived to their crowded establishment and try to find you a seat. Jaw drop. Where does this happen? Super chill crowd. Warm in winter. Best place for close chats with close pals. The BYO-Records Monday, and the voting and campaigning for the B-side that ensues is a real performance. Come late, stay later. Jukebox with 100 albums. (Good finds here, though *throat clear* could use some gender re-balancing.) Pints on tap and cans are cold. Not a gigantic selection, but there's something for everyone. Good house wine by the glass and cocktails. Prices regular, in the Ossington/Dundas zone. (Chalkboard lists a couple food items, but I haven't seen any yet.) read more

Deciding where to go by reading Yelp reviews can be addictive. This is one that i would consider a 'yelp fail' considering i have been quite consistent when picking a good place. I was looking for a bar to try, chose the higher rated places and read tons of reviews and finally decided to give this one a try and boy was I disappointed. Its a dark dingy bar where the bartender just looks at u when you enter and doesn't say a word and continues checking his cellphone . Table felt sticky and damp. Ordered a beer but the whole time i was drinking, i was concerned if the glass was clean I read the reviews again while i was there just to make sure i was in the right place. I guess this is one of those instances where you question what others raved about when you can't even stand being there in the first place. read more

I guess I'm not cool enough to understand why people love this place so much. I certainly don't think it deserves so many 5-star reviews, but maybe I am just looking for something else when it comes to drinking establishments. Yes, this place is extremely small. Anytime I have gone it's been crammed full of hipsters and I've never enjoyed the music playing. Going to this place when it's full is simply not an enjoyable experience. Squeezing between people to try and get to the washroom and then finding out 4-5 people are also waiting to use the facilities. I walk by here a lot and there's usually a gang of chain smokers standing outside. One quick peek through the window and it looks like a closet full of drunk kids. Meh. Maybe I'm being overly harsh. I just think there are much greater bar options in the Dundas/Ossington area. By no means do I think Communist Daughter is a "hidden gem" because everyone seems to know about it. And if your idea of a fun time is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with hipsters or fighting over seating then you'll love this place. read more

Cute little bar nestled in the middle of Ossington. Friendly people and good drinks. The jukebox adds a nice sense of nostalgia. Kudos to the Michael (bartender) who offered us a shot when he found out we were on our honeymoon! read more

One of my favorite bars in the world. I miss it so much and its pickled eggs and bitching jukebox. There is even a portrait of the communist's daughter, and she looks like Rhoda from The Bad Seed. PS: I saw another comment about US reviews. My husband is from Toronto, and I lived with him in Roncy for three years and go back to visit his family occasionally. Cut me some slack. read more

This reminds me of my East LA dives, except not scary. It almost has that incognito speakeasy feel, but is more along the cozy side. The real reason I love it is authenticity-- when we were there the first time, a group of uppity girls were complaining about not getting their drinks fast enough. They picked a verbal fight with the bartender, and he actually threw them out (as in pointed the way to the door). It was awesome! In an age when money rules, it goes to show that being polite never goes out of style no matter whether you're a hipster or an up-towner. read more

The Commie is an original gem on the Ossington strip. Nestled close to hipster bars in the area, the Commie continues to offer salvation to those of us who want to a quaint place to hang out on weekend nights. I always feel relaxed when I come here, either alone with a book or with friends for last call. The beer selection is quite good, especially with a bottled variety from Quebec breweries. Whenever possible I sample one of their infamous pickled eggs. Yes, they stink up the joint but after a night of drinking, they taste oh-so good. I don't bother adding coins into the jukebox as there's a long list of requests yet to be played. As long as I never hear Lady Gaga play in the Commie, I'm content with whatever is playing. We know that this boite gets busy on weekend nights but try it during off peaks hours. At 5 o'clock on Saturday and Sunday evenings, the Commie plays host to local musicians, a sampling of great musical acts this city has to offer. I caught the Sunday show called Sunday Revival, a country night. Already packed, I was lucky enough to grab a seat near the stage, which is the window nook where the musicians play. On guitar is John Borra singing a nice collection of country favourites from Johnny Cash and Neutral Milk Hotel, while Sam Ferrera accompanies him on slinkies, musical saw and a cheese grinder. Expect to witness something very special. Actually, life is pretty special whenever you're at the Commie. read more

Easily one of the best bars in the world. I was in Toronto for a night and yelp led me just a few more blocks from the CN Tower than the average tourist. As I headed down Queen St. West I'll admit the city looked a little quiet, but it was Sunday night after all. Then you walk in, it's packed, little place to stand, but I was lucky to score a stool and lean against the jukebox. Not that I needed the jukebox because there was a band playing, an awesome bluegrass band! Then I got a seat at the bar, and the local beers! Good stuff! Then the bartender figures out I'm not a local, and offers a shot to welcome me to the Communist's Daughter, she shares one too, cause shooting alone must be capitalistic! And when she's done, she gets up and joins the band. Can you believe that? No bartender for 20 min, but no one seems to care. Gotta love socialism! I certainly love the bar! read more

If a filthy living room full of hipsters is your scene, this is 4 u. Lamps that should be retired in an old house, bathrooms that stank, no reaked of P,but really friendly service, and great tunes. The stools, tables and chairs look like those you'd find in a trailer. The lighting -- what lighting? ...this place is hard to find...GPS is the word. read more

This is truly a "hidden" gem in the middle of a very busy section of Ossington. We walked by it two or three times before we finally found it and we even helped a couple find it who were standing, literally, right outside the door as we were leaving. The confusion arises from the lack of an obvious sign that says Communist's Daughter and the presence of a gigantic yellow sign that reads Nazare Snack Bar. The bar was really cool. It's not a big place but it has charm, and it has it in spades. It was darkly lit and very intimate. The pictures and things on the walls were sort of bizarre but for some reason they seemed to fit in the overall theme, or lack thereof. The music that was playing on a record player was the bartender's, which he had brought from home. We were told of live music that plays on the weekends but we weren't able to make it back, unfortunately. The bartender was awesome. He chatted with us for quite a while even when it got busy. Not that he neglected anyone, he was always busy doing stuff and no one waited long for a drink or a snack. He declared that he loved out-of-towners and was nice enough to buy us a drink. In return, I love this bar and it will be the first place I visit next time I'm up there. Plus I would send anyone I ever met to it. read more

Total dive bar with its charms. Hipster crowd for sure, so try to blend in. One server- take it or leave it, no fuss, no muss. Go because you feel like the scene. Good luck finding a seat. read more

Quite the little dive this is. Tiny, local and with a nice 'hidden' vibe to it, although everyone and their communist's daughter know about. Ha! An existential plug homerun! Anyway, place is tiny, cheap and they have live music from time to time. Very retro in decour with a few circa's 50's chairs. So basically it feels like this place was ripped out of Queen west and dropped magically on Dundas West. Hipsters, locals, artists, students, and blue-collars are this place's bread and butter clients since the place has that rugged, kinda of dirty, old and yet friendly aura to it. Not to mention the food on the tiny menu is all like $7. Also they do live bands on the weekends. I only know this because my friend's Rosenman's brother Roberto plays the trumpet there from time to time. As I have only been to this localed during the weekdays when for some reason or another found myself here. read more

Picture a small bar, lit by a mixture of candles and christmas lights with old pictures painted on the walls. Behind the bar, there's a dishwasher (just like the one at your grandma's house) a random smattering of glasses and only one bartender. It takes at least ten minutes to get a drink - not because its super busy or they are rude, just because they are taking their time. Pretty solid draft beers (I think four on tap) and the pickled eggs are killer. It's a pretty good dive bar, but don't go too far our of your way to stop here. If I were a local, I'd be in quite often. read more

This was exactly the kind of place that I was trying to find while visitng Toronto. A dive amongst dives. The best way that I could describe this place would be similar to hanging out in the kitchen of a very old, unrehabbed, early 1900s home, with poor lighting, a lack of seating, and one tap. One domestic tap. When I visit a place such as Toronto, I'm on a quest to make me some new Canadian friends, the kind that claim to be cosmopolitan enough to lack a Canadian accent until they say the words "house" and "about." So, I'm standing there, with my lady, talking about how I've decided that Toronto would be a far better place to live than Chicago, when one of the many kind natives offered to shuffle their seating so that we could have a table. Then we sit and discuss about how much more colourful this city is than ours as well as how the people are so much more approachable. We talk about how wonderfully divided the neighbourhoods are and how that makes our exploration so simple. I turn to one of the gents that offered us our spot and ask, "Odd question, but I'm just curious, how near do you live to this bar?" He responds, "You can actually see my place from here." That was when I knew that I loved Toronto. read more

I. Love. This. Place. I actually found out about the Communist's Daughter on Yelp, and hopefully this review will guide others there as well. I came here with some student friends over Christmas break 2014. It has the facade of what looks at first glance to be a convenience store, which is not only charming, but smart, because the disguise means only those in the know seem to venture in here, preserving the bar's status as a shared secret among its regulars and maintaining its warm, communal atmosphere. There is a good selection of beer and whiskey, I believe I got a Creemore and a Jameson or two. They weren't expensive, nor does anything seem to be exorbitantly priced. But the best thing about the Communist's Daughter is the atmosphere. Old Slavic portraits on the wall, notes of foreign currencies displayed behind the bar, even a bartender who could've been an extra in the Grand Budapest Hotel. I believe the following experience nicely captures the essence of this establishment. We came on a Monday, when they hold a weekly event called "DEcide on the B-Side". Patrons are invited to bring vinyl records, which are played on the bar's turntable. After the A-side of an album is finished, the bartender gets the attention of the whole bar (less than 30 people), and holds a vote. The options in this vote are: A) Keep playing the B-side of the current record, or B) Move on to the next record, which remains a mystery until the crowd decides to play it. This inevitably sparks debate, and anyone who feels strongly about a certain record is entreated to give a brief argument as to why it should be played, while the whole bar patiently listens to their impassioned address. It's a blast. I don't know many other bars in Toronto where this kind of game would be possible, and where everyone in attendance, most complete strangers to each other, would so enthusiastically want to take part. This exemplifies the strong sense of community that still exists in Toronto, the togetherness that this city was built on, and I believe it is vital to keep that spirit alive. The Communist's Daughter is doing a fine job of it. read more

OH BOY! I LOVE DIVE BARS WITH JUKE BOXES. I do, no kidding around. I had been meaning to try this joint and finally got around to it in July 2010. This mini-bar is staffed by one man and the establishment seats maybe 22 peeps. So naturally, you feel pretty special by simply finding a seat. Nothing fancy here folks- just good booze at decent prices, but the place just makes you feel at ease. Honestly it reminded me of the hash-bars in Amsterdam, minus the cannabis. Just relaxed, very friendly people like you and me and Burt & Ernie. Not mush in the way of food, but if you're thirsty and in the neighbourhood, pop in for a drink. I can't wait to come back on BYOV Mondays- Bring Your Own Vinyl Mondays... read more

Hole in the wall that truly maintains a hole in the wall feeling. It looks like an old milkshake shop that never got renovated. It has an air of dirty slimeballism and some hipster overtones, not surprising being so close to ossington. The seats look grandma nostalgic and are kept purposely dirty or looking dirty to let everyone feel the rundown vibe. A bit like the old Avro from Queen East without the eclectic side. The washrooms downstairs remind me of 1990s china town with exposed wiring on the stairs. Shocking I know. Dark and dingy, 3 button open office space shirt bartender. Dare to go and feel grungy. In short a must see 5* And yah they serve drinks. read more

A letter to two nights, two bartenders, and one bar: If you saw me saddle up to the bar with love in my eyes, it's because the name alone was enough to set my heart reeling. And because I was betraying my poor mother country who was occupied by the red star for years. If you saw me cry at your trumpeting and singing performance it's only because I found a dream that I never thought I could live. And I did, if only for a moment. It was magic, it really was. Living in an era suspended between then and now. But reality was just outside the door. What else is there to do but weep? If you were surprised by my kisses on your cheek and confused by my emphatic hugs, it's only because you were a mysterious bearded man who reveled in the same music all the while being the the most attentive and genuine bartender a lass could ask for. And let's not get too tawdry, here, but your eggs, salami, nuts, and pickles are also out of this world. After all this, I sat on your bathroom throne and confessed to the priest (thankfully looking the other direction). Oh how glorious it was to purge my seven sins! When I come crawling back to you, even after a year away, please welcome me with loving and open arms again. We can pretend that time never existed and that true love waits. read more