I think it's about time someone wrote a review of this place. This is a locals bar on lakeshore…read moreby browns line. Have to admit my first couple trips here were not great... it was a lot rougher place back pre-Covid and it was not uncommon for fights to break out... along with some unsavoury characters hanging out by the pool table. Fast forward to 2024 and it's a much different picture. Still very much a locals bar, but it's become a friendly regular hangout for me when in the area. Food (4/5) - I've had multiple items on the menu and tend to try the daily specials which are usually pretty good. The wings are quite good too... meaty and cooked the way you want them... especially salt and pepper. Service (4.75/5) - I get the sense this has improved significantly over time but the current dynamic duo of Ellena and Yasmin do a great job of managing the bar and floor most nights. Food orders come out quickly and they are always attentive and friendly. Ellena is the sole reason I gave this place a second chance after having a couple bad first experiences. Atmosphere (4/5) - it's your typical locals bar with a central bar, lots of TVs and the requisite pool table. SJ is unique in that they have live bands 3-4 nights a week with no cover most nights. Crowds are muted Monday to Wednesday... and then fills up on Thursdays through Sunday. After coming here a few times I had locals coming up to me saying hi and getting to know you. Not at all like those pre 2020 days. Overall (4.25/5) - I think this place got a bad rap before and probably deservedly. This is a different bar now and I would encourage people to check it out.

Atmosphere is good, but I was sorely disappointed with the beef ribs. Not sure where they sourced…read morethe meat from, but it was dry/chewy and not much meat on it. For $7.50/rib, I should've ordered the tacos

Overall good, but the beer was just okay and the second server wasnt as hospitable. The atmosphere…read morewas fun with hanging lights and tones of decorations including Canadian tire money on the walls. We asked about it since we were out or town and the nice bartender told us all about it and how they accept it. Later I called back and when I asked if its possible to buy somw from them the guy laughed and hung up.

In a very well-demanded area, this bar might lead the pack: the interior is cozy and intimate,…read morewhile the back patio is gorgeous! I tried an Australian Crabbie's ginger beer for the novelty (sweet and barely feels alcoholic, which is dangerous!) and will try other drinks when I come back!

I used to come here fairly often pre-covid and it was a cozy locals Polish pub. Decided to go back…read moreand try it again recently. Food - (3/5) - had the Beef Goulash which has been on the menu for years. This time it seemed to have lost some of it's lustre. Less flavourful then before and not a lot of beef in the sauce. Sides were ok but nothing spectacular. The Schnitzel used to be another favorite but didn't try it this time. Service - (3.5/5) - similar to before the service was average. Not sure what it is but you just don't get that welcoming feeling from the server/bartenders here. Food and drink came out fairly quickly though. Atmosphere - (3.75/5) - its a small place with lots of ethnic artifacts on the walls. Wooden tables, small bar and some TVs. They do seasonal decorations which is a nice touch. Overall - (3.5/5) - its an ok place and maybe it's a better experience if you are Polish? Personally, Barrel House (Ukrainian) down the street is a better choice imo.

I traveled 4 hours from Scarborough to go to this infamous Christmas pub. The decorations did not…read moredisappoint- I wish I could say the same for the service. The bar was incredibly full and they didn't allow for walk ins which was disappointing because it didn't indicate anywhere online that we could call and make reservations for our group of 6 (in hindsight we should have been more thorough and called to book.) I was seated at the bar and didn't get serviced for half an hour so it's disappointing to say i didn't get to try any food or drinks. The server behind the bar kept looking at me like she didn't want to be there and couldn't be bothered. I decided to not give them my business and won't be back.

A classic Punk / Rock n Roll Bar in Toronto CA. Basically the CBGB's of that scene…read more It's been around since the early 1990's and is exactly what a spot like this should be. Very nondescript outside facade - no sign telling you what it is other than a small "BSC" (for Bovine Sex Club) painted near the door. Hard to miss though as the exterior is made up a punk rock style sculpture of rusted bikes & other assorted ephemera. The interior is similar, visually. Great sound system & chill vibes pervade throughout. Weirdly the stage is right in the entrance of the club, on your left, with a long bar along the right side, heading back. Great, crowd, great location in cool area with lots of restaurants & plenty of parking - both on the street up to 2 hours & extended parking for a flat-rate of CA$20 (~$14 USD) from 6:00pm until the next morning, just 2 blacks away.

The Bovine is a fantastic place that is the same today as it was decades ago. not only that, but it…read moreis also one of the cheapest pints that you can find. Now, are the taps dry? Maybe. Are the beer cans running out? It's possible. But, it's a dive in the way of the old dives. And the acoustics for bands are... not great. But they are a sign of what once was. Without attempting to try to present a front of a time long gone, The Bovine simply exists today as it once did in that time long ago, before Smokes stickers, before iPhones, back when people would just go to a bar to talk with those they didn't know the morning prior. Bring cash though, unless you're looking to make some big orders, because credit card is a minimum fifty-dollar spend.

10/10 food- place is the best. Make a reso…read more I've been back 100 times and it's always so good, service amazing, ambiance amazing, design over all. And open 11am - 2am, pizza offered the entire time!! Woah!

Free pool, cheap drinks, fun staff, fresh meals and a cute Photo Booth! Looking forward to patio…read moreseason for the slushies

The food is amazing and will be better than you would ever expect. I'm from the United States and…read morewithin 3 days there I visited the bar 5 times. Love it.

A dive bar to avoid. The regular crowd of crackheads is friendly enough but, unless you too are a…read moreraging drug addict, not a group of people you want to relax and have a beer with. Food is surprisingly not terrible but also not great. It's very cheap (this explains the homeless crackhead regulars) but not worth it.

Now known as The Rockpile…read more A fair sized bar/concert venue predominantly showcasing Hard Rock and Metal bands. Some original artists, and a lot of cover bands. The atmosphere is always friendly, both from the staff and the patrons. People get loud, but never obnoxious. Tickets for many events can be bought online beforehand, but the venue is cash only. They do not take credit or debit cards at all. So bring a lot of cash if you want a drink or burger, as close to $15 for a can, you'll need it.

I was at the Rockpile to see The Exploited with Spades GT. It rocked!…read moreThere's tables where you can be served or just walk up to the bar and order your drink. Drink prices are fairly reasonable. A couple of drinks will cost you about twenty dollars. The ambiance is pretty laid back too and people enjoying themselves and the music. There's a back covered patio where you can relax too. I had an amazing time at the Rockpile. Thanks!

Popped in for a Sunday night drink, it was the only decent place open late on a Sunday and we're…read moresooo glad we found it They had spooky decorations up and tons of little knick knacks that bring life and personality to the bar. The lights were dim and dark, just like a dive bar should be! We played Jenga for a couple rounds until I found Anomia in the pile of boardgames. BEST GAME EVER. We had so much fun playing, loser had to buy the shots and beers. Unfortunately, we had to leave early as we got drunchies and the bar only served bites of food. But without a question, I will be back for Anomia and their cheap drinks!!!

The food is a joke, hotdogs etc., and if you ask for food you'll get attitude, also if you don't…read morewear all black and aren't a friend of a bartender expect to get poor service and more attitude.

Nothing like some crisp lagers and crispy chicken & mac…read more Quite the spot to visit in the summer as they have a large back patio and you can start here on the bar crawl for the evening. Lagers are flowing and vibes are great.

Tried out Three Speed on a busy Saturday evening. They're a casual neighbourhood bar. The back…read morepatio was full but spots opened up after a short wait. - Smoking gun ($17.00) and pilsner ($9.00) - Brisket + mac ($20.00) - brisket was slightly overcooked, mac and salad were decent - Sirloin burger ($16.00) - subbed for a gluten free bun ($2.00 extra). Bun was a touch crumbly but the handmade patty was tender

Bryden's is my favourite pub in Bloor West Village. An eclectic mix of seating furnishes this spot,…read moreincluding an incredibly comfy couch. The atmosphere is perfect for catching up with friends or watching a game. All the food here is great, but a few of my favourites include the macaroni and cheese, the scotch egg, and the sweet potato fries.

I've been here many times, probably starting in 2004. Excellent craft beer selection combined with…read morefriendly service. And Martina has returned, a true gem. I describe Brydens as the last bar with a true Toronto feel as you go west on Bloor Street. Maybe with the exception of the Olde Sod. But Brydens has a much more hip vibe. And the food is a cut above most pubs. Well presented and not everything is deep fried or breaded thank God. Beer is the focus here and they are changing up the craft offerings regularly. And the prices are surprisingly reasonable. The patio is OK, good for people watching but the traffic noise is pretty intense. The interior is eclectic and hipster-divey, which makes it a prime pub to get your drink on. And when it is packed, Brydens is a great night out. I would give 5 stars, but the lighting is harsh and from above when sitting at the bar and the chairs are a little uncomfortable. I usually ask the bartender to dim the lights at the bar so maybe I am nitpicking.