Sweaty Betty&#x27;s

The best part about The Commie, aside from being one of the city's best dive bars, is Michael Louis…read moreJohnson, 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.

The owner was horribly mean to my friend. Do not go here if you aren't in the mood to be yelled at…read moreand 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.

0.6 km•Little Portugal, Beaconsfield Village

Michael Louis playing his trumpet.

Jazz on Saturday

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John Borra and Sam Ferrara, Sunday matinee

Get Well

4.0(112 reviews)

This was such a good find on a Friday night!…read more The pizza is sooo good; it's almost as delicious as Badiali's. The tomato sauce, the crisp crust-- yum! I just wish they had a Hawaiian option, a marinara dipping sauce, and a mushroom pizza that didn't have truffle oil; then it would be even better. The beer menu was a bit hard to read, and it was too loud to talk to the bartenders, but I'd try again next time. Meanwhile, there are arcade games, and many of them are free--! How cool is that? Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and even-- perhaps my new favourite-- Toobin', which is two dudes going down a river in floaties and getting eaten by crocodiles. Such wholesome fun for cheap!

"Half & Half" pie review only: 'North Of Brooklyn Pizza'…read moreused to helm the rear of this great venue (maybe about a year or so ago). NOB left and the pizzeria at the back is now part of Get Well Bar's food menu. Although their website doesnt detail this, they offer 18" pies after 5pm everyday, and seemingly use a sourdough dough. A "Cheese" pie is $27 (tomato sauce + shredded mozz; same price as NOB's NY Cheese & Margherita pies). There is "Pepperoni" (Ezzo branded; $30), "Mushroom" (garlic oil base, shredded mozz, Portobello and Cremini mushrooms, goat cheese, balsamic glaze, and arugula; $32), "Vegan Deluxe" (tomato sauce, vegan mozz, artichoke, mushroom blend, black olives, red onions; $32), and "Al Pastor" (tomato sauce, shredded mozz, marinated pork shoulder, pickled jalapenos, brined red onions, pineapple salsa ; $32). In comparison, NOB's most expensive pies are $30). They have a "Half & Half" pie ($34) which is a pie divided in half with 2 different flavours each side, which is what was ordered. Asked "well done." The "Cheese" was underwhelming except for the dough, which was phenomenally pillowy and soft (not in an under-done sense, just almost like a croissant), but the pie overall could definitely have been more "well-done." We might have gotten lucky in using the least stale dough they had, but certainly the dough was impressive, but lacked any char, smokiness, or notable crispness (except along outer inch). The "Mushroom" side was superb, and it was a pity it was called just "Mushroom" as it was much more than a Funghi pie. A diversity of flavours accompanied each bite (slight tartness and creaminess from goat cheese, strong herbal notes from arugula, earthiness of mushrooms, sweetness from balsamic glaze...). It might not appeal to everyone, but it was a great balance to enjoy it alongside the more basic "Cheese" pizza side. Overall, not as good as its former tenant, but the "Half & Half" pie is a great pie worth trying and an impressive pizza for a fantastic bar.

0.5 km•Ossington Strip, Little Portugal, Beaconsfield Village

Bar

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Signage

The Painted Lady

3.7(69 reviews)

Met some friends here for a catch-up and drinks. I was a bit worried about the reviews about…read moreboisterous burlesque and was concerned about the noise level. But it was a Wednesday evening and Heidi was playing piano. We all arrived at the same time and were greeted immediately by the bartender and Heidi! We shared an enormous plate of delicious nachos. They weren't just slapped together but almost every single chip had a topping. Delicious and addictive. It was a great evening and the decor prompted more conversation. Interesting pictures and a laid back decor with exposed brick walls.

Their happy hour time changes on daily basis depending on the scheduled show on that day. They gave…read morean event every night and some of them have free admission and the other ones require buying tickets. They have live band or DJ nights (check their website). They gave great vibes. Usually the bar is packed and the staff and bartenders are very quick with providing service.

1.3 km•Alexandra Park, Queen Street West

Eerie stairwell to washrooms.

Heidi in the corner at her piano

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Bovine Sex Club

4.0(62 reviews)

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.

0.7 km•Niagara, West Queen West

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The Done Right Inn

4.3(51 reviews)

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!

0.6 km•Ossington Strip, Little Portugal, Little Italy, Dufferin Grove

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Patio

The Dakota Tavern

3.9(85 reviews)

Easy to get to, great little spot for live music. Bluegrass brunches on the weekend were a fond…read morepart of my 20s. Nice to see a venue like this stand the test of time!

Fun place, good service, great music. Definitely recommended. Enjoyable. Easy to get to on the…read morestreetcar.

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From the Dakota Tavern website

Lucky Shrike

4.6(18 reviews)

1.0 km•Little Italy

It's 2025 and the Lucky Shrike is a shadow of its former self. Rude bartenders that make you feel…read morecold. No smiles, slow service. Decor hasn't changed but patio still nice. NIGHTMARE service.

Hands down, best bar in the city. Unpretentious spot to grab a shot and a beer. Great patio, good…read morestaff, decent drinks. What more do you want?

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Handlebar

4.3(65 reviews)

1.7 km•Kensington Market

This place rulessss. Great bartender (Zack) and the ambience is perfect for a Saturday afternoon…read more Highly recommend!

Such a fun bar! Drinks are cheap…read more The music is great. The staff is friendly. I had a blassssst being here and will definitely come back

Bar top with live music.

Come in and dance for free and drink water if you can't afford to buy anything.

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Aikotomic show tonight!!!!! pwyc $10.

Swan Dive

4.5(19 reviews)

1.5 km•Brockton Village

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.

0.3 km•Beaconsfield Village, West Queen West

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Mini cupcakes 1$ each

Bar Poet

4.0(175 reviews)

I came here for dinner with a few friends, and we ordered a few appetizers, pastas, and pizzas to…read moreshare. It's a really cute spot and the service was decent. I would not hesitate to come back, but there are some things I would definitely not order again. Not order again: - mozzarella sticks - these were not cheesy, fresh, or flavourful,huge disappointment - prosciutto and zeppole - prosciutto were not very fresh or thinly sliced, weirdly presented with the zeppole on the side Will definitely order again: - heroic dose pasta - the pasta was so fresh, great sauce and plenty of mushrooms (my favourite dish) - NYC spicy rigatoni - really good flavours and the pasta texture was perfect (also homemade) - Caesar salad - so creamy and I think they make the sauce in house bc I tasted a hint of the anchovy umami flavour The pesto pasta was pretty good too. And so were all the pizzas. I can't comment much on the pizzas because I was heavily focused on their homemade pasta. Everyone enjoyed the pizzas though. The only things that was bad were the two appetizers we got. They also offer an extensive list of drinks - beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails. I really like this spot and will definitely be back!

The drink menu is fun, but cocktails didn't stand out. Food is excellent--pizza was irresistible…read more The vibe is lively yet relaxed, like sipping in a summer garden. Highlights: Arancini a bit sticky and spicy, Garlic Fingers are garlicky pizza strips, Casablanca Chicken Pizza thin and flavorful. Great spot for food and atmosphere.