Toronto’s best dive bars
Where to go once the Imperial Pub closes for good
Trends may come and go, but dive bars are forever—until they go to that great big pub crawl in the sky, as the Imperial Pub will on November 15, after 81 years of pulling pints. Quirky, eclectic and full of personality, these unpretentious watering holes have been a safe haven for the anti-mainstream crowd and a foil to the kinds of places that now charge $25 for a cocktail. We love them for their resilience, timelessness and budget-friendly beer prices.
Related: The story behind Owl’s Club, a veterans’ hall with legendary karaoke Saturdays
Owl’s Club
847 Dovercourt Rd., @owlsclub306
Known for its legendary karaoke Saturdays, this veterans’ hall turned occasional dive bar is the poster child for unpretentious bar culture. It’s a self-proclaimed clubhouse—not a nightclub, but a space where people can dance and congregate just like back in the good old days.
What to order: Keep it simple with a bottle of Modelo or, if you’re feeling classy, a glass of house red Bar bites: None, but they aren’t fussy about patrons bringing in food from outside Fun and games: Darts, pool tables and weekly karaoke, of course Things to know: It’s open to the public on Saturdays only (the rest of the week belongs to Owl’s Club members)
Lloyd’s
1298 Queen St. E., lloydsonqueen.ca
A Kubrick film brought to life in Leslieville, this Shining-inspired local is packed full of ’80s nostalgia. The bare-bones watering hole hosts the odd themed night, including fantasy football drafts and bingo. Day-drinking bonus: Lloyd’s recently updated its operating hours to accommodate the midday crowd on Saturdays and Sundays.
What to order: Miller High Life, the most popular drink on the menu Bar bites: Only popcorn and the occasional $2 hot dog if it’s game night Fun and games: Bingo and Seinfeld trivia nights Things to know: Open from 1 p.m. to late on Saturdays and Sundays
The Communist’s Daughter
1151 Dundas St. W., @thecommunistsdaughtertoronto
Adjacent to the ever-gentrifying Ossington strip, the Communist’s Daughter is a remnant of the neighbourhood’s early days, when it was more of a fringe hangout than a hotspot. Unlike Ossington, however, this gem of a dive bar remains unchanged.
What to order: A $6 Blackbird shot, a 50/50 mix of Jameson and Montenegro Bar bites: None Fun and games: A jukebox, live music and BYO vinyl nights on Mondays Things to know: It’s a tight space, so get comfortable with making friends fast
Ted’s Collision
573 College St., 416-530-7569
Founded in ’94, this rock-and-roll-inspired hangout offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Little Italy. It’s no-nonsense with budget-friendly beers on tap, live music and candles in wine bottles for ambiance.
What to order: A bottle of Labatt 50 Bar bites: None, but outside food is allowed Fun and games: A pool table, a pinball machine and live music Things to know: Cash only, ATM on-site
Ronnie’s Local
69 Nassau St., @ronnieslocal069toronto
There’s no better place to be in the summer than the patio at this Kensington Market institution. It’s just as fun in the winter, but cozier—the outside space easily doubles the bar’s footprint.
What to order: A glass of Delirium Tremens Bar bites: None, but you can BYO food and it’s Kensington Market, so the world is your oyster (you can probably even get oysters) Fun and games: Nothing but good old-fashioned people-watching Things to know: Cash only, ATM on-site. Open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day
Farside
600 Gerrard St. E., farsidebar.com
Calling itself a communal living room (complete with smooshy ’70s furniture), Farside is beloved by many east-enders for its unpretentious vibe and $10 margaritas.
What to order: A $7 pint (during happy hour, 6 to 8 p.m. daily) or $10 marg Bar bites: None, but they let guests bring in outside food, and they suggest supporting one of the neighbouring restaurants, like Dine and Dim or Completo Fun and games: Karaoke and the occasional Magic: The Gathering night Things to know: They have a sister location in Hamilton
Related: Did Taylor Swift really visit a Toronto dive bar?
Black Eagle
457 Church St., blackeagletoronto.com
Where leather and denim collide, this Church Street legacy bar has been a mainstay since 1994. The vibe and crowd has changed over the years, but the bar still maintains its edge and continues to be a haven for the city’s kink-forward gay community.
What to order: Anything in a bottle Bar bites: None, but Sunday barbecues on the patio in the summer mean sausages and snacks Fun and games: Live DJs, themed dance parties (think Madonna or disco) Things to know: There’s a heated upstairs patio
Bovine Sex Club
542 Queen St. W., bovinesexclub.com
This rock-and-roll dive bar on Queen West is everything you’d imagine from a place that’s still in business after 34 years. Unafraid of being bold, the timeless venue offers live music from local artists, drag performances and burlesque shows not to be missed, all in a body-positive space.
What to order: They make a mean dark and stormy Bar bites: None Fun and games: Endless events hosted by DJs and performers Things to know: Tiki Bar Toronto is Bovine’s sweet (seasonal) rooftop patio situation
Swan Dive
1631 Dundas St. W., @swandiveto
This gem of a dive bar at the western edge of Little Portugal is under new ownership after its founder, Abra Shiner, passed away earlier this year—but they’re keeping her spirit alive with quirky events (tarot readings, zine exchanges) and daily specials, like a beer and a shot for $11 or $6 glasses of wine.
What to order: A can of Swan Dive lager made by Toronto’s Rorschach Brewing Bar bites: Bags of Pally’s potato chips, but also the odd pizza or hot dog party Fun and games: DJs, board games, a pool table, pinball and a vending machine stocked with stickers Things to know: Cash only
Captain Jack
2 Wheeler Ave., 416-691-5433
This is your best bet for a dive bar in the Beaches. The cozy (read: teeny-tiny) space covered in sports memorabilia is known for having friendly staff, relaxed vibes and good music—very on brand for an east-end establishment.
What to order: A pint of Guinness Bar bites: None Fun and games: Foosball and—get this—digital beer pong Things to know: They don’t accept $100 bills—so watch out, big spender
Linsmore Tavern
1298 Danforth Ave., linsmoretavern.com
A dedicated and deeply loved music venue on Danforth, the Linsmore has been rocking Torontonians’ worlds since 1934. Since day one, the venue has supported countless travelling and emerging Canadian artists. Not many bars in Toronto have lasted as long as the Linsmore, so it’s worth a visit to see why.
What to order: Let’s go with Labatt 50 again—especially if it’s the $1 special for a seven-ounce glass Bar bites: None Fun and games: Live music and dancing Things to know: The bar’s windows are a more recent addition—when it opened in 1934, you couldn’t see who was drinking inside
Wide Open
139 Spadina Ave., unit A, @wideopenbar
Built in a downtown alley, Wide Open has been serving up cheap drinks and great times since the late ’00s. Daily deals include $4.50 bar rail, $7 tall cans and $30 buckets of beer.
What to order: Whatever the daily special is Bar bites: None Fun and games: If you end up here, chances are you’ll play a drinking game or three Things to know: Paying with plastic? There’s a $10 card minimum
Mom’s Basement
1430 Danforth Ave., momsbasement.ca
Welcome back to a time of the original brain rot: wasting away in your childhood rec room. Mom’s Basement is everything you could want from a nerdy retro dive bar. Covered from floor to ceiling in vintage movie posters and paraphernalia, it’s the perfect spot to relive your awkward years.
What to order: A pint of something from a local brewery (Left Field, Black Lab, Rorschach, Avling) or the super-boozy Mommy’s Little Monster, a house concoction that blends gin, vodka, white rum and Triple Sec with orange juice, lime juice and strawberries Bar bites: Popcorn, Twinkies and Kraft Dinner—just like mom used to make Fun and games: Loads of retro video games, including the original Pac-Man and Street Fighter on console Things to know: It opens at 6 p.m. and fills up pretty quickly
Squirly’s
807 Queen St. W., @squirlys
And on the seventh day, this beloved bar was brought back from the (almost) dead under new management. A favourite Queen West watering hole since 1988, Squirly’s came back swinging with a new food menu and even more great drinks—but the same vibes they’ve been serving up since day one. With a full food menu, it’s probably the least dive-y bar on this list, but it’s a dive bar at heart.
What to order: A pint of something local, the mezcal negroni or their house-made rum punch Bar bites: Birria tacos, a Cuban wrap, hot wings Fun and games: Karaoke nights, trivia and occasional live music Things to know: Open seven days a week (Monday to Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 2. a.m.; and Thursday to Sunday, 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.)
Dylan Muñoz is a writer and recipe developer based in Toronto (and sometimes France). His work covers food, design and travel. Muñoz has written for Food Network Canada, CBC Life, Designlines, the Toronto Star, Fashion magazine and more. You can find him at @dylanmakes on Instagram or sunbathing somewhere in Mallorca.
