Bar List

The Hipster Hangout.

Whenever I want to go find out how to dress – I go to the Beaconsfield. There’s always some remarkably cool chick outside having a butt with a slam dunk outfit on. Inside – is loud and vivacious on a Thursday to Saturday night. The music is always just right – and the bartenders look like they should be posing for American Apparel ads. This is the perfect place to go if you have had a shitty day at work – and just want to drink, drink, drink and be silly. It’s also a great place to meet people. I don’t know why but some bars are much better for this than others. I have never gone to the Beaconsfield – without rubbing shoulders with a stranger and then chatting. Now – this doesn’t mean you always want to befriend this person, but it does always make for good entertainment.

P.S - their burgers are also really good. Yum.

Everything is more fun when you are on a boat, even if it’s a pretend boat.

Grandpa winked at me as he poured my heavily iced gin and soda. He is a member of the unpredictable cast of bartenders at The Boat, harshly contrasted with the onslaught of indie scenesters dancing around in their scuffed chucks in the middle of the room. Breaking out from this wooden centralized dance floor, is a thematic Portuguese restaurant reminiscent of a ship's deck. Round windows circulate the dancing arena, which is propelled by the fresh beats of the resident dj or a unique live performance. If you aren't a dance maven, there is plenty of banquet-esque seating and room for off-side mingling. In my opinion- a most pleasing combination of nostalgia and kitsch and off the cuff partying.

www.cadillaclounge.com

If Bettie Paige were to hang out in a Toronto bar, it would be here.

The Cadillac is a very special place for me, as it is where I decided to change my life. On my 26th birthday I got real wasters, commanded the attention of not only my direct group of friends but the ENTIRE back patio. I stumbled on to a chair and yelled this at everyone:
”I’m 26 and I’m FUCKING BOREEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDD”.
Yep…that was a birthday to remember.

Anyhow – for those who don’t know – this is a Rockabilly kitch dream. The patio is humongous – good for summer, smokers and large facebook RSVP’s.

If you feel like getting real rowdy….this is the perfect place to do so.

I love the caddy.

A local hideout.

Remember when you were a kid – and building forts with pillows and blankness was a favourite pastime? Well – the Communist Daughter captures this feeling – but for adults. Go here if you want to feel like you are in a small living room, in a small apartment. You will make friends with the guy sitting next to you effortlessly. Like Swetty Betty’s, this place also has a jukebox. I’m not sure if the crowd is much different – but perhaps those who are more into reading heavy literature frequent this place. Where Swetty Betty’s draws those 22 & up – this place may see more 32 & up. No patio – but easy to leave your beer on the bar and head outside for a quick toke or smoke. The crowd here looks like they are going to go home and write poetry, or work on their essay before hitting the sack. I’m not sure why…I think they just look smart and unpretentious.

When you want to do everything and everyone

Sometimes it’s just so hard figuring out what to do at night. I might feel like dancing, but karaoke would be sweet too and gee, I could really go for a good ol’ drag show. Did Crews & Tango read my mind? This Church Street bar is located in an old Victorian townhouse on Church with a labyrinth of rooms that each have a distinctive vibe. Upon entrance you’ll usually be greeted by a sassy Tina Turner drag queen who demands vodka shots and teases your shoes. Not your scene? Then head to karaoke down the hall. When I sang a particularly rousing rendition of “The Leader of the Pack” here, a table of five gay men hollered in unison for me to show my tits. Fuck I’m good, I turned them straight with a Shangri-Las song. Your ego will also be rewarded on the dance floor upstairs that’s frequented by a bevy of attractive lesbians and flirty gay men. Definitely a bar for a guaranteed good time.