Can’t afford tickets to the Leafs game? Looking for action but not willing to brave the crowds at Maple Leaf Square?
Fret not, whether you’re a diehard fan, a fairweather fan or something in between, we’ve got a long list of great Toronto sports bars to check out this spring.
Real Sports
What’s the vibe? Serious Leafs fans in search of the biggest screen in town.
If you’re a hockey fan, you’ve almost certainly heard of Real Sports. Just steps away from Scotiabank Arena, the bougie sports bar boasts a 39-foot HD television (“Toronto’s largest screen,” the website claims, a 100-foot bar, a state-of-the-art sound system and a DJ who doubles as a hype person between commercial breaks. As far as experiences go, it’s about as close to watching the game in person as you can get, but — given the price point and location of the bar — be prepared to share the space with some stiff suits and corporate types.
15 York St, rs.ca
Dock Ellis
What’s the vibe? Rowdy hipsters guzzling pints.
If you’re looking to get a little rowdy, jam your way into Dock Ellis, a hip and gloriously divey sports bar in the city’s west end. Dimly lit and slightly retro — the air deliciously pungent with the smell of deep frying oil — the bar offers pints for just $6.75 on game days and serves excellent wings, nachos and other messy delicacies. Between periods, be sure to join the smokers and fans in search of fresh air as they spill out onto the sidewalk, blending into the lively flow of Dundas Street West.
1280 Dundas St. W., thedockellis.com
RendezViews
What’s the vibe? Die hard hockey fans who don’t want to brave the chaos of Maple Leaf Square.
If you’re a hockey fan who bleeds white and blue, then RendezViews is the bar for you (excuse the unintentional couplet). During the playoffs, this sprawling rooftop patio transforms into a massive Leafs viewing party with an unbeatable view of the skyline and CN Tower. Seats at the venue’s colourful picnic tables are first come first served, so be sure to go nice and early (or you can book a table ahead of time, but it requires a minimum spend). Showing up here without a Leafs jersey is not advised.
229 Richmond St. W., rendezviews.ca
Toby’s Pub and Eatery
What’s the vibe? Cosy, local, anything goes.
Last fall, the Star (and by the Star, I mean me) named Toby’s Pub and Eatery the best sports bar in Toronto, and I stand by that. A cosy, chaotic space just north of Kensington Market, Toby’s hits all the right notes for an evening of watching hockey with friends: cheap beer, world class chicken wings, lots of space, screens everywhere, friendly staff and — perhaps most importantly — excellent vibes. It’s perfect for diehard fans, but also perfect for casual fans. There are pool tables, a jukebox and — if your team suffers a tough loss — there’s a good chance you can chase away your sorrows with a bit of late-night karaoke.
411 College St., tobyspub.ca
Café Diplomatico
What’s the vibe? Wholesome family fun with excellent drink and food specials.
Located in the heart of Little Italy, the Dip is best known as a gathering for soccer hooligans, but during the NHL playoffs, it’s a great place to catch the game on its massive screen installed along the back wall of its sprawling outdoor patio. With its menu of great pizza and pasta, you can expect a nice mix of dining families and hockey fans, making the Dip a great spot for the casual fan who prefers to pair their hockey with a little Montepulciano d’Abruzzo e pasta alla pescatora, over chicken wings and a lager (though they serve these, too).
594 College St., cafediplomatico.ca
Shoxs Billiard Lounge
What’s the vibe? Prepare your escape route in advance.
A neighbourhood fixture, Shoxs is the go-to spot to catch a Leafs game in the Junction. With great deals on food and drinks, the large space has a patio, pool tables, pinball machines and a slew of other distractions to fill space between periods. However, locals warn that it has been known to get a little rowdy following a big win.
2827 Dundas St. W., shoxs.ca
Loose Moose
What’s the vibe? Low-risk, low-commitment, you get what you expect.
Big screens and big burgers. Tall stools and tall pints. Walls adorned with miscellaneous Canadiana. You don’t need a particularly strong imagination to conjure an image of a sports bar called the “Loose Moose.” A Front Street institution for more than three decades, the Moose is a super safe bet if you’re downtown and looking for a semi-rowdy but not overwhelmingly rowdy time.
146 Front St. W., theloosemoose.ca
The Cork West
What’s the vibe? What if Dublin had a hockey team?
I don’t often frequent sports bars in the east end but have been assured by trusted sources that The Cork West is the ultimate place to catch a Leafs game on the far side of the Don Valley. Typically known for its stouts, whiskys and shepherd’s pie, this massive Irish pub is transformed by the quest for the Stanley Cup into a rowdy but welcoming spot for diehard and fairweather fans alike. Good craic guaranteed!
701 Queen St. E., thewestcork.ca
Cafe Pho Nho
What’s the vibe? Unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.
On paper, this family-run eatery near Roncesvalles doesn’t really jump out as a place to watch playoff hockey, but Pho Nho is not your typical Vietnamese restaurant. Home to the very best chicken wings in the city (perfectly breaded and fried, the fish sauce wings are sublime), a big screen and its own house lager (the uber-affordable Pho Nho Lager), the unassuming space is quickly converted into a delightfully inclusive sports bar once critical mass is reached.
2060 Dundas St. W., phonho.ca
Trinity Common
What’s the vibe? It’s impossible not to have fun in Kensington Market.
A surprisingly large watering hole camouflaged among the colourful mayhem of Kensington Market, Trinity Common is a cheap and cheerful option for large groups looking to hunker down for the big game or for more casual fans hoping to catch a period as they explore the city. It also has great daily drink specials and live music events (during non-game hours, of course).
303 Augusta Ave., trinitycommon.ca
