Broken down by Toronto neighbourhood, here are 35 stops to hit on your next pub crawl.
See also: The best pubs in Toronto.
THE ANNEX
Victory Cafe in Mirvish Village is the kind of place locals can count on for satisfying comfort foods and a wide selection of fine microbrews.
Castro's Lounge is serious about good beer, offering a choice of over 100 cans and bottles, plus half a dozen taps and a revolving selection of microbrews from four hand pumped casks. To eat, you'll find an all-vegetarian menu of pub grub including nachos and quesadillas.
BLOOR WEST VILLAGE
Bryden's is a mainstay in Bloor West Village where you'll find a 16 rotating taps and a lineup of classic comfort foods. The menu offers ample variety, spanning from nachos and burgers to curries and mac 'n' cheese.
BLOORCOURT
Tallboys, the craft beer house at Bloor and Shaw, is a magnet for locals looking for a casual bite and a cold one. Double-smashed burgers and bacon chili cheese tacos are among the menu highlights.
CABBAGETOWN
House on Parliament is happy to oblige sentimental cravings with a menu that lists wild boar scotch eggs and tourtière alongside fancy bangers and mash. A rotating selection of cask ales, 15 beers on draught and over two dozen bottles of scotch are among the drinkable attractions.
CHURCH WELLESLEY VILLAGE
Hair of the Dog is a cozy neighbourhood joint that has locals well looked after with an ample selection of beers, and menus featuring curried poutine, baked potato skins, pork chop n' mash and fish n' chips.
Channeling the Five Points in New York, Black Irish Whiskey Bar & Oyster Saloon is a shabby-chic bar that plays host to open mic-nights and spirited sing-alongs. Expect to find an ambitious seafood-centric menu featuring oysters on the half shell and lobster atop poutine, nachos and gnocchi.
THE DANFORTH
Don't be fooled by the name - the Only Cafe isn't just a coffee house, but an excellent proponent of good beer where the selection includes 230 bottles and cans plus 24 local craft taps and one featured craft cask.
DISTILLERY DISTRICT
Mill St. Brewpub and the adjacent sprawling Beer Hall dominate this neighbourhood populated by a mix of tourists and condo-dwellers. The family of Mill St. brews are, of course, the starring attraction and even find a way onto the food menu in dishes like saffron mussels steamed in amber lager.
The Dock Ellis isn't just your run of the mill sports bar, though it's an easy favourite as a gameday destination. The main attraction is their fun $5 snack menu that features goodies like wonton nachos, scotch duck eggs and chorizo pigs in a blanket.
ETOBICOKE
The Galway Arms on the Queensway is a classic Irish pub where the menu includes pot pies and hearty stews that are best enjoyed with a pint of Guinness. On Sundays, the public house takes care of its clientele with a choice of prime roast, roast chicken or Belfast ham dinners.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
When it comes to finding a watering hole in the Financial District, look no further than the Beerbistro, where the menu of beers is extensive and there's a food menu to match. Steamed mussels and duck fat frites are house faves.
HIGH PARK
High Park residents are lucky to claim the Mugshot Tavern as their own - the joint is a beacon for brunch, lunch, dinner and late night eats, and the bar is well versed in bourbons, craft beers, and cask conditioned ales.
JUNCTION
Indie Ale House is committed to adventurous beermaking, yielding flagship brews like the Breakfast Porter, and rare releases the pumpkin Abbey. In addition to the always-evolving bar menu, expect to find fun fare like an inventive line-up of pizzas (BBQ duck with pineapple anyone?) and above-average pub foods like mini tuna tacos.
There's nothing not to like about Betty's - the divey hangout pours pints from over two dozen draught beers and keeps the kitchen open right up until last call.
KING WEST
Bar Hop caters to the King West crowd, offering a discerning collection of seasonal brews, table bottles and ciders. The menu of bar foods features upmarket riffs on the classics, look forward to choices like spicy gumbo poutine and dark ale short ribs.
LESLIEVILLE
Ceili Cottage is a lively Irish public house where staples on the made-from-scratch menu include corned beef, bangers 'n' mash, and smoked salmon. To drink, you'll find lagers, ales, ciders and stouts sourced from both across the pond and locally.
Pubs seemingly thrive in Liberty Village where the Brazen Head, William's Landing and Local Public Eatery all compete for patrons. The latter, a newcomer to the neighbourhood, manages to distinguish itself with an always changing line-up craft brews on tap.
The selection of scotch far exceeds the range of beers at The Caledonian, though locals are keen on the Scottish pub for more than just the drinks menu. When it comes to hearty, wholesome eats, this place has got hungry guests covered with scotch eggs, haggis and fish fry baskets.
NORTH YORK
The Frog, part of the Firkin chain of pubs, does a bang-up job of reimagining traditional British favourites. Find shortrib-stuffed Yorkshire puddings on the menu alongside Irish nachos (on waffle fries) and butter chicken pot pies.
OSSINGTON
Outstanding beers made on-site are the big draw at Bellwoods Brewery, though the sun soaked patio and menu of beer-friendly foods are equally attractive qualities.
PARKDALE
I know beer snobs flock to the The Rhino, but I prefer the Cadillac Lounge, where the kitschy bar is brimming with good vibes, live music and a diverse clientele.
RIVERSIDE
Prohibition Gastrohouse Is a prime place to enjoy beer flights or specialty cocktails like the cherry bourbon sours. At dinner, find a hodgepodge of plates for sharing, plus playful riffs on poutine like a redneck tater tot version.
RONCESVALLES
The Local is a neighbourhood haunt where live music and beer contribute to a convivial atmosphere. Expect to find a typical array of deep fried pub foods like chicken wings and fish 'n' chips, plus some unique fusion foods like Bombay poutine featuring fries, curds and butter chicken.
ROSEDALE
Going strong for over 20 years, the Rebel House is a beloved spot for classic pub standbys like pickled eggs, shepherd's pie and blue plate specials like Salisbury steaks. The wine list is devoted to VQA labels and the ever-changing beer menu specializes in premium draughts by the pint or pitcher.
SCARBOROUGH
The Black Dog Pub tops our list of best pubs in Scarborough, and it's no wonder why. The West Rouge local has been in business over 20 years, offering a broad menu of sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, wings and wraps, not to mention three house brews on taps and a selection of local and imported crowd pleasers.
ST. CLAIR WEST
Dave's on St. Clair prides itself on offering a menu of well-crafted pub foods and a carefully considered line-up of beers. You can't go wrong here with a pitcher and pizza with wings, or tuck into a burger or a big bowl of chili.
Feathers Pub found on Kingston Road is a haven for beer lovers, as well as single malt whiskey enthusiasts. The drinks menu might be the main reason to visit, though the wholesome eats like cottage pies and lamb stews might be reason enough to stay a while longer.
WEST QUEEN WEST
Dog & Bear on Queen St. is a sports-friendly beer hall with 20 beers on tap and a menu featuring wings, nachos, cottage pies and big English breakfasts (served daily 'till 3pm).
YONGE & DUNDAS
The Queen & Beaver is an inviting Victorian boozer on Elm Street dedicated to offering an excellent assortment of beers, wines and Brit-style comfort foods like stilton and pear-topped toasts, savoury puddings and fish pies.
YONGE & EGLINTON
Duke of Kent has been the go-to corner pub in this neighbourhood for over 30 years, earning a solid reputation for an alway fresh selection of draught beers and pubby standards like wings, nachos and giant pretzels.
YONGE & LAWRENCE
The Abbot is a cozy destination for a rib-sticking comfort foods like chicken tikka masala, shepherd's pie and sticky toffee pudding. Stop in on Sunday nights for prime rib dinners with Yorkshire puddings.
YONGE & ST. CLAIR
Monk's Table boasts the city's best selection of European beers on draught. Beer-friendly foods on offer include bratwurst, burgers and pork schnitzel.
Since 1984, Bar Volo has earned a reputation for rotating seasonal taps and cask conditioned ales. The food menu is equally impressive, taking a customizable approach to charcuterie boards chosen from a long list of cheeses, cured meats, pates, condiments and pickles.
YORKVILLE
The Oxley is an upscale Brit-style pub where cask conditioned ales and cocktails are among the highlights at the bar. Favourites on the food menu include fish pies with peas and game meats like the venison and mushroom cobbler.
What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments.
by Liora Ipsum via blogTO
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