Sometimes all you need is a good drink – no frills and nothing fancy. Our round-up of dive bars will wet your whistle and keep your pockets full.
Some bars are all the same, long line-ups, expensive and just plain crowded. If you’re looking for a place without all that glitter and gold, it’s time you walked into a dive bar. Toronto’s got a lot on tap for you to explore where the low-key ambience, cheap drinks, and friendly bartenders are flowing.
Here are the best dive bars in Toronto:
Thirsty & Miserable – 197 Baldwin St.
Found in Kensington Market, this little nook offers an array of carefully curated collection of Belgian brews, American craft beers, and locally grown micro brews. Named after the Black Flag Song, this dive bar has that punk-rock feel that’ll bring you back to your high school days. The people, the atmosphere, and the location are effortlessly cool.
The Done Right Inn – 861 Queen St W
Located in across from Trinity Bellwoods park, this unpretentious bar attracts everyone, from the dirt bags to the lawyers. The Done Right Inn is packed with plenty of cheap beers, mixed drinks, and best of all? It accepts Canadian Tire Money in exchange for shots. Another plus? There are no line-ups at the bar, this place holds a capacity of 35 people inside and 35 people on the patio – now that’s a dive bar done right.
Sweaty Betty’s – 13 Ossington Ave
With a no BS attitude from their servers and a three-ingredient-limit on mixed drinks, Sweaty Betty’s is committed to offering you toned-down drinks at fair prices. Virtually every night of the week, this place is packed with stylish folks from all across town. Playing in the background is a jukebox that pumps out the classics but don’t worry, it won’t drown out the conversation you’re having with the complete stranger sitting next to you. They’re also on our list of the best patios on Ossington Ave.
Wide Open Bar – 139 Spadina Ave
Where else will you be able to get $5 shots or $2.75 on everything in-house every Thursday night? Nowhere except Wide Open Bar. This bargain basement bar stays true to dive bars with neon flashing lights, craft beers, limited spacing, and great prices. When you and your wallet want the basics, this is the place. We think their motto says it all too, “A great place to start. A better place to finish.”
Sneaky Dee’s – 431 College St
Known for its live shows and famous heaping plate of nachos to soak up that delicious beer on tap, Sneaky Dee’s is the bar to come to for affordable fun. This crowd favourite has been around for a while and still holds its title for best greasy Mexican food, awesome beers and great live entertainment. If you’re in the mood for a sweaty dance party, they hold them weekly on the second floor.
Wheat Sheaf Tavern – 667 King Street West
Being one of the oldest pubs out there, the Wheat Sheaf Tavern on King St. West has been and always will be that place you’ll want to go back to. Whether it’s pitchers of beers, delicious bar snacks, the jukebox, 60-seat patio or the TV screens to watch the big games on, this place has that dive bar charm you get the itch for now and again.
RELATED LINK: Toronto’s Best Patios: Our Favourite 50
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