Cheap Bar Specials in Toronto

Yesterday, one of my best friends came down to Toronto from Montreal, and both of us felt quite thirsty for some nice pale ale. So being the recession-minded bunch that we are, we decided to barhop for half the night, only to bars that were offering specials. Listed below are some of the outstanding specials we got to enjoy, and my experience at those bars.

Funhaus – 571 Queen St. W – This bar was printed on the listing of specials on a page I found on Facebook. One thing that kind of sucked is that the listing was 3-4 years outdated. Funhaus has since turned into a club, moved, and has been shut down. Instead at this location stands a bar with no name on the sign, that offers pretty good specials. Shots of Jagger and other delights were only $3, and pitchers of Amsterdam Blonde and Labatt 50 were only $10 + taxes.

The atmosphere is grungy / 80′s punk, with simplistic aged decor. The crowd seems to be late twenties to early thirties. Music fit the mood perfectly sounding alike to Faux Femmes – Blister in the sun. The patio was, no offense bar owner, a joke. It was three grungy dirty chairs standing around the fences, and a graffiti ridden fence on the perimeter.  Very lo-fi, very punk – and with a couple of beers the perfect atmosphere to just kick back and talk about old times.

Ein-Stein – 229 College Street – The regular hang-out for Ryerson and U of T (University of Toronto) students, this bar is located in the basement of a building close to Spadina and College. Decor seems nice with limited patio seating. I phoned my friend beforehand to verify whether the specials were still on. He recommended to ask for a stein (750ml) of house beer which costs only $7. Interior decor is reminiscent of the faux ‘funhaus’ bar previously described. Grungy and without imagination.

Upon asking for a stein of house, we found out that they were sold out of house beer. Not a problem I thought, asking about the pitcher for $10 (I think) special, and… They are sold out of that too. Needless to say in a city where bars and bars with specials are plenty, this wasn’t worth the stay and we continued on our beer-fueled journey.

Bistro – 422 College St. – Yet again a bar located in the basement. Special on the door stated pitchers of screwdrivers and other mixers for $9 (to my recollection, not exactly) and a variety of pitchers for approximately $10. This place also conveniently sells cigarettes. Upon completing the descent down the stairs and into the bar, the first thing I noticed was the lack of proper seating. The bar is cozy, and  yet grungy, and it’s tight tight tight. Almost no legroom. Luckily there is a patio.

Bartender responded a bit rudely upon hearing me ask whether pitchers of screwdrivers were the price indicated on the door, “It was never $8.50, it’s $12.50.” Nevertheless we ordered a pitcher of screwdrivers and went up to the patio. The crowd seemed to be mostly early to middle twenties. The patio is pretty small, but an open roof patio, so smoking is permitted. The atmosphere wasn’t bad in general. The order took around ten minutes to be brang to us. The screwdrivers were nice, and still cheaper than most bars around, but I did expect a bigger amount. It was a mini-pitcher, resulting in three glasses of screwdrivers once poured. In general a nice place.

I think that about sums up the bars for yesterday night. There are plenty good bars in Toronto with specials especially around King and Spadina, and College and Bathurst. A notable mention must go to Brant’s House.

Brant’s House – 1 Brant St. – A spacious bar with dark decor. We didn’t go here yesterday but it is located next to my work so I have been here a couple of times. On Thursdays the special consists of $3 beers and $3 for almost any drink. The staff is nice, and the seating is sufficient.

For those who live in Toronto, have you been to these bars? Do you have any bars around downtown that offer good specials that you can share?

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