A new year means it’s out with the old and in with… chains, it seems, in the case of many of the bars that closed down in Toronto this year.
With runs spanning from a few months to nearly 200 years, when these spots closed down, they caused reactions ranging from celebration to utter dismay and, in true Toronto form, were replaced in the blink of an eye.
Here are the most notable bars that closed down in Toronto this year.
Black Bull Tavern
It doesn’t get more heartbreaking than losing a beloved local landmark, and the news of this legendary Queen West bar — which, contrary to fellow stalwart, The Wheat Sheaf’s, claim, was actually the oldest in Toronto — hit especially hard.
The good news? It’s been transformed into Score on Queen, a sister location to King West sports bar, Score on King, known for their over-the-top caesars and comitment to screening all of the biggest games.
Louis Cifer
Infamy counts as notability, right? The most surprising thing about this Danforth bar shutting down was that it didn’t happen sooner, after the bar was home to a number of controversial events, from Canada Marches rallies to People’s Party of Canada meetings, which had the community up in arms for years.
Clinton’s
After 86 years of history, including a tumultuous closure and reopening, transformation into a Korean takeout spot and restoration into a bar, this iconic Koreatown spot shut its doors for good, to a mixed response from regulars, some of whom were heartbroken while others maintain it hadn’t been the same since 2020.
But, hey, it’s made comebacks before, maybe it will again.
Folly Brewing
Once the cite of one of the city’s favourite seasonal holiday bar pop-ups (seriously, how many could we possible have?) this Little Italy brewpub opened up with a bang back in 2016, before majorly fizzling — or so the Reddit craft beer community says — after a change in ownership.
Peaches Sports Bar
Talk about drama! This Parkdale sports bar was a haven for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, earning its flowers for screening the PWHL season last year, but come this fall, the bar’s owners and staff were locked out by its landlord for non-payment of rent.
In a bid to support staff, the bar’s owner launched a GoFundMe campaign, only to shut it down days later following some major push back on the internet.
Ramona’s
You don’t have to be open for a long time to make a splash in the city as this West Queen West snack bar taught us. They served up a trendy Filipino-fusion menu alongside creative cocktails and wine selections for just a handful of months before closing the doors.
Squirly’s
Yet another hit for anyone who really loves dive bars on Queen West, this local watering hole known for its craft beers and cheap eats announced in the fall that they’d be closing their doors after 36 years, and were met with cries of dismay from their many devotees.
3030 Dundas
The ever-increasing cost of living and financial pressures in Toronto claimed another victim in this Junction watering hole and live music venue, whose major claim to fame was a 2014 visit from former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, resulting in a hangover so bad he called in a sick day the following day. It was a Wednesday.
Shenanigans
This Yonge and St. Clair spot from powerhouse hospitality group Oliver & Bonacini was a go-to thanks to its spacious rooftop patio, but when it ‘closed for the season’ last winter and never reopened, it was clear to patrons that it could quite possibly be gone for good.
Hot scoop: it’s now a St. Louis Bar and Grill.
Brickworks Cider House
This Riverside bar and restaurant was a neighbourhood hub, cranking out pints of their much-loved ciders (don’t worry, they’re still making those,) alongside elevated comfort foods. It’s since been taken over by a new location of Duke’s Refresher, an arcade bar concept from the people behind Scaddabush and Jack Astors.
