Toronto West End

Sleepy?  The sticks?  Mississauga east?  Call it what you will, but ignore Toronto''s west end at your peril!  While we've dedicated a section to increasingly trendy Roncesvalles (which is also in the west end), there are a wealth of pub options along or near the Bloor subway line that deserve exploration.  Bloor West Village, Islington Village, the Kingsway and more are included.  The Jewel?  So far, it's Bryden's at Bloor and Jane.  Read on!

Shakey's

2255 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M6S 1N8
(416) 767-0608
Date visited: November 10, 2009
Score: 61

We panned Shakey's when we first visited it in 2004.  It was a total sports bar, serving almost exclusively BLECC beer.  Since then, they've shedded the glowing neon Labatt Blue in the front window and even added a number of locally brewed beers...this is progress.  Make no mistake however, Shakey's always was (and we suspect always will be) a sports bar.  But with the recent tap improvements, Shakey's is a tolerable place for a pint while your spouse is getting a style at Capucci's or browsing the bargain bins at Chapters.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	5	6	3	8	7	31	0	62
Dave	2	5	4	3	6	6	34	0	60

Yellow Griffin

2202 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON
416-763-3365
Date visited: November 10, 2009
Score: 57

Some of the shine has dulled on the Yellow Griffin since our first visit back in 2004.  It's still a cosy enough space, fairly small with booths and tables scattered about.  However, it looks and feels a little worn out, and the beer selection hasn't kept pace with the changing trends in beer.  Still stuck on the old European selections, you won't find much in the way of local craft beer on tap.  Check out their fancy website, and you'll see they're more interested in events and burger combinations than serving the perfect pint.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	5	4	3	4	5	3	33	0	57
Dave	5	4	3	2	4	4	35	0	57

Dr. Generosity

2197 Bloor St W
(416) 604-0704

Date visited: October 2004
Score: 86



Dr. Generosity is a real surprise in Bloor West Village. Formerly the Rebel Chop House (and long standing Mad Apple's Restaurant before that), the space features a beautifully panneled dining room in back adorned with stained glass, and a cosy bar area up front. So when the property changed hands, we weren't sure what "Dr. Generosity" was all about, and the "family friendly" menu posted outside made us sure it wouldn't be about pints. We were wrong. DocGen offers a large number of taps with some quality selections, all of which you can enjoy in the intimate bar and window seating area (the best spot as far as we're concerned). Our service was excellent - prompt, attentive and courteous. Our experience was excellent

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Dave	5	6	6	8	8	8	45	0	86

A Dark Horse

2401 Bloor St. West
(416) 769-4696
Date visited: October 31, 2009
Score: 66



The utility building on the corner of Bloor and Armadale couldn't have been put to better use - a pub! The Dark Horse was also the source of much neighbourhood controversy when it applied for (and eventually won) a patio license, despite the outcry from local residents. Inside, the owners made all the right choices with decor: beautiful oak floors, textured wall paper, chandeliers. The problem is that a great pub atmosphere isn't simply the sum of its parts. The room is square and open, making the place feel a little cold despite the winning elements. They also tend to keep the lights on good and bright.  You'll see what we mean. On tap, there are a couple of nice surprises in terms of German and British beers, but the taps are average otherwise. And they provide a beer list, which is always a good thing. If you do visit the Dark Horse, we recommend sitting at the bar where the view is best.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Dave	5	5	5	5	5	5	36	0	66

The Falcon

3369 BLOOR ST W
Toronto, ON M8X 1G2

(416) 236-7832

Date visited: October 4, 2009
Score: 61.5

The Falcon is a narrow little spot wedged in beside its considerably larger neighbour, Orwells pub.  This spot has changed hands a few times, and when we visited, the newest owners had only taken over a few weeks prior.  Very eager to please, and added a few nice touches.  The furniture was new and comfortable, a few high-def TVs very scattered about within easy viewing distyance, and I can only hope the mirrored crown moldings were left-overs from the previous owner.  A nice enough spot, although with just six taps, it's not a beer destination. 

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	2	3	2	3	8	8	38	0	64
Dave	2	2	1	3	8	8	35	0	59

Henry VIII Alehouse

3078 Bloor St. West
phone: (416) 237-1444

Dave Visited: October 4, 2009
Score: 79

Henry VIII Alehouse is a relatively new and comparatively upscale addition to the string of pubs along the Bloor West subway line. Not a big place with capacity for about 40, but it's cosy and nicely decorated. If there were an award for cushiest barstools, the King would win hands down. So the best seats are at the bar where you get a good view of the 13 taps available.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	5	6	5	7	7	7	45	0	80
Dave	5	6	5	3	8	8	45	0	78

Bryden's

2455 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6S 1P7
(416) 760-8069
Date Visited: October 4, 2009
Score: 80

Bryden's is a fixture in Bloor West Village, located right at the base of Jane Street at Bloor.  It's always been a good pub, featuring excellent food and capable service.  Recently, management has revamped the beer selection, and for the better.  Stale old British brands have been replaced with local microbrews, and they even have feature and guest taps to keep the selection fresh and new for regulars.  The atmosphere can be a bit cold...even with arm chairs and couches, the tile floor and large window can bleach the place out, even at night.  That said, Bryden's figures as a prominent Bloor West destination for pints.

Who	Quan	Qual	Div	Cap	Tim	Att	ATM	GFF	Tot
Daryl	6	7	6	8	7	7	40	3	84
Dave	6	7	6	7	7	8	35	0	76

Shamrock and Thistle

Situated in the heart of Islington village, the Shamrock and Thistle is an easy to miss spot on the south side of Dundas. Perhaps overshadowed by their cross-the-street rival (the Fox and Fiddle with its fancy historic precinct building), the S&T is nonetheless a popular spot, particularly for those interested in televised sports. Despite the selection of relatively BLECC beers, this is a nice enough place to drop in for a pint, certainly more appealing than the Fox. We couldn't quite put our finger on it, but this place has a Classic feel to it. We wouldn't walk from the subway for a pint at this place but if stranded in the neighbourhood, it would certainly be our choice. Taps - Qty = 6 (16 taps) - qlty dr=4 dg=3 - div dr-4 dg-3 Service -cap dr-6 dg-6 -att dr-8 dg-8 -tim dr-8 dg-8 Atmosphere Dr-40 Dg-38 Total Dr-75 Dg-71 Gut Feel Dr -7 Dg 0 Total Dr = 69 Dg = 72

Fox and Fiddle Precinct

Address: 4946 Dundas Street, West Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 1B6 416-207-9990 Date visited: Oct 1, 2009 Housed in a grand, old precinct building on Dundas Street just west of Islington, this Fox and Fiddle has considerable curb appeal. Walk the steps up to the historic entrance way, pass the quaint patio that adorns the front patio, step through the door aaaaand? Same old FNF. I'm sure that's comforting for some, but at Pintathlon, we'd prefer a little unique style. And the place is cavernous...no problem showing up with 250 of your closest friends. Best seating is at a window table near the bar, where at least you can get some sense of atmosphere (and hang with the drunken regulars!). Taps are plentiful at 24, but are dominated by the usual suspects of BLECC brand and British imports. Not bad place in a pinch, but with the Shamrock right across the street, it's hard to justify. Taps - Qty-7 - qlty dr-4 dg-4 - div dr-4 dg-5 Service -cap dr-5 dg-3 -att dr-7 dg-8 -tim dr-8 dg-8 Atmosphere Dr-34 Dg-32 Subtotal Dr-68 Dg-66 Gut Feel Dr -4 Dg-0 Total Dr = 65 Dg = 67