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Bedford Academy
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
38 reviews for Bedford Academy
Review Highlights
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"Classic Canadian Grilled Cheese." In 3 reviews -
"This place gets 4 stars just for the bad ass patio." In 14 reviews -
"The Bedford Academy and The Duke Of York." In 6 reviews
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Suzie S.
Toronto, ON
1/19/2012 1 photo
The Bedford Academy was my favourite go-to pub when I was attending grad school at UofT.
The location is great - it was a 5 minute walk from campus and a 2 minute walk from the subway. The vibe at the Bedford is quite unique too. It's an old converted mansion that has many of its original character features still intact. From the fireplaces, to the bay windows, and the separate rooms that are quite reminiscent of an old home, the Bedford is unlike most pubs out there.
The food at the Bedford is quite good (for pub food as well). I've tried quite a few items and have never been disappointed. My personal favourite are the sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo and the bloody ceasar, which is made with horseradish and served with a hot pepper, green bean, and sometimes even a pickle (it's also quite spicy!).
Where the Bedford falls short is their seating arrangements. The tables in the pub are placed quite close together in some of the rooms, which can make you feel rather cramped.
On the plus side, the Bedford patio in the summer months is quite lovely (you definitely don't feel like you're a block away from Bloor Street when sitting under one of their big trees).
I would recommend the Bedford for a night out with friends, but definitely not for a date or any sort of smaller gathering. -
Review from Martin W.
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Bedford is a cool little pub right near the St George Subway station. While it is quite close to UofT it has less of a student pub vibe and more of an after work pub for business folk feel to it. The food and drinks here are also more expensive and more in line with prices you'd find in Yorkville, which is also fairly close.
There is only one bar so when the place gets busy, which it often does, it can be difficult to get a drink. Other than that, the atmosphere is nice and the food pretty good. I like the burgers they serve here. The patio in the summer is also pretty awesome. -
Review from Tee Jay R.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2011
If you'd asked me my opinion of the Bedford a year or even a few months ago, I'd probably have given you a different appraisal. I am a fan of their patio, the location's great, and the service even at peak hours has been for the most part quick and genial. I've probably brought this place hundreds of dollars of business over the many years I've been coming here.
That said, I was seriously upset by my experience last night. I am not the sort to write a piqued review on the strength of a single bad experience, but I feel like my patronage over the years entitles me to say a thing or two. I'm giving it 3 stars because I think it's still fine for a pint on the patio, but I do not recommend having any kind of larger event here -- they don't seem to be up to the task.
We placed a reservation for a group of 12. I showed up half an hour early. The place was about 2/3rds empty. I told the two maîtres d' that I was there for the group of 12. They acted confused and officious and copped what I can only describe as a "suspicious" attitude. I'm a clean cut, well dressed, and polite guy who hardly looks like trouble in my blazer and dress pants, but they refused to seat me upstairs, made me wait at the bar, and told me they'd come tell me when my party showed up. Lighten up, guys -- this is a college-budget pub on a Thursday night, not the Russian Tea Room on a Saturday where I'm going to be running up to VIPs and demanding autographs. Given my long history with the place, I really didn't like being treated like riff-raff -- especially when the place was otherwise mostly dead and I wasn't making any requests apart from being seated.
Sure enough, my party showed up and they *didn't* tell me, but luckily I spotted one of my friends out of the corner of my eye, and I guess then they deigned it was "safe" for me to go upstairs to the pub's inner sanctum and I was no longer likely to, I don't know, jump behind the bar and start pitching liquour bottles at other patrons.
Once upstairs, we were constantly pushed and jostled out of the way by servers coming out of the kitchen, and the server kept trying to force us to sit down. I appreciate we were in traffic, but that should have been obvious to any staff member with some situational awareness so I don't understand why they didn't just move us to the other side of the room (which was empty) where we'd be out of the way. It was obvious we were mixing and mingling and having a good time catching up (while also buying plenty of food and drinks from a bar that was otherwise totally deserted) and it wouldn't have been hard to think a little creatively and have us move over, but no one seemed to bother. It would have been a different story if we were on the main floor, but we'd reserved the upper level for a large group and I'm not sure what they expected us to be doing other than drinking and talking and milling about. If there was some miscommunication, it wouldn't have been hard for the front-of-the-bar staff to come have a chat with us and sort things out. -
Review from Dishan W.
10/6/2011
While close to the UofT campus, the Bedford Academy does not give off a cheap student vibe and it has a pretty patio but I find it always busy and just opt for a place inside almost every time I've been here. Like most pubs around this area, I've come here with small friend groups to hang out as well as for big events with 40 or more people.
It's best experienced with a medium sized group and I don't believe it would be a great couples spot or a good event space, now when I say event I mean something that requires speeches, paying attention etc. This place is still a good spot for large group as they have lots of room to seat a large group. Staff have always been friendly (and sometimes patient) and the bartenders are especially fun to interact with, and I really like the ample amounts of TVs they have here, not too much so it does not feel like a sports bar, but enough to not miss a game you're interested in.
Their food is good, but it's been a while since I've eaten anything here apart from a few party platters at the last event I was here for and they were better than your average "party platter" you find in pubs.
Drink selection on tap is also better than average but nothing too out there. You can still satisfy your cider drinkers as well as a few good import labels.
Being very close to St George station is also a big plus and with comfy seats it's a good spot for group drinking.Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge, A Bloor Street Pub Crawl
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Review from Ayesha A.
11/29/2011
Really cool looking place, HUGE, packed, nice for drinks OR even food.
It is quite packed and loud, but regardless, because it's so ginormous, they'll find room to seat you, especially if you're a small party.
Prices were average, and the food was pretty darn good. More than just usual pub fare is available, including semi-healthy options. -
Review from Jane M.
7/28/2011
This place is great. It's cozy and the food is good but the most impressive part is that the staff are on the ball in a big way.
I ended up here after I joined a local book club. I think there was probably about 30 of us in total. After ordering food or drinks (okay, and before, and during AND after), I was kind of wondering/worrying how they were going to make sure everyone paid their share. Splitting a bill three ways is difficult enough -- thirty ways just sounds like world peace would be more attainable. You never want to be the person having to pony up for the tip because someone "miscalculated" how much they owed before they skipped out early and there's always that awkward, "How much should we tip," discussion.
Either way, when the time came for everyone to ship out, the waitress actually brought separate bills for each person. I am not kidding. Not only did she hand them all out to the right people, she took everyone's money (along with their bills) all at once and returned with correct change for everyone. What the fuck? How does someone do that? She was also beautiful and super nice. Triple threat.
If you pushed me to talk food and drink (who do you think you are?), I would say the mac and cheese was a solid three stars. Cheesy but not gooey enough. It was too dry, if that makes any sense at all. The gimlet I had was great, though. Better than great. And the other ladies there loved their food, so my advice would be go, get a gimlet, don't order the mac and cheese and hit on the waitress. Also, the bathroom door doesn't lock and it's a one stall with a sink and toilet kind of affair. Beware.Listed in: Eats in the Annex
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Review from Christine R.
Scarborough, ON
10/19/2011 4 photos
It's rainy and gloomy outside and I just wanted to cozy up by a warm fire place in a relaxed atmosphere with some good food.
Luckily The Academy had all of the above. The kind hostess seated us in the cozy dining room, we were seated at wooden tables along a long banquet, soft music in the background, and an orange glow filled the room with the warmth from the fireplace.
The dining room had a bistro library feel with the wine list written on a large blackboard on the backwall and bookcases on the opposite wall with a fireplace in the centre.
Nicole our waitress that evening went over the specials for that night and then took our drink orders. We inquired if they had sparkling lemonade. Nicole advised us that they had only regular lemonade but she was super kind in whipping us up a sparkling one with the addition of clubsoda.
They have an extensive menu with lots of great options, easy to please even the pickiest appetites. I was immediately drawn to the sandwiches! Luckily I was dining with my sister that night so we decided to do our usual and share two mains (you get the best of both worlds!).
We decided on the:
Classic Canadian Grilled Cheese....with a twist - Two pan fried pieces of marble rye, stacked with brie, havarti, and cheddar cheese with seasoned tomato and crisp bacon.
This sandwich totally hit the spot, the bread was super crispy crunchy perfect, with the melty cheese and perfectly cooked bacon it is definately comfort food at its finest! We got this with a side House salad which consisted of fresh mesculan greens with cucumbers and cherry tomatos in a delicious sweet onion vinaigrette it went perfect with our sandwich.
Prime Rib Beef Dip - Layers of thinly sliced prime rib stacked and topped with melted swiss cheese, served on a toasted baguette with beef au jus.
The prime rib was tender and juicy piled on a lightly toasted bun with the rich au jus. Simple and delicious. We got this with a side of there Famous Pomme Frites. The frites were soft on the inside with a light crisp golden brown coating. Again compliamented the sandwich well simple but very delicious and comforting food.
Finally for Dessert which are all housemade we decided on the:
Bailey's Chocolate Cheesecake - Semi sweet and milk chocolate folded with fresh cream, creamcheese, and Bailey's Irish Cream.
This was very good not too sweet but you almost couldn't even tell it was a cheesecake, great flavour, creamy and rich more like a choco-bailey dense mousse.
And to wash that down a pot of tea. They serve red rose here and it came out piping hot which I adore!
Overall great menu with great food! Attentive and kind service, drinks were refilled without notice, tables cleared on time, and our lovely waitress checked on us and brought our bill at the perfect timing without us having to flag her down.
FYI Bathrooms located downstairs....they had a funky smell of pinesol, bad air freshener and mildew... -
Review from Jason B.
8/25/2011
I've attended a few birthdays and St.Patty's Day parties set here...
But most memorable was:
St. Practice Day!!!
They had a free oyster bar! And they were gearing up for St. Patty's by giving away samples of Guinness and Guinness top hats... Amazing!
A must try on their menu, if you like Caesar's... is their Jack Daniel's Caesar, which comes with as pepperoncini (the hot green pepper they serve at Quiznos), a pepperoni stick, a pickle and a lemon. They also have a number of other unique Caesar creations, including some made with tequila or gin.
Overall, the service is okay. The food is average also. Its a nice pub... but with awkward seating. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
A non-pub alternative for something close to Yorkville, but not really.
The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. Not pretentious, but up a level from the usual.
The portions are generous, and the prices are $$. They have a regular dinner selection, with an extensive drink menu.
I've eaten, both inside (during the day) and outside, in the evening. The inside has it's got a library vibe, the last time I was in there, and a touch of pub feeling - if that's what you're going for. Whatever it is, it's got character, but I can tell that it might get stuffy in the air during a busy night. The best is the outdoor patio - although it gets quite loud in the evening. (didn't help that a large group was standing beside us talking.
What would be nice is more lighting in the patio. I could barely see my friend under the umbrella.
My favourite dish here has now gone off the menu (Gorganzola Carbonara or something). The last time I was here, I got a ravioli for $16 that was good, but left me still hungry.
Just wish the price point was a few dollars lower, so that I can come here more often.Listed in: Where to catch up on Life, In the Annex.Yorkville area
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Review from Michelle A.
Toronto, ON
3/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great space for a few beers. The bar is located in a beautiful Victorian-style house, with plenty of large wood tables and comfortable chairs. We were seated in the front room that filled up quickly, but wasn't too loud or packed. The servers were all friendly and fairly prompt, and I was greeted at the door by a very friendly, smiling employee.
I didn't have dinner there, but the menu looks fairly standard for a pub, and not all that vegetarian-friendly. The plate of (vegetarian) nachos that a friend (shout outs Anne M!) ordered was huge! It looked quite good, but was topped mostly with cheese, rather than other fun nacho extras.
I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a bit of a nicer vibe for a few drinks. They are also starting to pull out the patio furniture... yay.. -
Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011
This is one of my favourite pubs to use for large groups. Their patio is a large C-shape although it can be hard to get seating during the summer months, although you can get them a bit easier than the Duke just across the street as their patio is quite larger. Hence I like this place better.
If you are nice about it, they might give you reservation and if you do, you are bound to have a nice evening under the... well the one star and 2 planets you can sometimes see under Toronto's sky.
Prices are alright, and the wood decor gives it a very home and old vibe. During the winter months I like to set in the rounded table in the main room, where the fireplace is or on the tall tables on the 2nd floor because not everyone knows/goes to the second floor and it is a bit more quiet.
Generally I will come here after going to the ROM or if I see someone perform at the Conservatory. Which reminds me, this place is big with the U of T crowd and it should be, as far as pubs go, it is a lot classier than The Bruny or The Maddy, both which are also big with U of T students.
However, there is a price to pay for that classy, old Oxford hall kind-of-vibe and that is reflected on the price for drinks. They tend to be a buck or two more expensive then other bars and definitely more expensive than the aforementioned bars. Most pints go in the $7-$9 range while at the Maddy you can have their okay, "House Beer" for about $5.75
As far as food, it's 'meh.' I have tried a few appetizers, the Nachos and some of the their larger dishes and no, if I wanted to eat for the sake of eating --and truly enjoy my meal, then I would not eat here. It's just filler for the beer.
Great place to take a date or a smaller group of people. Having said that I have squeezed a good 18 people on the patio and everyone had a great time. So, I would like to give this a four... However...
The lack of the 1 star is because their management (and by that I mean a specific individual) can be a little flaky with reservations. Sometimes they take them, sometimes they don't.
Once I was told that they have never taken reservations for their patio, even when I had done so for years. So it gets annoying because the manager didn't know who I was and thought I would not know better.
I like the place but generally, I will only drop without reservations or if they improve. Then sure, why not. I like the place.
Cool Note: Check the main bartender's huge-ass tattoo of an angel on his back. He is a cool guy and we both used the same ink-guy who, now that I remember, should make a review of in the near future too.Listed in: My Reviews
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Review from Michael N.
Toronto, ON
6/5/2011
I really like the Bedford, and in the contest between the Academy and the Duke across the street, I always come here. This was one of the first pubs I was introduced to when I came to Toronto, and I can see why - this is a classy, fun, and friendly place to have a couple pints and maybe grab dinner as well. The food is really good - the fries are great as is the Mediterranean-inspired points on the menu. The beer selection is good as well, and the atmosphere is first-rate.
The only downside are the prices, especially for beer & drinks; the food is actually reasonable (esp. for the area) but it's well above $8 for a pint, which precludes this place from being one which you go to often, which is really too bad. The best time to go is with a group of friends, when you're treating yourself after a hard week. And while the place can get a little pretentious, the quality of the service generally gets over that. Plus, the bartenders actually know how to mix drinks, which is definitely something I appreciate.
One last thing: don't order the nachos. Really. Please, order anything else, anything at all. Just not the nachos. You're setting yourself up for disappointment. The burgers, the fries, the pizza, the dips & bread (oh man, so good) are fantastic and worth the price. -
Review from Noel D.
11/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is a great little pub. And the two reasons I love it are the atmosphere and the service. I've only been here a handful of times but I've always had a really great waiter or waitress each instance.
The vibe is nice. A lot of wood and living room sensations. The last time I was there it was very packed and it can be a little tricky to navigate, with the tables being a little close together, but in a pleasant and unobtrusive sort of way. The previous time I was there it was quite empty and I think they were closing soon, but our waiter was still super pleasant and me and my date never sensed a "please leave" sensation.
I took my sisters here around Halloween and I ordered a Guinness. The waitress let me know that they had some sort of special Guinness with what I believe was blackcurrant? I skipped on it for the first two rounds but caved in the third time and it was mad delicious! I regret not getting it sooner. This was also the first time I had ordered food at the Bedford and I think I got a veggie wrap with caesar salad or something to that affect? Regardless it was very good and flavourful.
Great pub and definitely a better option than some of the wack Annex bars and restaurants that litter Bloor Street. The Bedford is nestled off the path on Prince Arthur and creates a much better, more quiet atmosphere. -
Review from Hideki K.
7/14/2011
The Bedford Academy is an excellent place to enjoy the outdoor weather while taking down some pints of European beer and tasting good pub fare.
I went with co-workers last week and really liked my Canadian Grilled Cheese, which included Gruyere, Brie, Canadian Cheddar cheeses, along with Bacon.Listed in: Best of T.O
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Review from Nate G.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2011
I can't believe I haven't written a review of The Bedford. I lived down the street from it for years, only recently moving away. It was my go-to place for pub grub, patio drinks, and get-togethers with friends.
Food is good, service is good, place is cozy and comfy, patio is great.
Place isn't perfect but I've always felt really welcome there and enjoyed it immensely.
Thumbs up! I miss the Bedford... -
Review from Elaine K.
12/5/2010
Great atmosphere, good food depending on what you order.
Came here with the husband on a chilly winter's night for a relaxing, laid back dinner. We were seated in the section behind the bar, and they were nice enough to put the leafs game on for us on the TV. The area was super dark and it took me a few minutes for my eyes to get adjusted so that I was able to read the menu. Husband ordered the marinated chicken and avocado sandwich, which was very very tasty and came with a side of fries which were okay, not crispy enough in my opinion. I ordered the salmon sandwich which had this almost overwhelming burnt taste. It wasn't terrible, and I was hungry, so I ate the whole thing. In retrospect, I should have sent it back and got the chicken sandwich.. I would have enjoyed it more.
Service was super friendly, if a little hard to get a hold of (our server was the bartender) but we never had to wait too long for anything.
All in all, it's a really nice relaxing place to hang out in, with a minimum of yelly college kids, so I think we'll be making our way back here again soon.Listed in: Friday Night Booze-down Pubs
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Review from Kat F.
9/10/2009
This is my new "go to" recommendation for birthdays and celebrations of all sorts. The house is actually a mansion and surprises abound at every corner. The patio is amply sized, plus there are two semi-private, 30-person capacity rooms on the first floor, an entire second floor that you can pretty much have to yourself and - wait for it - a third floor with pool table, sexy fireplace and comfy couches that you can book for private functions. It has a sort of 'attic' feel to it - but not in a "Flowers In The Attic" or "Honey I Shrunk The Kids" way. "Good For Groups" is an understatement - this place is good for hordes of people.
Our server Heather was incredibly friendly and accommodating. In fact, every single person that I spoke to at Bedford tonight was professional and welcoming. I didn't sense an iota of attitude from anyone and when I had a million, random "Kat-esque" queries about the space, people were happy to provide me with information. Servers, take note: this is quality service the way diners like it - friendly but not over the top "I-wanna-be-BFF-and-sit-at-your-table", prompt and attentive. I never had to look for our server or wonder when she was going to get around to serving our table, even though the place was busy.
I ordered "Simone's Stellar Grilled Cheese" - and with a name like that I knew it'd be a beast to contend with: three slices of grilled marble rye packed with Canadian cheddar and emmenthal and topped with a wedge of brie. I opted for no sauteed onions or seasoned garlic tomatoes, and when my order came out wrong Heather was quick to go out of her way to make things right, pronto.
SO: grilled cheese! The bread was indeed marbled and rye - it looked beautiful and tasted even better. It's a monster sandwich that really stretches the limits of the mandible so pace yourself. Quality cheese - I mean, really, can you ever have too much cheese? And the fries, as mentioned by others, are indeed "famously good." I'm sure someone's going to tell me they were prepared in duck fat, but you know what? I LOVE DUCKS.Listed in: Grill 'Em! Toronto's Best…
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Review from G K.
Mississauga, ON
10/17/2010
I used to frequent the bedford ballroom religiously while at UT. I rarely ventured the block north to prince arthur to the academy because i always thought of it as a tucked away afterthought.
Well my girlfriend and I were in the area yesterday and had a hankering for some nachos so we decided to stop in. I remember the ballroom's nachos fondly. Unfortunately what we received was a bastardization of the very idea of what nachos should be. First off, no guac, but we did ask for and pay an extra $2.00 for it! Second of all lettuce, this thing looked like a head of lettuce was dumped on it. I have no idea what would cause a chef to say "oh hey, let's throw a ton of lettuce on top of these nachos.." oh wait! yes I do! It's to cover up the fact that there are next to NO DAMN TOPPINGS ON THIS THING! Little cheese, what looked like an olive and perhaps a jalepeno or two. We were horribly dissapointed.
Also, the service sucked.
They turned down the lights at around 6 ( I guess for ambiance) but it was so dark in there I could barely see my hand. Far too many places in the annex to grab a bite to eat. Avoid this joint! -
Review from Fabiano P.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
Had a party there with my schoolmates as that was the last day of school this semester.
The place is nice, we had a really good table just for ourselves (10 people). The service is good, the attendants are really helpful. I didn't eat any so about this part I'll let for the other reviewers. Good beers, just quite expensive for my taste.
It's a place really near to the subway, that's a good thing if you don't wanna drive back home and don't want to spend in a cab.
There is a pool table on the top floor, but you have to make a reservation to the whole room that's what I've been told, so it was there with no one playing, which was a kinda sad, but whatever...
So, it is a nice place to meet the friends and have a good time, sure will go back again. -
Review from Denise S.
Updated - 7/19/2011
Came here again, this time organizing an event for a large group (30-40 people). I just had to phone and speak to Kym, the events coordinator and she was extremely nice and helpful. A few days before, I reserved some platters. You can see the options online, there are tons of choices from sushi (they get it catered in) to nachos to sliders. Most are about $50 per platter, and the platters are HUGE. I went with the fries, crudites (veggies with 2 kinds of dip), risotto balls (a hit!), nachos, and pasta salad (the is the only one that was kinda meh). The servers were excellent and we had drink tickets and everything was coordinated pretty smoothly. They gave us a big sectioned-off area of the patio for our group. People loved the venue! The inside area is pretty cozy too. There's even a random piano. For large groups, they automatically add 13% gratuity but I thought that was pretty low so I added more on top of that.
I have also been here in smaller groups for a relaxed dinner or drinks after work. This place is reliable and friendly. Look out for their daily specials.Listed in: Patio Season!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/10/2010
Great patio and very accommodating of large groups. I came in a group of about 20 people and we had… Read more »
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Review from Abby R.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have to second Kat's statement of this being a go-to place for large groups. I agonized slightly over where to hold my 30th birthday party for 30-40 of my closest friends. Last year I had a terrible time finding the best place to organize my husband's party as everywhere wanted to give us set menus and surcharges.
Enter Bedford Academy to the rescue! It is seriously the perfect place to hold an event. Low-key and straightforward, combined with an excellent vibe. Initially I had hoped to have my soiree in the attic, until I found out there was a (very reasonable) $200 surcharge, and a $1200 minimum bar tab. Excellent for a bigger scale party if you are willing to spend the cash.
Instead they set me up on the first floor in a back room, there was plenty of seating, and lots of floor space for mingling. I pre-ordered about $300 of "whatever you think is best" food for the party, and my awesome waiter kept it coming slow and steady. As usual the food was the best pub food, and the service was outstanding. There was a gratuity added to the bill, but they seriously low-balled what they deserved so I added quite a bit more.
I really can't say enough good things about this place - perfect for a relaxing low key lunch, a busy night spot, or your casual party (although I will seriously consider having a fancier party on the 3rd floor when the opportunity arises.)
Now that I am moving closer to the academy I'm pretty sure it will be my go-to place on Saturday nights much more often....that is, if I still will be going out on Saturday nights :(Listed in: Where do I drag groups of…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/22/2009
Drop what you're doing right now - and go there.
They have the BEST. FRIES. I. HAVE. EVER. HAD.
That's… Read more »
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Review from Jing K.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2010
They earn the 4 because they have Mill Street brews, specifically the Tankhouse Ale (mmmmmm) on tap. The chicken sandwich jumped off the menu for me because it included guacamole and it was very good. But hey, most places should do chicken sandwiches well right?
I was meeting my book club on a Thursday evening and since it was my month, I picked the venue (and the book, Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, which I would also recommend). I called on the Monday and with a group fewer than 10, was not able to make a reservation. But I was assured that there were no special events so we didn't have any trouble getting a table. We sat in the first floor front room, could hear each other speak and also got to people-watch the diverse clientele as they waited to be seated.
Our server was very good and coincidentally he was reading the same book, based on a recommendation from another book club who met there the week before. I wonder if they are also reading East of Eden this month? -
Review from Ashley H.
1/15/2009
This place makes me sad about not living in Toronto. Seriously. If I lived here this would be my local, everyday place.
Firstly, being a New Yorker I'm not used to walking into what looks like a multi-family Victorian home that's actually a bar! It's very pretty inside, and has multiple different rooms. The backroom is a fab place to sit and chill on the leather couches, AND there's a little piano that people actually play! Plus, the Hoegaarden's are the size of my head (have I missed out on this at home?)! Lastly, of all the bar food we ordered to munch on, the clamari salad was a.m.a.z.i.n.g., all grilled and lemony and wonderful. Surprisingly, the friend that I was visiting had never been. Shame!!
Bedford Academy, I heart thee. -
Review from Sophia K.
Toronto, ON
2/16/2009
The Bedford Academy is really the perfect place to retreat to, with small groups or big, in summer or winter, and for food or drinks (or both!). It's cozily situated in an old victorian, with multiple rooms adorned with old fireplaces, comfortable seating, and old books for decoration. In the winter, it's perfect for dinner and drinks with a few friends, and in the summer, nothing is more inviting than a cold beer on their large patio.
The friendly staff, delicious food (the chicken fingers and sweet potato fries are divine), and variety of drinks just makes it even better, and definitely favoured to the Duke of York across the street.
And you can always return after a night of drinking for their delicious hangover breakfast! -
Review from nikki c.
Toronto, ON
4/2/2010
I'm really surprised that everyone has such positive things to say about this place. I was sorely disappointed after my visit there last night. It was one of the first real patio evenings of the season, so perhaps they weren't prepared for a busier-than-usual night (for the record it was busy, but NOT packed), but despite this, I don't think it justifies the terrible service we received.
Went for dinner/drinks for a friend's birthday, with a group of about six. I got there a little late, and already the people I was with were commenting on how the first server had been really rude to them. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but they referred to her all night as the patio Nazi -- and they're not the type to really complain.
They have a decent drink menu, and I ordered a gimlet, which was supposed to be lime juice and gin. They brought me something neon green, and after a bit of confusion over the order the new server (patio Nazi had gone someplace else) insisted it was made with fresh squeezed lime juice. I'm not a cocktail connoisseur, but I know enough to know that they gave me sour mix or bar lime. Not a huge deal, but when I order a $9 drink I expect a little more.
The servers didn't pay much attention to us. The food was good, but my pizza was cold when it arrived (so was the birthday girl's). One of my friend's came a bit late and ordered food as we were finishing our meals. 45 minutes later it still hadn't arrived, and we waited about 30 minutes for someone to bring us the bill (they billed her for the pizza but of course it still wasn't there). I know doing separate bills can be a bit of a pain, but the server just plain told us she couldn't do it because it would take her off the floor for too long. Charming.
Really not a fan of this place and definitely won't be going back anytime soon. Yes it's a nice venue, but not nice enough for me to deal with such poor service. -
Review from Lauren M.
This place gets 4 stars just for the bad ass patio. Awesome! (A good patio really makes my motor run!) It's huge and you can reserve a table for 20 people a day in advance! So YES, wicked for groups. There was even some kind of ESL speed dating going on at the table next to us. Highly amusing.
Our server was good, fast with the drinks and didn't mind doing separate bills for 15 people.
They ran out of Amsterdam Blonde on tap, not good, because I was forced to try a bottle of it instead, which didn't taste nearly as good :( Gross.
The nachos and the bean dip platter both kind of unimpressive and sucky, I don't think I would bother eating here. -
Review from Billy D.
1/17/2010
Totally my favorite bar in Toronto. It's a converted three story house to a bar - and has a je ne sais quoi about it, with a Canada feel. The bartender was really nice and there was a decent base of nice locals.
I could see it being a good stop for groups- there's a lot of seating, but not sure because I was there on a Thursday.
Tap beer selection is about 15 beers. Nice. -
Review from Chris P.
2/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'll preface this review with the comment that while dining with Abby R. and her husband they mentioned that Bedford was having an off night on this particular evening.
The decor is very nice and detailed. The tables however are REALLY short. I could barely get my legs under the table and it was quite annoying having them rub the bottom of the table through the whole meal.
The service was standard, nothing really seemed to stand out or was over and above. I was actually quite surprised that the staff weren't constantly in a state of annoyance by having to try to navigate through the maze of tables and jackets because there are so many tables crammed into such a small area.
When the food arrived I was really disappointed. Especially after the rave reviews on Yelp and from our dining partners. The burger I had was a good concept but poorly executed. The roasted red peppers were clearly made ahead of time as some of them were not heated through and seemed like they just came out of the fridge. The goat cheese was lumped into the middle of the bun where really it should have been spread. The caesar salad was alright, but that's more because of my preference towards a creamy caesar not a vinegar one like they serve.
I'd give this place another try for dinner especially because I've had good experiences before when just there for drinks with friends. -
Review from Karen S.
2/7/2010
First impressions count, and this place proves it. I just like it. Didn't manage to hang around for too long, but in the short amount of time I was there, I liked what I experienced enough to review!
- Great atmosphere, spacious and yet a very homey feel
- Love the nooks and crannies
- Attentive server who knew his stuff and came back just the right number of times without being annoying
- Great for groups
I hope this becomes my colleagues' new 'regular' so I can give this a more indepth review! -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
9/12/2008 1 photo
There are two pubs on Prince Arthur Ave. between Avenue and Bedford.
The Bedford Academy and The Duke Of York. They are both pubs but the Bedford Academy is considerably nicer.
The menu is decent. Your average stuff: wings, thin crust pizza, salads etc. They have flowers on the patio and can seat tons of peeps at full capacity.
The staff is friendly and the inside bar is populated with people from the street post 9PM on weeknights, which is nice, cause everyone needs a local joint.
The best thing about The Bedford Academy is that The Duke Of York had to step up their game when it opened all fancy pub style right in their face, directly across the street.
Healthy competition never hurt nobody. -
Review from Sam G.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/7/2010
Went here again last night... Greek pizza again was good, wings with curry sauce was something I hadn't tried before - a tasty spin on an old favourite. Vegetable spring rolls were a bit oily for me, wouldn't order them again. Chicken fingers... if I'd read my own review I wouldn't have ordered them... nothing special at least but again the fries were good.
Service friendly as usual. Casual yet intimate atmosphere because of the multiple small room layout.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/29/2009
Managed to catch Bedford Academy with an empty patio on a beautiful Sunday afternoon (bad weather… Read more »
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Review from yyz a.
Toronto, ON
10/20/2010
It's exactly what you want out of a pub - beer, food, quick service, down to earth atmosphere. Nothing fancy or terribly unique but definitely a place to visit when you need to chat or catch up with friends.
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Review from Tony S.
Toronto, ON
10/9/2009
As far as pubs go, this place is in the upper echelon of the pack. It offers up a great atmosphere, large outdoor patio, a great selection of alcohol - more beer offerings than the usual "irish" pub offerings and GREAT FOOD. I don't know what kind of drugs that other reviewer was on when he was tripping out and went to Bedford and thought the food was just alright. Go to another pub and tell me how their food compares, it doesn't because it's head and shoulders over most of pubs out there. If you want to have a good time at a pub with a really nice foreign beer and some great food go to this place. It's definitely a GO-TO place when you can't think of anything else or are just in the area.
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Review from Simon C.
Toronto, ON
10/21/2009
It's a great spot to have drinks. Catch a game. Take a date. Meet friends. You name it. The place has the space and the atmosphere is very friendly. Food is decent, nothing to rave about.
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Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
3/4/2009
nice intimate place to spend time with friends, small group or big.
great room, affordable drinks and food.
nice servers.
bookable rooms for events.
nice.
go. -
Review from Teej T.
3/10/2010
I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Bedford, but that coudl because I was throwing back jack and cokes with the marvelous History Department at U of Toronto. The decor is pretty sweet, and the name conjures up the most ridiculous of stuffy British prep schools, but the inside is a cheery, roomy bar with plenty of seating, spot on drinks, and a pretty kickback crowd. Definitely coming back when I am next in Fair Canadia.
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Review from Phillip Jessie j.
Toronto, ON
6/21/2010
I just want to say that this place is better than the Duke, seeing at they are right next to each other come here instead
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Review from Julia A.
North York, ON
6/13/2010
My friends and I just had the worst customer service experience at Bedford. We went to get a couple of drinks and were told that patio tables were about to free up but we could drink inside as it was empty. When we saw a table free up we went and sat down. Our waitress then proceeded to tell us very rudely, that they needed two of our six chairs for another table and that we needed to go back inside. Rather then asking us nicely or finding two extra chairs, which were available at many other tables, she proceeded to tell us over and over again that we were TOLD to wait inside. Shocked at how horribly we were being treated we went inside to try to get someone to serve us and discovered that the staff were talking about us, saying that we stole chairs. The whole situation was ridiculous and we will never go back. I can honestly say I have never had a worse experience at a restaurant/bar. Can't comment on the food and drinks, but obviously the service made us leave before we had a chance to try anything
