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Cadillac Lounge
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Dive Bars, Music Venues
1296 Queen St WToronto, ON M6K 1L4
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
(416) 536-7717
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
45 reviews for Cadillac Lounge
Review Highlights
"It has a huge side patio that is great on warm nights."
(in 34 reviews)
"...local fixture and venue for rock, rockabilly and country."
(in 8 reviews)
"...me so long to find the Caddy because it's one of my most..."
(in 7 reviews)
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45 reviews in English
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Review from Alex P.
Saanichton, BC
8/19/2011
Well... I have to say I preferred this bar before it doubled in size and got televisions in it. Live music and tv sets shouldnt mix. And whats with all the springsteen stuff in a retro rockabilly bar? Love all the Elvis stuff, and leopard prints. Lively array of customers from cute pompadored boys and retro chiquitas to just yer average Parkdalian. The giant patio is, well, giant and I found it quite smokey but great if you dont mind smoke. Their bar food never disappoints me: crispy wings, big burgers in a bustling hip atmosphere that is lively and musical. Music acts can be great or rotten depending. I have heard wicked and also woefully bad acts there. I hate that people have to walk in past the band to go sit on the patio and smoke.
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Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
10/14/2011
The Cadi aims too high. It's a noble effort, and they're still better than the Stones or the Rhino, but hey: don't masquerade as higher eats when you're serving better-than-average bar food. I love the venue, the vibe, but the food's too pricey by half for what you're getting (usually). $17 fish 'n' chips? $15 mac 'n' cheese? Just... no. No no no, especially when they're not using particularly good ingredients.
So, what's to love? Obviously, venue: rockabilly, Elvis, cars, neon signs, the place is kitschy and cool, laid back and comfortable. Try to grab the actual Cadillac backseat bench (complete with hidden compartments for storing... what, exactly?). Best seat in the house, especially when there's a live band (often, and always Friday and Sat night: $10 cover after 9pm). It's situated kitty-corner to the stage, at the feet (and mercy) of the sound tech. Great spot for chillin' to some tunes.
They've got two, count 'em TWO distinct patios, one for the stanky smokers (hey, just stop already, you stink and you're killing yourself /end rant), one heated and covered and, by law, not for the smokers (though they still try to infiltrate from time to time).
Beer list is fine, nothing special, but very serviceable with some good options (I seem to recall Creemore being on tap for a good price).
Now how about that food. Bad? No, not *bad* per se, though there's some problems.
The trio of sliders are miniscule, nowhere near the grand total 6oz they advertise, and devoid of character (or, for that matter, much flavour beyond beef and garlic). The buns are routinely stale.
The chili is... y'know when you leave a pot of chili cooking too long, and it kinda-sorta-but-not-quite burns to the bottom of your pot? It's oddly desiccated, the beans are mush, and the same taste permeates the entire thing. That's their chili. It once was probably very good, but now it's a chili mash. Served on overcooked basmati with store bought chips and some shitty shredded cheese, it's not worth ordering.
Now that we've covered what you shouldn't get, what's somewhat worth it? The burger is enormous and tasty, one of the better ones you'll ever have at midnight in a Toronto music bar. The poutine's fine, and priced about the same as other TO "fine" poutines. Sweet potato fries are great. Very nicely done.
Will I be back? Yeah, absolutely. It's the Cadi. They've never done anything to piss me off, they've just never really blown me away with their food. That's ok, 'cuz the beer's cheap, flows freely, the music's great, and the service -- oh ya, the service. It's excellent.
4 stars for everything, with a 2 on the food bringing down the overall rating. Still, good stuff and worth a visit!Listed in: 30 in 30? Quantity & Quality!
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Review from Parker M.
Toronto, ON
1/4/2012
This obtuse theme-park-bar caters to no one in particular, and demands a high price for it. Faux memorabilia of a cliche "Grease" era and a fraternity and middle-age clientele leave one wondering what it's all about, and then really not caring. For the price of an evening here, a better idea would be to take the family to The Hard Rock Cafe in Vegas where at least there are slot machines.
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Review from J H.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 7/25/2011
i feel less positively towards the cadillac than i did when i wrote my first review, which said just this: "Inviting and unpretentious. Live music was good, wings are really good"
here are my re-takes
1) "inviting" - i'm not sure i still feel this way. there are nice servers and not-nice servers, who i will be courteous and not physically describe. anyways, the not-nice servers can border on nasty and be real downers.
2) "unpretentious" - this is still true
3) "live music is good" - it can be really good, it can also be not-so-good. it is also often a fair deal louder than i want it to be
4) "wings are really good" - they were, but they've gotten much smaller since i wrote my original review. what happened?!?!
additions
- the patio is huge! great for summer
-prices are not cheap, but standard. eg, rail drinks are $6.50. if you want a cheap spot go right across the street to the rhino1 Previous Review:
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2/9/2011
Inviting and unpretentious. Live music was good, wings are really good.
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Review from D B.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2011
Well, well, well
A brief history of the Caddy over the past 5 years or so. I have always dug the atmosphere of the place and they have a killer patio in the back.
Used to be amazing! They had an enormous delicious breakfast for dirt cheap. They had a spicy chicken wrap that was equally awesome. Servers were good at their jobs, and generally cool people b
Then around the time they started working on the second half expansion ( knocking down the wall to make a bugger cadillac lounge), things started to go south. Everything you ordered, right down to the cheeseburgers was over cooked, under cooked, or just plain thrown together.
Went yesterday to celebrate the warm weather on their huge patio. New menu, that looked way fancier than the atmosphere of the place could support. I was skeptical, but the chef has done a fine job.
I had the chicken club. Delicious BBQ chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar and I think a little red pepper? Killed it.
Welcome back Cadillac, I'll be here all summer. -
Review from Teena D.
12/25/2010 2 photos
My husband and I stopped in yesterday for some liquid Christmas cheer.
We've been a few times in the past and like it.
There were a handful of other people. We've had a couple drinks there in the past on Christmas Eve and they closed at 6pm. Last night, they were going to stay open 'til 9 or 10 (or until the bartender wanted to go home).
About a half hour before we left (about 6:30ish), they started playing concerts from the old "Midnight Special" variety show. Lots of fun!
We split an order of nachos which were very tasty.
Our server, Helena, took good care of us. -
Review from Tara Z.
11/2/2010
My old roommate and I used to brunch here all the time. It suited our usual Sunday morning mood: we were frequently grungy and ravenous and unwilling to face natural light, and the Caddy was a leopard-spotted cave with rickety tables and heaping plates. It was a match made in heaven!
But then: the renovation. And suddenly the room got bigger and there were WINDOWS. And BOOTHS. And the prices went up, but the portions went down, and somehow this place turned into a destination, with happy Parkdale families loosing their kids on the patio out back and the servers asking us repeatedly if we want anything else and jesus, please, I just want to drown my hangover in a bucket of eggs and coffee, is that too much to ask?
Apparently it is. -
Review from Rian D.
Montréal, QC
8/23/2010
The Caddy is one of my fav patio spots and good for brunch on a weekend, early enough so only locals are out back on the phenomenal patio.
The menu is above average for bar food and a good selection of veggie options. I've never had issues with the service and I love the tacky cheetah print and rockabilly kitsch interior decor.
I used to like hitting it up on evenings too, they often have live music with good tunes, but for some reason of late the weekend nightlife has been getting a tad... douchier? I blame the overflow of Stone's Place and that godawful Parkdale Drink eyesore.
Hopefully soon the Douchey McGees will move along and leave my Parkdale alone, but until then I'll just enjoy my Caddy on weeknights and weekend afternoons.Listed in: Watering Holes, Brunchtastic
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Review from Corey T.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2011
Went out with some friends on a Saturday night. The crowd was really good, average age was probably around 28. They had a great live funk band called Double O Soul, which really made the night awesome.
Drinks were reasonably priced, but the $10 cover may deter some folks. Don't let it deter you, it was well worth it! -
Review from Nikkita F.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the Cadi, I feel like it is one of the coolest places to go, I feel like I am walking into a different Era... I have been going here since you had to Carry a Gun in Parkdale (LOL) I love it, It used to have a hardcore Rockabilly Vibe, which I found super amazing, fun, Unique, Super Cool. A Band that plays there a lot played at our wedding!!! I have never been on the patio, but I am always rocking out to the bands when I go there late at night specifically to party. My only complaint... I think if you are a patron who is going to the Cadi for early dinner you should NOT have to pay Cover, $10-$15 Dollars to enter to eat is a little much. We consider Cadillac Lounge a Destination, I would rate it 5 Stars if our dinner didn't end up costing us $70 every single time because of the cover. (my husband and I used to drive from Waterloo for dinner one Friday a Month before we moved to WQW) We always used to have the FISH AND CHIPS, DELICIOUS!
Also, The owner, Is the sweetest man ever, genuine, appreciative and funny! He always makes us feel at home!!! My friend has gone to there Mom and Baby Brunch Event a few times, and LOVES it.
Go Cadi, But please... no cover charge for eating dinner and leaving before the band comes on... :) -
Review from Kat F.
7/15/2009
Love the patio and would return a hundred times just for the spaciousness and outdoor decor alone. The patio is truly epic in size and there is a covered and uncovered portion so you can still enjoy the outdoors even if the weather is being fickle (which, let's face it, it probably is). From the outside the size of the place is deceiving - you think it's going to be tiny but then it turns out to be "sneaky big" - it just goes back and back and on and on...
I daren't reiterate what other yelpers have already pointed out about the inattentive service. You've been warned - just order two drinks at a time and double fist for the night. It's just easier that way.
My one big gripe is that I ordered pierogies and asked them to hold the bacon. Apparently that meant "boil the shit out of the pierogies and don't bother to pan fry finish them afterwards" because that's what I got. Just because I dared to disrupt the "holy trinity" of pierogy preparation (onions + bacon + butter) doesn't mean I don't still want them pan finished. I could have defrosted my own pierogies at home for less than $10 ($2/bag at Karpaty, what!).
I mean, I'm part Polish, for Stanislaw's sake. A little respect. -
Review from Michelle V.
Toronto, ON
7/3/2009
If you possess these qualities, you should NOT work as a server:
* An inability to make eye contact
* A constant distaste for all humanity
Okay, I'm being harsh. The server was not rude or hateful just... what's the adjective for "does not give a sh*t if you lived or died"? And no, I do not want to say she was indifferent.
I arrived at the table only to wait about 15 minutes (luckily that time was filled with lovely conversation with other members of the party) to just get a drink order in. And it wasn't because she asked, I had to stop her as she cleared away other glasses or was dropping off food for the others. The same went for ordering food. As more people showed up, the less I saw her. I observed as others had to flag her down, to no avail, until they managed to get the attention of another server, This happened more than once.
Here's the thing: you WANT my money! I'm willing to exchange said money for goods and services but that transaction can only occur if you come by once in a while and say "Can I get you anything?" or in the very least the abridged version "We good?"
[/rant]
I ordered the "poutine". It hits the spot like a mother effer. Why the quotation marks? Well, it's to not upset the poutine traditionalists out there. Cadillac's poutine is made with mozzarella and cheddar cheese (not cheese curds) and was baked. Very tasty and very large - best to share... or gorge, whatever.
The amaretto sour was and is the perfect drink for me and my patio. Theirs didn't taste too alcoholic... I'm still determining if that was a win or a fail. It was refreshing nonetheless. Speaking of patio! Holy crap is this one huge. Few patios have as many sections as this place and few can boast the possiblity of actually getting lost on the patio. Dare I say, it was epic.
I won't fault this place completely on the one server. And I'm also sure she isn't like that ALL the time. She couldn't possibly... right? -
Review from sarah l.
7/5/2009
I was here for a Yelp event like the previous handful of reviews, and I am going to have a similar rant/POV as the others. Waitress = fail.
When we showed up, we talked with our server about needing to cash out parts of the bill as people came or went. She said no problem. But then it was a problem everytime someone wanted to leave. When Zack, Mike & I left, we went up to the computer and it took her all of 10 seconds to make out separate bills. Then she complained to us that she had asked if we needed separate bills when we sat down and we said no. Actually, we explained what was about to happen and let her decide, and she decided to have 1 bill which she apparently regretted. Bitterly.
Additional waitress rant: she was just not good at this job. She never asked us if we wanted anything or came by. I had to go up to her INSIDE, where she did not acknowledge me until the OTHER WAITRESS she was talking to asked if I needed something.
Okay, now past the waitress who hates herself and everyone around her and onto the place itself.
This is not conveniently located for me, but if I lived in the neighbourhood it would for sure be a regular haunt. The drinks are regularly-priced and there is a big menu. Of medium-to-low quality food.
There is a HUGE patio here. Massive. It's awesome. They also have a stage and it seems like it would be a great place to see bands. I wish I lived closer.
Finally, the chicken wings. I give them 3 stars. They were crispy, un-breaded and saucy, but I didn't like the sauce. I should have gotten hot instead of medium, because the sauce was ketchupy and weak. The veggies and dip were solid - the standard bleu cheese was a good choice here - because of the mediocrity of the offering, it's best to stick with the traditional. If the sauce was what I wanted, I would have liked these wings.
Overall... I wish this place was better. If it weren't for the great company of the Yelp crew, I would have probably have had a scathing review of the mediocre food and substantially below average staff at this above average patio.Listed in: Chicken Wings... for better or…
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Review from Kevin D.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2009
Great summertime patio joint!
You can always catch a live band and they serve buckets of beer for cheap. Makes me long to move back to Parkdale.
I've never sampled the food menu, but it smells good!
Check it out with a group on a random weekday night in the summer. It's Toronto patio at its best.Listed in: KD's Toronto Nightlife Guide
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Review from Angela L.
6/24/2009
After an extensive bike ride all around the city, we roll up to the trusty Cadillac Lounge thirsty for an ice cold beer and hungry for some serious late night snackage. On this scorching Monday night, the patio is packed, but we manage to find a spot. Hurray!
Our server, who is in the midst of a mission to deliver what seems to be endless trays of maraschino cherry adorned cocktails to our surrounding tables of weekday partiers, is quick to notice that we've helped ourselves to seats and menus and promises to be right with us. "It's just crazy tonight!" she warns, before listing the menu items that they had run out of.
From the long list of draughts, we decide on a pint each of Wellington ($5.50) and Guiness ($6.50). The calamari ($10) served with creamy tsaziki are chunky and perfectly golden fried, the shoe string sweet potato fries ($6) are less crispy than I've come to expect and I am also only alerted that they are out of chipotle mayo when the fries arrive, but the veggie nachos ($9) with guac ($1.75) are as dauntingly large and satisfying as ever.
Summer time on the patio is definitely my favourite way to soak in the awesomeness of Cadillac Lounge, but the bar on the inside can be a good casual venue as well. Littered with two and four-tops for solo or smaller groups, the bar also features a no frills stage on which local musical talent often play. With the permission of the owners, my friends have held a film screening before. -
Review from Chris P.
7/2/2009
On my way home from Cadillac Lounge I was thinking that maybe I would feel bad about writing this review since there were so many of us Yelpers there tonight. But then I thought we each spent $15-20 minimum so they earned each (bad?) review they get for tonight.
The Food:
I got the Cadillac burger with sweet potato fries. Pretty hard to screw up a burger right? Nope! The bun wasn't lightly toasted, it was burnt, and not just a little bit either but almost completely. The condiments (tomato, lettuce, and pickle) were fresh. The meat tasted like a frozen store bought patty. The sweet potato fries were okay, not the best I've had, not really crispy enough for my taste. However the dips for the fries was really good.
The worst part of the night was the service. Our server barely made eye contact when taking an order, never smiled, and was never around. She would come and leave from the table so fast that I didn't even realize she had taken my glass, never mind asking if I wanted a refill or something else to drink.
The plus about this place is its size. The interior is a decent size to start with but if you make your way to the back there is a gigantic patio with a pool table. We could easily fit the group of 20-some-odd of us out there without being crammed around other patrons.
Based on everyone else's reviews so far I would be willing to give this place another chance. Maybe it was just an off night. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
7/2/2009
I'm torn about this place. I was almost going to give it a 3 star rating but I remember the awesome time I was walkin around with nowhere to go and the live country music twang dubbed it best bar ever on a random wednesday night some time ago.
So thumb up (yes, only one) for the live country music that I thoroughly enjoy.
The other thumb goes up for the massive patio hiding in the back of the bar.
The setup:
Inside the stage is right beside the door so it equals awesome people watching as EVERYone is watching you as you walk in and you KNOW everyone is watching you as you walk in.
The back patio is big and rather comfortable with big umbrellas for shade. There's a single pay per play pool table that I might consider during a late night summer.
The food:
It's bar food. very average bar food. I had the $11 fish and chip plate. Was good but standard. I wasn't pleasantly surprised by no means. But I wasn't disappointed either.
I suggest when you go here you opt for the standard bar food, i.e. burger and fries. Anything more adventurous and I fear you may be in for disappointment town.
But also..you know, it's a bar..and really, I recall the beer being cold and there being a decent selection. what else do you relaly want at a dive?
The clientelle:
This is the weirdest part. I don't know whether to declare it a very working-class bar, or just a kinda tragic crowd. And in these economic times probably a little from column A and a little from column B.
It was a standard parkdale crowd- blue collar filled bar. (which I like, despite the way my descrip sounded).
The service:
wow..i have NEVER seen a waitress avoid a table so well. Came to the table, eyes fixed to the ground, talking directly to one person and then BAM...outta there. Touche. way to avoid.
I'm not gonna hate, but you DO realize your tip goes UP when people order more, right?
She employed an interesting strategy for a server...
anyways, all in all, I'd go back because they do the basics well and.. who am i kidding? I LOVE a dive bar = ) -
Review from Adam P.
Toronto, ON
6/30/2009
I am a fan of the Cadillac Lounge, but for a different reason than what has been mentioned.
On Monday nights they have $.40 wings. That is by far the cheapest I have seen in Toronto (although my knowledge is not vast on chicken wing deals). To go along with that they have 6 Amsterdam Blonde for $20. I'm not sure if this deal carries to other days, but is a great deal IMO.
One criticism I have of the place is that more often than not, they have run out of Amsterdam buckets, and offer alternatives such as 6 Coors Light for $22, or 5 Bud Light Lime for $20. I can tolerate the switch in beers (although I believe Amsterdam is the best of the 3), but a few times we have received the bucket with warm beer and ice. The bucket doesn't do much for making them cold.
Although it was probably planned this way, the Cadillac Lounge would be super awesome if its large patio was all uncovered (since the uncovered part is always full), but it makes a good trade off when its raining and you still want to go to a patio -
Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
12/5/2009
If the sweet potato fries aren't enough to lure you in, how about the goat-cheese-and-veggie wrap? If you think it isn't exciting, you're WRONG. Oh, so good. Have a beer! Have a soup-of-the-day and listen to Johnny Cash!
The Caddy wins over the Rhino because of the ambiance, I think. While the Rhino can be barnlike and cold, the Caddy has a cozy interior and a pleasant patio in back. (Watch the mosquitos during the summer). -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
1/22/2009
The Cadillac Lounge looks like what I thought bars looked like when I was little. It's dark and cozy and kitschy and awesome. They play great music, staff are friendly and fun, and they have a GREAT patio. Even in the winter, I find it's nice and warm (drinking lots of beer helps with that), and it's just an all-around good place to be.
I don't come here as often as I'd like to (especially in the cold, cold winter) but I'm definitely planning on stopping by more, especially for some delicious bar food. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
7/5/2009
Visited for a yelp outing on a surprisingly clear day and enjoyed the expansive patio. A weird mixture of people at the surrounding tables- a lot of blue collar folk, some random loners reading books, birthday parties, and some kind of intervention (a group of three or four, of which two kept embracing...I'm still puzzled by it).
The beers available were clearly displayed on a board split up between domestic and imports. The prices ranged from $6.50 to $7.50 which is pretty standard these days. I opted for several Tankhouses.
I didn't try the food but what others ordered seemed to at least look okay. I think most mentioned that it was generally forgettable though.
On this particular evening we had a server that had a soulless, listless face, that made you wonder if she has ever enjoyed anything in life.
The massive patio is definitely a big plus but otherwise I found it to be pretty standard as far as drinking experiences go. -
Review from Duncan H.
Toronto, ON
7/6/2009
With such a long stream of hatred for just one server on here I have to throw in a change of pace.
The Cadillac Lounge is Toronto's most accessible dive bar. I say that because there are much, much divier places in this city. Take a stroll along Dundas West, beyond Ossington. Care to step foot in one of those "sports" bars? Or how about any of the "bars" at King and Dufferin... thought not.
But, there's nothing keeping you from stepping through the doors of The Cadillac Lounge and witnessing a remarkable Elvis fetish and (obviously) Cadillac-themed decor.
With the bursting at the seams growth of West Queen West and an influx of new party-goers, scenesters, foodies and everyone else who has braved to step under the Dufferin Jog, the Cadillac Lounge does not stand up to reviews. Where are the doting servers? Where are the overly chatty bartenders willing to wipe up after your drink rings? Well, they're up at the Dakota Tavern and they're asking bands to turn down their music and that you turn off your cell phone because the sound system is jacked.
The Cadillac Lounge is an amazing place for groups. With a recent expansion into the space next door the inside space has doubled. The patio is as huge as ever and expect it to be full on most any night of the week. You can, and most people do, spend many hours in here. Buckets of beer are cheap and the locals playing pool swear and spit and will hit on your girlfriend.
The food won't win an award, but who wants their dive bar to win awards? (Worth repeating if you've read my previous reviews.)
Come for the music, chat with your friends, order a bucket of beer, and celebrate that you can go to one of the most consistently fun bars in town. -
Review from Renata R.
6/27/2010
I decided to go inside this place to have lunch today, a rainy sunday with a World Cup match.
I had absolutely no service. They are supposed to have waiters, but I had to scream, wave, go to the counter, to ask for food. I asked for a simple caesar salad, it came after 30 minutes, my husband thought about asking for some sandwich but totally gave up.
I asked the barman for my bill (again, no waitress on sight), and 15 minutes later the girl appeared with... A BEER. I don't even drink beer. Fantastic. Another 10 minutes and she appeared "who asked for the bill?".
10 dollars for an ok caesar, I felt it was WAAAAY overpriced. I'm NOT COMING BACK UNLESS THEY OFFER ME MY MONEY BACK.Listed in: Party Time
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Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2008
In the summer, this place gets 10-times more dope!
It has a huge side patio that is great on warm nights.
In the winter, it's all about the fries and wings.
it one of those neighborhood joints that doesn't have to front to be cool.
It just.
Is. -
Review from Samantha F.
York, ON
10/18/2009
I can't believe it took me so long to find the Caddy because it's one of my most favorite places to go ... evar. From sitting outside on the jumbo patio, or the jumbo covered patio, or inside in kitschy, retro, Elvis filled splendor I love this place.
Most of the time we go there the service is lovely. Apparently when they did their renos a while back, the kitchen wasn't made any bigger so they're dealing with twice as many customers with half the kitchen so I'm sure that makes for some stressy serving. We've always gotten pretty lucky though, getting the gals with smiles on their faces. One time we were there recently, our waitress sat down and we discussed how pretty her teeth were.
At least I think we did that. She had been plowing me with vodka ...
This place feels like home to me with the burlesque shows and the rockabilly performances, the crowd is often eccentric but never pretentious. You can be whoever you want to be in here and no one cares as long as you're having a good time. Don't come to the Caddy to be "seen", just come to have a blast.
P.S. I also love the strawberry salad. So simple, but so many places get it wrong.
P.P.S. I like that I can break out my victory rolls here and no one bats a false eyelash at me. Win. -
Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/16/2008
Atop the outside of the cadillac, um, well, sits half a cadillac. like, lengthwise, half a cadillac. and inside, when ive come by and theres a band playing it feels like theyre playing cadillac music. and the walls feel like a cadillac, with elvis posters, and other cheesy paraphernalia. now, to be fair, i rarely sit in the bar/front room at all but i remember that it is always dark, yet not gloomy, but bar-like, not taverny, not pubby, but brass rails and wood.
the main attraction, which causes me to fly through the inside of the place, is the outside of the place, because the cadillac has perhaps the largest patio ive ever seen at a bar in toronto. roughly half of it is covered with a roof, yet open to the air from the adjacent part of it that is completely open, no roof at all, and the place to go to smoke.
the beer selection at the cadillac is pretty good, not just boring staples and their food is tasty too--especially the nachos. it always has a bouncing vibe, most especially in the spring and summer time but the staff is always a bit slow and forgetful.
this is a great place to go with large groups and a rowdy crowd. -
Review from Jenni B.
5/16/2009
Cadillac scores points for friendly service, a great outdoor patio, and just large space in general. However I think "lounge" isn't the right term - it is a pub.
It has an older crowd and is very casual which had me feeling out of sorts. It would be perfect for a laid back "we don't feel like dressing up" night with friends. -
Review from Noel D.
6/12/2009 3 Check-ins Here
Definitely a great place to have several drinks with friends on their massive patio. I've only had a few things on the menu, namely the grilled chicken wrap or the burger. Their menu has changed recently and seems to be a lot smaller. My friend mentioned the burger is not nearly as good as it used to be, mentioning that it appeared to be from a frozen patty instead of fresh, like it used to be.
The chicken wrap still tastes pretty great. Beer is always cold and the service has always been great anytime I've been there. The crowd is a mixture of Parkdale over the past 20 years. You get the hipsters combined with truck drivers. They have new washrooms by the extended patio which is awesome because you don't have to walk very far anymore.
Avoid sitting inside when there's a house band though. Uggh. -
Review from Erin B.
6/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
The decor is funky and fun - lots of old Elvis kitsch and rockabilly accesorries. Despite the interior being so very excellent, I rarely sit inside at the caddy. Who would, when the patio is so big and wonderful?
My favourite place for brunch in this area. The food is good, classic brunch stuff. And i can absolutely always get a table. -
Review from Brian S.
Toronto, ON
7/13/2009
I was beginning to think Cadillac Lounge was a great place with good entertainment and good food. Actually, usually they have very good food most of the time. But the last couple times I've been I've been subject to cold fries. Rest of the meal was okay, but the fries were cold.
Apart from that I like the place. It has an unexpectedly great patio at the back. It has also recently doubled the size of the main floor which makes the area to watch the good bands there even better. -
Review from Andre G.
Toronto, ON
7/29/2009
You need a place with a killer patio? This is it! The place is HUGE and the patio can literally seat hundreds of people at a time. Need a table for 20 of your closest friends... go right ahead. This is the place for beverages and sunshine in the summer.
The food is decent with your basic pub/bar options. On my most recent trip I happily gorged on their excellent onion rings. Generally speaking the service is ok. On busy days with a packed house things might get a little slow, but it all depends on the day... -
Review from Amanda D.
Ottawa, ON
11/14/2008 1 photo
The Cadillac Lounge is right up my alley. It has an awesome mix of country and rock, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Cash, Elvis, a big awesome neon sign, hard wooden tables, an outdoor patio with pool table and a menu that's surprisingly half vegetarian. Our food was delicious, our pitcher of beer was about $15 and the service we received was fantastic. I would agree this would be an even better bar in the summer when the patio and pool table could be fully enjoyed, although they're still keeping them open well into November.
They have bands, mainly local, playing almost every night with an open stage on Mondays. -
Review from Morley B.
7/13/2009
This is a review of their wings only.
I love the bar, great local fixture and venue for rock, rockabilly and country.
Great patio and atmosphere.
I've eaten a few things there over the years, basic bar food. But still, can we not want, or dare I say, expect, good bar food?
Some places get it right, and while it's not gourmet eating, it's just good ole plain bar fare.
So, with that preamble, I'd avoid the wings. Dry, not meaty, fresh, or inspiring. I'll update this review as I try other things there. -
Review from Marie F.
Cadi? Is that you? I barely recognized you in the daylight... was I wearing beer goggles last time? You don't sparkle the same way I remembered.
Your pierogies were passable... not bad, not good just passable.
All is not lost however, your patio helped ease the pain.
Hopefully we can work things out...Listed in: God save the Queen...…, It's not always what on the…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/13/2009
It's no secret that this place has a ridiculously large patio but the live shows are really what… Read more »
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Review from Rachel S.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2010
One of my fav spots in the city! Amazing patio, and great music.
My boyfriend and I will go there just to chill on the patio, have a couple of drinks and kickass at pool.
We ordered they're pita/hummus and olives appetizer. It was actually quite a large serving, but not enough pita bread, they happily brought us more free of charge.
ALSO, I really wanted a pina colada and the girl behind the bar made me an amazing makeshift colada! So awesome that she made the effort!
All the servers were very upbeat, totally a bonus. I'ts terrible going out and having your server give you the "I hate my life" attitude.
Great spot! -
Review from Dee H.
Toronto, ON
4/5/2009
I had never heard of this place before stopping by on a whim (read: cover is $2 cheaper than across the street), but had a lot of fun. Although the band's sets weren't long enough, dudes rocked out on the electric guitar. One kid looked about 12 years old and had a stupified look on his face that made him more qualified for radio, but you can't deny the talent.
The place has a bit of a country crowd, with some old, dirty, stuttering stumblers that are very clearly regulars, which kind of adds to the decor. It's one of those places that seems more suited to orangeville than toronto.
If it weren't for the band, I'm not sure I would have even noticed where I was. 3 stars for a taste for talent. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2008 1 photo
It took me seven years of living in this city to realize that the Cadillac Lounge was not the Reservoir Lounge, and that its claim to bartending fame was not the dude from the Royal Crowns (sorry, Horseshoe). But forgive me: for the first three, incredibly sad years of my life in Toronto, my boundaries rarely extended past Bathurst, and what a shame. The Cadillac rocks.
The loud front room is dark and usually full of older live music locals. You could make the mistake and believe that this is all the Caddy has to offer, which is fine, but you'd be stupid not to notice the constant flow of people heading past you to the back. You could either assume a contagious bowel problem is afoot, or there's something even more enticing out back. Thankfully, it's guess #2 -- the Caddy has one of the best, largest hidden patios in the city, great for huge get-togethers and even an intimate catch-up session with a bud.
Don't know what this place is like in the winter, but the summer brings in a whole lot of Fantastic, with a capital "F". -
Review from Teresa H.
Greektown, Toronto, ON
8/15/2010
This patio is quite awesome in terms of its grandeur! With a pool table too! I would do this patio again and again. And when the bill came we were shocked at the price of our pints - so cheap. (unless they gave us somebody else's bill...)
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Review from Charlie B.
Toronto, ON
10/14/2010
Nice place for a good hang but don't expect stellar food from my experience. Go for the drinks, not the nosh.
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Review from Edward G.
Toronto, ON
5/26/2011
Great beer. Great food. Awesome patio.
