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Cameron House
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars [Edit]
408 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2A7
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West
(416) 703-0811
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
14 reviews for Cameron House
14 reviews in English
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Review from Mark B.
Alexandra Park, Toronto, ON
4/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Been a regular for 3 years and the music service is amazing. My local
THIS IS PARADISE -
Review from Cindy Y.
Scarborough, ON
3/7/2012 1 photo
The boy and I came here on a random Wednesday night, slightly intrigued by the loud music heard from outside.
The place seemed small at first, but it turns out there's an entire space hidden behind! And while it is very oddly decorated throughout, we took a liking to the Victoria-era ceiling and the comfy velvety couches to sit on.
We also realized after awhile.. the band playing was pretty good. Very much hippie, indie music but it was lovely, and the lead girl could sing/play guitar/play the harmonica all at once!
Also ordered a yummy, Hawaiian-flavoured beer and a whisky sour (which was so big and not watered down, either).
Definitely coming back here! -
Review from Jenna M.
3/4/2012
The Cameron House stands out on Queen Street West. Not only because the building itself acts like a gigantic canvas that's covered with the portrait of a golden-haired beauty (my favourite!), but also because it's simply a cool place to hang out with friends and listen to some live music. It's big, it's spacious, the decor is funky and edgy and the bar staff are friendly and welcoming. I went here to see a well-known Toronto-based band play, who rocked out while I kicked back with a Mill Street Organic brew in hand and a little smile on my face. Beer + good live music and I'm a happy girl. Clearly, it doesn't take much to please me, but even if it takes a lot to please you, you're sure to end the night on a high note (or on a lot of musical notes) if you give Cameron and the golden-haired beauty a chance!
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Review from Moritz H.
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good live music. The drinks are not that expensive. There a lot of different people.
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Review from Lizzy B.
Toronto, ON
10/16/2011
I was walking down Queen street the other night on my way home from another bar when I heard something beautiful coming from Cameron's. We went in, and I will admit there was a sparkle in my eyes because of all the wine, but it was the most amazing way to end that Thursday. Everyone was into the music, there was a GREAT live band playing some funky tuba and drums that got faster and faster until everyone in the place was dancing for their lives. At two am the drumming circle hit the streets and everyone on the floor followed right after them- to a point where we all stopped traffic on Queen. Amazing. amazing amazing amazing.
The crowd was definitely a older sampling with a fair amount of 20-somethings and it was just lovely. It was the perfect place to dance by yourself, everyone was feeling the music and no one was about to bother you with a bad pick up line. The only reason I won't give it a 5 is because I was drunk when I got there... I don't know how far it effected my "I loved it!" bias. -
Review from Madelaine D.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2011
The Cameron House is random. The crowd is random. The décor is random. And the bands that come through are the most random of all. I've been here a good handful of times over last few months and can solidly say the only thing that is consistent about this place is you have no idea what to expect when you walk in.
The décor feels like you're on a weird drug trip, the bands range from country to heavy rock to brassy instrumental bands and everything in between. The crowd is often old, like my parents age old, with sprinklings of young kids dancing in front of the band...and well everyone in between.
It's noisy ,the beer is decent, the seating is passable.
I'd say this place is worth checking out if you want a uniquely Toronto experience. I will continue to pop in here for a pint or two when I'm in the area if for no other reason than pure curiousity at what could possibly be going on in The Cameron House on any given day.
***TIP: There is never cover but a hat is passed around near the end of every show to help pay the band***Listed in: Queen West
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Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/12/2008 1 photo
As a live music nerd, this place has been the highlight of my gig-going routine for a decade now. It continues to showcase an eclectic set of daily house bands and comedy groups, all known for their performance schtick, whether it's use of strange instruments, over-the-top charisma, or just being damn good at what they do.
The art hung on the walls reflects the live music & sketch comedy programming, too -- edgy, quirky, sometimes strange, but definitely entertaining. Same could be said for the clientele, especially if you hang out late afternoon around the bar or outside on the narrow patio.
You may not like what the Cameron has to offer, but whatever you're seeing, I bet you're not going to forget it. I love this place and don't go there often enough.Listed in: Get your gig on
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Review from Chris A.
9/21/2008
Funky lounge bar west of all the clubby BS on Queen Street. The space is set in the lobby of a fomer dive hotel. You're vaulted over by an old muraled 40' (sorry 13m?) ceiling and lots of weather ornate detail in the room. The walls featured local artists' work. This is one of the cooler spaces I've ever run into.
The front room consists of the bar and decent amount of tables and seating to chill at while having good conversation over a few. The back room had a live act ($10 cover) and was fairly crowded.
We stopped by on a Friday and stuck to our table in the front room. The deejay in the front room was spinning an interesting mix ranging from indie to electronica. Being a Yankee, we ran into a lot of new beer on tap throughout Toronto, what they had on tap at Cameron House was tasty. They seemed to be a little short staffed. The service was a little slow, but friendly. The crowd was older and artsier.
I'll definitely stop by this place again the next time I'm in Toronto.Listed in: We're from Chicago! We went…
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Review from Alex H.
Toronto, ON
3/7/2011
Decided against a 5 star, simply because my limited experience in the area would make that a very hasty call. That being said, I friggin love this place. The few times I've been so far were welcoming and relaxed experiences. Really nice layout and vibe, excellent artwork by A.Shay.. something. The bands have also always been very entertaining, great showmanship and good pace. From a newbies perspective, this place immediately feels like home.
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Review from Jason E.
2/25/2010 1 photo
This must have been a spectacular small hotel when it opened in 1891, the original and now innovatively painted plasterwork on the ceiling is something to marvel. It's a great shame that the original entranceway which must have been magnificent has been replaced with a couple of small cheap aluminium windows. The ambience is warm and very arty, the staff friendly and the beers somewhat unusual including the coincidentally named Cameron Lager and Ale.
They often have live music, when I was there a saxophonist, pianist and a female vocalist with the melifluous husky voice of Ella Fitzgerald turned up. Simply marvelous. -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/10/2008
The Cameron House is a nice bar that's been holding down the fort for many years. With a front room that often sees local bands play, and a back room that has a stage which is also used for bands, but also performances, readings, etc.
Most of my experience here comes from the monthly Comic Jam (as in comic books, not stand up comedy) that happens in the back room on the last Tuesday of every month (excluding December.) They do all sorts of events like that that you usually don't hear about.
The drinks here are a bit more expensive than I'm accustomed to, but they have a fairly decent selection of beers. -
Review from Dan P.
Toronto, ON
6/15/2010
Ok, Cameron House is a WEIRD place... with the split front/back venue. I went to see a friend's band (the Dildoniks in case you are wondering... wicked surf music) in the back room. While the beer selection was cool, and the band was, again, awesome, the place was stuffy and hot.
The size is pretty good for a small venue. And the sound quality was also good. They just need to be able to circulate the air better, in my humble opinion. -
Review from hangover n.
Toronto, ON
11/17/2011
i used to have a rule back in new york city: if you can't see inside a bar from the sidewalk then, for god's sake, go in. there's bound to be something good inside. my old mantra holds true for this place. awesome interior and nice bartenders. Go!
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Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2008 2 photos
It's been around forever, or as long as I can remember. The Cameron house is on the corner of Cameron and Queen, an area that is getting a makeover as Queen West pushes past Spadina, but that particular corner remains the same. Inside it's small and intimate, one part local bar and one part venue. It's the kind of place you'd see Jeff Buckley play (RIP), like a coffee house meets a smoky bar. One of my favourite aspects of this spot is that they don't really have a patio, but they have a bar with a couple of bar stools set up on the side walk which is so cool. The building has a big painting of a face that covers both sides and every few years they change it, which is also super dope.
