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Clinton's
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Pubs, Music Venues [Edit]
693 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6G 1L5
Neighbourhoods: Koreatown, Palmerston, Bickford Park, Seaton Village
(416) 535-9541
- 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:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
38 reviews for Clinton's
Review Highlights
-
"Shake A Tail remains the best night in town." In 7 reviews -
"Besides that, dance parties at Clinton's are great." In 4 reviews -
"This review is for their Friday, Saturday nights." In 3 reviews
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Ryan H.
Toronto, ON
3/28/2012
I think I'm over the whole 'trying to dance to 60s music' thing. The song selection is the same no matter where you go because kids these days don't recognize songs that aren't from the Beatles or Rolling Stones apparently.
One time I came here for my birthday and it was just a random free-for-all of music. S Club 7 was included which was really cool unfortunately the two DJs who both looked like Zooey Deschanel did not play my request for Bizarre Love Triangle. I however neglected to inform them it was my birthday so that's understandable. I would have played S Club 7 over New Order any day.
The $5 cover is really nice. I got there around 11pm and there was a small line but I met some people in the line, one of which I think was DJ Jazzy Jeff, and we got in sooner. They also paid my cover and got me a shot. The dance floor is big and accommodating and if you get there late enough it will actually have people dancing rather than standing around awkwardly.
I don't know about hipsters. I've been here plenty of times and there were just normal people, some old, some young, some B listers. I think I saw David Arquette there once dancing with Miranda July during TIFF. It's very diverse. The drinks are also reasonably priced. Like $5-6 for beers and $7 for the only beer I drink there which is Sapporo and around $5 for mixed drinks. Coat check is $2.
Another night I went though, the DJ was some dopey kid who was definitely younger than me (and I'm young) and the girls I was with requested Age of Consent like HOW DO YOU EVEN DANCE to that? Get real. He said he didn't know if he had that song so INSTEAD he played Bizarre Love Triangle which made my night. I was also surprised to see him singing along with it too!
Sneaky Dee's shake a tail is the same music as 60s night Saturday's here and pretty much everywhere else so I guess just go to whichever venue is closer to you. Ironically Clinton's is further from my building, American Gardens Building, but I still kind of prefer it to the other places. OH also they play old school movies on a projector during the dances.
So... you know. -
Review from Danielle D.
Toronto, ON
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh Clinton's, why do I always forget how mediocre you are? I feel like I've made this mistake too often to count.
A pitcher of Pabst Blue Ribbon is the cheapest pitcher at $15. Male servers often have no clue what's happening. The women's bathroom by the front bar doesn't lock. Sigh. How do I always forget?
And the dance nights don't fill up until after midnight, there's barely anybody in there until then, lame. So many other places to go, Toronto, so many other places. -
Review from Lisa B.
Toronto, ON
3/5/2012
I've only been to Clinton's for their '90s Dance Party events on Friday nights.
The positives:
$5 cover is awesome, and the price of drinks isn't bad.
I love theme nights, and the 90s party is a great idea and lots of fun to dance to.
Speaking of dancing, there is lots of room to dance. It's generally a really fun crowd too.
The DJ takes requests, so you're sure to hear your favorite songs.
While they have coat check, it's not mandatory and there's a lot of places you can safely stash your coat if you don't want to check your coat (especially convenient for smokers).
The negatives:
You have to get there pretty early if you don't want to wait in line, which isn't always easy when you're in big groups or if you've had a few drinks already. The last time I went I got there pretty early, so I got in no problem. However, not long after, I was surprised to hear that there was a line outside when inside wasn't that busy. Further, when I went in, there appeared to be 2 lines. One that came from outside, and one that came from the other part of the bar (the pub area). People were coming in from both directions, and I could see if this is how they have the lines when it was really busy that people may be waiting in one line and get cut off by people who haven't been waiting as long in the other.
2 out of the 3 bathrooms in the little girl's room don't lock, and the hot water is REALLY hot so beware.
While I like the grungy feel of the place, I didn't like how there were a bunch of chairs stacked along the sides. There wasn't much seating room, so it would have been nice if you could actually sit on the chairs.
The positives far outweigh the negatives for Clinton's, however, and I would definitely recommend the 90's party nights for a fun night. -
Review from Alana C.
1/25/2012
I really like Clinton's. I've been to the pub, dance and food Clinton's, so this is for all 3!
1. Clinton's the Pub: I came here on a pub crawl and it was one of my favourite stops. The crowd was good, the music was loud and the beer on tap/in bottles was great. I liked the decor and the fact that I'd walked by the place 100 times and never paid attention and knew it was there.
2. Clinton's the Dance Party: Hipsters galore, awkward music selections. Something about this place did not make me want to start busting a move. BUT it depends on what you are looking for. I know many people who think their Fridays and Saturdays are THE best. But if you're looking for a place that's going to throw on some random top 40 beware, it isn't really here.
3. Clinton's the Pub Food: I like the food! There are so many vegetarian options. I'm not even vegetarian and this pleases me. The last time I went I had a grilled cheese with bacon. It was great! And it came with french fries and salad, too. The portions were good.
Overall, I like Clinton's. I don't go out of the way to go there, but I do enjoy it when I do. Great stop on a pub crawl! -
Review from Reynold P.
Toronto, ON
10/25/2011
The first time I stepped through the front doors of Clinton's was for brunch. It wasn't bad. It has a bar feel, so it wasn't your typical family brunch place but it was decent enough. Comfortable and quiet, it was a fine time.
This review is for their Friday, Saturday nights. When they open the backdoors, which I never knew existed, to reveal a dance floor and stage. It's not the smallest venue I've been in. Supermarket has a smaller dance floor but it always packed. Clinton's on the other hand is slightly larger and not full. Enough room to maneuver around to get to and from the bar. That's probably the only thing I liked about Clinton's.
The crowd was not my forte. I'm 24 and I think it caters to older patrons, nothing wrong with that, just not for me. The music and vibe I got from the place was just not great. I stuck with my friends that night, I caught up and left for Korean food afterwards. I hardly danced and didn't have the smallest inkling to. I felt confused and a bit awkward the whole night. I don't know how to dance to rock music, I'm used to krumping...
Overall, Clinton's is ok for brunch. I would visit somewhere else if you're looking to dance. Even supermarket is a bit better, and we all know how I feel about that place. -
Review from Carrie G.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2011
Shake-a-Tail on Saturday nights is a delight. First time I went was the best thing ever. Sweet tunes, space in which to shake your tail, no creepy grinding. The official "Shake-a-Tail" night has moved over to Sneaky Dee's, but they still have an equivalent thing going on at Clinton's. Seems to be getting marginally less fun bit by bit, but that may just be me.
Aside from ze dancing, which happens in a separate back room with its own bar, there's a nice outdoor patio area and plenty of indoor seating, big tables and small. They also have a ton of boardgames! Which is jawesome, in my opinion. Great place to come in the afternoon to chill and share a pitcher of Creemore and play a game and stare out the big window at the people wandering along Bloor.
Kind of a neighborhood place, but it's worth making the trek over there even if you don't live in the area. Cozy, fun, multifaceted.
Lineup on Saturday night gets long though, so if you come then, come early. A lot of people seem to go there in large groups for birthdays.
(Haven't tried the food.) -
Review from Yvonne T.
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for Bangs & Blush's F*ck It on a Friday night which was a kickback to the 90s. We arrived arrived slightly after 10PM and grabbed a table on the patio.
Ordered a few pints, and some cocktails. Their cocktails are more mixer than liquor so if you're looking for a buzz, order something else! The girl who was serving us couldn't have been lazier. We asked her what beers were available and she pointed to the wall that (from where we were sitting) was obstructed by the door where the beer menu was located. Is it really too much to ask for you to orate a beer menu that should be ingrained into your memory?
They have a pretty extensive menu. We ended up ordering the Deluxe Nachos with Ground Beef (extra $) for the table.
12PM is last call for the patio, after which you will have to haul your butts indoors to continue chugging.
$5 cover charge to get into their sad excuse for a dance floor. With that said, Bangs & Blush played some amazing music. I can't remember the last time I heard Barbie Girl, Everybody (Backstreet's Back), or Wannabe. Hey - don't judge me! Lol.
Probably wouldn't be my first choice if I were looking for a patio and liquor... but it wasn't a horrible experience. -
Review from Denise S.
I come here regularly, but just for Shake, Rattle and Roll on Saturday nights (formerly Shake a Tail, but that event moved to Sneaky Dee's last fall).
What to expect:
- Long lines if you arrive after midnight (there are 2 lines! One to get in the bar, and another to get into the back room where the dancing is).
- A lot of plaid and facial hair
- A lack of multicultural representation
- $5 cover
- Cash only bar
- No need for coat check... just pile your stuff on one of the sofas near the DJ. I have never lost anything.
- Beer will be spilled on your leg at some point...
- It will get super HOT and sticky!! (the side patio is helpful as is strategically standing near fans).
- BUT the DJ's Bangs & Blush will win you over with classic Motown hits (think "Heard it through the grapevine", "Ain't no mountain high enough", "Signed, sealed, delivered", etc.). AND if you request a song, they will actually play it for you pretty promptly!
It's always fun times here and it's perfect when you just want to go dancing without dressing up, dealing with annoying bouncers, etc.Listed in: "I come alive in the night…
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Review from Linda M.
11/4/2011
I've been here a couple of times, once for a 90s dance night and once for brunch. The 90s dance night was awesome - any place that plays Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, and Sir Mixalot is okay by me. I like going out to dance but I'm not a fan of the club scene, so this was the perfect place for me. I seemed to be there on the best night too, because there was a girl going crazy on the dance floor. She actually pulled out the wheelbarrow move with a guy at one point, combined with some crazy acrobatic moves. Seriously, Clintons should find her and hire her as entertainment.
For brunch, this place is respectable. It doesn't pull out anything that makes me say WOW this place is amazing, but it's a good scene and it's good food at a good price so I was happy. I got the eggs Florentine which came with hash browns, a slice of pineapple and a piece of melon. Melon is evil so I swapped it for one of my BCo's pineapples. I was quite impressed with the meal actually, more so than I expected to be. The hash browns especially were very well seasoned and I wished I had more of an appetite. The Florentine was also very tasty, the eggs were cooked to a nice medium level. My only complaint was the "orange juice". I'm really not sure what it was, but it was just orange-flavoured. Next time I'll stick with water.
All in all, awesome place for fun 90s dance parties, and a very decent brunch.Listed in: November's 30 in 30, Brunch!
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Review from Jenny B.
Toronto, ON
12/17/2011
This place has decent parties, but I'm gonna write about the food and service.
They serve typical bar food with a twist- many veggie friendly options! This seems to be a rarity with pub food.
Although the service is usually good, I had one pretty bad experience where the server rolled her eyes at me when I wasn't ready to order (I had only been there for five minutes). Then when my food had arrived, she slammed the food on the table and stormed off. I'm a pretty friendly and easy going person so I didn't really understand where this behaviour was coming from.
Besides this, the service is usually fine. -
Review from Susan G.
6/21/2011
I haven't experienced the "pub" Clinton's, only the... dance area? I wouldn't call it a club. So this review is based on the dance-y back room.
Before this successful visit, I had attempted Clinton's a few times, and have always gone too late to get in. However on this Saturday, I planned my night around Clinton's (didn't even go to Snakes and Lattes first) and got in after a short wait, around 10:30. Not wanting to dance right away, we went and sat in the pub area and got drinks - we had a waitress, but she had a terrible attitude, rolling her eyes, dirty looks (the works) so we opted to get our drinks from the bar. Bar rail drinks were only $5, which is fine by me - but apparently they have $4 Pabst.
Once we had drank a sufficient amount to venture to the dance part (which you have to pay $5 for, kind of random, but perhaps goes to the DJs?), we realized that there was a line to get in to that part TOO! So having waited in the first line, we then had to wait in a second for about 20 minutes. Though we were not drunk enough to make a fuss, MANY people were, and we witnessed some sloppy "I'm going to shove this $20 in your hand to let me in, but actually totally miss your hand and just shower the floor in money" type behavior. Kind of funny.
So having paid our $5 and waiting through a second line - was it worth it? Maybe. Clinton's is the kind of place I'm happy I went to, but am not sure I will go back. The music was fun, but kind of a "theme bar" type fun, and I assume if I went again it would be the same music. At first not a whole lot I recognized was played, but later in the night almost every song was a great one - SO I would like to go to Clinton's around midnight, but since I would never get in that late... I have to go early and suffer through the not-so-great music... you get the picture.
So yes. Check it out once, especially if you're looking for a "different" experience (at least it was different for me), but get there early. -
Review from Daniel C.
Toronto, ON
1/30/2012
this place sucks.
lines outside (even when theres almost no one inside). they dont run tabs, cash only. and the worst, something i cannot stand, is that they water down their well liquor. i paid for both premiums and well, and while you could taste the booze in the premium, you couldnt taste anything in the well at all, and they were using a jigger to pour so youre dealing with the same amount.
awful music on 90s night too. just go to the boat for F'unreal. -
Review from Allison D.
Toronto, ON
4/17/2011
As an Annex resident for the past 3 and a half years, I've been to Clinton's more than a few times. My experiences have normally been of the late Friday or Saturday night variety, but after going to Psychic Brunch this morning, I realized I can comment on their food now, too!
The crowd hasn't much changed over the past few years since the first time I went to Shake a Tail, it's just become "fuller", if you will. Oh, and it's no longer Shake a Tail; Shake Rattle and Roll is (as far as I'm concerned) a different guy behind the computer and a slightly different name for the exact same thing. The premise hasn't changed either; Friday and Saturday are still amazing dance parties. The bar (at the back at least) is cash only; I was once hit on by someone with a "If this bar took Visa, I would have bought you a drink". Wow, thanks bud; thank God you were pretty.
The sheer variety of options at Clinton's also adds to it's amazement; dance parties, live shows, just chilling in the front bar, and theme brunches? This is literally the bar that does everything.
The food is significantly better than I was expecting, too!! I was having my fortune told when our breakfast came (I did tell my friends to order halfway through my reading, which went longer than the usual 20 minutes), so my grilled cheese and fries were a little cold but still delicious! AND I got the fries+salad combo; any place that offers that automatically wins a special place in my heart. The service, though: friendly but sparse. All I wanted was a grapefruit juice!! And more water!! Is that too much to ask?
So, the PROS - awesome music, amazing and non-pretentious dance parties, decent prices, and variety.
The CONS - It would be great to spend less than 15 minutes waiting at the bar to get a drink on a Friday or a Saturday night; I hate that I have to arrive by 11 or after 1 to get in on Saturdays; and all I wanted was more water with my brunch! -
Review from Laz C.
Toronto, ON
2/9/2011
Based on the type of venue that it is, a pseudo-grungy pub, there isn't a thing that I don't love about this place. Clinton's is great for just chilling with a group of friends and perfect for breakfast/brunch. I can't think of anywhere else in the core that you can get a delicious, filling and well-priced breakfast without having to fight for a table with the skinny-jeans crowd.
Clinton's vegetarian menu goes above and beyond, with the soy drumsticks, veg poutine and soy burger (with specialty topping options) standing out as excellent gastro delights. They also have a decent tap selection, featuring Mill Street, and board games on-site if that's your thing.
Clinton's is the perfect go-to pub with a relaxed vibe and delicious food. -
Review from D B.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
Fail...
Came on a holiday Monday.
6 ppl seated in an empty restaurant.
Ordered some beers and some caesars, caesars took 20 mins. Ordered 6 meals. 30 mins went by, nothing. Asked one of the two servers working, what was going on. He shrugged and said "patios busy..." clearly didnt give a shit.
After 45 mins our first plate came, then 5 mins more for the next plate and so on. A six person table served one at a time over the course of the next 25 mins.
The table of 6 behind us were also getting agitated, and they just upped and left.
Again, as we keep seeing in Toronto, the necc personnel are not given shifts to save some owner $100.
Saving $100, and losing $1000's in repeat business is bad for you. The economics are quite simple.
On staff at clintons on a holiday Monday:
1 slow female waitress
1 indifferent male waiter
1 line cook
0 bartender
Required (cut personnel as needed, but be cautious when doing so)
Min 3 waitstaff
1 bartender
2 line cooks to help each-other in their "tiny kitchen"
And the food was as good as the service... -
Review from Lauren M.
10/17/2010 8 Check-ins Here
More like 2.5 star.
I somehow end up here more often than I would prefer. (Location here is key, it's about 50 meters from my place)
I dislike pub food, but the pub food here is above average, with some decent vegetarian and healthy options. The staff and service have always been good for the most part too.
On Saturday nights this place is hipster overload x 1000000. There are 3 rooms in Clintons, none are very large, but somehow a couple hundred hipsters seem to push their way in for the live bands/DJ sets that go on in the back room. They make you pay cover too ($5-$10). Puh-lease.Listed in: Picky Eaters
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Review from Angela H.
3/21/2010
I've eaten at Clinton's a couple of times before, and it was great. Last night I was supposed to attend a staff meeting, but the boss forgot to tell everyone it was for servers only, so I had like 2 hours to kill before actually beginning work for the night. I decided to take myself on a date to Clinton's.
I sat at the bar, and ordered a pint of PBR - since they ran out of Steamwhistle AND Mill Street Organic (seriously?!). I then ordered a hamburger with mozzarella. When my food was served, I spilt 1/2 my beer all over the counter...at $6 a glass, it wasn't awesome.
I've had the burger at Clinton's before, and I remember it being good. Whatever they made me yesterday was fucking awful. I even thought for a minute that they accidentally gave me a soy burger instead of a meat one. I felt kind of bad, but it was so gross that I actually felt the need to complain to my server about it.
Eating a bad hamburger is the worst.
I begrudgingly paid for my meal, and left the restaurant in the crumbiest mood. -
Review from Thomas M.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2011
Terrible Customer Service, Overpriced alcohol
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Review from Bryan G.
Toronto, ON
4/17/2009 ROTD 2/12/2010
GENERAL NOTES
It's a dive split into I think 3 rooms. In the back they have a small stage. It's actually a great place to get hammered and see an alright band try to be a better band than they really are. The beers help everyone.
MENU RECOMMENDATIONS
I'd go with the beer.
LOCATIONS NOTES
On the South/West corner of Clinton and Bloor. Street parking. Watch out for small Korean people.
SERVICE NOTES
I don't remember. I was hammered. I'm going to go ahead and guess the bartender was a dick anyway.
HUMOUROUS STORY
After a long night of enduring a mediocre band aided by the drinking of copious amounts of beer, I turned to my gigantic friend Fogs and made the mistake of telling him I was about to puke. One gut punch from the Hulk-sized bastard brought my night's fluids up to my throat. As I was trying to inform the dill-berg that what he had just done was actually "Not cool man" a second fierce blow was delivered and immediately I delivered as well. A few pitchers worth of sick was spilled onto the Bloor St sidewalk in a manner that can only be described as "projectile".
Of course on the walk home I met a nice girl. Somehow, I didn't end up pulling. I blame the band. -
Review from Chris P.
I didn't know what fully expect coming here. I had heard a few things but waited to see for myself. Upon entering through the front door you find yourself in what looks to be a log cabin turned into a pub. There are a few tables across from the bar but there is also another area on the other side of the wall with many more. I was here on a Saturday night for a birthday.
In the back they have a small room with a stage and another bar where you have to pay $5 cover to get in. They stamp your hand so you can go between the front and the back without any problems. In this little club-like space they were playing 50/60's music and the place was packed with hipsters. This was probably the whitest club I have ever been in. And in true 60's spirit it seemed to be just a grind and grab fest. Just rub up against someone else and don't worry about what is going on in this dark and enclosed space.Listed in: It's the Pits
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Review from Catherine M.
ON
11/23/2008
Clinton's represents a perfect meeting spot between those of us who dwell on the West side and those of us who live in the Annex. As such, I've spent more meetings for drinks/dinners/dancing here than I care to count.
For one thing, if you show up early there is always room, and in the summer the patio, while not my first choice in town (not much to look at), is still nice to eat outside. There are plenty of great events going on here, from the popular Shake A Tail 60s soul dance parties (I've been a handful of times, always a riot), great local bands' shows, and even improv and poetry night events.
If you or friends are vegetarian, this is a great spot to meet up, as the menu features tons of veggie-friendly options. Their poutine is made with veggie gravy and is tasty enough that you will have to either share or fend off invading forks. Their appetizer choices are all amazing, sometimes it's fun to go with a group and just get drinks and a couple of the appetizer platters. Extra tasty points to the crispy tofu appetizer, the veggie drumsticks (seriously taste like the real thing), the chicken and goat cheese sandwich.
The staff here are all great and really helpful, even if you bring a large group. The only time I have ever been disappointed with Clinton's was the last time I went for brunch, when our food was served cold and the service was not very stellar. This seems to be an epidemic at Toronto brunch spots, but I thought I could hold Clinton's in higher regard than that. That is the only reason they lost a star from me. Sorry, guys. I still love you anyway!Listed in: Top Restaurants, The Places I Go Out
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Review from Nicole P.
9/14/2011
Missed the dance party (kareoke was calling my name next door), but really enjoyed it there either way! Our waitress was attentive but not overbearing and my drink was nice and strong. Didn't really notice the crowd since I was meeting up with a larger group of people but it seems like a cool vibe and looks well-kept. I am definitely coming back on my next Toronto-like trip.
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Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
11/6/2008
I used to live just down the street from this bar and I must say that I have always enjoyed myself while there. It's one of my favourite places to just sit and have a drink with friends. They have a good selection of beers, and on most nights the music is not overwhelmingly loud (which means you can actually hear the person across the table when they talk to you... a big plus in Toronto bars!)
The biggest charm of this place is their selection of board games. I've played many a game of scrabble while hanging out at Clinton's.
On Saturdays they have shake a tail (which I hear is great) but the downside for a sitter-not-dancer like myself is that they crank the music in the entire place. Socializing is instantly harder, but not impossible.
They're also good for a meal. I really enjoy their nachos and their burgers. I've been there for breakfast once, and while it's not the best breakfast I've ever had, it's not the worst either. -
Review from Adam P.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2009
Even after reading the reviews about this place and going there on a Saturday night, it was still a surprise as the night unfolded. Our party got there around 9:30 just to have a few drinks and take advantage of the only place that I know that plays 60's music all night. There wasn't much going on at that time, about half full with people sitting at tables.
After sitting around for a half hour the 60's music started playing but the place was still rather empty. Then at around 11-11:30 the place went from empty to absolutely rammed. I wasn't paying attention to the crowd coming in but I knew something was up when there was a lineup to get into the back room where the dance floor was.
The food at this place is average, that meaning its your typical pub food. Also the taps are the typical flavours, including a couple Mill St. taps. At about $5 a pint you come to this place for the music and enjoying the company of friends. The crowd is very mixed and I think a good time will be had at all that come (as long as you like 60's music).
Although I didn't go into the dance area, the line did move fairly quickly and there is a $5 cover to get to the back. -
Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
2/10/2010
Another spot where vegetarians and meat-eaters can dine in harmony!
I've just recently "discovered" Clinton's but I've already been won over. It's a great spot for cheap eats, good beer (Mill Street Organic!), and a laid back atmosphere.
The vegetarian selections go BEYOND the standard veggie burger and limp salad.
Clinton's has mock meat "chicken wings", tasty vegetarian poutine, a couple vegetarian burgers and sandwiches (better than the standard fare), and a few more options. AND it's pretty darn cheap.
The staff are friendly without being over-bearing and if there are no shows going on, it's quiet enough that you can hear what your dining companion is saying.
Bring your vegetarian friends here when you want to hit a pub and everyone will leave full and happy!Listed in: Where Vegetarians and Meat…
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Review from Emily T.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2009
For those hoping to party it up at a Koreatown pub this weekend, looks like Clinton's has been slapped with a cease and desist order until January 16th. Either they were serving under-agers or serving after hours, but either way, they are closed for two weeks!
(Bare in mind.) -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2008
A a live venue, it's okay. Just okay.
As a spot to have a greasy weekend breakfast, it's better than decent, and one of the only spots in Korea-Town where you can get Hervos Rancheros.
As a seedy bar for a pint on a week night, it's great.
And finally, as a patio to have afternoon drinks in the summer on Bloor, it's fantastic!
And THAT is the skinny on Clinton's. -
Review from Gaurav S.
Toronto, ON
2/19/2009
In the midst of Korea-Town is... Clinton's??
Wooden interior, oil paintings of ducks and Canadian scenery on the wall, Clinton's feels remarkably similar to a cottage up in Collingwood or Algonquin!
Their breakfast/brunch is standard, and their prices match. It's a good, quick, cheap meal. Their appetizers are of decent portions and they always have a handful of beers on tap.
Not my cup of tea, but they go for the middle grounds and they do it well. Good on ya' Clinton's... Good on ya'! -
Review from Andrea O.
Dartmouth, NS
6/15/2010
I could say a lot about Clinton's, including a anecdote about their hungry man's brunch (which is amazing) but ultimately it comes down to three words. BEST POUTINE EVER!
Always a great time, always good food, fantastic patio for lazy afternoons.
Thumbs up to Clinton's! -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2008
I'm judging Clinton's based on a couple shows I've attended there, and going to Shake A Tail (now every Saturday night!) which I've been to more times than I can count.
Clinton's is dingy in a cute way, with a decent amount of people hanging around without it being out of control. Shake A Tail (50's themed night) is totally fun and unpretentious -- odds are, you'll be surrounded by more U of T students than hipsters, and everyone is nice enough so you can get your dance on.
Although the last few times I went, there was an alarming rise in sleazy dudes. When I say "I have a boyfriend," I'm not lying to be mysterious. Either I do actually have a boyfriend, or I don't and I am SOO not interested in you eyeing my tush while I dance with my friends.
Besides that, dance parties at Clinton's are great. It's a cheap, fun night out, and the less trendy the place is, the more fun you're probably going to have. So bring on the fun. -
Review from Kirsten R.
Toronto, ON
4/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Don't order the white wine it'll cost you your first born.
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Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/10/2008
When I told my friend I'd never been to Clinton's, I think she gasped so hard she uprooted and inhaled my own nose hairs. Yes, Clinton's is an institution, a dive bar that's apparently grown up a lil' over the past 15 years.
It's an all right place. The night I was there, the venue's random tracklist was playing a mix of really undesirable tunes, including a round of "The 12 Days of Christmas" right next to a song that featured a lot of unnecessary screaming, sending my blood pressure soaring and my attention somewhere in the vicinity of hell. Furthermore, we had a bowl of chips and dips, which added more zest to the evening: the guacamole looked like baby poo, and the chips were a bit on the stale side.
Still, I can't hate this place. It's a comfy place to get a few friends together and chat it up, and the back live music room looks like it does a hopping business, even on a school night. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here, but I surely wouldn't turn my nose if invited. -
Review from E H.
Toronto, ON
7/12/2010
When my friend and I first started dancing at Clinton's the music was pretty consistently good, guys wouldn't bug us and just overall good vibe. You could look past how packed it'd get in there and how much you were sweating because they'd play that song you heard in a movie but couldn't remember and omg it's an awesome song.
Now the DJs seem to be lacking... they play more obscure can't dance to songs. When I pay $5 to go into the smallest room ever I'd like there to be a DJ who notices that everyone has stopped dancing and is just looking around confused. We used to be ready to go there as a back up plan every Saturday night, now we're pretty indifferent to the place which is too bad. They had a really good thing going -
Review from Rachel L.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 11/29/2009
Shake A Tail remains the best night in town. THE BEST.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/5/2009
Five stars for Shake-A-Tail, the weekly Saturday gig that plays 60s music and is the best party in… Read more »
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Review from Anonymous A.
11/9/2008
Alright place, they have or had poetry readings on Tuesday nights, and the place is never too crowded. The back-room is okay, I've only been back there twice.
Service is fairly good. As Anna V. said, "as a seedy bar for a pint on a week night, it's great." Agreed completely. -
Review from Bryce G.
Stewiacke, NS
3/20/2010
I've never partied at Clinton's but I've visited for dinner and I was incredibly impressed with the food. I'm the kind of person that tries to eat vegetarian but likes "normal food". When people start adding hemp, taro, and bird seed to food I get sad. Clinton's has real pub fare but with a ton of vegetarian options. They even have vegetarian chicken wings. The poutine is fabulous. The vegetarian gravy is really a treat. I'm sure it's not really anything magical, but compared to other vegetarian gravy served in the city it is a league above in taste. The prices are reasonable and there's a reasonable selection of good beer.
The one complaint I have is that the waitress who served us was absolutely useless. We were dining with a vegan and I don't expect non-vegans to really understand all the intricacies of that lifestyle, but a server should at least be willing to assist. My friend asked if the gravy had any dairy or egg products in it. The server replied "I dunno, it might have milk or something" and then just stood there looking at us as if we were ruining her life by taking the time to ask questions (the place was empty other than us so she wasn't busy). My friend then asked if the guacamole was vegan and the server said, "I dunno" and continued to stand there looking annoyed. My friend then asked if any dipping sauces were vegan and the server said "Probably not. So do you know what you want?". Maybe it's just me, but if I were a server I probably would have tried the "I'm sorry, I'm not sure, let me go ask the kitchen for you" approach. It's sad they let these people work in public. We were a little rushed to make it to a show so I didn't have time to make a real complaint, sadly.
Other than the vegan escapade, though, I loved this place and fully intend to go back there next time I'm in the area. -
Review from Gwyn H.
Toronto, ON
10/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
I left Clinton's just a few hours ago and I am still dumbfounded by the garbage service we received. I have been a server in my life so I truly understand what it's like and I also know we walked in when you were truly slammed. Possibly even short staffed but it was 15 min before you grabbed our drink order at which point I asked for a menu which was brought over w our first round. Where you fall incredibly short is then you completely disappeared for the next 55 minutes! No refills. No asking our food order. No follow up at all. When I FINALLY grabbed your attention you asked if we wanted our bill???? No. We wanted to order. At this point we also drew your attention to our neighbour table that had been sitting waiting for menus for 15 minutes. The food came and was decent food so no complaints there and by this point it looked like some night shift started so things were running smoother but ... With average food and a stale beer I don't ever plan on returning. I'm so disappointed from 4 hours ago when I walked into the bar with such hope for this watering hole.. The other staff members were pleasant so maybe it was just an off moment... I hope this isn't the norm here.
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Review from Keidi K.
3/29/2010
good pub food, and a decent selection of drinks. service is horrible
