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Ellington's Music & Cafe
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Jazz & Blues Nightlife Jazz & Blues Food Coffee & Tea Jazz & Blues, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
805 St Clair Ave WToronto, ON M6C 1B9
Neighbourhood: Wychwood
(416) 652-9111
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
9 reviews for Ellington's Music & Cafe
9 reviews in English
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Review from Lynna L.
Toronto, ON
8/8/2011
This is another of my favourite coffee shops, out of the many the St. Clair and Christie area has to offer. I mentioned in my review of Noir that which one is best really depends on what you're looking for - between those two, Ellington's has a far more funky, relaxed, casual atmosphere. It's a coffee shop by day and music venue by night (some nights, anyway), and there's pretty much always musical instruments lying around and someone doing something creative, even if it's just puzzling over the lyrics for a song they're working on - it's a major hangout for musicians, poets, artists, etc.
It's also a very kid-friendly place - the staff are super-friendly to children, there's a big basket of kids' toys and books over near the stage with more downstairs (plus a pool table and tropical fish tank down there), and no one ever seems to mind kids running around the place (probably because the music's usually pretty loud to start with, so it's not where you go if you want a quiet environment). It really has a family feel - not just in the kid-friendliness, but in the way the staff tend to greet you like family or old friends once you've been there a few times. It's very, very easy to feel at home here.
The coffee tends to be better than the tea here - they do have a reasonable assortment of tea, but it's all teabags, and nothing you can't find in a lot of other places. But the coffee is really good -- all fair trade, and freshly roasted on the premises. The food selection is pretty limited, and varies from one day to the next, but you can generally find something decent to snack on.
So, if you're looking for somewhere that's relaxed, down-to-earth, and friendly, with a creative atmosphere, where you can hang out for hours getting to know local musicians, playing around on the piano, or entertaining your hyperactive four-year-old, all while drinking really good coffee, Ellington's is where you want to be.Listed in: Best of St. Clair West
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Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
1/28/2012
Would you like Live Local Neighbourhood Entertainment with your Coffee?
Local Family, Friends, Musicians tend to pop in and all are welcome.
Seats can be limiting when Acts are performing at the back of shop.
As a Cafe, it takes after the same vibe. It can be little disorderly, hard to communicate.
Cappuccino($3.25) took little long but the Armchairs won't make it a matter much.
Not my favourite of Cappuccinos but it's good as a stop-by cafe.
The colors and sights are quite eclectic and if I may say so, Garage Sale like.
As a St. Clair open neighbourhood meeting space, music place it works.
As a Cafe, It's far from a must-see top-Barista fresh Beans destination. 2.5'd
If you happen to pass by, drop in and see what this Neighbourhood Cafe has to offer.Listed in: 2.5 **Stars**, Coffee Drinks
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Review from Emma A.
Toronto, ON
1/8/2012
I'm not really great with coffee so I can't tell you about the quality of my latte (it tasted... really good. That's the best I can do) but my bagel was delicious and the place is very comfy - I loved the hideous yellow walls completely covered in photos of people who had performed there. Tons of newspapers sitting out for customers, and the guy making the coffee was very nice.
Only fault was that despite my friend and I being the only people in the place, it took FOREVER for him to bring us our order. I thought he was baking the bagels from scratch. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
11/14/2011 6 photos
Nova Era Bakery
O Cantinho Bakery
Vannis Ristorante
Ellington's Music Cafe
M
B
E
R
Ellington's Music & Cafe is the Fourth Stop for our November crawl.
The place was hopping with actions when we dropped by for our Coffee fix. Open Mic from 11 AM to 2 PM on this Sunday helped entertain the patrons with Stand Up Comedies, Self Written Poetry, Creative Songs...
While lounging on the armchair in the front of the room with my Cappuccino ($3.25), I dozed off a little and a little more when the entertainment became a lecture on Canadian currency and banking system!
Ellington's does have this relax vibe. I feel like I am sitting in an antique shop or in a middle of a sidewalk sale?! I wondering how much that funky African mask cost?!
Zzzzz Zzzzzz! When my Yelp Friend yelled "NEXT!!" -
Review from Giselle g.
Toronto, ON
5/4/2010
This place is great! They have really good coffee and their bread pudding is out of sight. They also sell CDs and have music performances sometimes. I think it's run by a reggae musician. I like to sit outside on the chairs and pretend I'm in Jamaica and not St. Clair.
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Review from Alex D.
York, ON
11/21/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Best coffee in the city. The owners always welcome me back like family. I've never been disappointed by a cup of coffee from here.
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Review from Li S.
York, ON
8/26/2010
Live jazz with the Fair Trade Jazz Ensemble each weekday morning, Wednesday night reggae jams with a live band, everyone welcome to participate (on a break for the summer tho') bring an instrument or dub some poetry onto the beat, monthly music/poetry events with Flowetic Wednesdays, other poetry events frequently and live bands regularly. NIce vibe, family friendly. Ellington's really lives up to the "music" part of it's name.
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Review from La M.
5/7/2010
Jazz in the mornings during the week, what a nice way to start the day!
Friendly owner, really good coffee, affordable bagels and baked goods. A few tables outside for the sunny days. Definitely a Jamaican vibe about the place. there's a pool table in the basement, and dub poets upstairs. pretty much all you need, right there! -
Review from Ryan S.
Toronto, ON
5/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have found my coffee bliss! This may be the great neighbourhood hang out place I have longed for in my soul. Truly! We used to all but live in a small coffee shop in St. Catharines that long ago disappeared and now we finally have a replacement. The vibe here is really laid back with great music and total comfort. I spent the afternoon marking with tea, espresso and a couple of cookies. The coffee is all fair trade and excellent. Try the Guatamala. I have some at home now for espresso. That's another great thing. When you order, the owner will roast the beans for you. He doesn't roast a bunch up ahead of time. The coffee is fresh and the difference is noticeable. O haven't been around for any live music yet, but I have a feeling I'll be a regular is fairly short order. The food is good with a fairly wide selection of simple fare, including some great baked goods. The coffee, though, is what it's all about. Go. Relax. Drink coffee. Be happy with your choice.
