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Imperial Pub
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 3 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
42 reviews for Imperial Pub
Review Highlights
"It had leather couches and a fire place."
(in 6 reviews)
"Need to mention: Free popcorn upstairs."
(in 5 reviews)
"On a Friday night, it's full of people having a great time..."
(in 3 reviews)
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42 reviews in English
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Review from Brian K.
11/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
You know, I've yet to have a bad time at the Imperial Pub. It doesn't hurt that I'm usually three sheets to the wind when I end up here, but there's something very welcoming about the upstairs area (note: avoid the main floor at all costs). I don't know if it's the seating (comfortable couches, tables splashed about), or the jitz, or the free popcorn, but everything seems less...serious, here.
Staff and patrons are friendly, the booze is plentiful, and you can just kick back and unwind with friends. What more do you need?Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge [NOV]
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Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The first floor and the second floor of this place are like two different pubs.
On the first floor, you'll get a mishmash of cougars, hobos, regular Joes, and random regulars (plus the occasional hipster).
The second floor is student pub-ville. At times, it's sort of like Animal House: younger, boisterous; popcorn gets grounds into the carpet and both times I've been there the toilet has been out of service. The last I was here, the server wanted us to pay before we got our food. (I guess her shift was ending, but... geez. Awkward.)
Large nachos were $19. They were not worth $19. Maybe I was not nearly drunk enough to enjoy them, but I would have ordered more booze if the waitress hadn't insisted we settle our bill before the food came.
On the upside, Imperial's a decent spot if you need to fit a larger crowd, or if you just want to hang out. Upstairs, there's a foosball table, and couches to lounge on. Downstairs you can gawp at the fishtank behind the bar. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
11/5/2011
First floor Pub experience.
A Mother said "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all".
As for my Mother, she never even heard of that saying/quote before.
Here's my nothing good to say:
Dealt with 3 Waitresses during the hour or so we spent there.
First lady said she's ending her shift, so okay we paid while still mid-bevy.
New lady took over asked if we're regulars, wanted us to pay for next bevy.
Third lady came hovering 4+ times in 15-minute time-span if bevy needed.
When Bill came we're ready to pay final bevy, NO ONE came for 15 min.
If bevvies were dirt-cheap we wouldn't mind as much but no such luck.
Awkward. Annoying. Unusual.
As for the Food experience?
I'm gonna shut my mouth now so this won't be Flag-able.Listed in: On my way to Alcoholics…
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Review from Pat T.
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
3 story pub w outside patio on 3rd. Pool table is 1.50$. Bar, tables and couches. General pub.
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Review from Rye T.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2011
I liked the atmosphere of the place but the waitress was really rude. I was with a few friends and decided to order a beer. She came back with one and after placing it on the table immediately asked me for the money. I was hoping to order a few more but she insisted I pay on the spot. When I handed her the cash she looked at me and said "no tip? thaaaaankss" and walked away. . After finishing my beer we got up and left. interesting place, shitty service. If she hadn't rushed me and let me order a bit more I would have tipped her kindly.
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Review from Ayesha A.
7/11/2011 ROTD 11/27/2011
This place is hilarious.
You feel like you're entering your weird friend's attic.
The upstairs is full of leather couches and books on shelves with a pool table and I believe a foozball table. Apparently the reason they call it the library is so that Ryerson students can use their parent's hard-earned money on booze and lie and say it was used on books. Brilliant scheme. Also mean and awful, but totally brilliant.
Upstairs is a younger crowd, more like students, and they are also weird. It's not quite the hipster/alternative scene as it is the punk/sporty/weird/not-sure-where-i-fit-in kind of spot.
Downstairs is more bar-style and usually filled with older men or crackheads.
The staff is so weird. Our waitress didn't even know what beers they had and they didn't have a list. It was slightly chaotic.
It's nice and one of the few chill out pubs right in the centre of that yonge-dundas hood, so it's cool to check out. -
Review from Shiona R.
Toronto, ON
7/13/2011
Looking for somewhere to have a drink that wasn't Jack Astors or something similar we found the Imperial. Looking at the outside a little delighted voice in my head was screaming potential dive bar!
I want to start off by saying that I hail from Scotland and if I ever feel a bit homesick I shall head to this bar purely because the carpet (dirty and a tad sticky) and the general atmosphere reminded me of so many bars in the UK. A dirty carpet, aquariums, fake fireplace and patio...ahh it was lovely. Drinks average price, we had the free popcorn and some onion rings.
Oooh did I mention the beer/lager comes in glass tankards which reminded me of the glasses my parents used to have...I always associate these with New Years.
Anyway this bar was very interesting and suprisingly huge...go upsatirs to find the pato but first find a lounge area with fridges of booze at the side of the room, in the corner shelves of old books.
I cant decide if I've given this place enough stars the more I think about it the more I like it! -
Review from Mrs. S.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011
I don't go to the imperial too often, but it's probably my favourite bar in Toronto. The Library upstairs is pretty good, but it's for students. The Aquarium Bar is another story. It's a little gritty but never mean. It's also totally picturesque if you like stained carpets, stained glass, and fishes--naturally, you do. It's a kind of an amazing cross-section of everybody - really, everybody - who lives here. And the lady bartenders have a tender toughness that's pretty irresistible.
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Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011
This is use to be one of my watering holes when I Iived at 40 Gerrard E. as it is less than a 4 minute walk south from there. For me, the best thing about this place was the convenience and 2nd floor patio.
Beer is alright, much better at the patio where you can catch some sun and see/hear some of the happenings on Dundas Square. However this joint is no longer necessarily cheap anymore than places like the Artful Dodger (Dive) or the Bedford Academy (Student Ghetto) which now offer a better price/decor to dust/dive ratio.
Sometimes they used to server burgers made via BBQ during the summer. As you can imagine, being so close to Ryerson, the 2nd floor and the patio tends to be more of a student ghetto, whether those rascals are seating on the couches or outside in the boxed-in-feeling patio. I mean, who loves alcohol & convenience more than alcoholics and poor students?
I would qualify this place as a dive and a half. For example, just before you walk in, close your eyes and try to imagine what the 1970's smelled like. You can't? Well, then congratulations, you are about to find out. Since it smells like no one has dusted the place since.
The 1st floor is full of locals and regulars, some who seem to be trying lifelong alcohol exposure experiments. As such, I used to run upstairs to avoid the sense of despair I always got from them, you know, in case it was catching.
The 2nd floor has a more library look to it, and I know a few groups who meet here every month, so there is something they must like about the place. Most likely it include sthe large space, floppy couches and the less dusty smell. Think of it as a larger version of the Red/Green Rooms that has actually been here since 1944.
If you are looking for a serious dive bar to hang out with friends and you are in the hood, well you can do worse than the Imperial Pub... but not by much.Listed in: My Reviews
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Review from Jamie F.
Toronto, ON
1/31/2011 15 Check-ins Here
Ah the Library - it's a dive and a bit grotty, but it's good.
The best thing about this venue is the space. It's open and welcoming to large groups, and pretty laid back. Another plus is the rooftop patio - which is really nice in the summer, and also good in the winter if you're with a group that smokes and don't want to have to fend off the Yonge-Dundas wildlife every time someone nips off for a cigarette.
It's comfortable with well worn leather couches, good lighting and I've never found myself having to yell over music to be heard. It's a proper pub and hangout, one that friends and I have frequented often after a long shift at work.
They serve pub grub food rather late, it's decent enough for the price - quite large portions, and free popcorn to boot.
It may not be the cheapest for a pitcher, but given the location you'd be a bit hard pressed with other choices in the area for a drink being overpriced stressed out chains.
All in all, the Library is a great dive to head to with a group if you want to actually talk and relax. -
Review from Ela D.
2/11/2011
Here are the notable points of my visit to this bar in order from best to worst:
-Jäger-shooting college kids who are blissfully easy to distract with a flirtatious smile long enough to talk them out of the shots they're neglecting on the bar after last-call.
-This place is what Canadians call a dive bar? It looks like an imagineered Disney version of a dive bar. How quaint!
-The pederast motherfucker in a leather cowboy hat who followed me as I moved from seat to seat around the bar trying to politely escape his tit-ogling leer as he mumbled Scottish dick jokes at me in an indiscernible accent.
-The hot bartender cunt who totally looks like Bobbi Starr but had a stick up her ass way larger than any cock Ms. Starr has ever anally succumbed to. Seriously, she made me trek back to my hotel for my ID to prove I'm over 19. I haven't looked under 19 since I was 17 years old, which was more years ago than I'll publicly admit to.
I returned within mere minutes, eager to finally savor a pint of beer and some scotch. I tried and failed to get the attention of my lovely bartender, who seemed intent on not acknowledging my presence. Tease!
It was last call and she still ignored me. I finally walked over to her and she begrudgingly let me request a pint, but she walked away before I finished ordering! Bobbi Starr didn't win Best Double Penetration Sex Scene by finishing early! What the hell, man!
When she finally returned with my beer, I asked her for a scotch and my check, eagerly pulling bills from my purse. DENIED. "Sorry, we just reached cutoff time."
Agh! Sent away, ignored at last call, abandoned mid-order, then denied precious booze nectar? Heartless! Enjoy your $0.85 and your subtle similarity to Superslut of the Year '09 and '10! -
Review from Isabel R.
Toronto, ON
12/22/2010
Seriously. Why do people like this place? I'm not against a dive bar, in fact, I've been keeping my eye out for a good one basically since I moved to Toronto. But I'd be hesitant to call this place a dive bar because it's missing the most important component, it's not cheap!
Why would I go to this place and spend 7 bucks for a draft, when I could go to so many other places?
The only way I see that they get away with it is because it's always packed to the gills with Ryerson undergrads. Which makes it less of a dive bar...and more of a crappy expensive college bar.
Yeah, I'll pass. -
Review from Jonathan E.
11/13/2010
I had to stay the weekend for work so I wanted a simple divey place near my hotel to wind down the week - but some of the nearby dives were pretty sketch. This place was on the radar, but as it turns out, was a pleasant surprise and really not that divey. It's big, cheery and kinda feels like a festive ski lodge, full of people of all ages and backgrounds.
The staff was friendly and conversational, as were the fellow patrons. I did go upstairs and it seemed a good place to meet friends in a living-room like scene, but the downstairs was cool as well, with a big round bar - kinda of like Camelot - where you could people watch and chat with those around you - not just stare at a wall.
I didn't eat but did take advantage of their wallet friendly drinks. Overall, I'd not be disappointed if the Imperial was in my neighborhood. -
Review from Michele T.
9/5/2011
Free popcorn and a bit of atmosphere on the roof. I found this to be a perfect spot to catch my breath and actually slow down.
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Review from Monica F.
9/26/2010
This place rocks. It used to be a library on the 2nd floor, hence all the books.
- the bartenders are friendly
- the area in the back with the leather couches and fireplace is especially cozy
- the upstairs patio is nice and has a good view (and you can hear music coming from the "urban clothing store" right downstairs... is this a good or bad thing? you tell me...)
-the cook is a cutie pie
Yeah I guess there are cheaper places out there for booze, but you're kinda shit outta luck when you're stuck in that area and wanna have a drink. I hate Jack Astor's and Hard Rock.Listed in: shots shots shots
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Review from Lon H.
8/22/2011
The best pub in the world.
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Review from Tamara V.
9/22/2010
Apparently, the upstairs of this place is better than the ground floor, based on past reviews. I only experienced the ground floor, though, and it's pretty much a dive with very little special about it besides the fact that the drinks are cheap, and you can most definitely "come as you are." In fact, I was battling a cold when I was there and I'm pretty sure I wandered in wearing pajamas (I was staying across the street at the Bond Place hotel).
So if you want a place where all you do is to stop in for some cheap, basic drinks with some buddies and chill with zero judgment and no frills, then this is your spot.
Seriously. Pajamas. And no one thought that was weird. I feel like that tells you everything you need to know about this place...and probably more than you should know about me. -
Review from Laura T.
Toronto, ON
1/18/2011
Yes, as described, it is a dive bar. But what's wrong with that every once in a while?
If you can ignore the smell, there are two very spacious floors, friendly pub-esque service, good selection of beer and a super casual feel to sit back and drink with friends. Not where you want to take a client or new partner's parents, but other than that, it's a cool place to hang! -
Review from Dale M.
Toronto, ON
4/21/2010
How I have not, until now, offered my take on the Impy is beyond me.
I stopped by for my third visit on a Friday night, after dinner 'round the corner at the Wolf and Firkin. Remembering from previous visits how good the poutine was, I regretted but for a moment the burger I had just inhaled at our last stop. Mental note: save room next time. Still, we were really only here for drinks and, as it turned out, a miniature rock-paper-scissors tournament where I handed trouncing after trouncing in best-of-threes to my good friend Emily "No, YOU Yelp it" H.
It's hard not to have a good time here because the crowd is so easy to deal with. The Library upstairs gets chock full of the kind of Ryerson kids who are just out for a good time (including, on occasion, the lovely Becca G.), with a sprinkling of older folks who either got bored in the downstairs bar or got lost looking for it.
For those who haven't been in a while, the Imperial recently acquired some new leather couches upstairs that make sitting around drinking beer that much cozier. Highly recommended on one of those Friday nights where you just want to sit down and say "ahhhhhhhhhh." -
Review from Vivek S.
11/25/2009 ROTD 5/11/2010
Let me describe this tri-partite debacle of a pub. First, is the horseshoe-shaped main floor: seemingly a hangout for regulars and roustabouts. Avoid this place. Yours truly chills on the second floor where one can find couches, books and hipsters in adequate quantities.
Why are there books? I don't know.
Finally, the small cagelike patio. The West-facing plastic lawn furniture filled spot is a shady spot to drink outdoors in the summer. For all it's grimy "charm," this is a great place to Drink with Friends of Middling Standards, viz., all my friends. Can't give it four-stars though. I just can't.
Obligatory Title Pun: IMP-ly the best. (Better than all the rest.)
Menu Readability: Don't even think about ordering food here.
Need to mention: Free popcorn upstairs! Just ask a server to help you.
What this place teaches me about myself: What does it mean if you're always slumming it? A "dive" becomes more like a "wade." -
Review from Kat F.
8/24/2009
"Kind of a weird bar" is about right. They charge Barchef prices for their alcohol yet have the decor and ambiance of a brothel.
$10 for a glass of Pinot Grigio. $6 for a bottle of beer. $7 for draft.
Think highway side tavern or motel bar - don't expect anything fancy or you'll be disappointed.
I have no idea how the fish in those tanks stay alive.
UPDATE: I keep reading in other people's reviews that there are books, couches and popcorn at Imperial Pub. Was I even at the same bar?? Only way to find out is to go back.Listed in: The Dive-iest Dive Bars In…
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Review from Greg C.
Toronto, ON
10/13/2009 ROTD 11/23/2009
OK, I totally agree with Kat and her review and if it were judged on the food and alcohol alone this would be 2 stars at best. But let me relate this anecdote:
The night in question occurred a while ago. Just 3 dudes sitting on the top deck of the Imperial pub as the sun set on summer and left a glorious night in late September to bask in it's afterglow.
After the usual 3-4 pints of cheap lager, we get to talking about the love hate relationship with math-rock band Tortoise; I hate them and everyone else loves them. Pretty soon a dead ringer for Jerry Stiller in full boating regalia joins in. "You guys like Chicago? You should check out Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders. A Chicago cover band!" "We saw them back in the 70's at the Horseshoe. We all went backstage and did a pile of blow. He went back onstage and we danced all night!"
Huh?
The night continued as our "guest" kept moaning about how he missed his yacht. How if you ever "do the deed, ALWAYS-WEAR- A- SAFE!" (fist pounding the table for each syllable) and again, about how he misses having a yacht.
This experience sums up the Imperial Pub for me. You either love it or you loathe it. But you'll still wish you had a yacht. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2009
I believe the Imperial Pub has a single purpose: to serve the geeks of Toronto.
Yes, it's divey but it's not icky. I've been to icky, divey places in the city, and the Imperial - both upstairs and downstairs - ain't that bad.
It lies close to very contrasting neighborhoods (the touristy, the post-secondary, and the seedy) so the Imperial attracts many different types of characters. If you're a fiction writer and want inspiration for characters in your soon-to-be great Canadian novel, go to the Imperial.
Everyone is welcome and are seldom shooed away. Well, except for the one time I saw a guy try to sell CDs to patrons. But other than that, it's open to all. And when I say that it's welcoming to geeks, I mean everyone of any particular club can meet there and not get taunted. I've seen photography meet-up clubs, to Dungeon and Dragons enthusiasts, and computer tekkies discuss at length about the latest iPhone apps. This couldn't happen (I believe) anywhere else in the city, and not be subject to jokes. Unless made by some drunk people at the bar. But other than that, the Imperial is a good place to be yourself. While the 'Imp' may not be a favourite of many, I can rest assure that it will always be a comfortable place to hang out with friends occasionally and enjoy a beer.Listed in: Beer & Whiskey Joints
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Review from Mark M.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2009
I have many friends attending Ryerson University and when they talk about pubs, they talk about Imperial Pub. I finally checked this pub out this past Saturday evening and I have to admit, it was a pretty decent place.
The decor and and atmosphere hear are pretty freaky and eclectic. Some corners of this place look old and worn down with weird decorations on the wall. Another corner was actually very comfortable. It had leather couches and a fire place. Lastly, they have a stage area in the back was dark and dingy.
The crowd in this pub was just as mixed up as the decor. I was expecting a pub full of poor university kids and the rowdy noise that follow them around. I was shocked to see that when I came in the bar was full of older men looking down at their mugs with lonesome eyes. After getting some seats and taking a better look, I did notice people of the younger demographics scattered around. What was a happy surprise though was that there was a live band playing in the back. They were playing rock ballad after rock ballad and those that were able to get some room in the back looked like they were having a pretty awesome time. Pretty funny seeing the small dance area since it was covered with middle aged "suits" dancing with a very rowdy senior citizen.
My biggest beef with this place though is that it is pretty pricey for a place that is a regular for students. They were serving domestic on tap for around 7 dollars. I've been to prettier dive bars that sold beers for almost half the price.
One aspect I did love about this place was that the short brunette bartender was a true joy to be around. Throughout the night she would make small talk with me and my friends, making us feel very welcomed in a new bar. This review would have gotten a much lower score if it weren't for her.
I stupidly did not go up to the second level so I will be writing a follow-up to this review when that day finally comes. -
Review from Tamar F.
11/5/2009
Ew. I'm all for dive bars, but not ones where I think I might contract the clap. Went here for some grad school outings, but the griminess of the place definitely reduced the enjoyment. (note, we were upstairs, so this is what the review covers)
The bathroom stalls alone were ick-worthy... the doors weren't working well. We had plenty of pub grub, which was - well - definitely from frozen, but that's to be expected. The creepier thing was that the food would come from some mysterious place - like outdoors maybe? It just didn't seem too clean.
Also... an issue if hosting a group occasion - we ordered plenty of apps, but they came in extremely small quantities. We had at least 40 people out and maybe 10 mozzarella sticks would be delivered at a time. This may have to do from cooking in said mysterious place, but if everyone wasn't so blase it would have been a big pain in the arse.Listed in: Toronto Pub Grub
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Review from Dave R.
Hamilton, ON
8/24/2009
Having heard mixed reviews, I was somewhat hesitant when my band was asked to play here. Upon walking inside, I felt strangely drawn to the ambiance and decor of the place. An old dusty cigarette machine in the back, dusty liquor bottle candles adorning the shelves. A broken and lonely Hammond organ in the parlour humbled me. The back room where the stage is left a bit to be desired. We've played on small stages before, so we made it work. There was a beautiful white upright grand piano by the stage as well, and I'd have played it had we brought microphones for it. The monitors on stage might as well have been made out of paper mache from garbage water and used toilet paper. They sounded like complete ass on stage. If you play here, bring a monitor of your own. However the size of the room, with it's brick and wood, gave the sound a nice blended warmth.
I didn't have the food, but the beer poured fast and cold. Pretty decent selection too! I heard a few complaints about the price, but we were on a band tab, so this didn't concern me as much!
I've heard that the upstairs is a beautiful library, but I never got a chance to head up there or to the patio.
I would definitely play there again. They catered well to the bands! -
Review from Jason L.
Montréal, QC
3/30/2010
This is one of my favorite Toronto watering holes. There are two floors: the downstairs is really tacky, and has some wierd sea-side/pub/dive-bar motif going on, and the upstairs almost feels like the common area in a student house.
Personally, I'm partial to the upstairs area. There's also a terrace out back for smokers. -
Review from Becca G.
Toronto, ON
I'm going to be honest, I'm a bit biased when it comes to the Imperial (Library). First of all, let me emphasize LIBRARY, for I have only ever had drinks UPSTAIRS and plan to never step foot in the ground floor bar.
Being a Ryerson photography student, our building, Image Arts, is literally around the corner from this place, therefore making it a staple for us students, just as Michi the Japanese restaurant on Bond St. is (never eat there.) The Library is a cozy bar, decked out in wooden shelves and old books, plants, flags, a vending machine, a pool table, and a foos ball table. Regular pub-style tables and chairs and a few couches are your seating options, with a decent sized patio in the back.
My brother (my guide to all things great in Toronto) says the place is expensive, which I've never really taken into consideration, but yea, maybe a pint is a little pricey, and their tap selection is pretty limited- Grolsch, Amsterdam Blargh, Steamwhistle, Moosehead, Waterloo Wheat and Millstreet Tankhouse, but if you're with a good group of friends, the experience is there. The staff may seem a little... rough around the edges, but I've found them all pretty friendly.
I've had food here a few times recently and it's definitely nothing special, and it takes forever to get it, but that didn't stop me from diving into my friend's poutine (it was my first time!) However, I recommend skipping the menu and just asking for a free basket of popcorn or two to go with your drinks. Last year we held a small Image Arts staff party here and they were able to accommodate a good size group of us, and fortunately even let us bring our own food, which was pretty generous of them.
The crowd consists of locals and university students, and I even saw Gentleman Reg there once, which was surprising. You'll most likely find a group of photography students here after an end-of-semester crit celebrating a job well done, after a photo history exam, or just enjoying an end of the week drink. You may even find my boss.
I probably wouldn't go here if it wasn't for the times I've had and the proximity of it to my school, but the Library definitely has a place in every Image Arts student's heart, and maybe, if you give it a chance, it will find it's way into yours. ; ) -
Review from Bryan G.
Toronto, ON
4/9/2009
When I first moved to Toronto, The Imperial became the closest thing to our "local". We used to go there all the time, and every time we went we always ended up asking ourselves the same thing "Why again do we come here?".
Ironically, it was some sort of user-supported review website that first led me to the pub, long before the days of Yelp (I think). After reading a review that described the Imperial as a dark, interesting, character pub, I convinced a few of my friends to come along and try it out.
Certainly, it is a character pub. The lighting is dim, there's a large, circular bar on the main floor and a few pool tables upstairs. I'm not sure if we were right about this but we got the distinct impression that the main bartender was the owner. There's a large aquarium on the main floor and an awkward patio upstairs. You feel like a fight could break out at any time and we certainly came close. The bathroom is enter at your own risk, if not for the cleanliness, than for the sketchiness. I walked in on at least 2 deals going down.
And now for the negative points. The beer. They're always tapped out early of domestics and whatever they do have is as flat as Debra Messing. No excuse. Go for one round, just for the experience, then go somewhere they serve alcohol properly. Like the Fillmore. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
5/19/2009
kinda a weird bar. you're not quite sure if you should avoid it like the plague or make it a reguthere lar hangout.
The downstairs- never. NEVER
but the upstairs can turn into quite a nice studenty bar where you hear one corner of young-AA-member-to-be telling eachother to "chug it" and on teh other side of you there is a group of 4 first class nerds debating over physics to philosophy.
A seriously interesting bar if you like eavesdropping.
Drinks are so ridiculously cheap and the cage-like patio seems like a regulars spot.
They could work on the mood lighting, but other than that i'd be tempted to make this my regular dive if I weren't such a snob. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/23/2008
Please don't expect anything more than a dive bar, folks, and you will fall in love with this place. I have a sweet, sweet affinity for places that are honest and gritty, places that shun black lights, leather couches, and designer clothing, and the Imperial fits that to a T.
This, in fact, was the first pub that reminded me of small town life in the big city, with the bright interior lights, wood panelling, wooden chairs, books, ceiling fans, and circular bar that forces everyone to look at each other and hopefully start up some conversation.
It's a group meet-up point -- go upstairs for the best action. And despite its location so close to the tourist mecca of the Eaton Centre, the place remains raw and attracts a lot of locals, calm Ryerson students, and older men from the east side, including the character chess players from the churchfront on Queen East.
It's simple, bare bones, and a nice surprise next to the flashy Jack Astor-Hard Rock Café action right beside it. I know this place isn't for everyone, especially those into slicker affairs, but there's a permanent residence in my heart for the Imperial. -
Review from Deanna W.
12/27/2008
Came here on a recommendation that this placed served up some of Toronto's finest poutine and I have to say-not bad, not bad at all!
First off, yes if doesn't look like your typical corporate irish bar/pub, it's a bit divey. But inside is a little homey what with the carpeting, wooden chairs and tables, sort of like someone's basement rec room if you will. There's few beers on tap, better selection in bottles and the menu has the regular pub fare from burgers to nachos. And the poutine-well it was pretty good! Fries could have been cut a little thicker and more crispy but other than that the gravy was decent and they used real squeaky cheese curds. Just shows you don't have to go to some fancy la dee da place for some good poutine in town. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/31/2008
This place used to be great and divey back in the day. The addition of a fairly big patio has made a good place even better. Just off of Yonge and Dundas, this place looks like an old barfly haunt and not much has changed. The décor is locked in somewhere from two or three decades ago and shows no sign of ever getting or wanting to get a makeover.
The beers on tap are basic, the food I've never had outside of the finger food on offer. Not sure what a larger meal would do for you or not, but it's a nice little divey place. The place definitely has character and a very cool patio. It's a little more downscale, but that's quite alright for a cheap night, isn't it? -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/17/2008
The Imperial Pub has been around forever. One reason I know this to be true is because the only pub that every Ryerson Professor seems to know is the Imperial.
There's a very authentic pubby feel in here, what with its wooden everything and a staff that knows their bar and their menu like they know the back of their hand. The place certainly feels aged, and that age comes off as a charm.
Generally, I've found the Imperial to be a good place to go for a quiet drink with some friends. It's not really where I imagine a wild night, but rather a relaxed evening over a pint or two. -
Review from Dave G.
11/8/2010
This place is cool. We drank several beers, shots and Crown & Cokes here. The bartenders are friendly and quick. On a Friday night, it's full of people having a great time, and this place has a great vibe.
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Review from Angela L.
2/10/2010
Despite it's huge neon sign and incredible proximity to the very busy Yonge-Dundas intersection, the Imperial Pub is still a comfy low key watering hole. The second floor Library Lounge, my room of choice, is an ideal informal meeting place for large groups to gather because of the room's spaciousness and the malleability of its furnishings. Well worn chairs facing each other and extra long tables are conducive to conversation while a big screen TV and foosball table will keep you entertained.
For it's extremely laid back factor and location neighbouring Ryerson, a visit to the Library Lounge will have you more than likely in the company of students, RU graduates, and chilled out locals. Once upon a time, when convenience and familiarity were higher on my list of priorities, this was a great place to frequent. It seems that this is still the case for many a happy pub goer.
Although there will always be a place in my heart for the Library, a more recent visit has confirmed that this is not the only (nor best) place in town to find good fish and chips, old fashioned mugs of beer, and friendly bartenders. -
Review from Marcus D.
2/23/2011
The Imperial is another one of those Toronto establishments that harkens back to the old days of the Dominion, to the days of Empire when the voices of Vera Lynn, Al Bowlly and Henry Hall and his Gleneagles Band drowned out the sirens and bombs of the Blitz outside - wait, this is Canada, not Britain, but that's the feel one gets slugging down beers at the bar.
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Review from Lynda W.
Toronto, ON
10/11/2008
Like the last reviewer, stumbled upon this place looking for a bar. It's sorta strange, because this place is a pretty good location (with Ryerson University, and Dundas Square around the corner), they really could do a lot with it. Unfortunately, it's not that great. From the outside, it looks like a cheap ass, old man's hangout. The bright neon lights and the dingy interior leave nothing to be desired.
I can't really say anything else, it's just not my place. I much rather go to Milestones and order an overpriced mixed drink... -
Review from Dave B.
4/29/2009
My local bar, a thousand miles from home. I discovered it on my first trip to Toronto, taking respite from an oppressively hot day to shower in a few pints. Downstairs has more on tap, but upstairs is like an entirely different bar. As much as I enjoy downstairs, it's a bit ...unsocial? That's not quite right. A bit darker, more the place you'd come to drink alone, if it weren't so close to Dundas Sq. Upstairs, at least on the last night when we finally ventured up there, was full of people, bright & social. Or something like that.
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Review from Annaliese R.
2/24/2010
I agree with everyone!! Avoid the first floor all you'll get is old drunk men feeling you up. The second floor has a much more relaxed/youngish vibe. It's low rated as far as selection, but the atmosphere boots it up there!!
