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McVeigh's New Windsor Tavern
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
10 reviews for McVeigh's New Windsor Tavern
10 reviews in English
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Review from Mike H.
North York, ON
8/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
A place in Toronto for "east coast" style music that I've always had a problem finding in the city. A great bar that has a good variety of people. For whatever reason a few black and tans taste there with "Dirty Old Town" from the band just tastes better!
For some reason neither my wife nor I had ever heard of the place, despite being hitting the bars for 10 years in the city. Just walking around one night and heard the music after already walking past it. Walked inside, instant smile on my face! Sit down, grab a drink and enjoy one of the most laid back places I've seen downtown. -
Review from Christopher A.
Toronto, ON
12/17/2010
This is a fun pub, with good atmosphere, reasonable prices and a pretty good wait staff.
I went here with a bunch of colleagues for a little holiday social after work. We were definitely the only suits in the place (which I appreciated). The crowd changed over the evening. It was mostly George Brown students when we arrived, but as the evening went on the crowd seemed to get a bit older, more of an after work crowd.
As I was leaving, there was a singer who started performing kind of a folk/celtic/rock music mix. He was pretty good, notwithstanding that he appeared to have a little liquid courage before getting onstage. The crowd definitely loved him and were singing along, which I always get a kick out of.
I ordered the "world famous" steak. It was slightly overdone and a bit tough, but for $15, it was well worth it. The fish and chips looked good too, and most people that ordered them seemed happy.
For Irish pubs in that the neighbourhood, I have a soft spot for PJ O'brien's, but McVeigh's seems more reasonably priced and is more casual. -
Review from Mike F.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2011
Went here for St Paddy's 2011 with a group of seven people and we weren't that impressed. The line took 4 hours to get into the "most authentic Irish pub in Toronto", according to BlogTO. When we got in it wasn't that great. We all looked at each other and said " We waited 4 hours to get in here?".
There was a special St Paddy's day menu which was hand written, photocopied and carried no prices. They carry a full bar. We ordered Guinness, Magners and Irish car bombs. The car bombs were made incorrectly.
They do have some decor covering the Easter uprising which led to Ireland becoming a Republic but this doesn't make it an Authentic Irish pub. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back. -
Review from Brenna K.
Toronto, ON
11/2/2010
Great little bar! I went here recently after not being back for a few years. I can't really describe it as anything but an authentic irish bar.
Word to the wise: don't drink the draught beer. stick to bottles. your stomach will thank you.
Also: do not go here if you have an aversion to ROGs (Random Old Guys) or ROIGs (Random Old Irish Guys) as they are plentiful and very friendly.
If you do not have a fun time here there is a good chance your expectations in life are way too high. -
Review from Aviva S.
Updated - 4/26/2011
To the staff there who decided to write to me, don't give me that "as someone who works in bars" excuse.
I have friends who also work at bars, they don't have an attitude problem. There are types of people who get refused entry (drunk, obnoxious, disorderly etc). and I was not of that type. I had a valid ID and was quiet and decent. You can ask the two friends who were with me that night and of the same nature.
You either treat your customers well or you don't. End of story.
Your shit ain't gold, get some manners.Listed in: Drink in Style
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/24/2011
I don't have the energy in me to write a full review. This place is absolutely dreadful.
I heard so… Read more »
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Review from Keith B.
8/29/2009
McVeigh's is an interesting place - it's one of those bars where you'll meet people old enough to be your grandparents as well as university aged kids. However, everyone is very friendly, which I attribute to to how tiny the bar is. It is difficult to make your way through the bar without getting into a conversation which is a nice change from the majority of Toronto bars where you just get glared at when you try to walk around someone.
As mentioned in other reviews, there is live music on the weekends. The music is more drinking songs type music - I wish I knew the words to them, it seems like it would be a great deal of fun to sing along as many people often do.
The food is ok, nothing spectacular but definitely a cut above other pub food. The last time I was there I had the shepards pie, which was pretty tasty (especially when washed down with a delicious kilkenny).
There is also a patio at the back as well as in the front which is nice to sit out on a Sunday afternoon. Definitely a place to check out, espeically if you are into Irish pubs or looking for something a little different than your average night out in Toronto. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/9/2008 1 photo
There are some nights when you really want to be left to your own devices, find a quiet corner in a quiet setting, settle into a leather-upholstered armchair by a fireplace and sip quietly from a snifter. Go into McVeigh's looking for that and you'll leave disappointed at best and embarrassed for asking for such nonsense at worst. McVeigh's is an Irish bar. It is not tarted up with "deep oak wood" and has waitresses preening in tartan schoolgirl skirts. If you get a server that speaks in an Irish accent, it's authentic. Be polite. The décor is plain. The tap list includes a properly poured Guinness. All the usual stuff. The biggest surprise of the entire place is the food. The chef takes pride in the food he serves and it shows, with every dish hitting the table as if it were being presented on the Food Network. It's one of the most pleasant shocks you'll get there.
Nightly entertainment is run on the weekends on the stage downstairs, and every Thursday, you can go upstairs and watch live stand-up comedy with a mix of amateurs and pros alike. A definite five-star joint. Why did I only give it four? It has Glasgow Celtic shirts framed above the bar. As a Rangers fan, you're lucky it's not a three. -
Review from Shane K.
Kingston, ON
8/2/2010
McVeighs is your typical Irish pub, only better. When I first walked in, me and my girlfriend commented to each other how strange of an atmosphere it was. They were playing your typical pub music, there were young college kids, there were a few people in the 60's, there were a couple bikers who were laughing and singing along to all the songs. There were a lot of people with various European accents, as well as a couple people who were obviously from the deep south USA. It was almost as if they grabbed people from all walks of life and threw them into this little pub. It was different, but it made the atmosphere amazing!
I had a really good time at this little bar, and it appeared everyone else did too. People were dancing, drinking, singing, etc. I'm pretty sure McVeighs was the happiest place in all of Toronto that night. The atmosphere is what makes this place.
As for the alcohol, there's a fair amount on top, nothing special, but they do have Guiness. They have your typical bottled selection and all the various liquors/mixes, etc. I wasn't there for the food, I was there for the booze and live music, so I can't comment on the food.
All in all, I will absolutely go back to this place next time I'm in Toronto. It was one of the funnest pubs I've ever been to. -
Review from Jeremiah M.
Toronto, ON
2/27/2011
Big fan of this place. Not really for the atmosphere or even the beer. It's the surprisingly good food. And for a great price. If you're lucky enough to be here when they have ribs on the menu, order some. You won't regret it.
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Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/17/2008
McVeigh's is an Irish pub that sticks to its roots. With the necessary showing of Guinness and authentic Irish accents from some of the staff, this place is what closely resembles an Irish pub, or at least what Irish pubs look like in my imagination.
It doesn't take much for this bar to turn into a full house, because it's not very large in size. It seems weird to drink anything other than Guinness here, but obviously they have other options.
On Saturday's, you'll be host to live music which turns the usual quiet atmosphere into a bubble of energy. It's loud and fun, so don't expect to tell your friends any secrets. They won't be listening.
