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- Hours:
Mon 11:30 am - 11 pm
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 1 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
16 reviews for Overdraught Irish Pub
16 reviews in English
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Review from Raz A.
Toronto, ON
12/27/2011
Stopped by for a bite to eat , we were greeted Nicely and seated . We ordered a couple of Beers and 2 burgers and I was surprised that the food quality was great and the server was pleasant as well. The place started to get packed as the day progressed , the ambience was nice and location was east to get too.
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Review from Dan S.
8/17/2011
We were at the Convention Centre and came here for a quick lunch. Surprisingly better than I thought and I would definitely come back here again. Nice atmosphere (had a real Irish pub feel to it) and friendly service.
We had a French Dip sandwich that was generous. Fries are outstanding. Good portions too. Others had the burger and enjoyed it too. They got us in and out quickly too.
So, if you're in the area or have something at the convention center, this was a good choice. -
Review from Paul L.
Whitby, ON
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I recently visited this pub with friends from work. I had the Guinness Steak and Mushroom Pie which was quite flavourful. The one downside was that the steak was tough. However, the rest of the stew, gravy and put pastry were very good. As for the service, the server was nice enough but not very attentive.
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Review from Dave T.
6/27/2011
my party just came from next door at canyon creek chop house after eating some huge steaks.
I understand that this is an irish pub, but waitress was extremely rude when some of us were asking for a redbull vodka which i know isn't necessarily irish but most bars have it.
she gave us a snarky attitude as if we were wasting our time when there wasn't even anyone else around to waiting to be served, and we had to wait another 10 minutes before we were even able to buy beers.
we left after one round and finished the night at pj obriens which had a nice live band and even though they too were an irish pub, they were able to accomodate us with our not-so-irish tequila shots. -
Review from Karl R.
10/17/2010 1 photo
I'm with Gord. Meh. The fish is nice. I hate fish 'n' chips where you get a sliver of fish in a big ass hunk of batter. The fries, meh. The coleslaw the chef called in from home. Chopping up cabbage and adding a president choice salad dressing isn't coleslaw.
We went on a non-Leafs night. This is a bar for very old people. Don't expect a hip urban crowd. The only high point (and the reason this isn't a 2 star) is you get imported pints for $5 after 9 pm on Saturday.
You do have to suffer through some live music, a guy on guitar belting out standards. There's loads of room in the back to get away from crap you've heard before.
Waitstaff is on top of things. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
10/17/2010
The last time I've been to an Irish Pub must have been a Molly Bloom's. Overdraught reminds me of the Prancing Pony in LOTR with the Pints flowing, loud chatter, dim-lit oak wood setting, and song. It's not exactly of course but for someone that doesn't Pub much, it's as close as it gets.
We didn't encounter any rowdy men hitting on ladies but we left while the night was young. The Music Station seemed to be on Z103 or something and when the Live Musician began playing Pop/Rock, it ended my Hobbit adventures for the night. 2.5 *Star*
Signature Cocktail - Captain Guinness($6.99) is something I personally prefer being a Rum Coke guy, as this version uses the "Captain" and a float of Guinness Stout. Nice drink if you're like me and can get full from foamy Beers as this is the perfect balance.
Guinness Steak and Mushroom Pie($14.00) has A-OK elements and some less so. The "Slow Roasted" Beef was tough for the most part so I kind of doubt it being slow roasted. The Guinness Ale Reduction and Button Mushrooms was salty but I find when mixed into the Garlic Mash made for a nice Mash & Gravy combination.
I wouldn't mind coming again whenever they have $5.00 Pint promotions when I'm in the area because I can imagine myself chilling with a couple GOOD friends and relaxing on the bench after a hard day's work. Afterwards, on the way to Union Station grab a Sausage on a Bun.Listed in: 2.5 **Stars**, On my way to Alcoholics…
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
10/22/2010 6 photos
Now I am confirmed that I love Pubs.. but I cannot stand Pub's food.
Overdraught Irish Pub is a nice place to hang out and have a drink or 2 or 3 or 4 with your friends especially if they are doing a special on drinks. The Black and Tan ($7.20) is nice and smooth and poured the way it suppose to be. But I would not have know when the inside of this Pub was really dark (yes important for a pub as drunk folks want to be hidden and rip in the dark) , and my drink was dark too...
Guinness Steak and Mushroom Pie ($14) is dark too and so damn salty!! I think the reason is the more salty your food is, the more beer you need to drink?? Good that I ate some Ramen before coming here.
Please tell your friend not to pick the table right by the door where the guitar playing singer going to sing. But if you just want to not hear what your friend's conservations those maybe the perfect seats.
They do have daily specials, check their website...
BTW, why are the men working here not wearing kilts showing off their assets?? -
Review from Weez G.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2011
I was pleasantly surprised; this is right in an "expensive" area of town (entertainment district, convention centre, etc) where restaurants tend to be overpriced but this one was fairly reasonable.
Beef tenderloin dinner for $16 in this neighborhood? Yes, it does exist and it was cooked to order and tender. Even more startling is that was the MOST expensive entree on the menu.
Our table also had the steak & mushroom pie, a very generous portion with quite a lot of meat and decent-sized potatoes & soda bread sides and the puff pastry on top was perfectly done.
As an added bonus, the evening we were there had a $5 pint special (for Irish imported Harp lager) which was another surprise in a part of town where a beer can run you over eleven dollars.
The service was fast and friendly and the atmosphere was quaint and appropriately 'pub-by' and the location is extremely handy.
The fact is that you are not going to get dinner with imported pints for any less in this neighborhood and the food we had was a cut above a lot of the typical 'pub fare' found around the city. -
Review from Ryan S.
2/20/2010
This is my first visit to Toronto & I've had one major surprise:
TORONTO HAS BEAUTIFUL WOMEN.
Gorgeous women. Women w/ fashion. Women who don't need it. Italian, Persian, White, Black, Indian (feather & dot), European beauties, francophonic in high boots & long slick jackets & scarves that frame their amazing faces & gorgeous eyes. Women that don't need make up but wear a bit anyway & blow you away. Women so friendly, you want to take them home to meet the folks & write them poetry&songs & buy them flowers & forget how to speak...
NONE OF THEM WORK IN THIS PUB.
I couldn't swing a black pudding sausage w/out hitting a girl that looks like a skeksie from the Dark Crystal in this place. Look: i'm not a superficial guy & I've never seen anything UK on lists of "most beautiful women i the world", but when you're at an Irish Pub that is lacking in authenticity in most other departments, this is not the place to delivery un-made up, haggard girls w/ no personality & a lack of expertise. (i'm being way harsh, aren't i?)... ok, i'll continue.
I needed something to eat late at night while in Toronto on business.I checked yelp for late restaurants & this one wasn't listed (shouldn't have used the "open now" filter). As I walked Front St. near my hotel, i thought,"ok... jack astors, this loose moose & whatever else seem a bit lame (not my crowd), but i ALWAYS love an Irish Pub."
I WAS WRONG.
You walk in & the first thing you see is a big sign that says "PLEASE WAIT TO BE SEATED." The funny thing is, there is no hostess. & when the bartender looks over at you& makes eye contact, she turns away & keeps working...then when you walk around a bit, trying to find someone to seat you (I was trying to act native & i was only following instructions as i've been told all Canadians do) ... they still act oblivious. some regulars come in & i followed their cue & seat myself.
I ask for a menu & order a black & tan. This must be consistent here, as, (like another review)mine was so poorly poured that i had to tweet about it.( http://twitpic.com/148x7j ) She apparently forgot about the "tan" part. Mixed beer drinks are described the way they should be delivered in their menu: "fillintheblank w/ a float of guinness", etc. (see black&tan for dummies: http://en.wikipedia.or... )
This is not difficult stuff, people.This is IrishPub101.
I ordered Bangers&Mash.It was good.Nothing to complain about.I felt well fed & when you're travling & working in a foreign city, you like to feel taken care of.The food was doing it's job, the staff & bartender obviously weren't.
The waitress never looked at me to check on me.I had to go out of my way to signal to her for everything.i asked if she had a whisky menu. It was on the food menu & there were 5 irish whiskeys on it, maybe 7, but not many.Don't remember if there were scotches, etc.I ordered a Connemara(my personal fav).She left & went missing for a bit(searching for more?) & said they were out & that i should have a RedBreast.I trusted her as a pro& figured it would be close. She didn't ask me what I liked & try to suit my taste, probably because she didn't know her whiskeys. It's fruity&smooth, not peaty like Connemara & while i enjoy trying something new, it wasn't what I was looking for.
I sat there w/ an empty glass for a while, which gave me time to notice that the music was Top40 pop. Antithesis of pub tunes. I flagged her down(AGAIN). I told her I wanted to try a Canadian beer because I'd never been to Canada. She didn't talk beer either.She poured me her recommendation, but the truth is that when I go to a specialty place, I expect consultation. When I go to an Irish Pub... I expect someone who's engaging, friendly, warm & knows how to talk life, whiskey & pints w/ me.
Be my buddy.I'm lonely & on business.I'll buy more beer.I'll tip you more.I'll buy something for people I dont know. I'll bring the people I meet on my trip back here after meetings every day i'm here & you'll be on my "must-visit" list for my return.
I wish i found that spot.I wish I had wondered into some of the bars filled w/ bros & tourists. I wish I had gone into that funny looking Texas Lone Star restaurant & given them a shot at their version of Tex Mex.My intentions were to wander off the path & get my first "first reviewer" tag on Yelp.
every other place was packed on this friday night.I should have known.
Toronto.You're gorgeous.You won this Texan over.
Overdraught, You broke this half-Irish boys heard.
Lesson learned.
Half-Irish eyes frowning.
O'Ryan Seacrest Out.Listed in: ToronTO!
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Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2008
Truly if you have to go to an eatery on this end of Front Street, and you don't feel like the "grittiness" (saying it politely) of the Loose Moose, you'd do worse than go to the Overdraught. Downstairs from Joe Badali's (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), this pub tries its darndest to stand out from the other restaurants on this strip.
The true novelty of the pub is that it is downstairs with somewhat lower ceilings than most places on this strip, making it feel a little bit cosier than most places. The décor is very befitting an Irish bar and it does it's best to look the part. Tons of wooden tables and stools, and barrels built into the ceiling help to give the place a warmer feel. It definitely stands out from the other kids on the block.
The Guinness is also poured properly. What would you expect from a place that has a "beer philosophy"? -
Review from Brian L.
9/9/2009
We came here because the prices weren't crazy, it was near the CN Tower, and we wanted to eat quickly instead of scouring for food. We get to the hostess stand, and wait a few minutes in a particularly empty place (it was 6pm...should it be this empty?). We get seated in a corner, and our waitress comes over with a very forced kindness (maybe she had a bad day, at least she tried).
Order food, drinks, etc, same old. Nothing took too long, or was too fast, it was normal. The lighting was nice, not too bright. Food was good, I got the meat pie (they were out of chicken pot pie =[ ).
One complaint, they really are bad at making black and tans. The reviewer below me wrote that they know how to pour Guiness correctly, but what about black and tans? My drink came mixed, with no line of separation between the two. Did they just pour one into the other? All I can say is...black and tans don't taste so great when they come mixed.
All in all it was a good meal. 3 stars is fitting. -
Review from Gord M.
East York, ON
7/6/2010
Meh.
For me, because I used to be a semi-regular, the OD serves three great purposes:
1) The staff know how to pour a pint.
2) Lots of sass.
3) It's not any of the other bars on Front @ Uni.
Head here for the beverages and the live music, but not the food and remember to be friendly, 'cause it'll make it a world of difference. And if you get sass, lob some sass right back, but keep it above the belt. -
Review from Jody D.
3/29/2011
Food was really good. I had fish and chips and my hubby had shepards pie. Liked the atmosphere and on Tuesdays they have Harp for $5 a pint. Good overall.
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Review from Michele G.
9/5/2010
It was great to find an Irish pub across the street from the Convention Center. But first, know this -- don't wait to be seated, as the sign says. SEAT YOURSELF. Instead of playing a guessing game as to where else we should sit -- our first choice happened to be "reserved" -- we headed straight to the bar. Service was a little slow, but I find this to be of a cultural inclination of the Irish in not wanting to hurry you away. My BF had the shepherd's pie, which he loved, and I had a truly great chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce and avocado with fries. Very comforting food for our very tired souls. I love Irish pubs. I hope there are some in heaven.
Listed in: Totally Toronto
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Review from Quan L.
Toronto, ON
10/18/2010
pretty typical looking pub with a good selection of beers. dark wood themed walls, tables, chairs. i can't remember if anything else was wooded, sorry. i like the layout, it's as if each table has the perfect amount of space in between them. just private enough, but not enough so that you forget you're in a pub.
the waitress was almost non-existent. she started out sassy and nice, but that didn't last. the drinks took longer than i'd like to arrive. when i asked for a water with the bill, she brought the bill and almost gave me someone else's drink. our empty glasses stayed on the table until we left and we left before she came back with the water...
there was a young-looking gentleman playing an acoustic who was enjoyable. he played covers from bands like springsteen, the killers, r kelly, etc. twas the best part of my experience other than the company i was with.
the overall ambiance was good and i had a good time, but i could've had a great time with better service. better service, leading to a few more drinks, leading to a bigger tip. everybody could've been happier.
ehh, i think i'll probably give this place another shot. -
Review from john f.
5/30/2011
Stopped in here for an early dinner before a Blue Jays games recently. Place was backed, but still able to get a seat. Food and portions were good. Waitress service was always nearby for your refill or check request. Tried to go again for early lunch before we headed back to NYC but place wasn't open at 1PM on a Sunday afternoon.
