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Pour House Irish Pub
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Background, Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
21 reviews for Pour House Irish Pub
Review Highlights
-
"You'll be cosy on the patio, or cosy in the Pub." In 6 reviews -
"If you lived in the neighbourhood or happened to be passing..." In 4 reviews -
"...stain glass windows, and Guinness beer accents throughout." In 4 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Zachary G.
Toronto, ON
2/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
When I went to England a few years back, I was introduced to the concept of a local - a place where you can go when you want a drink without pretension and is close enough to your house that you can stumble home at the end of the night. I always found that concept charming and I'm glad I've found my own.
For a standard pub, this place is perfect. It has my favorite beer on tap (Tankhouse) at reasonable prices and the food is passable too. It is large enough that it rarely fills up but always seems to have enough people inside (even on a Monday or Tuesday) to have a good atmosphere. There are TVs throughout the back that are a great place to watch an important hockey game. I saw Crosby score the winning goal here in the 2010 Olympics and it was a very fun time. Finally, the patio in the back, while next to a train track, is a great place to sit in the summer and have a few beers. I'm excited for it to warm up so I can get out there again. -
Review from Josephine C.
Markham, ON
2/9/2012
Been coming here for brunch for the past few weeks. Discovered this place after an acting classmate invited us here after class one day.
There is a sign outside advertising build your own caesar bar for $2.99. Good deal if you like caesars (basically mott's clamato juice with fixings). I think this is only good on weekends.
We usually get the eggs breakfast or pancakes. The other day, the waiter allowed us to substitute the home fries and toast from the 'weekend breakfast' for a multi-grain pancake with syrup. I thought that was really nice of them. Maybe it helped that my friend was super cute. Their menu is online on their website.
That day, we sat at a table and chair that was wobbly, but other than that no complaints here. Recommended for breakfast and amazing pancakes if you're in the area. -
Review from Jennifer B.
The Annex, Toronto, ON
5/8/2012
I love this place! It's our neighborhood bar and I always get exactly what I expect. I disagree with what people say about the food. I LOVE the apple-jack quesadilla as well as the pizzas. The bar has an excellent selection of drinks and the patio is amazing!!! I am happy we have this option in our neighborhood!
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Review from angie c.
7/19/2011
A solid three in my books.
Arrived around eleven with some girls from work and the entire interior was completely empty. We knew we were meeting people on the patio so we marched on, undaunted. We got outside and didn't see our group, but we saw a big staircase.
That's when the magic happens. The upper patio area feels like a tree-house, and it's lovely.
Crowd somewhat mixed, our group in our mid-twenties, a sketchy 40ish couple, couple groups of suits.
Service wise, again, A-OK. Our server was friendly, though when one of us wanted to change a drink order about ten seconds after telling her she had already "sent it down" via the computer and couldn't make a change.
I'd be back for the patio, can't speak for the food or even the bar-tending skills, cause how do you mess up a vodka soda? -
Review from Lauren M.
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rude, rude, rude service! Ugh.
Popped in here on Friday evening for a late drink. The place was EMPTY...maybe 3 tables of patrons in total.
We ordered a drink each and were finished about 30 mins later. The server asked if we wanted another round and when we declined, she had the audacity to say "WELL THEN, you are going to have to leave. We don't allow people to stay without ordering more"
What a beyatch! No one else was even in the pub, I can hardly see the need to be so rude.
Anyway, what kind of pub is empty at midnight on a Friday night? Pass -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
7/15/2011 4 photos
What better than having a beer out on a patio on nice evening before dinner?? Pour House Irish Pub is a good choice if you are in the neighbourhood.
I doubt I would have stay if I am going to have a drink inside at the bar or the dining area as it is just so dark, depressing.... but when I walked to the back patio, I know I am staying for a drink.
1/2 pint Guinness $5 tax in for sure is not a deal...but having a drink and enjoying the summer breeze is priceless.. :)
Where is my Yelp Drinking Buddy? He was just taking his sweet time and missed all the fun!! -
Review from David E.
York, ON
3/16/2012
This is a nice place for a drink, though we go mostly because it is close to home. Good bar food. The "Award Winning Cottage Pie" is quite good, though not spectacular. Would have given it a 4, but the service is often a bit slow (not the server's fault, just never seems to be as many of them as is needed).
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Review from Isabel R.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
The Pour House is basically just your run of the mill vaguely English themed pubs that abound in Toronto. On that theme, its decent. Decent choice of beers, decent food, run of the mill decor. A highlight is their $3 brunch caesars on Sundays. Other than that, their beer prices are a bit on the pricey side, though not totally ridiculous.
I can definitely see my self coming here if I lived in the area, but won't be making any special trips to visit. -
Review from Michael N.
Toronto, ON
4/9/2011
What to say about the Pour House? It's reliable. It's a decent neighborhood place that is also good for bringing your buddies from the University. The beer prices are ok, but be warned, they're steadily going up. The food is well priced, but even for pub grub, the quality is lacking. Great when you've had 3-4 pints and desperately want nachos, but don't order anything sober, that's for sure. The beer choice is also rather lacking, and they have an unhealthy obsession with Keith's and Guinness - the latter actually goes for $8/pint. Ya can't just blame the LLBO for that.
The service is okay. And given that they actively encourage groups, it's funny that they really suck when handling them. They finally started doing individual checks, which is a plus, but it took them literally years to get to this point, and the waitstaff attitude towards groups is obviously negative. You can see them groan when you walk in.
The last time I went there they started doing live music ... why, G-d, why?! Don't butcher the Beatles, please! And what they did to U2 ... I won't even go there. -
Review from Cliff P.
Toronto, ON
7/27/2010
Pour House is great. What many people don't realize is that there is a giant two level outdoor patio in the back.
Another tip is that the sweet potato fries are awesome - but if you eat too many you may get sick. -
Review from Kevin F.
Toronto, ON
8/27/2009
I'm reading through some of these reviews and people point out two major flaws of this restaurant: bad service and mediocre food. I'm my opinion that makes a restaurant 2 stars maximum. How can a restaurant still be considered good with crappy service and food? That is exactly why I give this place 2 stars.
I'm new to the Avenue/Dupont area and I thought this might be a nice pub to try. When you enter the place it has traditional Irish decor; church-pew-type-wood furnishings, stain glass windows, and Guinness beer accents throughout. I helped myself to a seat as no staff were in sight. I waited 10 minutes or so for service but grew tired and stole a menu from the bar, at which point the bartender must have alerted the waitress. The restaurant is fairly small, so for no one to hear a customer come in must mean no one is really paying attention.
I ordered a favorite traditional dish, Shepherd's pie. When the dish arrived it had no appeal whatsoever. It was literally a liter of gravy drowning anything within the dish. I couldn't manage to get to the pie without having it slathered in a sea of salty, murky brown gravy. Traditionally the gravy is supposed to be blended with the meat and veg, then covered in potatoes. However this restaurant thought gravy was the main attraction.
I was sold on Avenue and Dupont having amazing restaurants, but this first time experience was nothing to be desired. -
Review from Kevin D.
Toronto, ON
8/20/2009
A GEM OF A PATIO!
A few blocks North of it's Pubby/Patio cousins, The Pour House is a great meeting place for after-work, late-night or Happy Hour libations and eats.
Whilst most Torontonians frequent Pauper's, The Brunswick House or The Madison when in The Annex, if you just go a bit further North to Dupont, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
As my fellow Yelpers have written, there are great Specials each day of the week, but where I'll wholeheartedly differ is in my opinion of the décor. I think it's got great character and nooks all throughout it's main level in the classic Irish Pub style, and the patio is superb. I will agree that the service could be improved, but like most pubs, you get what you pay for.
The beauty of The Pour House is that it's great come summer, or come winter. You'll be cosy on the patio, or cosy in the Pub. Slainte!Listed in: KD's Neighbourhood- St.…
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Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
4/21/2009
This is my neighbourhood pub and while it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of atmosphere - the various food specials are excellent (i.e. half-priced apps on Tuesday, $10 pizza on Wednesday) and the draft beer selection is pretty impressive.
(Sidenote: it always disappoints me when bars don't use the appropriate the glass or lemon wedge -- my Hoegaarden was served in a regular pint glass without lemon last visit, super disappointing).
The food will not blow you away (yet it is tasty!) and the service can be ho-hum depending on who you get at your table (but the food does come quickly once you place your order) but it's a great weeknight standby when you are looking for a chill night out with a couple of pals. -
Review from Jon S.
Guelph, ON
6/13/2009
We recently moved to the area, and have eaten more meals at the Pour House than I care to admit (considering we do have a well stocked fridge).
The food is nothing special, but the beer selection is pretty solid, and they do make a good G&T. I've sampled a few dishes on their menu, and they are always filling and tasty, if a little big generic.
My biggest concern with the Pour House is the service. The last time we went, we got our drinks ordered, waited 10 minutes for menus, waited almost 20 minutes before the server remembered where we were sitting and finally took our order, than then waited about 10 minutes for food. All around, I was really unimpressed, especially since the server didn't really seem to care whether we stayed or left.
Pretty good spot, but only because I now know not to expect prompt service. Could be better if it had some competition in the area. -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
4/22/2010
Huge menu, lots available. I have been there twice in the last week simply because I was stuck in that area, and the food and service were fine.
What did we have? Onion rings - delicious, and they give you a lot
Ceasar salad - this was a very acceptable ceasar according to the standard recipe. very good
Curry chicken - not spicy but still good, and they give you lots of food!
I wouldn't make a point to go out of my way to go there, but if I'm in the hood, I'll head back. I am especially interested in the weekend brunch bloody mary bar! -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2008
Another in the chain of Irish-style pubs, the Pour House stands virtually alone as the sole pub in the surrounding neighbourhood. It's one of the other franchises of pubs such as the Foggy Dew (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), the Pogue Mahone (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) and Murphy's Law (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), so it's easy to settle in as you've most probably seen this before.
The menu is consistent, the servers are garbed in the schoolgirl tartan synonymous with the chain, you can get a Guinness, and the food comes hot (unless it's a salad) and as good as any other of the franchised pubs. It's consistent with the theme and that's fine. It's got WiFi available and an outside patio that has a fantastic view of the city.
If you lived in the neighbourhood or happened to be passing through nearby, I'd totally recommend this place. If not, there's nothing here that you can't find elsewhere in the city. Most likely you'll find it at one of the other franchises. -
Review from Nick B.
Halifax, NS
12/22/2009
You know, I could live in the Annex mainly because of the Pour House. While it's not the greatest of Gastropubs (well, it's not even a gastropub at all, of course, whatever those are anyhow), it's just a great little place to unwind over a few pints... and they have an alright menu - at least of appetizers/finger foods that complement libations. I was introduced to this place by a friend of mine who lives in the neighbourhood and wasn't disappointed, it just feels like a good spot.
I don't get the service issues some people raise - I've never seen anything about the service that disappointed me personally - quick and friendly every time I've been. -
Review from A S.
Toronto, ON
7/31/2011
Ok. They got a crappy review previously but their sweet potato fries (served with a spicy-chipotle sauce) are TOO GOOD to ignore. I went back and had a huge plate.
The Big Smoky burger was decent but it didn't really taste all that different - despite the specialty toppings - from a regular bacon cheeseburger. On the whole, a solid meal. -
Review from Robert K.
9/19/2010
The upper patio is very pleasant (except when a train come rattling by 30 feet from where you're sitting). The interior has that bland, fake-Irish-pub franchise feel. The beer selection is quite good, and the food is quite bad. Waitresses in short, tartan skirts. I go here because it is a two minute walk from my apartment. An OK, but very unexceptional place.
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Review from Christian C.
Toronto, ON
12/14/2009
Mediocre food.
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Review from mac g.
York, ON
8/10/2011
Unfortunately it would appear that The Pour House is going down the same negative and self-destructive path as oh so many pubs we have frequented over the years. We were there tonight, Wednesday Aug 10 2011 after having not been in several months. The service was awful, our waitress forgot to order our appetizer and even after she acknowledged that fact it still took 20 minutes to show up. For onion rings no less! My g/f was already done her veggie burger by the time the rings showed up. Speaking of the veggie burger, it was a sub par effort not even in the class of a Lick's veggie burger and the accompanying fries were soggy. $12.99 for the veggie burger and quality at that level is embarrassing for the venue to say the least. I ordered wings as they were on special at 40 cents each and when I tried to order a dozen was told they have to be ordered in multiples of 5. Well now, that's not 40 cents each now is it? That's 5 for $2. The wings were badly overcooked and whomever prepared them couldn't even be bothered to toss them properly in what was the poorest excuse for hot wing sauce I have ever tasted. There was more of the bland, runny sauce in the bottom of the basket than there was on the wings. For drinks I tried to order a pitcher of Rolling Rock and was told nope, it only comes by the pint. WTF? I'm quite familiar with Rolling Rock and except for the fact that it wasn't particularly cold it was what it was supposed to be. Given the drop in the quality of service and food and the increase in prices from the last time we were there it's a safe bet that we will not be returning and I would hazard a guess that The Pour House will not be open that much longer with things at this level. Unfortunately, I could write an almost identical review of one of our other former fav spots, The Jersey Giant, from a couple of weeks ago. What is wrong with these people? Jack up your prices and let the quality of the food and service slide, yup. That's definitely the best way to stay in business. Sad and if I could I would rate less than 1 star...
