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Smokeless Joe - CLOSED
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
42 reviews for Smokeless Joe
Review Highlights
"but luckily the lengthy beer menu was equally as appealing."
(in 7 reviews)
"...though I'm working my way through the list of 30 mussels."
(in 22 reviews)
"It's small and cozy and warm and welcoming."
(in 3 reviews)
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42 reviews in English
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Review from John S.
Richmond Hill, ON
9/29/2011
It's back and better than ever. The new digs look great. Still same staff and some that came back. The place was bust on a Wednesday night for dinner. Had the chicken Brie and bacon sandwich. My friends had the jerk mussels and island curry. Thank god they re-opened. Their new location is 488 college street.
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Review from Gordon J.
Toronto, ON
10/30/2011
My wife and I used to be fans of Smokeless Joe when it was on John St by King. It was a very small pub in a basement with friendly staff and an excellent assortment of beers on tap and in the bottle. They moved this summer to College just west of Bathurst and just recently re-opened. We decided that it would be fun to check it out.
I'm glad we did.
The did an excellent job of doing the decor and the place has a warm cozy feeling even though it is larger than the old place. They also have an upper floor. We didn't go to have a look though.
The staff is friendly as before. Not just the bartender that served us but all the staff were friendly and fun. There are 19 beers on tap and a good selection of bottled beer which they say they are continually expanding. The staff seemed to really know their beer.
In the old place they were known for their mussels and oysters and they carried this over to the new place. The oysters were quite popular and kept Rob our bartender quite busy shucking them. I came close to ordering a couple myself.
It was a fun night. I'm glad that they have re-opened and glad we went. I really wish they were closer to our neighborhood as this would be my regular spot. Although it is a distance away, it is a place worth going out of our way for. -
Review from Vivek S.
7/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place has less seating than a shortbus. Seriously, I think even two dozen people would be pushing the limits of this tiny space. It makes it even more impressive that people will make the trek out to cram between it's tiny walls. There are other options on the street but damnit, this place is just that good.
Even though their beer options are printed on a stack of letter-sized paper stapled together, it is anything but modest. They have a shitload (hundreds) of beers from all over the world, and they always have an amazing draught selection ready to go on their dozen or so taps.
And though you will come for the beer, stay for the amazing food. Their have a good selection of mussel dishes which pair well with their Dutch and Belgian beer options. My personal favourite is a steaming bowl of their vegetarian chili served with bread.
Always packed so go early (relative to whenever).
Obligatory Title Pun: Hello JOE, what do you know.
Menu Readability: A stack of papers that look like they have been wrung a thousand-times by beer hungry patrons.
Need to mention: Not the best washrooms. Also, this place is slanty (in a good way).
What this place teaches me about myself: I love shortbusses.Listed in: Six Feet Under
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Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
6/27/2011 2 photos
Smokeless Joe is a rustic bar with a good selection of beers. The ambiance makes it unique. This is a great place to have a drink with a friend, which is what I did.
*** DRINKS ***
I had a Staropramen, which came in a can. Obviously, it was a pure beer with no tampering (watering down). It came with a nice tall glass. They have a selection of different Chimays as well - awesome!
*** ATMOSPHERE ***
Smokeless is a dimly lit bar with rickety wooden furniture but it's clean. There are beer signs on the wall and there is also a bulletin board with postcards. There's some pretty interesting decor. The patio area in the front is really small. The bar is underground and there is a part of the patio that is below the main patio. The ambiance is all about relaxation. Even the menus are printed on loose 8.5"x11" paper and stapled together. There isn't much going on and there isn't much to see, which makes it perfect for enjoying a drink with a friend. Sometimes, less is more.
*** SERVICE ***
The service is great. As soon as we entered, our server greeted us and asked us what we wanted. He gave us suggestions when we asked and also informed us about their specials. The staff are really friendly and inviting.
*** PRICE ***
* Staropramen | $6 *
This was their special. Good price!
*** SMOKING! ***
Bars are like churches and temples. The staff should be friendly and inviting like priests. You should be blessed with holy water - alcohol. After the sermon, you should feel the spirit - and you do! Smokeless Joe has a great atmosphere and service. It's a great place to hangout with the guys or anyone who's down to earth.Listed in: Noise 'n Poison
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
I got confused when my Yelp Drinking Buddy suggested that we go Smokeless Joe?!
What Joe?? I really not into one of those franchise places especially one that is smacked right in the entertainment district serving chicken wings and fries..
Then i read the reviews on Yelp and I know I got Smokeless Joe wrong all these time.. and I have to come here and enjoy a beer and the atmosphere.
Mills Street Coffee Porter ($5) feature beer of the night. It may not be something too exquisite but interesting enough... a lot different than the fruity and light beer I drinking most of the time. Bitterness and Nuttiness with a complex flavour.
I love the down to earth and the laid back vibe of Smokeless Joe.. and great to have servers that know what they are doing and the products they carries... then just taking the orders.
The patio is small but kind of cool for a summer night...
I wondering where they moving to?? Hopefully the new space would be as laid back and rustic as the original! -
Review from Andrea H.
Updated - 7/6/2011
Smokeless seems to be moving! They've been shuttered for a few days, and according to servers at another local bar, they are moving to a bigger space. I don't have the details yet, but for now Smokeless seems to be
out of commission.Listed in: Best Beer
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/25/2009
I almost don't want to write a review for this place. It's such a gem that people keep it a secret,… Read more »
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Review from D.J. L.
1/13/2011
More beer place reviews. Hooray. Maybe this time I can be interesting.
If you don't like beer, don't go. Seriously. If you like beer, go.
This is a place you can easily walk by. It's down in the basement, it's dark, but it's fantastic. The beers rotate regularly, but they're always great and almost always unique (at least from what I've found in the city). The staff feels like your friends almost immediately, and know their beers (although, I guess you'd have to, if you're working in a place like this). The beers are expensive, but again, they're unique, so I guess it's expected.
The food, from what I've eaten, is ok. I've never gone there for "dinner", per se, but rather I realize, after having drank three 12% beers that, "uh, maybe I should eat something." So I'm probably not the best expert for their food selection.
I haven't gone in a while (I blame you, winter), but I miss it deeply. Soon, we'll meet again, Smokeless Joes. -
Review from Cameron O.
Toronto, ON
1/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
At the risk of sounding like a crazy person (which I'm sure I have in many of my reviews) I can't possibly say enough good things about this place.
I was introduced to this place several years ago by one of my beer-snob friends. I honestly cant find anything to complain about except that it's very small and very dark. The "tables" too leave much to be desired but honestly every time I've been here I've either been at the bar or on my feet.
For many years the owner resisted getting a TV to try and help keep the focus on beer, food and socialization. A few years ago however he relented and purchased a small flat-screen to help draw in a few more during the world cup.
The beer selection competes with the best in this city and it's a VERY short list. (Bar Volo, C'est What?, and Biermarket) They do fall behind however in the number of taps. They only have one cask and 4 or 5 taps. The rest of the list is in bottles.
The tap list however is always fresh and always rotating between some of the finest micro-brews available.
NB: if they have Delirium Tremins on tap, be warned... It will knock you out if you have more than 3. (Take a hint from the pink elephants on the glassware)
The food is a little pricey for what it is considering they don't have a full kitchen and this place literally is a hole in the ground. But the oysters are excellent and the mussels are fantastic.
I will continue to patronize this establishment until I die, or they change hands and get turned into a dive. It's such an intimate, friendly, small place so don't think you can come here with your entire corporate office party. 30 people in here is PACKED. (Packed like Tokyo station at rush-hour!) -
Review from Chad M.
8/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
So if my best friend in the world was in town and wanted to have a beer, this is the place I'd take him.
This is my best buddy, so he deserves the best beer. Naturally that means the most unique, tastiest and most importantly, of the highest alcohol content. The best also isn't cheap, but this is my best friend we're talking about here.
It's not just about the beer, this is a straight up cool place to hang out. I didn't have them but they mussels smelled amazing.
Round it up with a friendly and accommodating staff and you've got the makings of a world class bar! -
Review from Elvis A.
6/26/2011
This place is apparently relocating so they didn't have much of selection on this visit. Ambiance is very laid back. Huge Selection of beer which is almost at par with Beer Bistro. The place is kind of pricey (if you order stuff by the bottle) as we were taken aback by the final tab. Recommended for Beer Luvers. The mussels looked great BTW maybe next time I will give the food a try. 3.5 Stars.
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Review from Jen R.
Toronto, ON
5/12/2011
We arrived late one evening, and sadly the kitchen was closed. The food menu looked great... but luckily the lengthy beer menu was equally as appealing. I love the 'snug' feel it has. Dark, intimate, very welcoming.
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Review from Andrea W.
Toronto, ON
7/31/2009 ROTD 9/2/2009
A guy I was briefly dating brought me to Smokeless Joe's twice. I loved the place despite the narrow, underground setting. It was very merry on a busy Saturday night and chill on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The long and interesting beer menu made me happy - I can't drink wine so the wine lists that other people freak out over mean nothing to me. I tried a few rather exotic brews (something Czech, something Belgian) but I also enjoyed a good, frosty, familiar Kirin Lager.
The guy who brought me here told me Joe's is his favourite place in town: it was his closely guarded secret, right down the street from his condo. Unfortunately, on the fourth or fifth date, that guy stood me up and I never heard from him again. To me, standing someone up for a date is unthinkably rude. He's not dead, this was just pure bad manners. That kind of disrespectful behaviour deserves to be punished and here's how you can help: make Smokeless Joe's your regular hang-out place. Invite all your friends. Get your friends to invite all their friends. Tell everyone! The place will be packed full all night, every night, and that bad mannered dude will lose his favourite bar.
Thanking you in advance and see you at Smokeless Joe's!Listed in: My ROTD
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Review from Eric M.
For some reason $31-$60 a person doesn't sound right but I guess the drinks here can add up fast. Some of the taps will run you around $6-$8 dollars a pint but they're microbrews and there's always a hefty price tag when you're buying anything artisan. I'm kicking myself for not trying the Brut Des Flandres while they still had it. ($52 a pop. Belgian trappist brewed then bottled in Champagne France. Mmmmmm)
Capacity is about 30-35 people and it fills up fast so if you don't get there early you might not get in. The servers have taken my number and called me when things have opened up before so if you're really really nice to them they might extend you the same courtesy. Seating can be a bit of an issue as well since there are only a few little pull out counter style tables for four, bar seating, a small two seater couch and a counter top near the door. The patio in the summer is nice but the scenery is kind of dull. You'll be staring at a shawarma shop or people in line for dance clubs. That can be a good source of entertainment for some but who knows, maybe you like making fun of people or just like to see what they're wearing.
The beer list has somewhere in the neighbourhood of 175 beers on offer which is smaller than some bars but I've found they have a better selection overall. It's relatively easy to stock a bunch of obscure beers from all over but that doesn't mean anyone wants to drink them and it's awful finding out you picked Peroni when you could have had Sam Smith's Winter Welcome Ale.
The food menu is short and sweet. You can choose from about 12 different styles of cooked mussels and there are oysters once or twice a week. The sandwiches are really nice and the soups are hearty. As a special treat, Joe's wife or Joe will cook a big batch of something that is always delicious. Be warned, they like their spices so if you think that Red Rooster hot sauce or Chipotle Tabasco are hot these dishes will melt your face. You should take a taste test first if the servers tell you it's spicy.
Aside from the drinks and food, I've always loved this place for the atmosphere and the servers. They love what they do and really want to make sure people have a good time. The fact that it's a little small is one of the great things about it. Conversations spill across the tables and before you know it you're swept into a debate from two groups over or playing word association games with the whole bar. -
Review from David B.
Toronto, ON
7/7/2011
Unfortunately the place was closed down when I visited. According to a server down the street they closed end of June. According to her they will be opening somewhere else in a larger location.
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Review from sarah l.
9/8/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I have so many memories at Smokeless Joe's... I used to live at Cityplace and I really struggled to find local bars and eateries where I felt at home. Enter Smokeless Joe's.
Smokeless Joe's personal memories:
- Drinking them OUT of steamwhistles... twice.
- Always asking for a menu and then going 'oh yeah...'
- Sitting on the patio at 2am after seeing District 9, watching girls come out of Circa and get hotdogs right next to us, and arguing about whether that is a real skirt or a skort... (I was wrong, as the de-wedgie proved)
- Second bullet for sitting on the patio at 2am watching girls eat hotdogs in lucite heels and hardly any clothing.
The good:
- The location is top notch. Between Circa, Hooters and Queen West... there is some good people watchin' to be had
- The patio is awesome and charming
- There are hundreds of beers
- The guys who work here are friendly, awesome and hilarious
- CLEAN restrooms. They also have dishcloths to dry your hands, which you put into the 'to be laundered' bin (or regular paper towels when those run out or if you're not happy with the cloth option.)
- small and cozy.
The bad:
- Expensive. It's very expensive actually. Case in point: Innis & Gunn, one of my favorite beers is $3.50 at the LCBO. It's $6.50 at Prohibition and it's $9.95 at Smokeless Joe's.
- It should be called the home of ten dollar beers, for sure.
- Inside it always smells like oysters.
- small and cozy... This is usually a plus but after work it's often pretty packed and you have to stand which I do not care for at all.
The weird-and-awesome:
I met some folks here on Friday named Terry and Laurie who were SMASHED after the Kid Rock concert (ha ha) and although Smokeless Joe's would not serve them they still let them sit on the patio with us for a few minutes and heckle the Circa people.
Would I come back here?
Yes. Yes yes yes YES. I will be back on many future occasions, often late at night on Fridays or Saturdays, to watch hotdogs be consumed in mass quantities. It's especially funny in the winter when I am like... 'where is your coat!' -
Review from Kat T.
1/1/2011
Smokeless Joe's- the name no longer describing a unique feature of bars in Toronto, since all are smokeless now. But I still appreciate a place that has smelled like yeasty beer and shellfish when you walk in, instead of that smoky bar smell.
The seats in front of the bar are great for a party of 2 or 3, but the tables that fold out from the wall are better for groups. If there aren't any seats when you first step in, there is usually a good rotation of people and if you stick it out, you can enjoy some great beer.
The beer menu in chalk on the board lists the beers on tap and the multi-page bottled beer list, sorted by country, lists the other 200+ beers they have available.
The servers are amazing (and possibly alcoholics) at describing the nuances of each beer- how do they remember the difference between the Belgian Abby-style Double, Triple and Quad ales? And get the description Bang-on!
The food menu is actually amazing as well. For my vegan friend, there are options (peanut soup- spicy and warming), and crustini with a variety of toppings. For me, though I'm working my way through the list of 30 mussels. So far the Red wine broth with garlic, cilantro and chili is my favorite. Like a real belgian bar, they have mussels with curry, thai, and bacon flavors.Listed in: Hmmmmm Beer.
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Review from omar k.
Toronto, ON
12/22/2010
to the woman working the bar tuesday night: i am an idiot for not sitting with you.
she was a riot. we come in, the place is pretty empty, and she steps over to us and tells us about our seating options. there's the bar ("a very social place"), the tables ("comfortable") and the seats facing the wall ("the last choice, or where loners go").
i want to sit at the bar, but my friends prefer a table so we sit down. we order our beers (the selection is amazing! i loved the both the barley wine and scotch ale i had) and talk amongst ourselves while the employees hang out at the bar, joking around and enjoying themselves. a little while later i see a couple sitting at the wall-facing seats, despite ample room away from the wall. loners? dimwits? so i ask the woman working the bar.
she steps close and proceeds to analyze this couple in great detail, describing their selection process ("they were about to leave but then they saw the wall-facing seats and were taken in by them.. i know, THE WALL FACING SEATS!") and their obvious happiness ("i know i said no one would choose the wall seats when others are available, but i guess they're for loners AND lovebirds"). i'm giggling because i'm a little buzzed, and she's clearly a partytime personality as loud bursts of laughter pour forth from her. i see the loner couple looking our way. we both look toward them, shrug, and move on.
a few minutes later the bartender is bundled up, at the door. she waves goodbye to everyone, lets out one last quick burst of laughter, and bounds up the stairs.
did i mention the beers are fantastic? -
Review from Sean E.
10/14/2009 1 photo
I did not want to leave Smokeless Joe's. The coolest little beer bar we found on our trip. Amazing beer list that covered places from around the world that you never see on a beer list in the states. They had a beer from Bosnia fer cryin out loud.
If I were to ever be lucky enough to run a beer bar I would probably model it after Smokeless Joe: a cozy little place with some outside seating, a kitchen that would consist of two burners where you'd find that day's special cooking, rotating taps and a drool worthy bottle list.
Amazing. I could have dropped a fortune at this place. Speaking of which -- good lord Toronto, you are expensive to hang out with!Listed in: Toronto or Bust
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Review from Adam P.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2010
I am quite torn about this place. 3 stars seems like a harsh ruling to give this place considering all of the other 4+ stars its getting, but like the definition says it was A-OK. Maybe this sort of establishment is not my M.O.
I came to this place to check out their extensive beer list. I read that the place was small and cozy. When people say its small and cozy it is VERY small and cozy. So small that there aren't any tables, only a lining of bar stools and tables. There can never be more than 20-30 people in there because it would be packed.
This place is meant for a drink and a snack, not a dinner. Their food menu is a double sided sheet of paper filled mostly with mussel creations. Because I went there with the intention of eating dinner, my wife and I ordered some avocado bruschetta, mussels, and a salami sandwhich. All were very good dishes but not dinner worthy. More snack worthy.
As a side note, they do have oysters on their menu, which doesn't suit my tastes but for others it might. I also remember reading a special (some weekday I forget) that has 12 oysters for $12. Considering their regular price per oyster was 2.50-3.50, this sounds like a bargian.
At any one time they usually have 10 taps and a large selection of imported beers from around the world. Like others have said as well the beers are very expensive, even for something more common like Hoegaarden or Mill St. I appreciate the attempt to bring in beers of the world, but many of the beers on the list can be found at other places that have a beer menu.
Nice people, unique place, friendly atmosphere, but doesn't quite suit my dining style (which shouldn't be a knock on them). -
Review from Angela B.
Toronto, ON
7/14/2010
When i want mussels and great beer, I go here.
I love the homey ambiance of this place, reminds me of bars in Europe. On my last trip i shared the Mussels Provecal with my hubby - tomatoes and herbs were very fresh and tasty. I will definitely be back to try other varieties. I wish they had frites to go with them instead of bread ;)
Beers on tap here are local, bottles from all over the place, definitely a super selection for your own personal Beer Festival. -
Review from R C.
5/19/2011
Small place with a busy-but-intimate atmosphere. Bartenders are extremely friendly and knowledgable. Tuesday's $1 oysters can't be beat - but be prepared, it can get a little packed. Great beer selection with rotating taps and a good belgian beer selection. Stick with the mussels (the jerk mussels are amazing) but skip the clam chowder.
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Review from Adrian P.
East York, ON
12/22/2009
This is my kind of bar. Small, intimate, lots of beer selection and you can listen to good music and actually carry on a conversation at the same time.
Much like the atmosphere of my favourite bar 'Opera Bob's' at Dundas and Ossington, the place is cozy and the service is friendly and helpful.
Don't be intimidated by the large beer selection, ask for some advice from the bar staff, that's part of the fun! -
Review from Skye W.
12/29/2010
beer +mussels+ oysters
what more could I ask for?
a hidden little cave gem on john street between king and queen.
I got a Durham ESB and an Amsterdam Big Wheel Amber.
Both were delicious.
I shared oysters and mussels with my friend.
The oysters were decent. I prefer West Coast ones.
The Jerk mussels were just the perfect amount of spicy. I would recommend the mussels over the oysters.
The cost is quite pricey, but the atmosphere and the food is worth it.Listed in: T to the O dot
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Review from Kat F.
3/5/2009 1 photo
Let me start of by saying that not only do I not eat mussels, but I also don't drink beer. And those are the two house specialties at Smokeless Joe!!!
So what exactly brought me to Smokeless Joe, then? Well...the vegetarian (vegan, even) chili!! It came highly recommended and I'm glad I stopped in to try it. The place is very, very small - there's probably only enough seating for 25 people in the whole place, and that's including seats at the bar, so for dinner I'd say maybe 15 people can eat comfortably (or uncomfortably, depending how much room you take up). It took about 30 minutes for the chili to arrive but I have no doubt that it was because it was being made from scratch, and it was well worth the wait. It was brimming with beans...chickpeas, kidney, black beans...and some sort of bulghur or quinoa base that was unusual and tasty. The portion was very big and came with a nice French bread for dipping. -
Review from Anfernee C.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2010
Great global beer selection, super mussels from PEI and home made hot sauce with funny names! I need to go back soon. It's got a really cool vibe too - nice and cosy, and friendly bartenders. Spend enough time there and I'm sure it's one of those places "where everybody knows your name"...
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Review from Soukia S.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2009 1 photo
There are not many cool beer bars in the city but this is definitely one of them! Smokeless Joe is tiny and very intimate. It's not a good place to go with more than four people and probably not a good place to go on a Friday or Saturday night because you won't get a seat.
Their beer menu is extensive and the special imports can be quite pricey so make sure you love beer. However, they have a wall of draft beers which are decently priced and also very good!
The servers are super cool and have good recommendations. Their food menu is small but super tasty. They have a special half-price oyster night as well!
This place is cozy for a cool date or if you want to hang out with a friend. It is located in a basement so there is no natural lighting but the ambiance is still nice. You will find a mixture of young professionals hanging out here or a more mature clientelle but all-in-all no pretentious wanks! -
Review from Andy N.
3/25/2011
I can't really add anything new to what people are saying. I went in on a Monday and felt like I owned the place. Bartender was helpful and omnipresent. I downed a couple beers near the end where they are cooking up the mussels. Big mistake! Every pan that went by made me hungrier and hungrier. I was debating ditching my dinner plans. Some time I would go back and stuff myself. I don't think there was an offering on the menu that didn't look good. Also, I missed Tuesday oyster night - buck Malpeques.
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Review from Monsters K.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2010 1 photo
This is absolutely a regular stop for me, the perfect afterwork drink.
They stock exclusively 'unusual' beers, and 100's of them. There's not a coors in the place, although Mill Street managed to get on tap.
The food is good and reliable appetizers, like bruscheta, mussels, and other tidbits.
If your in for the night, start saving, it's pretty easy to spend $10 a pint. Great place though -
Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
3/8/2010
I was recently introduced to Smokeless Joe's by another Yelper and I've already been back a couple times.
The bar is pricey but the vibe is pretty good when you consider the area and the kind of obnoxious people one sometimes runs into around these parts.
The service is good, the staff are friendly, when I asked about one of the beers on tap I got a very detailed description that described it perfectly.
The selection of beer on tap is great! Tasty beers that must have been hand-picked by someone with good taste! I think there are around 10 taps which is pretty good in itself but they also seem to mostly have interesting beers on tap (while I was there, they weren't wasting any taps on something like Moosehead or Heineken). The bottled selection is vast and can match any bar (even the Bier Markt in that department).
It's small and cozy and warm and welcoming! When I mentioned to my boss that I was checking this place out for the first time, he told me it was his standard "first date" bar. And if you like a casual, warm atmosphere, non-pretentious atmosphere - I can see why!
It seems like they only have counter seating & high chair/table seating which is a small pet peeve of mine (it means I certainly won't spend the entire evening there as at some point I'll be off searching for a more comfortable place to sit as I get more and more tipsy).
If it wasn't for the price and the seating, it would definitely be a 4 star. -
Review from J S.
10/13/2010
great little gem!
was in Toronto on biz and looking for place near my hotel. stopped by for a order of mussels and some great beer. enjoyed the food, atmosphere and chatting with the owner, who is a super guy... -
Review from Derek D.
Toronto, ON
11/9/2010
An amazing selection of beers, great service and a cozy inviting atmosphere
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Review from Glenn H.
Oakville, ON
4/16/2011
I love this place. I will return. However, I am making a plea to the owners to fire the rude barmaid that greeted my wife and I when we went in last Friday, April 8. Hopefully after some detective work you'll know who I'm talking about - there were two girls working, along with my bearded friend. This one was a brunette.
Story: We arrived later in the evening on a Friday, so I knew it would be tough getting a table or a spot at the bar. We did eventually find two seats at the bar and sat down. After roughly 5-10 minutes; many passes from this girl with not even a simple greeting or a shred of eye contact given to us. Unusual. Eventually, I called to the barmaid and attempted to order a beer. I was rudely instructed that they were at capacity, and that they could no longer serve new customers. Okay, this is what we're dealing with. Fine by me. Generally, restaurants and bars will have doormen to keep things in check, but I like the fact I can still enter a place (particularly in the colder months) and wait. After the beer rejection, I proceed to ask if I could have a glass of water while I waited. Again, a rude and curt "no" response. My response: "I can't have a glass of water? Okay, I'll wait". After roughly 20 minutes or so, and after 2-3 parties had left (roughly 8-9 people), I asked if we could be served. Again, rude response "It's not going to be happening tonight." Stated without eye contact.
What the hell? If it's not going to happen, please tell me so I can go somewhere else to eat instead of allowing me to sit at the bar, hungry and thirsty, for 20 minutes. I'm an easygoing guy, and I've been to this place many, many times and have always had a positive experience. The mussels are great, the beer is top notch, and I've had many friendly conversations with the staff. As a result, I've referred tons of people to this bar.
Smokeless Joes - fire this bitch immediately. She is a cancer at your fine establishment. Everyone is entitled to a bad day or night, but this was not the case. Pure bitchiness, rudeness, and an elitist attitude oozing off of this girl. And to the girl - if you happen to read this review: please heed these words: readfbetweuenthceklyinoesu.
Cheers Smokeless Joe's, you are still beloved. -
Review from Nick C.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2009
Smokeless Joe gets 5 stars for being one of the greatest concept restaurants I've been in...ever. I completely understand and accept that my sense of Smokeless Joe's greatness is directly attached to my own love (LOVE) of a good pot of mussels. Their African Peanut soup is also great, which makes me assume that the other stews and soups are too. Additionally, I find the beer list here suits my taste better than any other I've found in Toronto so far, and the fact that the beeristas are willing (and required) to leave their bar fortress and go to the fridge at the back of the store makes me feel grossly indulgent asking for some of their bottled speciailties. My one request for these guys is to find a way to add some pommes frites to the menu...but I'll be back weekly regardless.
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Review from Caitlin R.
Scarborough, ON
5/11/2010
Great little hidden bar right smack dab in the clubbing district. Fantastic for the adventurous beer-taster (recommend: St. Paull Double and the Gulden Draak - both intriguing and scintillating flavors). Great chit-chat bar for those looking to catch up or get to know each other.
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Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2009 1 Check-in Here
Enjoy beer? Enjoy mussels? Smokeless Joe's is the coolest small little place in Toronto to enjoy both. The beer menu here is massive and everybody is sure to find something they like...as an added bonus the staff is uber knowledgeable about the menu and will gladly point you in the right direction!
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Review from Noll K.
4/7/2011
Hidden below the street level, Smokeless Joe's is just where you want it - below the tourist radar. Mussels marniere, clam chowder and many pints of Durham's - all enjoyed in the company of an Aussie, a Frenchy and some locals, perfect!
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Review from hangover n.
Toronto, ON
2/20/2011
great place, and i don't even drink beer. snug and charming, with lovely staff.
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Review from Bill D.
3/26/2011
Great spot. I was visiting Toronto alone and felt totally comfortable on a Saturday nigh and the bar. Great beer, very good food - unique (vegan chili and a crostini w/avocado spread that was very good w/a hoppy beer)
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Review from Steven S.
7/19/2010
I have very fond memories of getting extremely trashed at this place with my father before we staggered down the street to the movie theater and fell asleep during "Seabiscuit." I believe smoking was still legal in bars back then, so Smokeless Joe was a relief both for that and for the incredible selection of craft beers, microbrews, and international artisan beers on tap. I think all those words basically mean the same thing, but I wanted to use them in the same sentence anyway. Dad was paying, so I basically ordered as many of the most expensive and strangest sounding items on the menu, filling my head with suds of various provenances: dubels, trippels, and even a quadrupel, I believe. My review of this place is probably worthless, because it's been so long since I was there (2003?), but it's arguably worth a visit if it's been around that long and its original gimmick, being smoke-free, is no longer even relevant. I believe they serve food, and I probably ate some of it, but you'll pack on calories enough with just the beer. Beer is energy, you know.
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Review from Ernest C.
Toronto, ON
10/29/2008
I guess I don't really care about restaurants that have a wide range of menu options or whatever. I more care that a restaurant does one thing and does it well. Because I'm only able to eat one thing per meal, I'm just a human. Smokeless Joe has lots of beers (in bottles mostly, very few taps), and they have mussels with bread, in maybe 6 different sauces/flavours. That's pretty much it. It is a tiny basement place that seats maybe 25 plus a patio that seats maybe 10, so it is tiny. Inside it smells like mussels. I hope you like mussels by the way. Now I'm not saying their mussels are divine or anything; you can't really screw up mussels as long as you don't over cook them. You can only hope to cook them properly, which they do. Which is important. And they are non-smoking but nowadays everyone is so that isn't really a differentiator any more. But I think Toronto needs more places like this; they just do one or two things and they never screw it up.
