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Tattoo Rock Parlour
Categories: Beauty and Spas Tattoo Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Tattoo, Music Venues [Edit]
567 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2B6
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
23 reviews for Tattoo Rock Parlour
23 reviews in English
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Review from Aviva S.
12/5/2011
Hm....this place feels like such a misnomer having rock and tattoo in the title.
I came here on a Sunday of all days (defintely not my idea). This was one of the few places open with a cheap cover ($5), I've always been interested in going here, and I needed to cheer up a friend.
So on the positive, it was actually lively for a Sunday, the cover's not bad, the drink prices are a little cheaper than a lot of Toronto clubs, the crowd isn't too sleazy (there's always the random greaseballs), and the decor/aesthetic isn't bad.
However, I don't know if this place used to be different but it screams "sell-out". It's very generic Richmond street club and I was let down by the top 40/electronic music because I wanted and expected rock and there was none.
Overall, meh. I enjoyed myself here but this is a Richmond/Peter street simply on Queen. Disappointing. I'll continue my search for a decent place for us rock-lovers. -
Review from Susan G.
5/14/2012
This could have been a solid 3.5, but a bad start to the night ruined it all...
I went here for a friend's birthday on a Friday, where they boasted "ladies free cover before 12". Since it's also walking distance from my house, those were all the reasons we needed to go.
When we got to Tattoo around 11:15pm, the line was pretty big - and when I asked the bouncers / other people how long we would wait, they told us we wouldn't be in before midnight. Urgh, there goes free cover. HOWEVER the bouncer then told me if I gave him $10 cash, he would let us in.
SO great. Either I wait 30-45 minutes, and then have to pay cover, OR I give this random bouncer my $10 and go in immediately. Obviously we decided to pay the bouncer.
I hate that! Not only am I getting ripped off, but so is the club - because that bouncer pocketed the cash. It seemed like there were a few people in on it. AND it meant that the ladies free cover was totally BS.
Once we got in, in typical Toronto nightclub fashion it wasn't even close to full.
So while drink prices were reasonable, and there was a great mix of rock and top 40. It was a fun night, but I doubt I'll be back! -
Review from Kiran S.
Toronto, ON
10/30/2011
I like this place! When I first heard we were going to a 'rock club' I almost backed out. I think a better description for the music is an alternative or indie club. They play an awesome mix of stuff that is totally dance worthy!
Cover was $10. I have mixed reviews about that. Its cheaper than cover at other clubs, but is this the type of place that you should be charging cover to get into? Its a hybrid between a pub (in terms of music choice) and a club (the fact that theres a big dance floor).
We got there just before 11pm on a saturday. There was a lineup, but didnt wait too long, maybe 5 min to get it. Once inside we checked our coats quickly. I did notice later in the night there was a HUGE coat check line, maybe 25-40 people waiting! yikes, and it is an awkward system that they have their coat check downstairs, but theres not much room to make a line up there, so its spreads out into the stairwell. Bathrooms are downstairs...so at first I thought omg huge bathroom line! But as I continued downstairs, I saw the bathrooms themselves weren't busy. In fact I didnt wait at any point to use their bathrooms...thats pretty darn good for a club.
The place itself was busy. It got packed. I loved the music!! I think the stage is hilarious. Lots of people were getting up to dance on it. Drinks were fair priced for mixed drinks, but a little on the high side for a domestic beer.
So I had a smokin time at this club. Would definitely return for a change of venue from the 'usual' clubs that play hip hop/house/top 40. If you want to try something different, totally check out this place! -
Review from Yvonne T.
In all fairness, this is not the type of bar/club I would normally go to. I am more a Top 40 type of gal. Rock isn't really my thing.
The thing that blew me away about this place was the $10 cover fee. I'm sorry, it wasn't even 11PM yet. Drinks are pretty pricey $6 for standard bar rail and beers - also $6. The music was extremely loud, and I came out with a ring and a layer between sound in my ear.
We haphazardly discovered there was a downstairs where you could actually rest and sit back - more of the bar feel. Upstairs is more of the club feel.
You will find your typical cougars here, along with crappy bartenders who are slow-moving and aren't on the ball.
All in all, I would take my money elsewhere. The decor is kind of cool, but that does not a good bar/club make.Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
3.5
I had an excellent time here but I think mostly because we were smart and very lucky. Tonight, an impromptu decision brought us here.
This Saturday was the busiest night of the year (Halloween) and extremely crowded. Makes me wonder if all nights are like this too, but nonetheless I loved the music. A mix between Rock and Dance, it was different from the typical bougie clubs we go to on King West. I could have done without the heavy metal (and Du Hast, wow that took me back) but for the most part, loved every song they played from Bon Jovi, to Killers, to No Doubt (!!!!).
When we go there (grant, quite late around 11:30pm), there was a huge non-guestlist line, and a moving g-list line. The bouncer let me know that the cover is $10 (not too shabby), and for an additional cost, he would give me line by pass. I know how this works.
And we're too old and it too cold to stand in line just to save that additional $10 per person, so we all went in.
Getting in was difficult, and once in, getting to coat check/bathrooms were even harder. It's got to be a fire hazard, and I don' t understand how this is even allowed.
After navigating the crowds in the big room with a stage, you go down a narrow two level stair case to the coat check, another music room and the bathrooms. What a mess. The line to the coat check backs up on to the stair case, you have people going down, and coming up. The worst is when everyone is intoxicated and needs to get their jackets. Inconsiderate, and half asleep people doesn't help this traffic jam. My poor friends waited probably at least 30mins to put their jackets and get them again.
I never went to the bathroom, but I would highly suggest thinking it through before getting too wasted here. Seems like in an emergency, getting to the bathroom is impossible, and best bet is to go to the other side for 'fresh' air in the smoking section.
We did find the small room downstairs. It had lower ceilings, and wasn't as packed. There were empty spots in the middle. Although smaller, the music wasn't too loud, even though we were right in front of the speakers. In terms of music choices, there were many songs that were repeated both upstairs and downstairs, so I think they were the same.
Lucky us, found a booth there, and vowed that if they were to come kick us out, we would move. There were other benches and seats (non booth) available too. We stashed our jackets and had a place to sit for the whole night.
3.5 for the over all experience, but try to get caught in the coat check ordeal.
I would come back again for another less busy night! -
Review from S D.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
TRP has one of the best club interiors in T.O. The music is great, but the drinks and cover are pretty expensive. The crowd is usually pretty sleazy, too. Overall though, with a big group, it can be a very fun experience.
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Review from Susie H.
2/19/2011
Seriously one of the lamest clubs/bars/nightlife places I have ever been, totally killed my Friday night. Background on me: been clubbing many times and willing to pay up if it's a good party. That being said, I also enjoy the occasional indie show.
Now onto the review..where do I begin..
1) Cover was $10, after waiting in line in -20deg weather for 15 minutes in a huge line that didn't seem to be moving, only to find out that they keep you out there to make it seem like the place is super popular to people walking by, which was basically no one because of the area.
2) Music: I got in just as the live band was wrapping up so apparently I was paying $10 to hear someone who interns at the edge hook up their iPod shuffle to the horrible sound system which destroyed my ears.
3) Coat check was only $2 but the girl was SO SLOW and even though we were willing to pay for each coat she refused to put them on the same hanger to save time. I suspect this was why the line was so long to get in.
4) Bar was way overpriced and since it took me so damn long to get their attention I was able to watch how hard they were ripping everyone off (spread 2 "shots" in 3 drinks). Oh, and drinks were hella expensive, $6 for simple bar rail. And there were only 3 bartenders working at the bar because the others were busy being cocktail waitresses for the "vip" section.
5) Crowd was very bizarre and obnoxious. Girls were all trying way too hard to get some and guys were all very old and creepy. Andd ohh the dancers..wow that was disappointing. One of them was hot, but she didn't know how to dance, and the other clearly did, but was not hot in any way. Navigation was also impossible as they packed the place to the seams and the bathrooms were tucked way in the back.
6) Finally, the whole tattoo shop thing is very hyped. In my opinion it's a really stupid idea, why would you decide to get a tattoo while in the actual bar? Lots of shops are open late anyway in the area and it didn't even seem like anyone was allowed in there anyway. And I've heard from word of mouth that you have to take a breathalyser and blow 0 to get one.
I don't think I can think of much else. It's not even the type of place that could have been made better by copious amounts of alcohol. Just don't go here. -
Review from Noel D.
9/8/2010
I've only been here once and it was to see Flying Lotus.
The sound system is totally bunk. Fly Lo is pretty heavy on the beats but I've heard him at better-sounding venues and it didn't sound like my ears were going to start bleeding. The crowd on this particular night was a combination of good people in the city combined with the usual Ed Hardy-sporting dum dums.
I still get invited to events here all the time and they all tend to look like torture. I have walked by the venue a few times and it's your usual crop of club goers who actually get excited over things like 20 dollar covers and bottle service. -
Review from Christa A.
9/3/2009
We ended up here after I made friends with this cute local girl named Natasha over a beer at the Rex Room. We instantly clicked and she invited my bro and I to this hip club for her cousin's birthday. After getting cheated out by a cabbie (which the fare starts @ $4) we ended up in front of the Tattoo Rock Parlour and I really wasn't sure what to expect.
Upon walking in I could see how this place has potential but I wasn't too impressed, in fact I was overwhelmed with "club" music and tons of trendy people and a $7 cover. I was impressed with the ample seating and decor. I would not recommend drinking and getting a tattoo but apparently you can do that here. One last thing that I noticed was that their mixed drinks were never topped off and weren't that strong so you really don't get your money worth. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
10/2/2011
Went for the first time last night. I liked it because the music fits my style, but:
Positives:
-solid music
-$6 mixed drinks and beer (which is relatively cheap IMO)
-girls are all good looking
-dancing was quite fun and who doesn't love dancing to rock
Negatives:
-long line, even longer coat check line
-bartenders were moving slow/ kind of oblivious to customers
-music was way too loud (I think my ears are still ringing)
- music didn't seem to be mixed at all, the "DJ" would essentially wait until an entire song had ended before putting on a new one- occasionally lame
-they had the strobe light running for about 40% of the night, when in reality it should be closer to 4%.
Cliffs: would go again, but would ensure I was relatively intoxicated before going. -
Review from Jen W.
Scarborough, ON
10/17/2011
It is not the worst place I have ever been to but not the best either. I was going every Thursday for a while when they were playing the 80s hair metal, and didin't mind it too much. It was always very loud, and never really busy until around 12. The rail shots were not over priced and Miller street beer I think was like 4 something, which was good since I dont looove 80s hair metal but went with a friend for something to do.
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Review from Tre D.
Toronto, ON
5/29/2010
This place is over hyped a tad because of these drawbacks:
- Too busy
- So busy it's hard to get drinks
- so busy it's hard to get to the bathroom
- so busy you have to wait in like for an hour if you go there after 10:30
But the chicks here are 'UNREAL'. What more could you want.
I was there once and a fashion show broke out for like 15 mins. It was awesome. -
Review from Shayne M.
Toronto, ON
9/8/2010
The quick and dirty review is that this place is not worth your time or money.
I haven't been there in a few months now but the last time I was there was either a $10 or $15 cover charge. In addition to that the drinks are rediculously over priced. Domestic beer is about $6 for a can, no, not a tall can, just a can. You might as well spend an extra dollar for a bottle of Corona, at least you'll kind of feel like you're getting your money's worth.
The crowd seems to be more of the Richmond/Peter Street club scene type more than anything else. If you go here expecting different, sorry.
The music is nothing spectacular, either. It's mainly what'd you'd hear on the Edge, with a few variations here and there.
In the end, you'd probably have more fun heading across the street to Velvet Underground for a better experience while paying less money. -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
9/1/2008 6 photos
Tattoo Rock Parlour is Toronto's newest rock club. It's a joint ownershp between two powerhouse club companies: INK (Guvernement/Koolhaus, Ultra, This Is London) and Liberty Group (Liberty Grand, Phoenix, Rosewater Supper Club).
It's a bar and a restaurant and a club AND a Tattoo Parlour. It's located in the heart of Toronto's rock community, across from the legendary Bovine Sex Club and pub, The Hideout, and down the street from punk show veteran, The kathedral/Big Bop. It's the finishing mega-rock club touch on an already rocked out strip.
Weekends are jammed with your hotter, younger 905er as well as city kids looking for a break from electronic music. Fridays is a bit harder with classic and alternative rock on both floors. The main room with DJ Dwight and the downstairs lounge (complete with swanky bathrooms and a working fire place) with Millhouse Brown. Saturdays its all dance rock with Trevor and Orly in the main room and Jeremy in the lounge.
During the week they have live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays and a Live Karaoke Night on Tuesdays.
The restaurant opens at 7PM and the club opens at 9PM. You can book bottle service or dinner reservations by phone at any time. They also do in-house catering for private bookings.
What's good to know: Tuesdays there are food and drink specials. The weekends are rammed but the locals frequent it during the week.
It's the perfect spot for a pre-cocktails before a night of dancing or for anyone who wants to hear The Killers or Bon Jovi but still get a great club experience.
Plus, you can get a Tattoo if you feel like it. -
Review from Marie F.
6/7/2009
After months of hearing about this place I finally decided to check it out with my friends last Friday. The music is cool but the atmosphere and crown are an odd mix. Let me clarify myself... Liberty Grand owns Tattoo Rock Parlor as well as the not so trendy Velvet Underground (ironically I am not sure that most of the people I saw at Rock Parlor even know who the Velvet Underground are!).
My argument is that both places have similar concepts with WAY different executions: Velvet is grimy, raw, nonchalant fun and has a hint of goth whereas Tattoo Rock Parlor is the uber polished, mild version with a $10 cover! It's almost as if this were a top 40's bar in clubland momentarily disguised as a Rock Bar!
All my snarky observation aside, the place was fun and the music was great... ranging from Pulp to Guns and Roses.Listed in: God save the Queen...…, It's not always what on the…
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Review from Yolanda B.
ON
12/18/2008
The music rocks and so does the atmosphere. The service is okay. It never seems to get packed yet the bartenders are always slow to get to you. I don't like paying cover or standing in line and there's a $10 one here and typically a long line after 11pm. The worst thing is that people come in, see it's not full then leave. If they stayed, it would be full.
What I do like about it is that it's an off-the-beaten path kind of place. You won't find any Richmond Street under-agers or attention-seeking hipsters here. You will find a wide variety of types here though: the cougar makes rare appearances, the skid, the rocker is surprisingly uncommon, the prep taking a vacay from his usual hangout, the Avril-wannabes, and the nerdy-looking wall flowers who simply stand and stare thinking they'll fade into the shadows and we won't see them.
Most people are really nice, but twenty-year old blondes, regardless of your appearance, seem to get the most attention.
As a bonus, Edwin of I Mother Earth fame bartends downstairs. Not too many people hang out there but it's a good place to go make-out if you do happen to score a skid or a cougar. -
Review from Dieter M.
Scarborough, ON
4/17/2011
Only good thing I can say about this place is that the enviroment is great, and music loud and prefect to move too. Exactly what u need at a club. But what I didn't like of the club was that was way too pack that you couldn't really dance with out stepping on someone's toes, The major part that was that the security wasn't all that good, people were coming in wear their big jackets and there was no pat down. So I'm surprised to have read that some big names like slash and Avril would make appearances there.
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Review from Charlene E.
3/12/2010
I can't really give a full review because (a) I was only there to see a friend's band play (b) we were on the guest list and didn't pay a cover or deal with the door guys and (c) we didn't buy drinks
What I did experience was okay, but unless it was to see friends, I probably wouldn't go back. It's pretty small and most of the tables were already reserved. It had a nice vibe, a decent size dance floor and the sound was really good. As the band got to the end of their set, the place got progressively more crowded to the point I was starting to panic a little bit and we decided to get out before the DJ started. We accidentally went downstairs because there were "Exit" signs pointing that way but we were given major attitude by an employee who told us we had to go back up and fight our way to the front doors. The lineup outside was really long as we were leaving so no doubt this is a pretty happening place, but more appropriate for someone 23, not 43, lol
And that tattoo shop connected to the venue was so distracting! I was torn between watching the band and sneaking out to get some more ink! -
Review from Sarah p.
1/7/2010
Once the night got under way this place was a pretty good time.
3$ beers on a weekend (right up my alley)
the music started off pretty undesirable for a club andI was a bit concerned that I was going to get stuck with what sounded like a bad radio mix. However, the music made its way to a decent mix of good dancin' tunes.
I' m not as privy to the local scene as I once was but as an out-of-towner I had a good time @ a clean place w/ decent staff and some hawt dancer girls, who btw didn't look like their stripping career had bombed! ( if any of you girls read this, come teach some of the club dancers in the states!!) -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/25/2008 1 photo
Judging by its name, I figured this place would be grungy, dark, and full of heavily-mascara'ed guys and girls in the early 20s.
Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech. Foot on brake. Stop judging, Connie.
You know those scenes in the movies where a businessman walks into a multi-levelled empty lounge and sees his long-lost lover cooing away at the microphone? That's how I felt when I walked into the Tattoo, although I am not a man, nor in business, nor was my long-lost lover cooing or doing anything on stage.
It is a nice looking place. There's ample seating and tables, and it could be a good romantic spot for a couple or giant groups. On the nights I've seen live music, there were only a smattering of fans in the audience, sitting in polar opposite areas of the venue, so the atmosphere wasn't electric or rocking by any sense. There were even middle-aged couples sitting in the back, presumably there because their hotel recommended this as a local place to go.
It's a pretty slick and lovely-looking venue, but it would probably be infinitely more interesting on a busier or louder night, like one of the live band karaoke nights. -
Review from Tiffany G.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 4/19/2011
Went to the Tattoo Rock Parlour for the first time in ages...and well...same music, but now a much younger crowd. I like the young at heart...but when it feels like you're at a high school dance there's a problem. The club crowd from Richmond street has definitely made their way down here. Also, the down stairs bar area was closed..a bit odd I think for a Friday night. Will I go back? Maybe. But just for the music and then cool down at the uber hip Bar Chef across the street for a really good drink to end the night.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/17/2008
In my attempt to find a dance club for the over 25 (as my days with Dance Cave have found an end)… Read more »
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Review from Jen I.
Mississauga, ON
5/25/2010
I went to this bar with a Bachelorette party, and I was looking forward to going because I am a 'rocker' and I heard that this place is awesome for 'rockers'. I must also mention that I really hate clubbing/clubs/clubbers. No offense, I just can't dance and don't really drink--so what's the point?
Anyway...so we get there and were let up onto the VIP section where I found an empty seat (unbeknownst to me at the time, it was at someone's table that had paid to be up there) and my friend left her jacket on the seat. We got up to go check out the tattoo parlour and when we came back we were greeted by possibly the RUDEST bouncer I've EVER MET. He refused to let us back up into the VIP section...(fine...we didn't pay extra to be up there, we just somehow found ourselves up there at first but the rest of our entire party were up there still...) so when we just asked to get my friend's jacket back at least, he refused to let us up to get it. He said if she wanted her jacket back, she'd have to wait until everyone left the bar and if it was still there, she'd get it back. Um...Excuse me? It's a JACKET, and its WINTER. Let the girl get her coat! Ugh. The bouncer almost went as far as PUSHING us down the 3 steps that led up to the VIP section, so we just went around to the other side (where we'd gained access to begin with), went right up to the VIP and got the jacket. What a jack-ass. That alone made me never want to step foot in there again.
The second disappointment...the music. I thought this was a ROCK BAR. I was excited to hear ROCK music!! This was like, rock-lite. Hell I heard Jay-Z there. Jay-Z is NOT ROCK. I made some requests to the DJ (who was very polite...but it wasn't DJ Dwight...maybe he's moved on?) like Judas Priest, Metallica...songs I would want to hear at a Rock bar, and he said he couldn't play them because no one would like it. What?? That was the final straw...power-tripping bouncers who treat girls like shite and a 'rock' bar that won't play 'rock' music.
You are the weakest link, good-bye!Listed in: Toronto LIVE Music!
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Review from Brian C.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is like any other club downtown. You must wait in line despite having lots of room inside. Look at paying $8 for shitty drinks. Men, if you are looking to pickup its easly 3 to 1 against you. The crowd is the cast of Jersey Shore cloned 1000 times not that you will be able to move through the crowd to see them all. They have a stage with nothing on it. This place is built to take as much of your money as possible. Thats it.
