- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
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- All
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
5 reviews for The Piston
All Reviews
The Piston
3/10/2010
Doh, someone reviewed it before me.
New to our hood, The Piston is the best new hot spot in town.
Tarik is super friendly awesome, peeps are great and drinks are delish!
and p.s it's next door to the wickedest little boutique I've ever known
The Piston
7/25/2010
I step up to the tiny bar at the back between performers. A burly man with dreadlocks says the bartender will 'be right back' and offers to pour me a glass of water in the meantime. I oblige and thank him. When the bartender returns he nods in my direction signally my move and I casually shoot out a 'What do ya got?' He replies completely deadpan 'Everything. What do YOU got?' A little surprised to see my playfulness so haughtily slammed I growled back, 'Money.' And no tip.
Piston, I know you're new so maybe you haven't learned that you won't attract return patronage by behaving like a sour teenager. You earn tips with smiles and hotties, not sour sausages.
I was at the Piston for an under-attended NXNE show(putting my Yelp hookup wristband to good use). I was a fan of the former Concord cafe(on the rare occasion when it was open) but I haven't found the gumption to enter the Piston when it's stuffed to the gils with local hipsters. I like breathing room.
The blue light over the door is slightly pretentious and more than a little Dundas/Ossington stripy since it renders itself invisible to non-locals. But it's a non-offensive façade so I really can't complain much. It's definitely more appealing than the XXX shop that just opened up next to Freedom Clothing Collective.
The Piston needs a website with a menu listed and an attitude adjustment. Other than that it's a nice place that supports local artists and a welcome improvement in the neighbourhood.
The Piston
5/10/2010
2 photos
Some friends & I chose The Piston as a place to get together and catch up, and we're glad we did. Loved the atmosphere, and the friendly attentive bartender made sure we never ran dry.
We didn't make it into the back room that night, but we will be back to check it out. The Piston is a great addition to the neighbourhood!
The Piston
This little place just opened recently next to Long & McQuade on Bloor, just west of Ossington. It doesn't look like much from the outside. No big flashy sign, just a big blue light above the door, and a curious chalkboard stand (see picture I added). Reminded me a bit of The Violet Hour in Chicago. Inside however, there is a stunning environment. Exposed original brick walls, a shiny diamond checkerboard floor, high ceilings, and eclectic rescued elements (old wooden doors, stained glass windows, etc) have been craftily brought together into a cozy and intriguing setting for a bar & music venue.
The front room is full of comfy raised booths and tables with candles, with one long main bar running the length. They have Steam Whistle (pilsner) & Amsterdam Big Wheel (amber ale) on tap, and one of the owners told me they'd be expanding their selection shortly, as they had just opened. I had a fabulous single malt Irish whiskey, that was recommended, called Connemara. As a scotch drinker, I was surprised at how peaty and sweet it tasted. Notes of vanilla, perhaps. My companions stuck to the classics - G&Ts and rye & Cokes. The owners offered us some delicious shots, one with tequila and cassis, and were welcoming, friendly and genuinely happy to have us there. Much of the interior work was done DIY, by the owners, and you could see how proud they were of the place. It almost felt steam-punk at times, but very polished.
The back room is the crown jewel of The Piston. Robed in golden velvet curtains, it boasts an incredible sound-system, beautiful stage, lighting rig, and another bar accented by rescued punched-tin ceiling tiles, with remnants of paint still intact. One of the people I was with immediately commented about how great it would be to throw her birthday party there in a few weeks. On Fridays, we were told that one of the owners spins 60's, 70's, & 80's in the back room, and there will soon be some great live music, which is reassuring as many of Toronto's best venues seem to be disappearing in recent times. The sound of this room is really something special, and I'm sure the word will soon get out, especially being so close to one of the top music stores in the city.
As we were headed out, we were told that they would soon be starting to serve brunch (or as they called it, "blunch"). I'll be sure to update my review once I've tried it. In the meantime, check this place out. Dimly lit and discreet, it's great for a romantic rendezvous or just catching up with old friends.
The Piston
6/5/2010
Nicest bartender ever! Shooed away homeless man, pitcher of water to drink, didn't get mad when I forgot to close out my tab. Nice selection of beer, drinks were pretty strong. The bar itself is well kept and clean but in a comfortable way, not in that douchey NYC way. I wish this bar was in my city, I would go here every night. The back room for the live music is solid, the sound guy is a riot and was all around wonderful. Great place to see a show.