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The Underdown Pub
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 5 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
4 reviews for The Underdown Pub
4 reviews in English
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Review from Evelyn W.
5/30/2011
This place is bringing some character back to Cabbagetown. I haven't eaten much here, so I can't speak to the kitchen... though I heard rumors of a major menu expansion and a large patio opening soon.
Live music, cheap drinks and a small staff that is warm and learns your name. This place never close before 2am, and somehow is NOT sleezy.
Big ups to bar manager and open-mic host Porter. -
Review from sarah l.
In life, I have suffered (infrequently) of FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out. It occasionally causes me to overextend myself during my waking hours. Such a thing happened two Sundays ago after a bike ride, then a pickup baseball game, followed by a few beers on a patio, followed by a Tekken 5 tournament on a PS2 with a broken controller (I still won) followed by more beers and an open mic night at the Underdown. I had honestly just planned on a 30min casual bike ride and I ended up at a strangers house with a sunburn. (Great day? I think so!)
The Overview:
- This is in a basement at the corner of Gerrard and Berkley. You can catch/take the 506 streetcar from Gerrard and Parliament. (This is more of a note to myself so I remember how I plan to get home next time).
- There aren't a lot of beers on draught but there was Orange Peel (which I *love*) so I was happy. The Great Lakes rep was in the house and we chatted about the seasonal brews from the last year. I am a fan of their Pumpkin Ale.
- Awesome crowd of people on a Sunday night - some people from a local supper club, some guys who were into more fingerstyle guitar, some people I recognized from Kim's old jam at Slack's, the occasional appearance by Bryan Goman. And a girl named Angel who is a dental assistant (I remember you!).
The good:
- The open mic jam on Sundays is awesome and everyone was really, really good. Usually at open mics there are 2 or 3 really awesome people and then everyone else is terrible. I'm not usually one of the worst people but here I am, and I love playing with people who are better than me.
- Really welcoming environment for all; around 50% LGBTQ when I was there. GREAT mix of people. I pretty much want to be friends with everyone. I felt like everyone liked me and "got" me, and they were excited to meet me and Bryan Goman and it was a really open and fun place to be for everyone. (I feel like I should note that this is not a gay bar; just an awesome place to be for everyone).
- No Diggity by Andrew Austin. I LOST MY MIND. I want to marry Andrew Austin's covers (not to be confused with marrying Andrew Austin himself).
The bad:
- The food is not amazing. It's not expensive but it's not really that inexpensive. Specific feedback on the sliders... improve the buns. The mixed veggie fries... cut them a bit thicker. I'll get something else next time.
- Not exactly on TTC but it's not a far walk from Parliament.
- Keeping me out too late drinking on a Sunday... I should probably thank you for this; great night!
Overall, I will come here again, on Sundays for the open mic jam. Porter is a great host and I had a great time here.Listed in: Places Where I had a Great…
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Review from Vivek S.
The Underdown Pub is a literally underground spot at Gerrard and Berkeley. Happening new pubs are popping up like crazy in this part of town and the Underdown is no exception. I popped in around midnight on Saturday night and the place was filled to the brim. There was a live band playing and just about everyone was holding a beer and rocking out to the music. Good times.
Music seems to the focus of the Underdown. Their event calendar is full of acts, and Saturday night's show was solid -- the band played hard all night. Both the stage and shop are tiny, which means it's not great for groups but there isn't a bad seat in the house if you're there for the show.
The beer is pretty affordable. Bottles of domestic were $4 and draughts were around $5.75. There isn't a tonne of selection at the taps (I saw Moosehead, Orange Peel, and Waupoos Cider), but they have a pretty good array of bottles.
I was pretty impressed with the service too. We were an unwieldy group, and the bar was packed, but the bartenders handled it with aplomb. A great first impression of the Underdown. I hope to come back and see some more acts.
Obligatory Title Pun: Get DOWN with the UNDERground.
Menu Readability: The bartender just shouted the options at me.
Need to mention: There was cover for the band, but it's PWYC.
What this place teaches me about myself: My entire party was wearing white phantom masks when I walked in. I can safely report that I am creeped out by masks. -
Review from Sandy W.
Toronto, ON
Live music in Cabbagetown is fantastic. I have seen two bluegrass bands at the Underdown and both of them were great. They had a good mix of great music and personality that fit well in the Underdown's small space.
