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Unicorn Pub
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
18 reviews for Unicorn Pub
18 reviews in English
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Review from U U.
Toronto, ON
4/26/2012
Came here on a Saturday with a friend, and ran into another friend. We hung around for fries and drinks. We listened to most of the live sets from the band.
Pros:
-Good service. Reasonably fast, very friendly.
-Fries were good.
-The cover band was amazing. I can't remember the name of the band, but they played on a Saturday. They played a lot of classic, 90's, and modern rock. They also did some funny pop covers like Kelly Clarkson - that was actually very well done. The Zeppelin they played was fantastic.
Cons:
-Bit of a weak beer list - mostly big labels. It would be nice to see some smaller Ontario craft brews (Hoptical Illusion or Barking Squirrel, FTW!). -
Review from Vivek S.
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
With a Happy Hour which ranges from 11:30am to 7:30pm daily, standard operating procedure at The Unicorn is inexpensive drinks, a variegated crowd that covers every demographic, and a subterreanian coziness that will usually produce fun times.
Jim G's description of the Unicorn as "an ongoing high-school dance packed into a stoner's basement" is apt. On the night of my most recent visit, a steady stream of 'tween-like patrons were filing in like underage ants to a beer picnic. The bartender's jaw dropped and I looked outside for a yellow school bus. Almost by instinct, one of the regulars (a burly and red-nosed man of retirement age) started checking IDs. This is what I mean by "every demographic."
Beer selection here is limited, and my previous forays into food have been non-controversial. There is live music most nights with no cover, but the volume that night was overpowering for an old-timer like me. We ended up moving to their small street-facing patio, which was legit.
With modest expectations you will have a good time at the Unicorn Pub.
Obligatory Title Pun: Kids are flowing in/for endless beer into a branded cup/they giggle while they wait/they get shitfaced across the UNICORN.
Menu Readability: I don't even remember a menu.
Need to mention: They have a $5 lunch special too.
What this place teaches me about myself: I don't think I was ever 19 was I? -
Review from Jorge L.
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh. It's a pub in its purest form. I am not a beer drinker so my review is from non-drinker's point of view. I'm reviewing food and service.
The staff that helped us only checked on us twice. I was thirsty and dying from the curry spices. It was spicy hot. Again, sorry was very very poor. If they don't see $$ on our forehead, they will forsake you. Like that word -forsake?
Moving on...
The food was OK. Poor service + ok food = two stars. I could have given a higher rating if it was delish. But it's not delish (borrowing term from a friend).
Because of poor service and OK food... I will not come back.Listed in: Cheap Eats and Calorie Galore
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Review from Payam Z.
10/18/2011
3.5*
Unicorn is a solid pub, but as it has been mentioned nothing extraordinary! The space is huge, and I'd guess you could have a good time here on the crowded night if the young people of Yonge and Egg went out in their own 'hood more often.
There have been live bands when I've visited (mostly on Thursdays), and the music has consisted of the typical pub cover band.
Food-wise Unicorn is a cut above the average pub grub, and they actually carry a few authentic Irish items. That being said I usually go for wings (1/2 price on Tues) or nachos. The burgers are MASSIVE to the point of falling apart, which isn't necessarily a good thing! There is also a daily 'happy hour' which discounts all appetizers before 7pm or so.
I wasn't too impressed with the beers available, but on the bright side they serve half pints for those times you can't decide if you want another! -
Review from Izabela J.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011
Good appetizers, friendly staff, good music selection. There was a live band playing on the Saturday that when we went (Campfire Poets) and they were really good! We didn't know people actually dance here, but quite a few did... especially for certain songs. It was great to watch.
One odd thing (neither good nor bad) I noticed was that the crowd were really mixed. There were biker-looking dudes, middle-aged tourist-types who danced really funny, groups of people in their 20's and 30's, families (with adult kids), and groups of girls who must have been there to pre-drink or something before going clubbing elsewhere.
There was even a guy dressed in white jeans and white tee doing a river-dance to a live cover of a Jane's Addiction song. LOL
The "Unicorn" name doesn't suit this Irish pub, which in itself is rather fitting. :-P
Ooooh, I forgot to add, they have1/2 price apps from 5-7pm which is awesome. Not sure if that's available everyday or what... but it's a great deal. -
Review from Madelaine D.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2010
The Unicorn is pretty massive pub with tons of seating, perfect if you're going out with a bigger group of people. Despite the size it still manages that dark dank pub feel without being grimy.
The clientele varies massively and is pretty hard to peg down (anything from 19 year olds to 60+ and everything in between).
They have live music fairly regularly (typical pub cover bands) and the pub is big enough that you can either sit close to the music and really enjoy it or move further away (because of the size of the place) and actually carry on a conversation.
I don't find there to be anything outstanding about this place but if you're looking for live music and decent beer this place isn't half bad. -
Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
3/7/2011
Cons;
Overall, a bit basement-y feeling; the cement (masquerading as half-timbered) ceilings, tile floors, and uneven, glaring lighting. The management should invest in new fixtures, or at least buy frosted bulbs to diffuse the light a bit; some of the booths are lit like a television set, and the decor doesn't bear much illumination.
Pros: half-price apps from 5 - 7, friendly and helpful staff, and food that's surprisingly good.
The potato skins were a mess o'grease as they should be, but had solid bacon flavour. The nachos were just fine, my friend was pleased by his burger, and I was downright surprised by my club - a real (greasy) grilled chicken breast with good bacon and real mayo on thin, lightly toasted multigrain. On the other hand, my garden salad arrived doused in half a cup of Kraft Italian dressing, but I was happy to let it lie. -
Review from Arun P.
Toronto, ON
Good food. Cozy atmosphere!
I would recomend this pub.
The beer is well kept and the pub is atmospheric.
On the whole good value, $5 lunch special every day! -
Review from Dale M.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2009
Good times really do exist. Unicorns, not so much.
I was a big fan of this midtown classic until the novelty of having a subterranean dive bar in my neighbourhood wore off and I realized there wasn't much else to say about it. Here's what remains:
The Unicorn is a great place to catch live music almost every night of the week (a lot of 90s alternative, which I love). It has an interesting layout with diverse seating options and a décor that makes you feel like a hobbit or some other, similar cave-dweller (dark-stained, rough-sawn wood, exposed brick and low ceilings) . Draught offerings are reasonable (including Guinness) and the small front patio is a nice hangout on a summer night if you don't feel like travelling far from Yonge and Eglinton.
But:
Service is hit-and-miss and the crowd seems cliquey (I think a lot of local kids hang here, friends who've known each other for years). A pint of Guinness is $7.75 (unjustifiable in this neighbourhood) and you'll be lucky to get it in branded glassware. I know this last point sounds obnoxiously snotty, but I think it's a small point of service that should be given attention.
If you're going to stop by, shoot me an invite first or bring your own friends. You probably won't make any while you're there.Listed in: The Midtown Strip
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Review from Candace H.
4/19/2009
I'd be the last person to hit up a pub, but when I've got a handsome man pulling me through the door... I can't really say no, can I?
I like the whole set up, chairs & the whole wooden thing. Wood everywhere. I guess it looks a lot like a pub. I don't have much to compare it to... other than the pubs I hit up in London and a few that I've managed to ignore in DC.
They had live music on a Thursday night. When it came on, it was pretty loud inside, so our group scooted to the back so that conversation could continue and music could be enjoyed - simultaneously.
The waitress was on point, as far as I could remember.
After a few beers & shots, and then beer following shots, and finally the some shots inside of a few beers, the place started looking pretty good.
Drunk goggles or not, the place is dark, cute, & comfortable, and -gasp- I would willingly go back. -
Review from Jen I.
Mississauga, ON
10/22/2009
I love this pub!!
I go there for the Open Jams on Wednesday nights, and its SO much fun. The band is incredible, and the pub itself is big enough that if you would rather chat then enjoy the live music you can do so near the back.
The waitresses are all very friendly and the atmosphere is comfortable and cozy. I have yet to have a meal there, but my friends that have eaten there claim its good eats. -
Review from Kyle Y.
North York, ON
9/24/2009
I was just here, literally not more than an hour ago. I dont normally yelp about a place as soon as I get home but I had a lot of fun at the Unicorn.
There are 3 questions I ask myself after visiting a new bar
1) Was there good beer ?
2) Did I have a good time ?
3) Can I see myself going back there ?
I answer all 3 with yes.
Yes, albeit not extensive, they have a good variety of some of my favourite beers. On a wednesday there was live music, which I have learnt is one of the big draws. I am always a fan of a live band. And I can definitely see myself drinking many a beer at the Unicorn. -
Review from Jim G.
8/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Unicorn is an ongoing high-school dance packed into a stoner's basement. The ceiling is low and the space for the live music is small and oddly situated beside a tiny dance floor. The music is loud. The place is full of twenty-somethings but also some hippy holdovers. I always have a blast at the Unicorn, not surprising as we usually go there after going somewhere else first. It's a late-night standard. I've never paid a cover, and the bands are always boisterous and cater to the crowd with covers of '80s bands and hard rock versions of light rock. The drunks in the crowd often become overamorous. Last night, a young couple dry-humped on the dance floor and the dude felt up his girlfriend's boobs in front of everyone--I think they forgot there were other people there and didn't notice the middle-aged guys nursing their pints and staring at them. Anyway, the Unicorn's a good choice, a little unexpected in this upscale neighbourhood. It is what it is: loud, kind of stinky, crowded, and the kind of place you have to try hard to be thrown out of.
Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Renata R.
4/18/2010
I actually spent a lot of time there in a saturday bar-hopping night. This was the first pub on our night.
They are not exactly cheap and I dislike this 'no drinks menu' system. C'mon, I don't like to keep asking your waitresses what she suggests me, I'd like to know what you offer, the prices, and think about the options. At least they offer Irish Cream on tap (I've never seen this before!)
I couldn't watch the live show, so I don't know if the music is good or not. There were plenty of seatings on a saturday night.
We also ordered some nachos, and they were pretty good - the portion is HUGE. I strongly suggest asking for the nachos only if you're on a group of 3 or more. We were 4.
Unicorn is a nice place, but there's nothing special about it. -
Review from jonathan f.
Brampton, ON
8/7/2009
One of my pubs in the city. I read somewhere that this is one of the local spots where Rolling Stones drink when they're in town. The crowd here is a little more mature but i think that rings true of most pub environments.
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Review from Hoozie R.
London, ON
11/30/2009
nice dark little musty joint to hang out, seems a outta place on a busy street- the minute yu walk in you'd think you were in a lodge somewhere in a hill station.
been there 3 times now- there is no consistency in the meals/ service.
My first 2 visits were good, huge sized portions, great beer, lovely waitresses. Ahem...visit #3..not so great.....ordered regular plate of fish n chips....yuk! Half the fish was well burnt and the other half very undercooked the batter was still oozing from the damn thing!
its pub food, i know, but still how hard is it to cook fish and my bud [who ordered a burger n fries] wasn't impressed with his meal either.
All in all, I don't think id be eating there again, I might go there for drinks/ to chill but a def no no when it comes to grub. -
Review from Natalie E.
Toronto, ON
2/19/2010
This place is a Yonge & Eglinton staple and is exactly want I want in a pub: clean, cozy, good tap selection and decent pub grub. We've had a couple of our condo pub nights here and there are very accomodating to our large group and don't give us attitude about separate bills or putting tables together. 1/2 price appies 5-7 Mon-Sat and free wi-fi too.
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Review from Yo U.
9/26/2009
This place isn't great. I'd give it a pass if I were you.
