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- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
15 reviews for Whelan's Gate Irish Pub
15 reviews in English
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Review from Renata R.
3/7/2010
This pub reminds me of my favorite pub - an old Irish pub, in Brazil, run by an old Irishman. The guy in Brazil closed the pub back in 2004, sadly, and I was orphan. Then I moved to Canada and found Whelan's, which feels the same, with good prices and good food. I'm certainly coming back.
The nachos are HUGE and I suggest ordering for at least two very hungry people.
The chicken wrap comes with fries, and is much smaller. Fits two "normal" people, or one hungry.Listed in: Party Time
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Review from Goose K.
Toronto, ON
11/15/2011
I made this a local watering hole simply based on distance. It's a cosy little set-up that brings in a steady migration of people. I have a preference for the upstairs, assuming that no band is performing, otherwise any attempt at conversations will end. The back patio is a nice secluded spot. Beware that in the dead heat of the summer, you will be eaten alive by the bugs from the surrounding vegetation. Consider Appropriate measures.
I've picked at others finger foods and politely nodded with approval. I've only ever had the fish and chips, the monstrous portion is buttery and crispy and will serve you well in satisfying such a craving.
Unfortunately the biggest downside is the beer on tap. The selection is fine but there have been way too many occasions in which the draft beer was returned because it was "off." I won't use the words like sweaty feet or piss to describe the taste, but it was definitely sour and stinky (*cough* Stella *cough*.)
The staff is generally on top of their game and very accommodating. But you can be told only so many times that the keg is off and that they routinely clean their pipes. Either their getting their kegs at some underground black market operation or there's some other real underlying problem.
Whatevs, gotta put the kibosh on the beer on tap! which unfortunately doesn't leave much of a watering hole :( -
Review from cat k.
Scarborough, ON
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had some great company & cold pints.
All the food looked and smelled yummy. I had ordered some french fries which were nice and crisp & tasty.. Although I really didn't fancy the gravy.
Our server was attentive and we didn't wait long for drinks or our food.
Saturdays after our derby training we'll be back and I look forward to trying some more food out. -
Review from Vivek S.
9/10/2010
Bit of an underwhelming experience at Whelan's Gate. We grabbed a table in the small room upstairs, where we sat ignored for 15 minutes. I eventually just ordered some food from the waitress at the bar. (I had to stand up, the indignity!) The BBQ chicken sandwich was a bit small for my liking and a bit too sweet. The sides were actually superb, and I think I would go back for those fries alone. The atmosphere is swell, so I might return here for drinks.
Obligatory Title Pun: It's all WHEL-an good (but not great)
Menu Readability: Think "Elephant & Castle."
Need to mention: I might have to try this patio everyone keeps talking about at some point during our 14-day-long Canadian summer.
What this place teaches me about myself: I should have just had the Scotch.Listed in: Hogtown Beer Haunts, Pubs in Toronto
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Review from Mike F.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2011
Let me start by saying I'm Irish. Like actually Irish.
I've been to Whelan's Gate a couple of times. The decor is Irish feeling but is more run down that an actual Irish pub would be. Service is good, I haven't eaten here and drink prices are reasonable. Unless, you're going for St Paddy's when they crank up the price of a Gunniess to $8.
Last year we made Whelan's Gate our St Paddy's place to be. The problem is there's a halfway house across the street and a number of the residents also made Whelan's Gate their place to be. I went to the restroom and when I returned one of them took my seat. I asked for it back, as he was sitting in the middle of my friends. He got in my face and tried to start a fight. Security took him out of there but within 10 mins we had to leave as all the halfway housers where coming over and getting in my face. Security was no where to be found. Ruined our night.
So, the pub is alright. Watch out for the halfway housers from across the street as they are not nice. -
Review from Fabio N.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
The first couple of times I went to this place, I really loved it. It really was my favourite Irish pub for a long while - and it wasn't for a lack of trying other places.
But then something happened. The last time I went there, the service was much worse, the prices were higher and the portions were smaller. I ordered a portion of jalapeno poppers that was so small I had to take a picture to remind me not to come back.
Anyway, Whelan's Gate still has an atmosphere of authenticity that makes it very welcoming. I'm willing to give it another chance, but they really have to get their act together. I'm giving three stars for old time's sake. -
Review from Kat F.
6/14/2009 4 photos
When you get to Whelan's Gate, march right upstairs, ignore the hulking centipede lurching its way across the pub walls (no joke - the centipede I saw was two inches long) and head straight to the garden patio.
It's a bit of a find, really, and you have to know it's there, but that's a good thing. It's completely secluded, dimly lit and has beautiful shrubbery, a rock garden and wooden bench seating that lines the entire perimeter of the patio.
The other floors are more forgettable - the first is usually filled with fairly standard pub/bar clientele and they're a tame bunch, but head to the second floor and all hell breaks loose. There was a dude on guitar alternating between Violent Femmes covers and Irish drinking songs, groups of inebriated girls doing their best Riverdance impersonations and others drinking beer out of enormous Medieval Times-branded chalices.
Service is a bit spotty. It was impossible to find someone to serve us at 11pm on a Friday - as in, there was no bartender present and we had to hunt one down.Listed in: 10 Things I'll Miss About High…
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Review from Martin S.
Toronto, ON
5/12/2009
Three things that earn this place 4 stars:
1. Bourbon. So much bourbon. Also Scotch, a lot of scotch. While it might be a bit out of the way for downtown folks, Whelan's Gate is worth a trek once in a while just for their awesome and reasonably priced selection of whiskey, removed from any sort of pretentious atmosphere. Order a shot of Bookers bourbon, it's fucking fantastic.
2. The Blue Cheese Burger. Actually, all of the burgers are apparently great, but this is the only one I ever order. Their burgers are actually ground from steak in house, so you can actually order one rare or medium rare as the gods intended instead of the usual revolting slab of frozen then burnt meatstuff usually foisted on toronto 'pub'goers.
3. A tiny, strange and beautiful patio tucked away on the roof out back. Pretty and isolated and a great place to chat, eat drink etc.Listed in: Favourite TO Bars
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Review from cailen s.
Oakville, ON
6/15/2009
My review will sound stunningly similar to Kat's, as my only experience at this place was with her on the night that inspired her review.
I can pretty much 2nd every point she made (though I question the size of the centipede), especially about having to search out a bartender to get us drinks.
I found the first two floors to be forgettable but the roof top garden patio makes this place more than worth a visit. It's nice, quiet and secluded from the rest of the riff raff.
Also to be noted was the fact that my pint of Strongbow was not properly chilled and a bit flat. Either because it was the bottom of a keg (forgivable) or it just wasn't properly stored (unforgivable). -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2008
Yay! An Irish pub that actually feels Irish. This place has been built into an old stylized building of sorts that carries with it a very authentic feel of a pub that you'd find on the isles. There's none of the trappings of the usual franchised pubs, but a very warm feel and friendly atmosphere.
The kitchen throws out what could be termed North American pub food as well as the traditional Irish. I say North American as I get the feeling quesadillas are hard to come by in Dublin. Regardless, fresh ingredients prevail and the food is definitely substantial and worth a look.
What makes this place is the differing floors, nooks and crannies that are available to you. Up the stairs you're able enjoy some smaller conversational areas with a pint. In the past they used to have full wood burning fireplaces. Now I believe these are replaced by gas stoves but nonetheless, still nice to be in front of with a Guinness.
Oh, add to this that the Toronto Ghost Society (http://www.torontoghos...) seems to think that the place may be haunted. They maintain that the ghosts are of the Casper variety and not the scare-you-mid-sip kind. They're probably just poking around trying to find a darts partner. Please, where possible, indulge the spirits. -
Review from Nick P.
Toronto, ON
12/30/2010
Very solid local! Vastly improved food, and the service is always excellent. My favourite bartender is NIGEL. They have an outstanding selection of single malts. It has 2 levels and 2 outdoor areas, though I prefer the front patio. Regular live music, and other events.
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Review from Downtown D.
Toronto, ON
7/31/2009
I've been here for brunch and the patio in the back is cute and intimate. Standard pub fare, fish & chips, chicken pot pie, burgers and I think they may have had bangers & mash. I haven't been here for the live music but heard it is really good.
Small place in general but quaint little neighbourhood hang out. -
Review from Amanda Lynne B.
Toronto, ON
1/28/2009
I go out to pubs in the summer on the hunt for one thing: to find Toronto's best patio. Like many other explorers I have drifted upon many hidden gems, but nothing compares to the magic that is created ontop of Whalen's Gate. Located steps from Dundas West Station, the pub's intimate roof top patio will transport you from downtown Toronto to a tree covered, cottage-esque patio where the time seemingly stops as you sip classic Irish beers with the great company you keep.
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Review from Secyw W.
Richmond Hill, ON
4/16/2011
The layout of this pub is quite interesting. It is around 2-3 floors but each floor had a very small layout that fit around 6-7 tables max. The food service was very slow - perhaps it's pub style? I ordered the Chicken and Brie Wrap with Sweet Potato Fries and I recommend. I ate half of the wrap and finished the fries and I was full already. It was around $11.50. And very delicious especially if you dipped the wrap with the mayo that is provided with sweet potato fries - that adds a simple touch to it.
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Review from Andrea L.
York, ON
12/22/2009
We met up with a few friends to have some drinks over the holidays. The atmosphere was great and the service was attentive without being overbearing. It was also nice to be in a place that ended up being standing room only, but in a cozy, not cramped way on a Monday night.
