Rayanne "Queen of Hearts" L.'s Profile

I would give this a place two point five stars if I could because I actually like the environment and beer selection quite a bit, but the service has always been SO terribly awful, I just can't bare to up the junction to three stars.

Every time I've been (which is kind of a lot), the servers don't go near you unless you're basically screaming your body off. Most of them have no sense of humour, so my flirting and ridiculousness gives me no upper hand. They show no personality and act like they hate their jobs. Maybe they do? Maybe that's part of the job? Maybe you have to be surly to work there?

Worst experience ever this weekend, though. Went to the bar with some friends to order more drinks. Friend asked for a cocktail suggestion -- something delicious, but that still tastes like alcohol -- and the bartender refused to give any input or reccos. I was like, "Really? You won't give any suggestions?" and he said, "I don't read minds."

Another friend asked for a B&B and instead of saying, "Sorry, we don't have that," he just said, "No." Then he slammed my friend's beer down in front of him and half of it spilled all over the bar in front of him.

Later, he came around to pick up some of our glasses and I helped push them over to his side of the table -- you know, just to be nice and give him a hand. He looked at me and said in the meanest, most sarcastic voice I've ever heard, "Thanks for doing my entire job for me. I really appreciate that."

Man! I am riled up about this still! I can be head-over-heels for a place, but the moment someone is a jackass, I can't deal.

But whatever, beers are delicious. Haven't had the food, but have been around lots of groups eating there and it doesn't look too impressive. Hah.

I LOVE all the awesome reviews of this place. Zaphod's is pretty much the greatest place on earth. I went to university in Ottawa and this is where I return every time I visit every few months.

As far as unpretentious dancing goes, this is the place. It's the only bar I've ever been to that I have a truly great time at every time I go. The music is great -- typical Pitchfork, Stereogum-esque stuff that'll make you flare around in ridiculous circles and foot stomps.

Before the dance party starts, there is often a live band. I've seen some excellent folks play at Zaphod's, including Small Sins and a bunch of local folks that I've fallen in love with and probably wouldn't know about otherwise.

Shows usually cost around $10, which is amazing for who they get and the fun times you'll have. Cover for dancing is two or three dollars. Drinks are fairly priced, especially Jager Bombs and Florida Tracksuits (locally-invented drop shot which is DELICIOUS -- message me if you wanna know HOW delicious), which are both five dollars each.

The bar staff is so nice. I've been with some really sloppy friends and they've brought bottles of water to those desperately in need.

Maybe I'm so crazy about Zaphod's because it's the only bar I've ever picked up at, but it's never let me down no matter what! Heh. And Zac's Diner is just around the corner for tasty post-bar eats.

Yeeaaah, pretty average, I guess. But this place has at least a couple good things going for it: sweet location and layout!

I love where this place is. So ridiculously close to St. George subway station without being obnoxiously in Yorkdale or the Annex. Prince Arthur is a cute street, too.

The space itself is laid out pretty interestingly. There are a couple of awesome patios and the indoor seating is comfortable and nice-lookin', too.

Gone here a few times 'cause I've got buds that are into it and I trust their taste. I've had better than average service at this place every time, but I think that's because my friends are I are better than average customers and people like to humour us and feed it back to us. Hah.

Decent food, decent beers. Really nothing else to say there.

Bonus: You can walk by a Vera Wang bridal shop nearby! Crazy!

Gino is sweet! And I kind of want to leave the review at that, but I guess I'll say a little more.

In all honestly, I didn't go to Gino for Mac help, but I know he rules the business.

Gino and I got in touch because of an event I was running for FreshBooks. I needed a space and wanted to spend as little money as possible. I reached out to some of our customers in Chicago and Gino was SO awesome to get back to me super quickly and offer up his space to host our workshop.

He worked with me to secure catering, audio-visuals and anything else I needed. Srsly -- ANYTHING! I needed a bunch of chairs and rental places weren't down with renting only 50. He got in touch with a nearby church and helped us arrange a donation to its after school program. AND helped me carry and drive over the chairs throughout one of the city's first snowfalls of the year. Incredible.

Gino was the best host ever and I'm basically spoiled for out-of-town events for the rest of my life.

Best dude. Best.

Wow -- last time I saw this business on Yelp, there were only six reviews! Too awesome.

Got dumped, was sad and wanted to chop my long hair off. Same ol' story, ya know.

I went to Parlour based on a friend's Twitter suggestion. Did a little Googlin' and found these reviews! Um, hi? Sounds good! Sign me up! Got the famous Brionie (sweet name) and loved her to pieces. Told her I went because of Yelp reviews and she said, "People keep telling me that. I should really check that thing out." Heh.

Wanted a pretty simple bob, but fancy Toronto salons can't seem to cut a straight line on fine, straight fair. She rocked it. Did what I wanted, but since I said I was easy, she put her twist on it and made the back of my head look real nice.

And yay -- straight bangs! And I didn't even have to do them myself.

Brionie was awesome. We talked about where we were from and turns out there's a little Kevin Bacon degrees happening between us. Super cool girl.

I like me an adorable coffee shop and Little Nicky's is definitely an adorable coffee shop. Simple on decor, old timey coffee house feel, but the photos available online probably over sell this place.

Little Nicky's is probably better for coffee purists than me. I'm one of those lovers of ruined coffee beverages (hellooo mochas!), and this place is pretty basic. Straight up coffee (though I'm sure pretty awesome straight-up coffee) and lattes.

I got an iced latte and the sugar was liquid sugar! That was pretty sweet, but since the barista added it, I was too ashamed to add as much as I wanted to. Haha.

I'm big on customer service and this place ranks so-so for me so far, though I might've gotten a weird transaction. The barista kind of forgot about me, assuming I was just standing around with the girl I went with. I suppose that's what I get for being obnoxious and chatting leisurely with the entire staff before letting them know I actually want something other than attention.

The tiny donuts are probably what will make this place if it makes it -- and I hope it does (cute downtown coffee shops? Thumbs up!). Haven't tried them yet 'cause the smell when you walk in didn't turn me on enough to give them a-go, which is super strange for me. Sweet, terrible things are delicious.

The cookies (home-made, I'm sure) look DELICIOUS, though! So, that's my plan for next time. After I go to Starbucks and get a mocha : (

Pretty surprised about the negative comments about the service and the folks who go here 'cause these are two of my favourite things about Sin & Redemption!

Every time I've gone, it's been with a big group of people on a busy night and the staff works to make room for us while not disturbing the rest of the bar. They are SO friendly and attentive and put up with my shenanigans. Heh.

As already mentioned, the beer selection is pretty incredible. And you can get any beer in a two pint-sized challis. I won't hold the staff against me for poking fun at my favourite concoction -- Fruli in the massive challis! ; )
 
Like the atmosphere as well. Most people are open to chatting up with and humouring me. AND I met the Foursquare Mayor while I was there! Haha.

It's very fitting that I'm reviewing this place as my first. I LOVE this place! For two reasons, really -- the karaoke and the employees.

Tequila Sunrise is lucky to have the king of Toronto karaoke, Jason Rolland, DJ every Tuesday and Thursday. It's a really fun party and everyone who goes really tries to interact with everyone there and make sure a good time is had by all.

The staff is incredible. I always try to learn the names of the employees at restaurants and bars I go to, but this is probably the first place where the staff learned my name first. I lost my wallet and they stopped what they were doing to help me out. They dance with you and one of the employees added me as a friend on Facebook. I super feel like a member of the Tequila Sunrise family : )

Drinks are pretty cheap. Ten beans for giant bottles of ol' Mozzer's favourite beer (Corona) or big, individual-sized pitchers of bar rails.

Not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but if you're in for a fun night with food, drinks, ridiculous dancing and singing, the combo is the best.