Imperial Pub

This place is usually awesome. However, when their overzealous barmaiden is attempting to exert authority over the 2^nd floor, it’s best to avoid. She told my friend and I that we were unable to sit on one of the few available couches because it was getting too crowded and she would prefer to keep it open «just in case» a larger group arrives. Keep in mind the following. 1). We had already sat down and gotten comfortable when she told us to move 2). Several other individuals were making less efficient use of couch space than we were. 3). We just wanted to engage in a friendly match of Oxfurd Bluff.

I’ve been to the Imperial a few times now and my experiences have all been positive. It’s a great place to grab drinks with a few friends and it really feels like hanging out in someone’s living room or in a common area at a res. The second floor has lots of sitting options that can accommodate groups of any size and also features a pool table, foosball table, lots of books, and a couple of TVs. Yes, this place is pretty grungy/​divey, but I find it strangely cozy with its relaxed and laid-​back atmosphere.
Our server Rebecca was very friendly and invited us to sample some of the beers they had on tap before making our selection. My beer was decent and pretty reasonably priced at $ 6 for a pint. I didn’t order any food during this visit but my friend had a wrap of some sort and she seemed to like it. Overall, I really enjoyed the service here. Rebecca was attentive but not pushy, and even brought us a free plate of popcorn! Most importantly, she didn’t seem to mind that we played card games for a few hours :)
I’ll definitely be back!

I been coming here many times with coworkers and friends. I has a nice location and decent prices. I am not a big fan of the place as it is old and not as clean as expected for a bar. I spotted couple of hairs lying around the ground here and there. Also the location is nice as it is close to my work by the area is full of hippies and homeless people so it bathers somehow. The best part of this place is it can occupy large number of people so i will suggest it for last minute plane with a large group. The beer is decent and the food is ok. Washrooms are not bad but not so great either.

Quick protip: The second floor is much better than the first!
It’s an odd place. It feels like a run-​down dive bar that hasn’t seen a lick of fresh paint since 1975, and especially the main floor has a bit of a seedy, run-​down feel (and I swear it smelled kinda funny) to it. The second floor is where most of the lively atmosphere is, with far more patrons and a pretty good view of the street below.
It’s still old and tired, but considerably less creepy, and it’s got this odd public library feel to it, with random old books everywhere on the shelves. I read a bit on the Hare Krishna’s view on reincarnation while sipping on my screwdriver. Deep.
And about the screwdriver. It kinda sucked. Too watery, can’t taste any vodka. And the chicken wings are alright, some were super spicy, with an excellent dipping sauce, but a lot of the food that we got (it was a company event) was just super deep fried. The deep fried pickle was disappointing, as were the chicken fingers, though both were big. The fries were OK. The jalapeño poppers were pretty good, again massively oversized but at least flavourful.
I’ve never really liked a super grungy bar, so I had a good time here mostly because of the company I had. Nothing wrong with the bar per se, I’ve just been to many better ones. I do give an extra star for the friendly service.

Hard to describe, other than it feels like your favorite sweater you wear around on a lazy Sunday. It is a neighborhood institution, greatly managed with superb customer attention, and quirkiness.
The library on the second floor boasts lounge seating, two or three tv’s, a pool table and a great selection of beers on tap and in cans/​bottles (cider too), free popcorn and decent food.
Definitely a fan!

There’s just something about the Imperial. It’s not the shiniest pub, and it doesn’t have the most gourmet food you’re ever going to find. I’ve got some good memories there (seeing friends play the back room, going there after fun outings downtown), but I think it’s the all-​are-​welcome, easy-​going atmosphere that makes the place feel like its own little community.
The only other thing I’ll say, is that I consider their nachos to be the best I’ve had in Toronto — and trust me, I’ve had a lot of nachos in Toronto. It’s just a ton of chips with several tons of cheese, plopped into a tinfoil-​wrapped pan and baked perfectly. I got the Izzy-​style ones that included delicious beef chili… every single bite was heaven.

This is a great local watering hole for ryerson students. It has a very relaxed Atmosphere and points for this nice rooftop patio with a view of dundas square. It totally has a cheers vibe «sometimes you wanna go where every body knows your nammmme». Every one at the bar seemed to know each other and go way back. I would only come here if I can sit on the upstairs patio because all of downstairs reeks of what seems buildup of smoke from over the years. 4 stars for good beers on tap and friendly service!

If you are looking for a random dive bar to complete your night of drinking… Then this is your place!
The interior is dingy and eclectic but the staff is friendly and helpful and acknowledges you as you enter.
Its proximity to Yonge Dundas square means that it does draw in ALL kinds of people. And when I say all… I mean all. 60yr old Irish tourists, Indian exchange students, etc etc.
if you’re easygoing and looking to just chill out, this is a fun place. They have amateur comedy nights in the back room for free. Which turned out to be a lot of fun and met some cool up and coming GTA comics.
Went here randomly one night with a friend and just had draught beers but would be interested to try the food.

The Imperial Pub has been open since 1944. Generations of Newman’s have served countless visitors and habutees of Ryerson Univesity and Yonge and Dundas. Above the Aquarium Lounge is a more casual pub (The Library) a lovely Patio tucked into a corner overlooking the Square. The Backroom, on the main floor, offers a cozy cottage style bar that features live Jazz every Friday.
It has survived and prospered in the face of Soulless, Post Modernest Junk Architecture that has infected the area.
I drives me freakin crazy when people call this a dive bar. If you want a dive bar I suggest you search vice for have a drink at a real f — ing bar bar for once
Mothermacs sits at the circular bar and watches the aquarium fish ad lib lines for the sequel to the Meaning of Life. You just don’t know who you will meet. So the Imperial has everything Mothermacs Devours; great food, a wide selection of local beers and wine, a courteous mature staff and very comfortable atmosphere.
I have eaten here a few times. Rick Newman has used his Chefs training to completely renovate the kitchen and revitalize the offerings. They don’t reinvent the wheel. They craft lovely casual food using great ingrediants that are finely crafted and executed by the Crew In Black. They take such pride that I have seen them many times run the food to the servers so as to get it to the guests at it’s peak.
My first visit I had the Just-​for– Fancy Burger. A wonderful taste explosion of richness and texture. The avacado spread and the blue cheese engulf the pattie. Fresh arugala added a nice bitter note to the big flavours. Like your ex — wife sharing your birthday cake. The fries were perfect, seasoned and fresh cut. It is a different, big flovour take on the burger. The beef comes from the Enright Cattle Company
The Imperial menu proudly states,” our wild, line caught Nova Scotia Haddock comes from fisherfolk.
My second lunch I had the South West Chicken Breast Sandwich. A perfectly cooked, tender, breast of chicken. A very, very generous portion. The bun was fresh and the guacamole and peppers injected both richness and heat. Tried to order the salad but the fries were so good the last visit…
You need a big wine to go with these flavours. I would go with the the Australian Shiraz (Harvey River Bridge Shiraz)
For beer it would be the Boneshaker Unfiltered IPA (Amsterdam). Second choice the Saint of Circumstance Citrus-​Infused Blonde (CAB) 4.7%

Your typical, quirky dive bar. But very cozy. Sinatra playing all the time and always the friendliest servers ever (less the old hag who works afternoons, but you figure out how to shoot the shit with her and get her to crack a smile). The pub food is spectacular and the price is right. Honestly the best side salad I’ve ever had ever, and I’ll bravely defend my position when I order it with a greasy meal with the guys.

This place has mini-​sharks at the center of a circular bar. It’s the ultimate old man bar, but has a confusingly eclectic mix of people. Upstairs is like a coffee shop bar and is full of students. The patio is also packed with young people hanging out. But downstairs, with the weird mix of old people and people drinking alone, is where all the fun is.
The beers are more money than I want to spend at a dive bar, but they have $ 5 Canadians. Somebody has to pay to take care of the baby sharks. Also, I’m too much of a wimp to drink at Mounties.

— The service was awful.
— They lost our reservation.
+The food was good
+The atmosphere was cool.

I shouldn’t have gone on without a hazmat suit …
Gross, smells gross, drinks are weak and not cheap which they should be. I enjoy a dive bar but this place is just a place to go when you are at the end of the rope.

Cozy pub near our hotel, a bit Irish-​like so no dress code needed here.
Smart, these cold Canadian cities have double entry doors as the cold draft can really hit you, as the main bar right at front. Nice fish tank on top of the heavy liquour too.
Had our drinks, too bad we missed jazz nite.
Roof top patio.
No Amex.

We got in town late and wandered the streets close to our hotel for a quick drink and some grub.
This place is your neighborhood dive bar with both local and tourists. It was an eclectic group of people — young, old, black/​white/​Spanish, hippies, sports fanatics… I mean everyone.
The bartenders are warm and inviting. All brown everything as my previous Unilocaler mentioned. We shared the chipotle chicken sandwich with avocado and it was a huge piece of fresh chicken breast. The fries and sweet potato fries were cooked well with a nice hint of salt.
The drinks are weak but I am used to that in Toronto because I know most places do measured pours which is way I try to always pregame before going out. So, sticking to beer is a good option and they have a decent selection.
The people are nice, you get free popcorn and the food was good. This was what we needed it to be. It’s also one of the only places that stay open super late in the area and we rather go for charm vs a commercial Hard Rock Café…

I WAS RUNNIN THROUGH THE SIX, with no wolves because I’m a loner, Dottie when an intense thirst struck the boy. Dumfounded by the spectacle of Yonge-​Dundas Square, I sought refuge in the Imperial Bar hoping I wasn’t setting myself of for a Road House style predicament.
Imperial turned out to be exactly what I needed. Slightly divey. Mixed crowd. Low-​key. Slid up to the bar and got the Mooseheads flowing. Really wanted to get the poutine because I am a shameless tourist, but opted instead for the Steakhouse burger which was cooked to a crisp but redeemed by a layer of melted Gruyère and arugula. Strange bun as well. Perhaps it is the Way of the North.
Service was weird and slow, but the staff was gracious and nice. I would deffo come back for a few beers and skip the eats next time around.

I walked around this new town to me in downtown Toronto Canada looking for a good pub and ran into this cozy old spot. To my surprise this place reminded me of a San Francisco old school pub with two stories, live music in the back and an upstairs different vibe. The employees greeted me and sat me down, recommend a great burger and local IPA. I then walked up stairs to the second bar with a whole different vibe of all ages just relaxing, mingling and I can here the different accents and languages of conversations, very cool! If your a beer drinker and love IPA try the local Amsterdam Brewery selection.

Oh man, I like this place a lot. It fills the space in my heart that longs for a dive-​y place reminiscent of university days, without being a total dive. Don’t expect new and modern, that’s not what this place is about. It’s old, brown (almost everything is brown), and comfortable.
The downstairs, as other reviewers have said, is rather lonesome and quiet. However, I think the circular bar is actually cool and I enjoy the huge fishtank in the center. If by myself or with one other person, the downstairs bar is a quiet place to sit and drink. For larger groups, the upstairs is cozy and seems to be constantly bustling. There’s foosball and pool. There’s a fireplace. There’s the popcorn machine churning out fresh popcorn in the corner. Altogether, a really welcoming and warm place.
Only reason it’s not 5 stars, I find the beer prices high for the style of bar. I mean, I’m perfectly willing to pay $ 7 – 8 a beer to hang out here, just would be a 5-​star holy grail for me if the beer was just a teeny-​tiny bit cheaper.

We had dinner there on the 24^th when everywhere else in the area had closed at 4. The service was great and friendly, the food good for a pub. I can understand why this place has been in business run by the same family since 1944. Will come again.

I am conflicted with this review. I like the laid back atmosphere, a place that anyone can just hangout. There are a couple of big sofas and tons of books. There is a small craft draft beer selection, but there is a pretty good craft bottle selection if you are looking for more selection.
The negative is the general feeling of being worn out. It wasn’t that the place felt dirty, just worn out. I know its hard for a place to keep its character and heritage after being spruced up, but I think they could do a little that would make a big impact.
Having said that, I do see myself spend more time here. The place reminds me of an old university sweatshirt — a bit threadbare and torn, but the most comfortable thing you can wear.

Si vous voulez vous éloigner de la frénésie de Dundas Square, l’Imperial Pub est une bonne alternative. C’est un pub typique à la britannique avec un grand bar central au rez de chaussée et un étage aménagé type salon avec mobilier antique.
Un conseil né commandez pas la bière pas chère (la Hoppie si j’ai bien compris), visez plutôt les marques connues.
Si vous allez dans ce bar en week end, préférez le rez de chaussée, l’étage étant mal aéré y’a comme une odeur de chambre universitaire mélangée à celle d’un vestiaire de salle de gym…
/​/​If you want to flee the agitation of Dundas Square, the Imperial Pub is a good solution to have pint and rest from your shopping session. It’s typical british style pub with a big central bar downstairs and upstairs a nice arrangement of wooden tables, really british pub style.
My advice: don’t order the cheap beer of the house (the Hoppie?) and go for famous brands.
If you go to that bar on the week end avoid going upstairs, the place is not vented enough and it smells like a teenager room…