Castro’s Lounge - Toronto, Ontario

Great intimate local bar with countless and I mean countless flavors of beer and wonderful life entertainment most evenings.

I was here last month, and endured a racist attack by a bartender’s adult son. I had been coming to Castro’s for about a year, and truly appreciated the bartender, Robyn. She was kind, and Castro’s was a fine place to enjoy musical talent. On Jan. 23rd, about half an ... hour after last call, Robyn made an error in judgement. She allowed her son, Connor, and a friend to storm into the bar, and they were served alcohol. They seemed to be agitated and high - they kept exiting and re-entering the establishment several times. My partner went out for a cigarette, and when I followed a few minutes later, I saw Connor calling my partner a homophobic slur and trying to steal his scarf. I asked Connor to stop and leave, and that’s when Connor began to call me a choice racist slur. I pulled out my phone to record this, and Connor instructed his friend to “chuck it”. Connor’s friend then grabbed my phone out of my hand, and threw it across the street. Connor then said: “she’ll never find it now”, and both men took off running. I went back into Castro’s to tell Robyn to phone the police. I explained that her son and her son’s friend had just verbally assaulted both my partner and I, and then had thrown my phone across the street. Instead of helping, Robyn again made an ill-informed choice of telling me to leave the establishment, and that I had just misplaced my phone somewhere. Perhaps Robyn’s poor judgement was because she had been drinking all night, while working. After an hour of searching the surrounding area, I managed to find my phone. My battery was dead from the cold, and the back glass panel of it was completely shattered from Connor’s friend tossing it across the street. When I got back home to charge it, I realized that the video I took of Connor’s attack on me had saved. I now have a video documenting this altercation. It would be wonderful if the owner(s) of Castro’s could connect with me to review this video footage. It is unfortunate that I was attacked and assaulted at an establishment that I had loved to visit in the past. I would love to give the owner(s) of Castro’s an opportunity to make this right, as I do feel that what I endured was a direct consequence of their staff’s failure. Thank you, Ramona. Read more

This is a real hidden gem in the city. They support local musicians with live music almost every night of the week. Small, cozy place where you will automatically feel welcomed. They also now have outdoor patio space in the summer. Best bar in Toronto.

I've been in Toronto for on and off for 20 years, grew up in the bar scene and am an industry member that's b.o.h. and I got to say this has got to be my ultimate favourite bar in Toronto to end up for drinks with friends or simply by ... myself. The thing is even if you do go by yourself, you're not drinking that way for long. The staff is exceptional, the owner in the brief few times I've caught a glimpse is super warm and friendly. The regulars are people I have grown to adore and get giddy level of excitement to run into when we see each other on the street out front. Think of being away on a trip, and getting to return home, it's that level or warm and inviting....plus there's great live music and local talent there. I recently brought a friend there and he was impressed by how nice and friendly everyone was despite it being packed. I can't recommend this place highly enough and even if you're not regularly in the east end it's worth a trip for a cozy spot to enjoy a drink,some great tunes and even make a new friend. 5 stars all the way!!! Read more

First visit, pretty cool eclectic atmosphere. Can't wait to see some live music there.