The Hole in the Wall
2867 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Saturday July 3rd 2010
2867 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Saturday July 3rd 2010
There was a doorway in the Junction that attracted me back before Christmas of last year. It was a small, almost hidden doorway to a pub called 'The Hole in the Wall'. Tucked between two buildings located on Dundas West, this spot quietly exists from the exterior in a style that resembles more of a private 'mob' clubhouse than a public bar. Unfortunately, the bar was closed that day. I promised myself that I would come back another time. Months later, on a beautiful Saturday evening in July, my lady and I decided to cycle up to the junction with the notion of finally checking out this 'hidden' bar. I was told that the bar was actually used for a scene in the film '16 Blocks', starring Bruce Willis and Mos-Def. However, the bartender later corrected me, stating it was in fact the bar across the road "Celt's Bar'. Upon entering 'The Hole', I quickly felt it could definitely be a spot that I would love to call my local, just for the entrance alone. It's so unofficial, unadvertised, and modest that you feel a sense of intrigue walking through the door.
We got in just after 9pm, and the bar was completely empty, except for the lone bartender, who was watching some world cup highlights of the day. The interior is very narrow, and creates very tight surroundings. It has a strong feel of New York, rather than Toronto - narrow room, high ceilings, ceiling fans, exposed brick walls, an old out-of-order cigarette dispenser, and a cozy thin bar counter. Our first interaction with the bartender was quiet, and impersonal. Perhaps, we were his first customers, or maybe we were just interrupting the television. There are four beers on tap - Guinness, Keith's, Creemore, and Steamwhistle. I decided on a Keith's, and my lady had a Creemore. My pint was served to me in a Guinness glass. I'm sorry, but that is huge no-no in my book of bar rules. It looks terrible. The bartender provided us with a complimentary bowl of mixed nuts for our round of pints. This is a nice classic touch that unfortunately the bar industry deems almost out-dated today. I propose right now to bring it back.
After a few sips, and some friendly conversation starters, the bartender gradually opened up to be quite a chatty and informative guy. He is Greek, and was more than helpful about telling us of the bar`s history. Half-way through our pints, a group of five or so walked into the bar and sat next to us at the counter. It really opened up the room after they joined us, and I love that about this tiny place. It is a perfect size pub to create an atmosphere even at quiet times. We were enjoying ourselves at The Hole in the Wall, and decided to delay our lack of dinner situation, and order another round of pints.
Overall:
A well-recommended bar that looks like a lounge, but feels like a cozy neighbourhood pub. The selection was mediocre for beers and liquor, however the bartender gradually became quite chatty, and eased us into staying for another round anyways. Job well done bar-keep.
4/5
We got in just after 9pm, and the bar was completely empty, except for the lone bartender, who was watching some world cup highlights of the day. The interior is very narrow, and creates very tight surroundings. It has a strong feel of New York, rather than Toronto - narrow room, high ceilings, ceiling fans, exposed brick walls, an old out-of-order cigarette dispenser, and a cozy thin bar counter. Our first interaction with the bartender was quiet, and impersonal. Perhaps, we were his first customers, or maybe we were just interrupting the television. There are four beers on tap - Guinness, Keith's, Creemore, and Steamwhistle. I decided on a Keith's, and my lady had a Creemore. My pint was served to me in a Guinness glass. I'm sorry, but that is huge no-no in my book of bar rules. It looks terrible. The bartender provided us with a complimentary bowl of mixed nuts for our round of pints. This is a nice classic touch that unfortunately the bar industry deems almost out-dated today. I propose right now to bring it back.
After a few sips, and some friendly conversation starters, the bartender gradually opened up to be quite a chatty and informative guy. He is Greek, and was more than helpful about telling us of the bar`s history. Half-way through our pints, a group of five or so walked into the bar and sat next to us at the counter. It really opened up the room after they joined us, and I love that about this tiny place. It is a perfect size pub to create an atmosphere even at quiet times. We were enjoying ourselves at The Hole in the Wall, and decided to delay our lack of dinner situation, and order another round of pints.
Overall:
A well-recommended bar that looks like a lounge, but feels like a cozy neighbourhood pub. The selection was mediocre for beers and liquor, however the bartender gradually became quite chatty, and eased us into staying for another round anyways. Job well done bar-keep.
4/5
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