Toronto bars keeping the pinball in play
Torontonians have whispered prayers and said RIPs to many of the city’s lost pinball machines over the years – whether it be for the Lord of the Rings themed table at The Only Café or the now deceased Pinball Café in Parkdale (the list goes on). But locals keep their chins up by frequenting the many watering holes fighting the good fight and keeping the pinball in play.
Black Dice Café
1574 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T8Juxtaposition is the word at this punkie dive bar meets elegant cocktail house, where Japanese-American cocktail fusions complement a fully functioning 1950s jukebox. Hit this Japanese rockabilly bar with a pal or romantic and take turns sipping sake-based aperitifs and racking up a new high score on the surf champ pinball machine in the back corner.
The Monarch Tavern
12 Clinton Pl, Toronto, ON M6G 1J9Pinball machines revolve monthly at this College and Ossington tavern, tucked away on a residential street and well known as a neighbourhood favourite. Past gems have included Sopranos-themed, Wrestlemania and Walking Dead pinball adventures. Double up on the fun by popping in for Tuesday’s bring-your-own-soul-record dance party or Thursday’s popular karaoke night.
Get Well
1179 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X3Sip on a vast selection of craft beers from across the globe at this bar-meets-arcade on Dundas West. Bartenders are happy to suggest a local saison, a little-known German hefeweizen, or a specialty Scandinavian pilsner to accompany your pinball game on one of a few machines (including a Dolly-Parton-themed selection). If pinball’s not your thing, Get Well also hosts Pacman, old-school Tetris (although you probably won’t get a chance to use it, as I’m there working for that high score several nights a week), and a slew of other forgotten stand-up video games of the past, all free of charge.
Hi Lo
753 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3Riverside locals are passionately dedicated to this traincar-style bar on Queen East. It could be its industrial-romantic décor (complete with colourful overhanging lights, reminiscent of a backyard BBQ in the 90s), or a menu stacked with local and craft beer that you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Pinball machines round off the specialty offerings of this beloved canteen, fit for a few rounds with friends or a little flirtatious banter on a first date.
The Unlovable
1415B Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y4If you’re a regular, you’ve probably witnessed the spectrum of adult fun at the cozy tiki-esque dive bar, from 90s karaoke to comedy nights to their maybe-coolest-in-Toronto Star Wars pinball machine. You’ve probably unwittingly walked past this Dundas and Gladstone establishment hundreds of times without noticing it, and that’s because it’s one of the few sweet basement digs (read: neither mouldy nor the perfect setting for a B-class horror movie) on the Dundas strip. Cocktails, craft beers and daily specials reign at this Jamaican-inspired spot.
The Doneright Inn
861 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G4There’s nothing hybrid about this charming dive-meets-more-of-a-dive bar at the foot of Trinity Bellwoods. The romantically dim, red-hued interior is home to cheap tall cans, local microbrews on draft, and an AC/DC pinball machine, making it the ultimate hipster paradise, but also a spot that just doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. The lovely patio in the back is a sweet spot to catch some sun while wetting your beak – alternatively, seek some cover in the shade provided by an enormous tree growing smack in the middle of the backyard patio.
Handlebar
159 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4There’s no telling what kind of night you’ll be walking into at everyone’s favourite Kensington Market bar, named for a love of urban cycling. Bicycles hang from behind the bar and pinball machines line the walls (in May, these dudes hosted Toronto’s first ever beer and pinball festival). Local and international musicians and DJs take to the stage for everything from vinyl-only soul nights to a specialty electro pop Friday night jam.
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