A ticket to the big game is not always easy to find or affordable. To help with that, here are the 10 best places in Toronto to take in your favorite sporting event while dining in style and enjoying a few drinks.
Lay eyes on the largest display screen in any North American sports bar at 39 feet tall, or any of 199 other screens which run the gamut of spectator sport. A great draught beer selection complements award-winning dining options in this oft-acclaimed 25,000 square-foot behemoth of a venue. The ambiance and quality of Real Sports delivers an unsurpassed, immersive experience.
Sports fans have to love the name, which is a nod to the major league pitcher who threw a no-hitter in 1970 while on LSD. Of course, there’s much more to love about the Dock. The food is less expensive and less conventional than most sports bars, and the laid back atmosphere will conjure up that down-home feel. Pool and foosball tables are available as well to pass time between periods, innings or quarters.
Shark Club is an ultra-modern spot that checks all the boxes for a great sports bar, offering another level of sophistication with bottle service for the spending-inclined. A chic lounge area across from the three-sided main bar is encircled with screens covering all manner of sport, but don’t be afraid to request a channel change. The food is superb, and the drink selection goes well beyond beer for those that prefer a more refined spectating experience.
Located across from Union station, Loose Moose is a great first stop for visitors to Toronto arriving by bus or train. Mere steps from the next Jays, Raptors or Leafs game, the bar’s sheer size and prime location ensure a rowdy and sizable crowd for any event. The Moose prides itself on boasting the largest draught beer selection in downtown Toronto.
A lesser-known option in midtown, Sports Centre Café has a game room in the back offering pool, foosball, basketball and a few arcade consoles. Every seat in the house has a great view of the game, try taking it to the back section for a choice of two large projection screens, or cozy up in a booth at the front that has a dedicated screen for each table. Don’t miss their special on Thursdays, where they offer a nice discount on domestic beer that makes game-watching a bit easier on your wallet.
You are somewhat pressed for choice when craving the game in Roncesvalles. Luckily, the only option around is a good one. This friendly neighborhood pub specializes in whiskey, but also offers a menu filled with Canadian favorites and a quality beer selection. Sports on display regularly go beyond the big four, featuring MLS and BPL soccer, CFL and NCAA.
This family restaurant meets sports pub, named after the famed hockey player, is located just down the way from the Blue Jays’ home field at Rogers Centre (or as long-time Toronto sports fans like to call it, the SkyDome). It’s a great choice for avoiding the insanely priced stadium beers but allows sports fans alike to experience a home crowd buzz. Don’t miss out on their rooftop patio bar, Oasis , which is open during the summer months.
Strikes and spares abound in the glamorous lower-level bowling alley, and the upstairs section holds a fantastic open-concept space with classy menu options. The Ballroom shines best during high-profile events that draw the large crowds for playoffs and title fights. With a packed house, the noise levels rival those at the actual game, it’s almost as if you’re there!
Renowned for having the best deal on wings on Tuesdays (half-priced), head to St. Louis Bar & Grill‘s Yonge St. location where you’ll find a newly-renovated patio filled with anti-glare TVs and a misting system to stay cool in the heat during those summer months. The huge projection screen is unfurled inside for big games (including regular season Leafs, Raptors and Jays games), and there’s a different food special every day of the week. Don’t forget to turn your pint into the 20 oz. ‘Devil’s Pint’ on Tuesdays.
Admittedly more of a restaurant than a bar, Sightlines is such a unique place to take in a ball game, it should be on every sports fan’s to do list. Located inside the Rogers Centre, tables are in line with the 200-level seats and have a complete panoramic view of the stadium from left field. The food and service is top-notch, so be sure to make a reservation in time to see the start of the Jays game.
