McCarthy's Irish Pub
McCarthy's Irish Pub is the quintessential neighbourhood pub. A little hole in the wall tucked away on Gerrard Street just east of Little India in Toronto, McCarthy's is a ten minute walk from my house (fifteen minutes back :)) and my pub of choice in Toronto.
There's nothing fancy about this place on the Gerrard Street streetcar line. A small patio outside. Inside, an excellent little semi circular bar that promotes conversation and a half dozen little tables scattered about. On the walls pictures and prints from Ireland. A small TV that I have never seen on in all my visits. A little electric jukebox with some aye diddle aye as well as a wide variety of music from all eras. (Last night a little Poison in the background).
Patrons are mostly from around the neighbourhood as there is little foot traffic on this stretch of Gerrard. Also quite a few Irish from around Toronto seem to find their way here, many on their way to or from downtown on Saturday nights.
On tap - Irish staples Guinness and Kilkenny (they pour a sweet sweet pint of Guinness, let me tell you), Upper Canada lager, a cider, three offerings from the excellent local Mill St. brewery as well as Moosehead, Carlsberg and Carlsberg light.
The pub tends to have its moments almost every night where its packed (although it doesn't take too many to pack it) but you may walk in and be the only one in there as well, although that won't last long.
Every second Friday night they have live music so if you're looking for quiet conversation that's not the time to go (not my cup of tea really) unless its summer when you can retreat outside.
The type of place you can bring your Dad for a pint (and I have). I've been there on my own and ended up in conversation with three Irishmen in their 50s who regaled me with stories for hours. I've gone for pints after hockey with my buddies. I've gone for a post dinner drink with my wife. I've stumbled into a wake and been invited to stay for a drink.
Just a great little place.
Labels: Toronto pubs
posted by Black Dog at 3:04 PM
9 Comments:
Sounds like a great place.
You've read "McCarthy's Bar", haven't you, Pat?
Best travel/drinking book ever.
I have not but will have to now.
Thanks for the tip!
Indeed. I'll have to check out that book myself.
Hey Pat, love the concept. I desperately need to find a good pub in my neck of the woods that isn't the Victory Cafe. God bless it, but I need a change of scenery.
And speaking of scenery changes, I'm finding that repeating background smoke image a little headachy. Makes the text kind of tough to read, too. Just an observation.
Victory Cafe is a good one.
Jenn and the kids are away for two weeks in January so apparently I'll be able to do plenty of research.
Pat, have you been to "Occasions" at the other end of Little India?It sucks, but the name of the place is endlessly hilarious.
If you ever need company for a pint, drop me a line.
alana - never have but I'll keep an eye out - there's a real rough looking joint out that way too - Ulster Arms or something like that - looks like a pretty good place to get stabbed. Out my way (Coxwell/Danforth) is pretty much a wasteland except McCarthys.
chris! - will do; don't get out much except after hockey with the two youngsters and all that but plan to make up for that in about six weeks
McCarthy's Bar and its follow up The Road to McCarthy, are absolute must reads, especially given your affection for the pubs featured so far. Plus the books are damn funny as well. I believe the author was actually in town around the time McCarthy's opened if my foggy brain recalls correctly.
Sadly, the author passed away a couple of years ago from Cancer, so raise a pint next time you're reading one of his fine books in your favourite pub.
Thanks for the info on this pub, I've always meant to pop in but just never have.
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