McVeigh's New Windsor Tavern

McVeigh's New Windsor Tavern is a downtown Toronto pub, found at Church and Richmond (just a few minutes walk from the Eaton's Centre for non Toronto folk). I once read it described as resolutely unfashionable and authentic and that's probably a pretty good description. Although a fresh coat of paint with some nice graphics now decorate the outside, inside it looks pretty close to how it did when it first opened, I owuld guess, back in the early 60s. Of course this makes it ancient in terms of Toronto pubs (unlike Dublin or London where its common for pubs to run around a hundred years old in a lot of cases).

A long bar runs down the right of the room when you walk in. Across from the bar is a fair size TV, which is usually a turnoff for me, but except for soccer matches I have never heard the volume turned on. Watched a World Cup match one afternoon this summer - place was packed. Anyhow its there to check out scores but its doesn't really intrude, so that's alright.

They have a corner dedicated to the band with a mural of musicians painted behind it. They have the aye diddle aye regularly there. A mural behind the bar depicts some of the characters you may see about you. The picture of Michael Collins behind the bar as well as pictures of those doomed men who signed the Proclamation of Independence in 1916 and Sackville Street lying in ruins after the Easter Rebellion hints at a Republican bent.

On tap - Irish staples Guinness (a good pint here), Caffrey, Harp and, huzzah, Murphy's Stout. If they only had Beamish! Also a cider. In terms of domestics its pretty standard stuff - Canadian, Keiths, Rickards' Red, Coors' Light and Export.

I have never been to McVeigh's at night so can't comment on what its like then - I work around the corner so generally I get there after work or even during if I can get out for a minute. Also have managed to drop by on a Saturday afternoon. A great place at these times as far as I am concerned. While its a fair size room compared to my usual preference, the fact that its underlit and a little grungy makes it seem smaller. I try and get against a wall or I'll sit at the bar and watch old Jimmy get around. Best spot to sit, a quick left once you're in the bar and sit at that first table along the wall. I grab that one when I can. There's music in the background but again it does not intrude on the conversation.

Just a good old hole in the wall, just the way I like them.