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What makes a perfect sports bar? 

To answer that, we must first consider the purpose of a sports bar.

Taken literally, it is a place to watch the game, to indulge in cheap beer and fried food. These are nice things. Simple things. But can it serve a higher purpose? Might it contain some spiritual dimension? 

For me, a good sports bar transcends hockey and wings. It’s a sanctuary, a temporary escape from the din of everyday life, within which the stresses of the outside world fade faster than a Leafs lead in a playoff game. The moment you enter your local sports bar — the warm, neon glow of TV screens, the comforting sounds of basketball shoes squeaking and patrons laughing, the confoundingly seductive smell of overworked deep fryers and sour beer — time seems to stop. It’s impossible not to feel at peace.

Unfortunately, finding a spot that fulfils this higher purpose is about as rare as an unassisted triple-play, even in a city like Toronto, where sports bars are a dime a dozen.

More often than not, our sports bars — especially chains like Shoeless Joe’s or Hoops — not only lack character, they’re also too expensive and loud. Nine times out of 10, the food is bland and the portions underwhelming. Even the fancy spots, like Real Sports — a glitzy downtown bar that boasts a 39-foot HD screen — feel sterile, more akin to seeing a movie at the VIP Cineplex than the cheery communal experience of catching a game at a neighbourhood spot.

I’m not interested in naming the “best” sports bar in Toronto. But I am happy to sing the praises of my very favourite: Toby’s Pub & Eatery, north of Kensington Market on the corner of College and Bathurst.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside. Adorned with gaudy beer ads and sandwich boards listing daily specials in white chalk, the bar’s exterior hearkens back to dive bars of previous decades.

Indeed, stepping inside Toby’s, which opened in 2001, can feel like stepping into the past: the cosy, but surprisingly large space is filled with a somewhat chaotic jumble of tables, booths and bar seats, each flanked with random sports paraphernalia and dozens of TV screens of varying size and quality. The walls are painted in a deep red, which matches the colour of the well-worn carpet, presumably installed to soften the sound of stomping sports fans. Near the back, there’s a pool table and an elevated seating section that doubles as a stage for karaoke. It’s a familiar, welcoming space, with friendly staff and a diverse, animated clientele. It serves pub food, but also Sri Lankan curries and other delicious South Asian fusion dishes. It’s a little grimy, but not too grimy. Like a Chris Boucher shot attempt from beyond the arc, it’s not pretty, but it does the trick. 

I’ve been a regular at Toby’s for more than a decade. Toby’s is where, in the spring of 2017, I tasted euphoria when my Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks to secure their first post-season series win in over a decade. Toby’s is where, in the spring of 2024, I felt the brutal sting of defeat when those same Oilers lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Toby’s is the first place I attempted to sing in front of a live audience (today, it’s one of my karaoke staples). Through thick and thin, it’s provided me with the comfort and the camaraderie that makes being a sports fan so thrilling.

“Richie,” you might say. “Nothing you’ve said here makes Toby’s sound that different from any neighbourhood sports bar. You are letting nostalgia cloud your judgment.”

But you would be wrong. For, in addition to these wonderful memories, Toby’s also meets the five cardinal criteria of what makes a great sports bar. Let’s take a closer look.

The price is right

Sports bars are not immune to skyrocketing prices at pc28����bars and restaurants. It’s not uncommon for pubs or sports bars to charge close to $10 for a pint of domestic beer, and over $20 for a plate of wings. 

Fortunately, Toby’s has daily specials on beer and food that make it one of the most affordable spots to catch a game in the city. Their tasty sticky ribs are half-price on Tuesdays; you can get a huge plate of nachos for half price on Thursdays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, wings are half price, and bottles of Budweiser are $4.50.

Last week, I ordered two beers and a plate of wings. My bill came to $21.46. Beautiful.

Wings, done proper 

I’m not here to claim that Toby’s has the best wings in town. They do not. But they are pretty damn good. 

Jumbo, juicy, perfectly breaded and fried, and drenched in sauce, Toby’s wings have never failed to satisfy my wing craving. And if you like spice, the homemade sauces — hot and honey Sri Lankan curry and Caribbean jerk are my favourite — pack a serious punch. 

Crucially, the wings at Toby’s also come with a heaping pile of french fries, a healthy portion of veggie sticks and your choice of ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce. (This should be standard across sports bars, but is increasingly a novelty).

Pick a game, any game 

There’s no worse feeling than arriving at a sports bar, only to be told that they can’t play your game because there’s some boring NFL game that needs to be played on 30 different screens. 

But not once, in all my Toby’s experience, have I been told by a server that they can’t put on the game I want to watch. And what’s more, the bar has enough space that they will even make sure you get some volume.

Good vibes

Let’s be honest, sports bars are not always the most welcoming place. Too many bros, too many NFL fans, unfriendly staff — these can all lead to an unpleasant experience.

But there’s something about Toby’s — maybe it’s the friendly staff, maybe it’s the long, communal tables, or maybe it’s the lively smoking section that takes over the sidewalk during half time — that feels uniquely welcoming and conducive to intermingling among patrons. 

Extra amenities

Sometimes, the game you came to see is a bust. Fortunately, at Toby’s there are plenty of extracurriculars to keep yourself busy with. There’s a jukebox, a billiards table and of course, karaoke nights. 

This came in extra-handy the night the Oilers lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Rather than head home to bask in my sorrow, a friend convinced me to sign up for a quick karaoke session. Predictably, that quick session turned into an unforgettable, whiskey-fuelled barn burner.

Toby’s Pub and Eatery is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.