Handlebar image

Handlebar

Bar

Beer & bar snacks, plus DJ-spun tunes & dancing offered in a hip nightspot with quirky decor. People often mention great, music, night, amazing, time, good, drinks, people, Good, drink,


Address

159 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4, Canada

Website

thehandlebar.ca

Contact

+1 647-748-7433

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (596 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 6 pm to 2 am
  • Wednesday: 6 pm to 2 am
  • Thursday: 6 pm to 2 am
  • Friday: 1 pm to 2 am
  • Saturday: 1 pm to 2 am
  • Sunday: 1 pm to 2 am
  • Monday: 6 pm to 2 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (16) music (12) night (12) amazing (9) time (9) good (9) drinks (8) people (7) Good (7) drink (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 gitu t. 1 year ago on Google • 58 reviews
    super cute bar with such fun bartenders! they had a free show with many talented people singing. the environment was great, i would definitely come again. they have outdoor seating as well
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anna P. 1 year ago on Google • 238 reviews
    the best open mic in town (Tuesday nights start at 8ish). Some serious talent there! If I was a scout looking for the next music star(s) I would definitely hang out there a lot! Very professionally organised, the show runs smoothly, awesome musicians. Good selection of beer, on tap and cans. not that much in terms of eating, but you can bring food from another venue (and Kensington Market has so much to offer in terms of take out). Highly recommended. True magic happens there.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Akshay K. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s an amazing chill bar at Kensington. As people have mentioned below the lady bar tender is super racist. She ignored serving us for a long while. When I tried to wave to get her attention she got wild and told how everyone wants her attention and she doesn’t want to give any blah blah. I for obvious reasons didn’t tip her for that round of drinks. She ask me and my friends to f**** and that she isn’t going to serve us again. Never visiting again! Rude and racist people.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Navrosh S. 1 year ago on Google
    Good vibes Shout out to the artist- Prince, who was playing at that time Good place to have a good time friends, with some drinks. Great cocktails!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Madison W. 10 months ago on Google
    This was my friend and I's first stop in Toronto and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip! Fantastic local drafts, great vibes, and a lot of fun. Melissa was extremely kind and helpful when we asked for recommendations throughout the city and was one of the sweetest bartenders I’ve interacted with. A lot of talented people were performing for open mic night and this place was overall one of the best bars we went to in the city!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brishen V. 6 years ago on Google
    Such a chill place to hang out and have a drink and relax. Great drink selection and always awesome staff. A favourite that I always look forward to going back to. Check out the dark and stormy for something fun and different!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin R. 1 year ago on Google
    Had one of the best times of my life at karaoke. The DJ was cooking grilled cheese sandwiches during every song. Had my cousin from Ireland with me and we thought it was amazing
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 DEL EMG 7Shadesvodka /. 11 months ago on Google • 338 reviews
    I went there for David Elle birthday this weekend I had a great time I can't tell you the last time that I seen Labbats 5.0 .i had to drink one .. as you can see people had a great time they were dancing and dancing and the dance floor was amazing good job handlebar

  • 1/5 G D. 6 months ago on Google • 3 reviews
    Embarrassing for the bartender to allow individual transactions to happen at this establishment, especially for a man that was exploiting international students. I'll be more than happy to discuss what happened with the owner. As someone who's been to the bar multiple times over the past 2 years, I'll never be going back, and I'm lucky to escape the scam that was perpetrated.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 William T. 9 months ago on Google
    Every day 9PM to 2PM neighbors complaint of noises, loud musics keep the tenants awaken unable to sleep good. Tenants complain to city, too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 stylesz S. 4 years ago on Google
    This is an excellent bar overall. It's laid back and fun. I went for the Decades Dance Event. I had a really good time. The bar tenders are friendly and efficient. Just be prepared. The bar does not have table service so you have to get your drinks at the bar. Also it doesn't seem to have any food but outside food is allowed. For instance, my buddy got several pizzas from Dominos and we ate them with no issues at all. Overall I recommend Handlebar, it's a great bar with a great atmosphere and a lot of cool events too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Francyne B. 2 years ago on Google
    Terrible music. And way too loud.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Mauricio Barcelos H. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice bar, however the music is WAY TOO LOUD - it's so loud you can't even talk to your friends or even order food!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Robert F. 1 year ago on Google
    Good place and I have had lots of fun here but I feel like charging a cover for bands hurts their business. I saw the bouncer turn away a lot of people who wanted to come in and just have a drink on a Friday night.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Viktoria C. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a bad experience at first but despite the first impression we came back to give the place a second chance. The servers were super friendly and the place had a chill romantic vibe (if you’re into house music). They had live music and candles everywhere. The drinks were great.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Holly W. 4 years ago on Google • 144 reviews
    Great bar! Went here on a saturday night with a friend and saw 3 different musical artists perform! The service could be a bit better in terms of knowing what artists are actually performing and what beers to recommend but otherwise, solid night.

  • 5/5 Abhishek V. 3 months ago on Google • 137 reviews New
    Amazing live music and great beers! Really cool place - highly recommend.

  • 5/5 June N. 5 months ago on Google • 50 reviews
    Had a few drinks here last night after dinner. Super cozy little place! They had Blood Brothers Spiced Cherry Sour that was DELICIOUS.

  • 5/5 Ksenija U. 3 months ago on Google • 20 reviews New
    The beer is great! On tap we got to have the amber, dark and sour beers which were all great <3 The perfirmers: Matthew Holtby, Dani and Jay Willow were absolutely amazing! Totally recommend, 10/10, will go again 💕🍻

  • 4/5 Julie T. 6 years ago on Google
    Comfy bar with couches towards the front of the bar and comes equipped with a patio as well. They serve a good selection of Ontario craft beer. We went on Saturday night and there was a live band. It was way too loud (not "I'm getting old what is this bleeding of my eardrums") but literally "bass-booming-hair-vibrating" loud. But it was okay cause we left our comfy couch seating inside to sit on their cute wooden patio.

  • 5/5 Melanie W. 7 months ago on Google
    Staff is super fantastic. Very good vibes. Beautiful little spot in the market. 10/10!

  • 5/5 Lance R. 2 years ago on Google
    Zach & John are the absolute dynamic duo! They work hard and deserve that recognition ! 10/10

  • 5/5 Keith 8 months ago on Google
    Friendly atmosphere and excellent music from a local enthusiast bar❤️❤️

  • 4/5 Brandon O. 6 years ago on Google
    Clean, cool bar with a good vibe. The drinks were reasonably priced and the atmosphere was great. Good spot for a casual drink with friends.

  • 5/5 Karen H. 8 months ago on Google
    I always go when I'm in town. Zac always makes sure everyone is having a great time.

  • 5/5 sahil rao s. 10 months ago on Google
    A cool spot to hang and listen to some live talent

  • 5/5 GuruGovind 8 months ago on Google
    Karaoke was amazing, the host does a great job hyping the crowd and accommodating all quality of singers!

  • 5/5 Claribel H. 2 years ago on Google
    Great staff, friendly atmosphere, conveniently located.

  • 5/5 Paul L. 10 months ago on Google
    A friend and I went here for a few drink and to dance. They had a few bands earlier in the night so couldn't really dance. A bit later though the DJs started and the dance floor opened up. Had a blast, will definitely check it out again.

  • 1/5 Sophia D. 2 years ago on Google
    I didn’t like this bar.

  • 5/5 Sarah K. 11 months ago on Google
    Good vibes, service is amazing and there is cute pineapple

  • 3/5 Salam G. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place for a night cap, some music bands are good, some aren't, but more than 1 band plays during the night. No food options, no kitchen, so don't expect to get dinner or snacks to pair with your drink.

  • 1/5 Zephyr 1 year ago on Google
    heard the open mic night was fun, but my first experience here was abysmal. tried to head further into the bar to find space only to be shoved around and knocked to the floor. no patrons helped me up. no staff cared. ive seen friendlier mosh pits. will not be returning.

  • 5/5 Logan G. 3 years ago on Google
    Last bar I was in before quarentine and it was a really cool place. Drinks were great, music was great, service was great.

  • 4/5 Josh A. 2 years ago on Google
    Pretty consistent with live music

  • 5/5 James R. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place. John behind the bar is an amazing bartender. Good drinks and good times all around. Live music and karaoke some nights.

  • 4/5 Len W. 1 year ago on Google
    Great little dive bar in the heart of Kensington Market. Open Mike night was very entertaining.

  • 5/5 Andy B. 2 years ago on Google
    Such an amazing place. Amazing staff, reasonable booze prices and an incredible atmosphere

  • 4/5 Ido M. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice pub.

  • 1/5 Abegail M. 7 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Amazing vibe, amazing people. Amazing kareoke host. But really, i waited 4 hours and I only sang 1 song. And that is only because I went up to the host and told him I was waiting for hours....yet my friend who came at the same time sang 4 songs.... I dunno.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Charles B. 4 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Owner is an absolute fool, told me to “calm down” in an incredibly aggressive manner despite both being associated with the band, and simply attempting to support and enjoy the “Punk” act playing, by cheering during the set. People around me were mystified as to why the owner, Zach, would be so rude towards a paying customer simply trying to enjoy the music. If you’re looking to get harassed by an incompetent douche for simply enjoying your time, Handlebar Toronto is the place to go. Also drinks were too expensive, take some local advice and go anywhere else to enjoy your night.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍


Call +1 647-748-7433 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Dancing
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Outside food allowed
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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