The Cloak and Dagger

My family was out east for a couple of weeks in mid January and I was able to get out quite a bit. Unfortunately since their return work has been crazy and I haven't been able to post much either here or at my other blog.

Anyhow while many of my nights out were spent at my favourite haunts - McCarthys, the Dora and The Only, I did get out to a couple of places I have been before - the Auld Spot and the Cloak and Dagger and a couple that I have not, the Embassy and Vollo.

While the last two do not fit the usual pattern of what I have been talking about here I am going to post about them soon because while the "traditional pub" is the focus here, I think any place with great beer and a great vibe deserves attention.

And the idea of this blog, if we go back to it, is to tell people about these places.

Anyhow, the Cloak and Dagger. Another great place. Out last night with my usual drinking buddy at The Only and we both agreed that this place and The Only both ranked in our top five. Part of the attraction of the Cloak and Dagger for me is the location. On College Street, just outside of Kensington Market, close to Chinatown and the College Street strip. Our company was training three young fellows from Dublin this past June and I took them out a few times. We came here and The Only as well. Truly one of a kind places. They loved both.

Like The Only and McCarthy's this place is small. You walk in and there are a handful of booths on the right hand side. Really big booths, as in you can fit eight people I believe, and reasonably comfortably. At the back on the right is the bar, across from it a few small tables. Then a small private room in the back. It was remodelled a few years back - there is a little more space but its still a pretty intimate spot.

Like The Only a totally eclectic crowd. Your hippies and hipsters rub shoulders with punks, couples who live up the street and the old fellow mumbling into his Molson Extra Stock at the bar.

And, oh yeah, twenty three beers on tap, if I recall correctly. Not even going to try and recount what they had when I was there. They pour a nice Guinness. They had a fine bitter there when I was there last. Rest assured that like the only we're talking a roster that is nearly all local and regional beers. Just terrific terrific stuff.

One note - I went with another member of the Oilogosphere, Chris!, who lives in the area and gets there quite often (or at least more often then me) and he made a good point - when they have live music, which is quite often, its a difficult place to have a conversation due to the size of the space. So beware that if the live music isn't your bag.

Anyhow, great place. Great.

A couple of quick housekeeping notes - I'd encourage anyone dropping by who is familiar with any of these spots to comment on their experiences there. A really good example of what I am looking for is a comment on McVeigh's where commenter Jeff talks about his own experiences at the pub. While I get out as often as I can, with two youngsters, let's face it, I'm not getting out as much as I used to. Feedback on what I am saying is welcomed and encouraged.

Secondly, upcoming will be our first post from outside of Toronto. Unfortunately I hadn't thought of this blog idea until after I was in London in the fall but one of the things I want to do is get posts from out and about. Anyhow, a great friend of mine just returned from the bizarro world that is Las Vegas. He was there for work and then managed to get a few days in to check it out. He found a place that might work for anyone who is in Vegas and just wants a break from the weirdness that is the Strip. So keep an eye out.