|
Rhino, Toronto |
|
 |
|
|
| |
 f you just want a place to drink yourself shitty, play a little pinball, and shoot some stick, the Rhino will do you just fine.
The beer is cheap, the wine is cheap, the pool is cheap. Ambiance? Not really: Picture a clubhouse with really high ceilings. Best part about this bar is that it's pretty much scenester free. Not uncommon to see a local hunkered down with a pitcher all to his lonesome. God bless the lonely. This is a great place to "unleash the mojo."
When you walk into The Rhino you think, "I might get my ass kicked in this place" -- not a sentiment many Toronto bars inspire these days. The Rhino is a shrine to all things Parkdale trash, and the early evening patrons aren't acting. Later, when the place fills up (almost exclusively with men), it becomes a rowdyhouse of pure liquor-induced fun. Sure, some of the bar-stomping routines seem like they were lifted directly from a certain Patrick Swayze movie (you know the one), but by the end of the night you'll be singing "Gimme Three Steps" along with every other guy in the place.
It is smoky. But that's just about what you might expect at this Parkdale watering hole. The tables and booths are perpetually half-full (usually by the same folk) throughout the day, as are the high tables with stools, with local after-workers -- lots of local folk, no one in a suit. You can leave your fancy shoes at home for this one.
|
1249 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON 
6 Reader Reviews
Having been a regular at the Rhino for about 15 years now, I can say with great confidence that the "review" above is a completely and utterly inaccurate description of the place.
From the fact that they've never had a pinball machine or booths, to the description of it looking like "a clubhouse with really high ceilings", to the descriptions of the clientele - it's all completely off base. I think the "reviewer" went into Club OV's, the boozehall that used to be across the street from Rhino, rather than Rhino itself.
Rhino Regular's Rating: 3 Stars |
 |
Well I can see that some of the reviews for Rhino are fairly old, so I'll give a bit of an update as I just moved into the area and found Rhino to be one of the coolest locals around.
I've already been 5 times in the last month and every evening (no matter what day of the week) the place is buzzing by 8-9pm, yet I can always get a table. It seems to be divided into three distinct areas now; the Pub in the front, the Sports Bar in the back, and the restaurant to the left. All three areas have a cozy feel to them, despite the high ceilings (although the restaurant portion looks like it gets most of its workout during brunch). In the pub there is a mixed crowd of young and old, chatting away over pints, chowing on the creative menu, or surfing casually on their laptops using the free Wi-Fi.
I haven't ventured too far down the menu so far because I get sucked in by the mouthwatering specials board at the front. I have never been disappointed by the food and neither have any of my friends that I drag out there. The presentation and esthetics of the food are surprising considering the decor, and the creative use of different, yet complementary flavours are worthy of the finer dining establishments in the city. The prices however do not reflect the quality of the food $10-14 for a dinner that you'd pay $20-30 for on College Street or The Esplanade.
The beer selection (over 280 bottles) is impressive, but not as impressive as the fact that most bottles cost between $3.50 and $5.50... rare considering how difficult some of the foreign beers are to come by. There is a list of about 12 draught beers as well each with their own description and suggested food pairings.
Service tends to be a little slow since they always seem to be about one waitress short for the number of tables, but sometimes the owner will come over and serve you which I always take as a good sign.
Rhino has apparently been there for over 30 years, which is probably why they can offer such low prices on Queen West. I am really looking forward to the large adjacent patio this summer.
Big B's Rating: 4 Stars |
|
real nice place, good selection of beer and pretty juicy wings
Mirage's Rating: 4 Stars |
|
I have been going to Rhino for a very long time and have always enjoyed the cheap eats and casual atmosphere. On this visit I was unpleasantly surprised by a bitchy waitress who was increadibly rude to my table and those around us. I thought wait staff were in the business of earning tips not pissing off usually generous customers.
BL's Rating: 1 Stars |
|
The Rhino is comfy...homey and a decent place to hang. The food is good...for bar food, the service is better than many similar places and no regular Joe would feel out of place. Often the crowd is a bit quirky usually artists or theatre geeks. But they're the hard working indy types not the "bohemian" put-ons you might see at The Drake...just real creative folk. The always-changing art installation on the walls is a highlight.
KB's Rating: 3 Stars |
|
February 16, 2005
The Rhino is comfy...homey and a decent place to hang. The food is good...for bar food, the service is better than many similar places and no regular Joe would feel out of place. Often the crowd is a bit quirky usually artists or theatre geeks. But they're the hard working indy types not the "bohemian" put-ons you might see at The Drake...just real creative folk. The always-changing art installation on the walls is a highlight.
KB's Rating: 1 Stars |
|
Voice your opinion! Submit a reader review for Rhino. Click here |
|
|
Rhino |
1249 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
416-535-8089
West Queen West
Pub
weekdays 11:00am - 2:00am. Sat & Sun 10:30 - 2:00am
$ (budget)
Master Card
Visa
American Express |
|
Related Clubs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MBO Toronto :: Toronto Nightlife & Clubs
