The Brunswick House, Toronto

Martiniboys
MBO Toronto :: Toronto Nightlife & Clubs
  • The Brunswick House, Toronto

    martiniboys.com | Last Updated: September 22,2009 2:45:59 pm
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    For generations, the Brunswick House has been a fixture for study-stressed students to release their anxiety (and hormones) by drinking, fighting and, to some degree, puking. Rumours abounded that beer was recycled for re-sale by pouring what was left in cups back into the containers. If girls wanted to slut it up and get lucky by heading to a veritable sausage-fest, the “Brunny” was an ideal choice.

    The venue was not pretty; the main area was made up of picnic tables, and the décor was dingy. But the beer was cheap. So they went. In droves. Eventually, to combat the seedy reputation, owners attempted to implement a strict dress-code. This kept out the out the undesirables just fine. Unfortunately, it kept out everyone else as well. Who the hell would want to dress up to go to the Brunny?

    The post-reno Brunny is a different place (well, sort of). A few years ago, Abbis Mahmoud (president of Urban Male Magazine) bought the Brunny and gave it a nightclub makeover. Now, it's not unusual to see frat boys and ho'd up college chicks filling obnoxious queues that spill out onto the sidewalk. Cheap, watered down beer and even more watered down "drink specials" provide the fodder for later public urination, and, more recently, the occasional high-profile act of violence.

    But hey, at least the decor has been given a decidedly non-pub upgrade, and if grinding to Black Eyed Peas hits with the under-21 set is your idea of a good night out, there's nowhere more suitable in the city. Just do us a favour and keep your damn voices down; you're making the whole area look bad.

    AT A GLANCE
    The Brunswick House
    481 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
    416-964-2242
    Annex
    Venue:
    Bar
    Hours:
    Daily - 5pm-3am
    Price Range:
    $$ (Affordable)
    Payment:
    Master Card, Visa, American Express
    THE BUZZ

    IN THE AREA

    23 Reader Reviews

    AMAZING place. I've always gone to nightclubs before, and enjoyed them until I was introduced to the Brunny. Awesome place, WONDERFUL dancefloor, groovy music, young girls, young guys. Perfect place to hook up with university folk! I'm a university student myself, and this is THE location to meet meet and meet people! Cheap affordable drinks, cheap cover (only costs 5 dollars) and there's ALWAYS bound to be tonnes of hot young university guys around who are single and wanna meet girls! EVERY TIME I HAVE GONE HERE, I HAVE COME OUT VERY SATISFIED. BEST PLACE EVER.

    1. Jules's Review :: January 05, 2010
    Jules's Rating: 4 Stars
    lots of white people here, something that is rare in toronto!

    2. Black Is Back's Review :: August 31, 2009
    Black Is Back's Rating: 4 Stars
    LOVE THE NEW MANAGERS THAT TOOK OVER THIS YEAR, THEY REALLY MAKE THIS PLACE BETTER. THEY ARE HIRING HOTTER STAFF AND THE SECURITY ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL. DJ PAUL IS AMAZING! LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR OF PARTYING THERE!

    3. Jackdantheman's Review :: August 31, 2009
    Jackdantheman's Rating: 4 Stars
    Unlike the others bashing the brunny, i love it. It all depends on your mood, if you feel like crap, then you're night will be crap, unless you are around your friends and you make it fun. Don't spoil it for the rest of us here by stating your negativity!

    4. Lindsay's Review :: July 25, 2009
    Lindsay's Rating: 4 Stars
    The bouncers here are awful, they take advantage of the fact they have a black uniform on meanwhile they are probably getting paid minimum wage. They don't know how to deal with problems and do not know how to treat ladies.

    Akward and distorted crowd and usually bad music like pussy cat dolls and britney spears

    5. Shannon's Review :: July 17, 2009
    Shannon's Rating: 2 Stars
    Enjoyed Mr. Finn's first paragraphed. Felt that it described this little gem to a tee. If I were to use two words to describe this place they would be "shit hole". If I were to use one, it would be "shithole". Where do I begin... from the years that I've had the pleasure of patronizing this dive (dragged by friends, this is important later) I can't say it's gone downhill. Maybe I'm just getting older, by older I mean I'm not 19 anymore. This is a pseudo-university crowd, and at that is increasingly reminiscent other shitholes I've been privy to in eastern parts of the city. By this I mean aggressive dudes who put you in a position where if you don't punch them in the face then you end up looking like the pussy. This is the 'writings on the wall' of a dive bar. Someone above remarked that they recycle their beer, I would not be suprised and was suspicious myself; the beer is shit. Another point; his is a classic meat market; leave the witty banter at home. The majority of the crowd responds positively to loud noises and funny faces. In closing, anything good to say about this place? It's historic in Toronto.. if that is a reason to overlook everything else. (PS. the bouncers are morons and the service is terrible).

    6. Prospective Patron's Review :: July 10, 2009
    Prospective Patron's Rating: 1 Stars
    cool place, not gino and ghetto with brownies all over the place like the rest of toronto lol

    7. Kat's Review :: May 25, 2009
    Kat's Rating: 4 Stars
    The Brunny is a total beauty but you need to know what you're getting into before you go. If you actually enjoy going to bars on King W. or Richmond then this probably is not the place for you. The Brunny is your typical small town University bar but in downtown Toronto. Thursday nights are the best when the crowd is young, looking to get mangled and dance and not leave alone. If you're like me and find the Toronto club scene to be overly pretentious then you'll love the Brunny.

    8. Brendan's Review :: March 12, 2009
    Brendan's Rating: 3 Stars
    it makes my nipples perky

    9. Mike Russo's Review :: March 07, 2009
    Mike Russo's Rating: 4 Stars
    Food... The entire menu consists of Chicken Fingers and fries.

    Service... If you like being ignored and getting slapped around by security then it's fine.

    Atmosphere... It's the customers that make the bar. Good crowd for the most part, but seems to be going downhill lately.

    Value... Not over priced but not that cheap either.

    Seating... plenty for slow nights. The dried vomit can be a little off-putting though.

    10. Anonymous's Review :: April 19, 2008
    Food... The entire menu consists of Chicken Fingers and fries.

    Service... If you like being ignored and getting slapped around by security then it's fine.

    Atmosphere... It's the customers that make the bar. Good crowd for the most part, but seems to be going downhill lately.

    Value... Not over priced but not that cheap either.

    Seating... plenty for slow nights. The dried vomit can be a little off-putting though.

    11. Chuck's Review :: April 19, 2008
    Chuck's Rating: 1 Stars
    Food... The entire menu consists of Chicken Fingers and fries.

    Service... If you like being ignored and getting slapped around by security then it's fine.

    Atmosphere... It's the customers that make the bar. Good crowd for the most part, but seems to be going downhill lately.

    Value... Not over priced but not that cheap either.

    Seating... plenty for slow nights. The dried vomit can be a little off-putting though.

    12. Chuck's Review :: April 19, 2008
    Chuck's Rating: 1 Stars
    The single worst bar in Toronto. Was on the guest list for a friend's birthday and had to pay cover. Got escorted out while in the coat check line. I will never go back again, they stole my cover and booted me out.

    13. Anonymous's Review :: February 24, 2008
    The single worst bar in Toronto. Was on the guest list for a friend's birthday and had to pay cover. Got escorted out while in the coat check line. I will never go back again, they stole my cover and booted me out.

    14. Hagl's Review :: February 24, 2008
    Hagl's Rating: 1 Stars
    I shall never return to this dump people call a bar. Apparently this place "recycles" beer that's why the beer is crap yet cheap here. The manager is a pussy that can't act up to his position when there's a problem. The atmostphere was all right for a fraternity pub, but if Toronto wants to move up in standard of living, I think places like this should be SHUT DOWN.

    15. Anonymous's Review :: January 12, 2008
    I shall never return to this dump people call a bar. Apparently this place "recycles" beer that's why the beer is crap yet cheap here. The manager is a pussy that can't act up to his position when there's a problem. The atmostphere was all right for a fraternity pub, but if Toronto wants to move up in standard of living, I think places like this should be SHUT DOWN.

    16. J's Review :: January 12, 2008
    J's Rating: 1 Stars
    This place is awesome. Great look and feel. I dont know what anyone else is talking about. I wasnt there before, but it is a change from the boring bars along the strip. If you're looking for a different feel with a bar and a club this is the place to be. I love it.

    been there about 5 times always a good time

    17. Alison's Review :: December 02, 2006
    Alison's Rating: 4 Stars
    I went here on a Saturday night and had a lot of fun.

    If you're looking for a place where theres lots of seating area and the music isn't too loud to talk to your friends nearby, AND also want a nice dance floor / club vibe happening, then this is it. Lots of seating areas, very very comfy couches I might add. The dance floor is nice and the music is "ok". They have a stage with a dancing pole that they let people use; had lots of fun with that baby ;)

    I never saw this place before the remodel, but I must say it's really nice now, very clean, lots of great architectural details and a variety of comfy sitting areas, clean non-cracked-out staff and nice bathrooms. It wasn't super crowded when I went, most of the people came in around midnight actually, but that was nice since there was still lots of room to walk around and dance without drinks being spilt down your back. I'd recommend it for sure.

    18. Kat's Review :: February 14, 2006
    Kat's Rating: 4 Stars
    i like the new look

    19. Brendan's Review :: September 29, 2005
    Brendan's Rating: 4 Stars
    brandon from Toronto you must work for them... Yes they have clean it up but it's still the brunie. Nothing special here if you haven't seen the reno and your bored then check it out but if you don't care move on and you won't miss a thing.

    Overall a fair attempt but lacks substance. If your time is valuable go elsewhere like King West or College St. If you're a student go to Richmond St.

    20. Mike's Review :: September 17, 2005
    Mike's Rating: 1 Stars
    The Brunswick will never be Ye Old Brunswick House and it's a shame. If you want to be surrounded by 905-ers dressed like they should be at Richmond and John then you'll fit in just fine, but this is the Annex and not the clubbing district. Yes, it's been reborn into something that is attracting crowds, but the wrong crowd. Stop polluting an indie neighbourhood with top-40.

    21. Kim's Review :: August 29, 2005
    Kim's Rating: 1 Stars
    Trash Trash Trash...if you like dirty washrooms, trashy girls, and guys who only focus on pooltables then its a must. I found the crowd young, trashy dressing, and and super sluty. And by sluty I mean girls who dress in Old Navy as club wear and heels from Payless, and make-up with their geek boyfriends on the dancefloor that usually consists of 5 people. Boring Boring Boring too. Music is good though, and the 2.50 drinks on Thursday nights might make you forget about where you're really at, and who you're really with. Maybe a pre-drink place, but I'd say head downtown if you want to dance instead of Bloor/Bathurst area. Hope this helps....

    22. Veronica's Review :: August 27, 2005
    Veronica's Rating: 1 Stars
    everything has changed! they almost got al the dirty out! all the staff have to do is get their shit together and everythig will turn out fine.

    23. Brandon's Review :: August 27, 2005
    Brandon's Rating: 3 Stars

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