Crooked Star

Ossington’s eclectic Crooked Star has quietly become the ad hoc meeting place, watering hole and, to some degree, home-away-from-home for many Parkdalers. Touted as a neighbourhood bar, the Crooked Star aims to soothe and comfort the young locals that have recently made the Dundas West area their new back yard. With real estate development occurring at a healthy pace, what used to be a primarily Portuguese area is morphing into a distinct yet eclectic ‘hood, with young artists being drawn into it for its’ “homey” feel.
The Crooked Star has that same homey quality. It’s the home-spun comfort that can really make you feel a tad better if you‘re feeling like you were born under a crooked star. Entering for the first time, you’re instantly welcomed by the ample seating and warm light that quench the place. With large benches and soft chairs that seem to envelope you, there’s no excuse to not unwind. The space is conducive to standing around and socializing, but when you need to sit down, there’s ample selection. None of these stiff highly designed chairs made of Plexiglas or low overstuffed couches that keep you restrained in your seat so that you can’t get up. At the Crooked Star it’s all about comfort.
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You go on Sunday morning, don't come back until it's almost Sunday night, and begin conversations throughout the rest of the week talking about either how the Coronation Street peeps fared or how they'll do next time out. No other dive has ever exerted such a hold upon our collective imagination.