Live fast. Die young. And leave a good-looking corpse.

Indeed, there may be no better embodiment of the city's current fun-dining than this spot. There's the sweeping, multilevel space, which, like The Fifth, Mildred Pierce and Indian Motorcycle, blends bar, lounge, restaurant and all into one. The Gypsy bartender’s manner is part biker, part kindergarten teacher, and has a sixth sense for refills. Thank God for this one.

It really is eccentric chic here, straight out of Dr. Seuss (candies and all. With the exception of the scantily clad crowd. The food is just as festive, though; glazed calamari, spaghetti & meatballs, black bean salsa! Eventually, evening will bring the commuters, and night will bring the slumming hipsters. But you’re safe. After all, even if they know you’re out drinking and dining, they’ll never think to look for you at the Gypsy Co-op.

If you want to enjoy a very quiet meal at Gypsy, visit early on a weeknight and you'll have the place to yourself and a half dozen Queen Street kids, and who wouldn’t mind that? Some nights, when there are attractive and not-too-loud hipsters at the bar, are particularly enjoyable. But if you want to catch a glimpse of Gypsy's former glory as a nightspot, Just stick around ‘til last call.

This beloved restaurant, lounge and candy store and bar continues to draw a friendly and fun crowd with its cheap, inventive menu: black bean salsa, barbequed strip loin, grilled honey-glazed calamari, grilled sirloin to vegetarian/vegan dishes. Stock up on your candy on the way out. Nightly, jazzy funky DJs. Full-blown general store stocked with nostalgic candy.

Reader Reviews


Gypsy is great.
Ronn C. Toronto
The perfect place to unwind, with the option to boogie if your feet let you. Food and drinks are great, and the music is even better. The music and vibe on a Thursday are excellent (Classic soul, funk & rare groove with some nice soulful house music thrown in for good measure). Great place to have a drink with your friends during the week.


One Day...
Posted by An Anonymous User
Dec. 03, 2001
One day this place will be one of the premier Toronto hotspots. Yes its small and kinda rick-rackish, but what’s wrong with that? The staff is totally laid back the drinks aren’t bad. All they need is a good promoter and this place could turn into something very special. Love the candies.


small but fun
Posted by An Anonymous User
Dec. 02, 2001
I got a nice vibe as soon as I walked in. the place looks like somebody’s apartment but thats what makes it cool. it seems to attract a crowd that is real and not artificial. cool place to have drink and dance for a little while. a good date place.