Reader Reviews

Pretentious to the Core.
Iman, Toronto,
Sept. 2, 2004
I'd have to disagree with the earlier reviews I have just read. I've always had a really fun time at Lobby. The outdoor patio is a squash, but the Saturday night DJ is a real crowd-pleaser. From everything to top 40 R&B to retro michael jackson to chill house, I really love the music at this bar. The bouncers have never given me attitude either- perhaps they're looking for a certain kind of clientele... this place can appear pretentious to the unseasoned eye- but then again, which decent lounge in Yorkville isn't? Yes, the drinks are overpriced- buy a bottle. It works out cheaper, if that's a concern. I like Lobby overall- fun place with friendly, if slightly older, patrons.


Terrible staff.
anon., toronto,
September 7, 2004
I was completely shocked at the fact a bar with a relatively decent (by no means good) reputation would hire the staff they did. The bartenders actually came back and asked me how to make my own drink. They spend most of their time socializing with other staff, and aren't even very attractive. The wait staff was terribly useless. I would also love to know who the manager of the bar is. The last time I checked, no NY or South Beach club had a thirty-something, over-botoxed, man wearing a terrible outfit prancing on top of the bar. Whoever designed this space would be disgusted to see it filled with such a pathetic bunch of staff. WOULD NEVER GO BACK.



Lobby fills a missing niche!
Sky, Toronto
Sept., 8, 2004
It is very simple..Lobby gets it. It is obvious by the other reviews on this site that certain individuals don't! Why don't you get off your lazy a__ and check out New York and Miami and see what is really all about. Finally a place that at the very least gives Toronto a fightng chance at competing with the "Big Boys". Lobby is as close as Toronto gets to a Miami lounge. It reminds me of the Delano. The Lobby boys did a great job of building and designing a club that clearly is inspired by the South. Unfortunately Toronto just doesn't have enough patrons that can truly appreciate it. Granted there is some service issues...whatever! This place is about the experience and not the white gloves. Good selection of drinks and great late night food! Was there again Saturday and place was packed with very hip crowd. Lobby really does fill a missing niche!


outrageously delicious Kobe beef burger
Jaime, Toronto,
Sept. 7, 2004
You cannot just walk into Lobby on a Friday night - you have to STRUT! The people, the decor, the attitude demand it. This is the kind of glamorous and sophisticated place Toronto has aspired to in the past but never achieved until now. Bottle service, delicious martinis and a fully stocked bar are above what I've come to expect in this city. The bartenders and cocktailers, however, obviously weren't hired for their knowledge. While service continues to improve, it's still not on a par with the rest of Lobby. (P.S. - They serve food too! Don't miss out on the outrageously delicious Kobe beef burger)


Pottery Barn?
Berkeley, Toronto
Sept. 1, 2004
Has anyone ever noticed that nearly all the furnishings in this place are from the Pottery Barn? Although I don't frequent Lobby too often,I do enjoy complimentary spiced almonds -they are delicious and make me want to drink more.


Needs Professional Help
Paul, Toronto
January 31, 2004
To pay $25 for two mixed drinks is a bit of an outrage considering the service involved. She looked good but no lime in my rum and coke and then threw the lime in with no stir stick and an empty glass for 20 minutes while she did shooters with her friends down the bar. This place needs some professional staff!


Sure ain't here!
Cindy, Toronto
December 3, 2003
Who is the guy who thinks he owns the place and pimps off all of the
hookers in the place? Sorry sweetie - haven't you heard of sloppy seconds? The food (expensive, not too good, and poor value)- hookers and blow totally fabulous. Plus, get the doorman to lose the attitude (you're not in New York and you don't look like an actor or have money)!! Girls behind the bar are cute - but personality counts a lot and these girls don't have any. If you want a real night club / lounge - it sure ain't here!
I won't be returning.


personality sucks!
Sharon Pickering
December 2, 2003
reading about the new hyped place in Toronto, I decided to try it out. I was told this place is "difficult" to get into. I dropped by on a very late Saturday night. There seemed to be lots of people outside, which I mistaken for a line up, but they were smoking (no smoking inside). The bouncer did not say a word to me, so I just walked in. Once inside I realized the atmosphere was as beautiful, and chic as all the reviews I've read. I was however not very impressed by the ruddiness of the staff. Bouncers are not friendly nor do they speak much. The upstairs was packed like sardines, with no place to sit and enjoy your drinks. I soon then found out there was a downstairs, but you cannot take your drinks from upstairs down there. The bar downstairs does not serve martinis, which was disappointing. I was told closing was 3am, by 2:30am a gentleman came to me and rudely said they are closing and I have to leave. I found it strange how he only told me that and not the guy next to me. Overall Lobby on the outside looks beautiful, but the personality sucks!


unbearable
August 06, 2003
Peter Ranchelle, Toronto, ON
I had a chance to stop by this place on a Friday. I was a bit skeptical not being familiar with the location. Once inside it was a whole different ball game. The decor is elegant with a glowing bar and I was thoroughly impressed with the beautiful bartenders and cocktail servers. The entire staff was very welcoming (except for the Ohio-bred bouncer) and made my friends and I feel like part of the family. The prices were unbearable, but I suppose we were paying for the furniture. Making it too hard to buy drinks for the very beautiful modern crowd in attendance.

lobby city
Stephan Montreal
Lobby has a cachet that makes you want to come back. Unique experience. My first visit was 2 weeks ago and I had a great time. I was impressed by the doorman, very friendly, very stylish and spoke french which was very accommodating for us Montrealers. Our experience started with the bald gentleman at the door (if I remember his name was JD) who kindly welcomed us in and walked us to a table and got quick service at our table. Then we quite enjoyed our martinis and the music was splendid. We stayed all night and really made it a night to remember. I was back last week end for a repeat experience. OOOOPPPPPSSSS, different treatment at the door, there was a new doorman which had no time to listen to us and turned us away. What a disappointment when we were so welcome and well served the week before and now treated like criminals.... Consistency is not part of Lobby's agenda. We spent great deal of our income the first time and Unfortunately were denied entrance on o ur second visit. I will definitely give Lobby another chance but praying that we do find the classy host/doorman that was there on our first visit, after all, the night begins at the door and he certainly knows how to do his job.


J. Mandy Toronto
September 12, 2003
Maybe expectations were too high, but we found the place to be over-crowded with an incredibly weird mix of people. You had the pretentious designer -wearing groups, the wanna-be pretentious crowd, the ghetto-fab, more than a fair share of prowling courgars (both male and female), and the thirty-somethings mixed in with the over-eager twenty-somethings. The design leaves very little to be desired, except when it comes to the washrooms - needs better lighting and more house-keeping. Also, it's pretty hard to believe that you cannot smoke in the entire place - thought this was supposed to be a lounge. Wonder what's going to happen in the winter. The worst thing about the place was (Jason?) Mendell - the owner. We found him to be way too into himself and downright rude, much more-so than your usual sleazy club-owner. So much for selling your place with hospitality. Glad I went to check it out after all the hype, but will never go back. Drinks - alright, food - didn't try.


nice space. good crowd.
ann, nyc/toronto
August 29,2003
Went there on a saturday night, packed w/ppl but my friends and i were still able to find some seats (the ample seating areas are a definite plus). i would have expected that in a place like this the wait staff would have come over to take our drink orders...but after some sitting around w/no luck - had to get up and jockey a position at the bar. drinks on the drink menu sounded good - but what's the point of having a drink menu when the bartenders are only serving ONE of the drinks listed on it?! so, i got that cocktail, flavour was good - but disappointed that the drink was so watered down. i don't mind paying $12/drink if it's good - but NOT if it's watered down. is it just me or does anyone else out there find that drinks in T.O. are much more watered down than those served in NYC?? overall, a nice looking space - but w/o good drinks...what would make me want to stay?


Ana Paula Amalfi, Toronto
August 24, 2003
The place is totally AWESOME,the vibe is really good and you see people from all ages. Definitely recommend the place for anyone who likes to see beautiful people. Congratulations to the owner!!!!!!!!


grilled cheese and fries
mackenzie peterson toronto
August 13, 2003
this place is just amasing! the food is great (espeshally the grilled cheese and fries)the staff is SO NICE! the couches are the cufeyest and the bathrooms are more than cool!


I have a confession to make:
ad, Toronto
AUGUST, 11, 1003
I'm a bathroom fanatic. No, that doesn't mean I go out and spend all my time in the bathroom. What it does mean, is that the bathroom of a place is usually the deciding factor for me of how clean and clientelle friendly the place as a whole really is. When I saw the bathrooms at Lobby I nearly keeled over. Damn! These guys really knew what they were doing when they were designing the ever so elegant, low-lit, flower-scented, mirrored, sexy, fabulous, individual restrooms! Kudos to them! The upstairs follows suit from the sofas to the long bar to the wait staff. A great and much needed addition to the Yorkville area.


My new favorite spot.
E Peterson, Toronto
August 11, 2003
I shouldn't write this for 2 reasons: 1. By giving 4 stars across the
board I may appear to be a overzealous neophyte and 2. If people believe what they read I may have trouble getting into my new favorite spot.
I love the lobby. Food. I've been to all (I think) the best places in TO and the kobe burger and lobster dish rank at the top. As a side, the fries are the best I've ever had. Service. Beautiful to look at and nice. Two usually mutually exclusive adjectives - but not at the Lobby. Seating. Couches and a cook underlit bar. I could go on, but you get the idea: I love the lobby on all fronts.


This is it!!
frankie toronto
August 11, 2003
Toronto's hottest new restaurant/lounge is finally here! Incredible food. Great old school service in the dining room. Gorgeous bartenders and cocktailers. The tunes are hip. The crowd is cool. The room is sleek.


polish and promise
Jessica Toronto
August 10, 2003
How do you take in the food and drink when your senses are overloaded
taking in the beauty of your surroundings?! I ventured over to lobby during its first week open for a business lunch and was quite pleased. Our meals were gorgeous and tasty, and the service so very attentive - for me the deciding factor on a restaurant's polish and promise. I will certainly be back soon to try out the dinner menu, which looked quite intriguing. The only drawback I noticed during my experience was that every so often a familiar scent seemed to waft through the air - french fries? - without doubt drifting over from the McDonalds next door... keep the Lobby a secret.


e peterson toronto
Aug 2, 2003
Great on all fronts? That's an understatement -these guys hit it out of the friggin park. I've been to all the best - the lobby has them beat without question. PS- I only write this knowing that I'm moving out of the area and soon will be unable to frequent. Otherwise I'd keep the Lobby a secret.


A sort of SoBE Delano look
Angelina, T.O.
August 2, 2003
This place has stlye and can make anyone who walk in there feel like a million bucks. A sort of SoBE Delano look, the Lobby has class with out being too fancy.


it feels like a private party
lobby city, Toronto
August 1, 2003
Lobby is a fantastic addition to the Toronto scene - just what Yorkville needed. A destination offering delicious food and tasty cocktails in a relaxed, comfortable setting that heats up when the sun goes down. Advice is to go early for dinner and stay late for the scene - it feels like a private party every night!


Good atmosphere
Jill, Toronto
August, 1, 2003
my friend and I scored one of the very comfortable sofas near the front and lounged for a couple hours, trying some cocktails from the inventive selection - if you like fruity and sweet try the Shanghai. Service was friendly and fairly good, and the bathrooms are a must-see. However, I could only make out the music in the bathrooms, you can't hear it at the front of the bar. Overall, a great place to spend a few hours.