Swan Dive

Swan Dive is a magical little place. It’s actually not even that little, it’s much bigger inside than the mysterious store front would have you believe. They’ve got coffee, teas, and what is for now an unpredictable menu of daily specials. I had the homemade veg chilli (something I haven’t eaten in years because it’s usually so uninspired) and it was really good! Well seasoned, hearty and served with corn chips and a generous portion of grated cheddar.
The owner, Abra, has been a bartender at a bunch of Toronto classics: Sneaky Dees, the Big Bop way back in the day, and most recently at the Painted Lady (no, I’m not stalking her I’ve just seen her around for years!) She’s a great visual artist and has filled the space with an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and doo-​dads. I used to live around the corner and I remember the space as a dump of an old Portuguese sports bar and it’s completely transformed.
The drinks are well-​priced and they’ve got Duggans on tap and Woodhouse cans. It’s a refreshingly unpretentious gem on a strip that is undergoing a lot of change. Cash only but there’s an ATM.

Awesome. Comfortable, great tunes, friendly service… cheap drinks! Free pool… can’t go wrong! I’ll be back…;)

Stopped in on a random night of Dundas Street bar hopping to this newly established watering hole. What I believe at one point may have been an old Portuguese dive bar, is now a dark and divey hipster aimed dive bar with vintage bar stools and a few pieces of collective furniture, and a pool table in the back. Various walls decorated with an interesting mix of paint or comic book collage.
3 types of Duggans beers on tap, and a very friendly bartender serving it all up.
Crowd was a mixed grouping but mostly late 20’s or early 30’s, much akin to the type you’d usually find scouring the area late on a weekend.
Curious to see what develops from the place, but so far so good.