The Embassy Bar

This is where you visit for a cheap drink in one of the most laid back locations in the city. Music is always killer and the falling-​apart-​furniture and cool rotating art suits the the atmosphere perfectly. They sport a pretty decent beer list and always seem to have a good cider on tap.

Killer spot. Full of a young and hip crowd and drinks are fabulous prices. Good spot in Kensington where you know you’ll always have a good time with friends. Never too busy. And sometimes they play porn in the back wall!

Stopped in there for a drink before dinner elsewhere in the Market and was charmed by the sparkly vinyl chairs, old school diner booths and excellent people watching from the front window. It’s larger inside that I thought it would be, so despite being claustrophobic, I might come back here even if it was busy.
Although decidedly hipster-​ish, it’s dive-​y charm makes it a place that I might frequent. Hipsters aren’t bad people and I don’t feel bad making jokes at their expense because hipsters don’t know they’re hipsters, so I’m assuming there’s no offense taken.

The place in itself is sort of interesting. The problem is that the glasses are easily the dirtiest I have ever gotten in a bar (and that includes Asia).

Chill interior with a laidback staff to match — wish I could blame being American on screwing up the tip. Asked for change for a five and got confused when I got a $ 2 coin so I thought the bartender took a tip for himself anyway. Well, regardless — badass place to chill out and have a drink. Try the fish and chips down the street as well — they let you eat in the bar and you can enjoy with a cold draft.

Kind of a fun, mellow dive bar in Kensington.
I like the décor… light up Pantone-​like panels on the wall with other completely random items. Kind of a somewhat decorated dive bar.
They have about 8 beers on tap ranging from around $ 6.50-$ 7.50. Mostly nothing too impressive, but they do have La Fin Du Monde on tap, which is a solid Unibroue beer usually only served in bottles.
The bartender was friendly, although by no means chatty.
Standard Kensington crowd… pretty hipsterish. I think I prefer Cold Tea to this place, but it’s nice to have choices.
FYI, cash only!

Dark and classy, The Embassy has always been one of the best places in Kensington. It’s super clean for this hood, and I love the mood lighting and wooden booths.
Things to know:
They have Fin Du Monde on tap for cheap.
They have a patio.
They only take cash.
You can often find me here.

Between the fine selection of drafts and the DJs, this is probably my favourite non jazz watering hole. If I lived nearby it would be my default local, no doubt. If I had any ambition, I’d duplicate this kind of place on the Danforth.
Depending on the night, this is often a place you can go to for a good beer and to just listen to records being played by fellow music geeks. I’m often pushing it here at 38; this is kind of one for the 20 – 30 set.
Recommended!

I was unimpressed by this place. The bartender was very sweet and knowledgable, but the rest of the bar made me uncomfortable. They clearly allowed underaged patrons to drink there, and the busboy had serious attitude. He was incredibly insulting and rude. He took our drinks from the table without asking if we had finished, and when we asked him why, he gave us so much attitude, it was just insulting. After that, we left. I doubt we will return.

Came here on Saturday night at around 11:30 and it was p a c k e d ! The small patio was full, but we were able to snag a table inside. Every third Saturday of the month is a Wedding Night (?) so each table was decorated; it was pretty cute. The music was pretty good — a mix of stuff. At one point in the night I heard Dolly Parton, but then heard Carly Rae Jepsen — fun times! The drink menu was extensive, which included domestic and international stuff. No cover was an added plus to my experience here. The only downside for me was that this place took only cash (because I’m a credit car person).
Good for: a night out, a pint or two, dancing (in small spaces)

Embassy is one of the better bars in the Kensington area; it’s likely to be one of the busier places during the week, and the amount of pretentiousness is at minimum!
In terms of their drinks, the list of Canadian beers is rather impressive, though there is less on offer in terms of international brews. The bar staff are nice and attentive, and though there is no kitchen, they are usually ok with you bringing in your own grub as long as the place isn’t too busy.
Embassy often has a DJ spinning records in the back, even on random weekday nights. I’ve seen a whole bunch of different people on deck, and can admit to having enjoyed some solid new disco /​80s electro at this joint.
Overall a good choice if you’re in the area and looking for a hassle free bar with good beer.

Great local beer selection from breweries across Ontario and Canada. The service is A-​OK but not fantastic or memorable by any means. The bathrooms are not clean and I don’t like that. Otherwise, good chill spot with dim lighting. One of the only spots left in Kensington Market where a few adults might be hanging out…

VIBE
One of the best people-​watching perches in the city and a Kensington Market favourite. Staff leave you alone and on Saturdays, they have some kicking DJs. Though Cold Tea is the new fave, Embassy will always have a place in my Bohemian little heart with their comfy booths and ecletic toy display against the back of the bar. The regulars here are just as good. Fun and relaxed and conducive to meeting people if you’re on the front patio (if you can snag a seat).
WE DRANK
St. Ambroise Raspberry and Apricot ale. Mmm. Lots of other small organic labels as well on tap but no Heineken. Best to bring cash.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Ain’t getting my passport here (or detained). One of those places where you stay a while. An old classic.

Wandered into this place on a Thursday night, after having passed by this place and curiously peered in on several occasions.
It was pretty mellow when we walked in, maybe a handful of people around, mostly groups of 2 – 3 in the booths and some at the couches.
The décor was kitsch-​ramshackle charming, sparsely decorated with red leather old movie theatre-​esque seats lining the booths. They had just installed an interesting fixture at the taps which looked like an oversized old radio dial, nice touch.
Come around 11 pm, the place was pretty packed. Lively, cool but welcoming atmosphere, lots of people just hanging out and having a good time, a couple of braver souls dancing on their own in the middle of the bar.
All in all, great neighbourhood bar for a drink if you live nearby or are in the area.

This place keeps it simple. Think they have the ‘moth-​to-​flame’ concept down. Funky art on the walls, good music in the background. Light’s are dimmed. Most of all, this place has a great selection on the taps. A great place to find Ontario Craft Brews and some of Quebec’s Unibroue. Good place for taking dates, as the crowd noise generally seems to keep things intimate. Know several people who’ve brought groups for b-​day gatherings. In the four seasons, it’s a good spot — in the day and night — to chill /​party. Solid pre and post club spot. Wish it was closer to where I live.

Embassy’s a safe bet on any given night (or day for that matter) for good drinks and, as Beatrice P. put it, «good vibes all around». By night you can expect the cozy space to be swarming with all sorts of people, but mostly of the ‘hip’ variety (I’m talking guys with hats and girls in ill-​fitting vintage robes), looking for a spot on the patio or among friends on a vintage couch, or perhaps squished into cramped but comfortable booths.
Headbob-​inducing tunes, art on the walls, warm atmosphere, decently priced drinks, and a range of interesting beers will keep me coming back for more Embassy, even after the patio’s closed for the winter.

When I started venturing into Toronto, but did not live here, I frequented The Embassy a few times, so I suppose that has solidified its place with me. I always enjoyed myself. And a perk of sitting in the dimly lit Embassy is the likelihood that there will be excellent music playing. (I remember being perched on the edge of one of the booths and The Stones came on. living in the ‘burbs at that time, it was not something that I was used to hearing in a bar; I was ecstatic!)
The patio is also fun — always packed, loud, everybody talking happily. I love the atmosphere of this bar. The people that frequent it are very friendly, and it is not out of the ordinary to strike up whole conversations with complete strangers and to have everybody join in the party.

A nice place for a quiet drink on weeknights, or for a so-intimate-you’re-squashed-against-the-bass-player weekend show.
I’ve seen a handful of local bands play the Embassy and it’s a great fun time that usually ends up being a group dance party. But the Embassy is a fun place for casual drinks too — they’ve got a nice layout, a decent bar, and good prices.
One of the great places in Kensington, but definitely getting more popular every second. Patio is totally packed in the summer because it’s only about 4 square feet of wood.

I’ve only been to the Embassy in the early weekday evenings, so it’s been kind of dead — with usually one or two other tables being used. Despite the emptiness, it’s what I’ve expected from the place and feel comfortable with that. So whenever weekends hit, and summer crowds are bulging out to the front patio, I get a little tense and wonder why people are invading my special spot.
The thing is, people are invading because it’s a pretty cool bar. It has a slightly hipper-​than-​average factor for Kensington — something that would seem right at home with West Queen West — but still reeks of the makeshift Kensington charm. Because it’s the first building set back from Augusta on the strip south of Baldwin, the bar maintains a bit of privacy, too.
Invade away. (Raising glass)

This is the kind of pace that takes me back to university, when I was in constant search of a quiet place to have a beer or coffee and sit for hours, reading.
The Embassy is just a slip of a spot on Augusta.
It’s the bottom floor of an old house with less than ten booths against one wall.
A small tiki like bar at the back and bathrooms in the basement.
There’s a tiny patio in front that seats maybe a dozen people and if it’s warm enough to sit outside, it i generally full.
The market is Toronto’s best neighborhood.
You can find whatever you want here and people are really laid back and devoid of cliques.
And I am always surprised by the music selection. For instance, last time I was at Embassy, they were playing Joy Division B-​sides, and completely without the pretense on cool. It was awesome.