UNIT Bar

Stopped in here after we found out too late that Double Deuce no longer exists!
It’s a nice, clean-​feeling bar with friendly staff. Good music, but few seats.

BOTTOM LINE: Douchebag-​free since 2007 (at least)!
This was the first bar I visited when I moved back to Toronto a few years ago. The flashing «Adult Arcade» ornament caught my eye and the rest, as they say, is history. UNIT has become, quite possibly, my favourite bar along the West Queen West strip — it’s unassuming, laid back and a place where strangers become friends. Most importantly, it’s kept it real all these years and has remained douchebag free! This is in part because it’s almost impossible to find despite it’s prominent location, but more importantly, because the owner and staff have maintained a consistent vision of what it wants to be — it’s not too glam nor too-​cool-​for-​skool and, as such, not filled with pretentious suits or hipsters.
Their DJ line-​ups and beer selection have grown in tandem, and whilst the beats are always ill, I wish they would serve some beers on tap. Thursday nights are my favourites and on weekends this place is bustling. The new hanging ornament flashes «Liquor», and whilst I’m certainly a fan of direct-​to-​consumer marketing, I miss the allure of what an «Adult Arcade» may bring on any given night.

I won’t be surprise that one day someone told me that they find their soul mate while waiting in line to use the washroom at UNIT Bar!
Seriously, the patrons here are amazingly friendly… how often you have a bunch of people start making small talks while waiting to use the loo??!
The crowds here are young and full of energy. Music pumping with live DJ on the floor on Saturday night… No lines to get in! Don’t be scare by that big security guy in the front… he is super nice too!
The inside though is quite dark… and everyone does looks much better in the dark?!
Oh, where is my Unilocal Drinking Buddy? Busy with some girls he met queueing up for the washroom?

My friend owns this bar so this is a bias review. But, it is a great bar. I go every chance I get.

Best bar on the strip, hands down. Very intimate. dark. lovely staff. great djs. Industry feel. Hands down, BEST bar on the strip. Ask the bartender to make you a dark ‘n’ stormy.

Matt truly did put his heart and soul into this place. Took him a while to find all those pieces and do all the work, but the time spent was totally totally worth it in the end. And he’s never happy, keep returning to check his changes to the décor and signage. Ya just gotta love that bar top… gorgeous. Great atmosphere, great employees, great décor and great patrons. You don’t feel the same attitude you get at so many of the area’s other joints. What more can you ask for in a haunt.
You might be asking and — Yes Matt is a friend of mine but this is a purely unbiased review, If someone puts that much work into a place and it turns out lookin and feelin that good I’d love it either way.
Keep it up buddy!
:-)

My friend Matt owns this place… but even without that connection I’d still say it rocks. He’s not in it for the money (crazy guy), but wanted a place where people (ie. friends) can just hang out and chill. All of the décor is authentic mid-​century, and I mean ALL. It took him a while to amass all the things he wanted for the space (read YEARS!) and even longer to get the place «just right». There’s a rotating roster of cool DJs too — go when my friend Jason spins — he’s pretty awesome. I’m not giving the place 5 stars because he needs to keep opening hours a little more consistent.

Unit is one of those rare locations on Queen West that hasn’t been totally taken over by morons. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that most people have no idea where it’s located (next door to Gladstone) and I don’t think it’s open during the weekday, so maybe it’s hard to tell what happens in this nice little bar.
The recently renovated a little near the back for DJs. Now they have these wooden benches and have covered up the «exposed kitchen» look in the back, which looked more like a storage unit. The place is pretty tiny so you might have to dip and dive when things get really busy. There are very few places to sit so be prepared to stand.
The owners of Unit are very nice and the staff is always pleasant. There’s no attitude when it comes to this establishment. They also tend to have a great roster of DJs throwing events here so chances are when you show up the music will be great.