Bars on Dundas

In honor of the Dundas issue we decided to ask the people behind  the  hottest bars on the strip a few questions about whats what, who’s who and where they see the bar culture headed.

SEX LASER

In keeping with the incognito trend in Toronto, Sex Laser doesn’t have a sign. Nestled into lil’ Portugal, this watering hole is dimly lit and cozy – and one might miss if it weren’t for the line of people that snake out of it on a nightly basis.

1. What would you say is the advantage of being located on Dundas?

Martin: Cheap rent! People can generally afford to be a lot more interesting when they’re paying less than a buck a square foot. As a bar owner it’s way easier to focus on having a good time with your patrons instead of getting shit on by you accountant for charging less than $9 a pint.

2. How would you define the bar culture on Dundas?

Martin: Total fucking chaos. The recent Dundas West milieu is very different from the homogeneity of Ossington in that it exists in between places like Quality Inn, Pacha Lounge, Nossa Casa, The Regional… Try doing a holistic bar crawl sometime, it’s fucked!

3. Do you have a particular type of patron?

Martin: Mostly friends and industry people from the neighborhood. Also, the locals are amazing. Cute girls and handsome guys and everyone has a great sense of humor. I’m pretty sure there’s something in the tap water around here. Or some sort of factory that makes cool people.

4. What direction do you see the Dundas bar culture going in?

Martin: Straight to hell. That’s a few years time, mind you, and things will continue to get more interesting in the meantime. Then it’s condos, property tax hikes and places with names like “Area” or some shit… Hopefully we’ll get a good gang turf war to keep the rents low, otherwise I’ll see you all 20 blocks further west!

CAMP 4

Much like it’s name, Camp 4 has a definite outdoor-sey feel. Wood is a main part of the decor….and smell, which simulates the feeling of a toasty log cabin in the Alps – except less douchey and way cheaper.

1. What would you say is the advantage of being located on Dundas?

Gani: I’ve got a ‘more the merrier’ attitude. The more reasons there are to come to Dundas, the people will come to Dundas. You can hop around to different spots within a few minutes, and it definitely makes for a fun night out once you’re here.

2. How would you define the bar culture on Dundas?

Gani: In terms of a bar culture… You can get the best tasting cocktail on Dundas, or you can get the most amazingDstiegl tall can you’ve ever had. We’ve got everyone covered here and those two people can sit down and have a great evening together.

3. Do you have a particular type of patron?

Gani: I’m not sure that we have a particular kind of customer at Camp 4, but I’d say perhaps its someone who wants to have a great drink in an awesome environment.

4. What direction do you see the Dundas bar culture going in?

Gani: I see more and more coming to Dundas in the coming years. There’s a great independant vibe. A lot of the bar owners are first timers so we’re all learning from each other and bringing our own special something to the strip.

UNLOVABLE

Named after a Smith’s song, Unlovable is pretty much the opposite of its name. Unremarkable and kind of hard to miss from the outside, this basement bar has become a legend of sorts on the Dundas strip and Toronto at large. 2 years old and still going strong, this bar is a definitive part of the Dundas bar culture.

1. What would you say is the advantage of being located on Dundas?

Jamal: Well the biggest pro for right now is that it’s not too overrun with bars, but that’s likely to change. Its a great location off of the maddness of Ossington, but not so far that it feels like a trek .

2. How would you define the bar culture on Dundas?

Jamal: Cheap and cheerful, people seem more content to be amongst friends, not really worried about bottle service (which we never have). People want to drink beers and do shots. Very low on the pretentious shit (but it happens). We all sideways stare the pretentious types.

3. Do you have a particular type of patron?

Jamal: Honestly i dont feel we do, if i could sum it up in one word, i’d say “friends”. Like all sorts of different types of people come in there. There are social climbers, music types, art guys, and just locals, but they all have a different story to tell. It keeps the job interesting. I guess if you were a bit more on a high horse you would say “hipster” but that just means you’re young and you have a visable tattoo, and that’s everyone.

4. What direction do you see the Dundas bar culture going in?

Jamal: Time will tell, when the condos get built and the real money starts getting thrown around  we’re all going to  be picking up the party and moving to Etobicoke. You laugh, but any place in this city that was ever cool for a second has changed into some douchbag infested hell hole. Wait is this going on the internet?

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Redlight, Get Well and Bambi’s

All Photos Courtesy of Samantha Wood