Black Bull Tavern is closing its doors after nearly 200 years in business, meaning you may be looking for another vintage watering hole in the city. As we say farewell to the Queen West staple, here are some of Toronto’s oldest bars to also check out.

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The Wheatsheaf Tavern 

 

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One of Toronto’s oldest bars is in the heart of downtown at the corner of King and Bathurst.

Opening in 1849, The Wheatsheaf still keeps its classic vibes and is a great spot for live music, half-price wings and more!

When: Opened in 1849

Miller Tavern 

Miller Tavern’s Yonge Street location is a Hogg’s Hollow institution that dates back to the 1860s.

This now-upscale spot has had a few changes over the years starting out as the York Mills Hotel and eventually The Jolly Miller.

Today, Miller Tavern describes itself as serving “Market fresh dishes from the land and the sea are complemented by an extensive collection of spirits, a robust wine list featuring French and American vintages as well as expertly mixed classic cocktails.”

When: Opened in 1860s

Maple Leaf Tavern

This east-end gem was built in 1910 as three street-front stops.

The building was converted to the Hotel Maple Leaf in 1935 operating as a hotel, bar and dining room for travellers and local residents for 80+ years.

According to Maple Leafs Tavern, through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s the Maple Leaf Tavern garnered notoriety as a drinking hall.

The Maple Leaf Tavern is still open today, so go grab a pint!

When: Opened in 1910

Monarch Tavern

Opening its doors in 1927, Monarch Tavern is still around to check out today including its main floor tavern and a downstairs venue.

This spot serves up the pub classics including fish and chips, sliders, steak and ale pie and of course lots of beers on tap.

When: Opened in 1927

Horseshoe Tavern 

Horseshoe Tavern isn’t far from Black Bull Tavern, just a quick walk down Queen West.

This Toronto staple is known for being a stellar music venue as well as a trusty bar, opening in 1947 and still going strong today!

Enjoy some of Toronto’s oldest bars and raise one up for Black Bull Tavern!

Taylor Lucas

Regional Editor – Taylor is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for story-telling. Whether chasing a story, writing, or editing she brings a creative spin to the media world and has a blast doing it. Taylor brings years of journalism experience in sports, local/national news, and entertainment. In her spare time, you can typically find Taylor trying out a new restaurant or cocktail bar, cooking, golfing or binge-watching true crime documentaries.

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