Black Swan Tavern

Good bar. Moderately friendly bartender. Owner switched to the game when we asked very easygoing.
No kitchen so no food.
A few yum yums asking asinine drunken questions. But nothing serious. It’s Sunday night at a bar after holidays. Pretty standard fare.

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Even though the swan is a bit of an ugly duckling to look at, it more then makes up for it when you give it a chance.
I frequent the swan often enough to have most of the bartenders know what I drink without me having to tell them, so I can personally attest to the fact that not all of their regulars are «gap toothed hicks» (Ok, so I have a gap in my teeth but most people think it’s quite cute, thank you very much!)
Always love the service, both upstairs and down and have sat chatting with the bar staff for ages on slow nights. Also they always seem to have an android charger floating around behind the bar which is AWESOME because my phone is always almost dead.
Definitely in the top 3 CHEAPEST places to get a drink on the danforth, and people should really think about that when they complain about the décor. I’ll take cheap looking and cheap drinks over fancy and expensive most nights, but then again, I’m usually trying not to blow the rent money.
Love they have a pool table and darts in the back when I come in with friends.
Really want to check out the comedy shows and poetry night they have upstairs, but usually am still at work when they are going on. Heard excellent things though. Also I have been their to see a friend preform with her band and the accoustics were quite nice.
This is one of the oldest bars on the danforth, and one of the few places to still have a tavern licence (you can’t get them any more). You can tell that most of the people there have been coming since they were my age, and while they can be a bit abrasive at times, I’ve never had a problem with them and have always felt a welcoming, down to earth, unpretentious vibe being there. I like what the other reviewer said about most of the people there being «salt of the earth» types, jsut looking for a drink (or ten) that won’t break the bank.
Since they stopped letting people smoke on the patio there are also less drunken afternoon old dudes outside… It’s the end of an era.

Been here way too many times over the years.
Unfortunately it doesn’t live up to it’s reputation of past years.
Rarely has any good bands anymore.
Staff can be moody and sometimes unfriendly.
Only thing going for it these days is after having to renovate the upstairs due to the roof caving in it has some good looks and pretty comfy chairs.
Odds are you’ll find better entertainment across the street at the Dora.

Maybe I caught a good night? I live on the Danforth so I know all about sketchy patio people but there were none on the night I went. Staff were very friendly and super attentive. There were two forms of entertainment going on that night with a jam session happening upstairs and a solo guitar performer playing downstairs. Drinks were reasonably priced. The place also gets bonus points for being right beside the subway. I think the only areas I’d take away points are the décor which gets more and more ugly as you move from the patio to the back of the building and the smaller crowd which hinders mingling to some degree. I’d go back.

What a dive! As I made my way inside the tavern, the patrons sitting in the patio leered at me, well those who could peel their face away from their beer, rejoicing at the fresh meat coming in. I made my way to the bar and waited for the bartender to finish servicing some customers before I asked her where the comedy was. Thankfully, the comedy show was upstairs because that first floor is dingy and creepy!
The upstairs lounge has a stage and a good lighting system. Comfortable chairs where you can sink in to watch the show and reliable tables to hold your drink. I did not order anything because I was too afraid that this place was too dirty. Sitting in that chair after a while made me itchy! I think it was just the nerves though.
Undoubtedly, Black Swan Tavern has seen better days. The walls on the upstairs lounge were filled with music memorabilia. A history of musical acts that have graced its intimate stage. I’ve no idea what kind of music it was. The Blues perhaps? It would fit in with the decrepit and dejected environment greeting you as you walk in.
Everyone complained there was no kitchen and I am somehow not surprised. The place is scary. But the upstairs lounge is good for comedy shows.
At any rate, Impatient Theatre hosted an epic comedy improv show last night. It was spectacular. The student teams kicked off the night — you can see why they are student teams, despite some stellar performances from new talent. The house teams Congress, El Fantoma and the re-​grouped, one night only Standards and Practices rocked the venue. By far, Congress is my favourite improv team. It was a joyful occasion and I can only hope that Impatient rises from its ashes and brings stellar comedic improv shows again.
The improv show deserves 5 stars.
Black Swan tavern gets the 2 stars.

The main floor often hosts music jams and has a pool table. If you can get past the initial judgement of the clientele on the patio, you’ll find a pretty cool place to have a drink.
Upstairs, on the second floor at the Black Swan, you will find some form of comedy show (improv, sketch, stand-​up, musical) almost every night of the week. The décor upstairs has transformed the space considerably and the staff are friendly.

older establishment but i had never been upstairs before and it’s had a makeover compared to downstairs. staff are nice enough. bathrooms are clean. prices are so so considering the size of the drink.

I’ll preface this by saying that both previous reviews are (or at least can be) pretty accurate. I’ve been a few times. What you get is a solid tavern that won’t take a big chunk out of your wallet. There are some odd folks, but also some salt-​of-​the-​earth folks who are just looking for a nice beer buzz (as early as 11 am). I’ve not tried the menu but I’d dare anyone to order the meatloaf. I have, however, had a few of the free hot dogs from the communal colander. They weren’t bad and I’ve lived to tell about it.
There used to be the occasional band upstairs on weekends, but the last time I was there it was loaded with tarts in some sort of beauty contest. They were nice and gave me some of their pizza. I understand there’s open mic comedy now.

I give it three fingers in the belly button. (not all at once, but sequentially. You’re weird.)
After leering at the Swan many-​a-​time while strolling along the Danforth, I decided to pop in for a patio pint today because it was a beaut-​i-​ful day and I’m convinced that the lawn *will* cut itself.
Clearly, there were plenty of sauced regulars in there and clearly I wasn’t one of them, but that didn’t stop the bartender from pouring me a near-​perfect Guinness as I waited on the teeny patio. Nor did it stop one of said sauced regulars from repeatedly calling me Scott and telling me that it was good to see me again.
That was nice, and though I did agree that it was nice to see me/​Scott again, it was a little weird and a little intriguing all the same. Kinda like putting your finger in your belly button or a Q-​tip dangerously deep in your ear canal.
The Swan’s great for people watching/​discovering your alter ego, it’s easy on the wallet and they haven’t updated their web site since 2003.
Love it.