Cameron House

Cool at first, but then it got old quick. 2 rooms to check out. the back room we paid 5 $ cover and it so wasn’t worth it. we came and saw in about an hour’s time. ahh well, good to try something new.

Really cool atmosphere the live entertainment was great! It was super crowded though and not much place to sit. Overall, I recommend for 2 – 3 people but not groups :)

Cameron House is my new favourite local pub, that just happens to have awesome live music on both stages most evenings, no cover and reasonably priced drinks.
Having come here a few times a week since moving to the area, I have enjoyed watching some great live shows from local artists. The service is always good and the beers are standard prices. The décor is really cool and the whole place has a relaxed, informal vibe without being too «hipster».
There is another stage at the back which I am yet to try out (no bar back there though) so if you don’t like the music at one stage, grab your drink and head to the other one.
Bonus points for being cool with people bringing in take out to eat and having a small patio at the front so you can people watch on Queen Street.

From the unusual décor (cowboy shoes hanging from the ceiling, posters on the wall…) to the very nice atmosphere (free bands, people dancing or asking you to be their +1!), this place definitely is worth a shot!
Will definitely come back!

There’s a sign on the wall that says «this is paradise» and that’s exactly where we are. The Cameron House is my favourite place in Toronto to see good music with good people. beer is fairly priced. There’s a sense of family at the Cam that you don’t find elsewhere. Lots of regulars and characters that you’ll come to know and love. The front room is always where it’s at. pass the bucket and turn your loonies into love. «There will always be a small time». I’ve been all around Canada and haven’t found a place quite like this one.

Love this place! I was stuck in Toronto for a couple of days due to Pearson closures and read about this place on Unilocal.Great dive bar, and awesome live music. The night I was there an alt-​country duo (love locks) were playing, great!
Good beer too!
This is a totally unique spot, like nothing we have back in vancouver and wish we did!

I came here with some friends last weekend and we had a blast. I am definitely adding this to my list of favourites on Queen West.
First off, the only way to describe the décor in the front is: Acid + A Midsummer Night’s dream. There is an awesome fresco on the ceiling with vines reaching up to it. But there are also robots, skeletons and assorted yard sale items stuck to the walls.
They have a small selection of beers on tap but all the beers are awesome: Tankhouse, Cobblestone stout, Millstreet Organic, that type. Pint for $ 6.
There were always two live bands playing at a time, one in the back and another at the front. We heard over 5 bands in about 2 hours time. They were all really talented and really different. There was some Spanish jazz, rock covers, folk covers, just raw music.
One tip: Jeans, doc martens, wool sweater.
I felt pretty overdressed in my heels.

The Cameron House is part of the fabric that makes up Queen St. West. Along with the literal fabric businesses catering to the fashion district nearby, the Cameron sticks to its roots, in this case roots rock and country music played live. They have a honky tonk style upright piano with its front panel removed to be able to hear it above the amplifiers. As you enter, look to your left and check out the festooned bar curving around you, pulling you in for a pint. Then look up at the ceiling art-​decorated with Victorian style panels. The front room has a few tables and a bench along the wall where you can grab a seat if you’re there early enough and enjoy some of the regular bands who crowd onto the tiny stage. …for free, although sometimes they pass a donation pitcher around. The washrooms are behind the stage, and the back room entrance is just to the left of the stage. Since it is such a casual place to listen to live music, it is a natural for stopping in with visitors to the area. Live music starts early in the evenings so you can pop in, and continue your travels after getting freshened up with some live music and cold draft.

Ok, I am fiercely trying to assert that I’m not a hipster… my jeans are simply not tight enough, and I don’t own any flannel. I do sadly have to admit, that I kind of like their restaurants and bars. And well, Cameron House, is a pretty cool hipster bar.
I came that night to see a play… a really f’ed up play. They actually have a little local theater venue in the back of the house… crazy huh? And really cool.
What was even more awesome was the live band they had. It was like Canadian bluegrass/​country/​awesome. Lots of fun. They have a very active live schedule. The vibe was great.
They have a decent selection of beers on tap/​in bottle. Nothing too exotic, but not a bad list. As an FYI, they do not have hard liquor… must like beer to drink here. I just liked the atmosphere.
And yes, hipsters, I’m not one of you… I just like to hang out with you.

I fell off a barstool
here once, but I guess that means
I had a good time.

Outside of the bar seems like mediocre however inside, the most cossy, cool & intriguing.
If u r lookin for a rehab, u r at right place.
And this place is so natural tht u can chase some ants straying around.
Beware! Only beer served.

This is one of the most unpretentious bars in town. It’s a decent place to grab a pint and listen to some cool live music. There is no cover, so it never hurts to walk in and sample a bit of music. The crowd is in their 50s but it’s not unusual to find a few 20 somethings in the mix. There is a very strong sense of community among patrons and you’re always gonna get friendly folks come up to you and start a conversation. Regardless of whether you are a fan of the atmosphere or not, you can not deny the significance of Cameron House on the Canadian Indie music scene. It’s partially responsible for launching the careers of household names like Blue Rodeo and Ron Sexsmith.

We wandered in on a Friday evening based on the reviews, and while the bar was aesthetically pretty cool, we definitely felt like major outsiders intruding on a private party, which is not really the vibe we were looking for. Additionally, we had only been in the bar about 3 minutes when the hipster dudes playing guitar asked for money to be dropped in a hat being passed around. Interesting place, but probably better suited to local tastes.

Been a regular for 3 years and the music service is amazing. My local
THIS IS PARADISE

The boy and I came here on a random Wednesday night, slightly intrigued by the loud music heard from outside.
The place seemed small at first, but it turns out there’s an entire space hidden behind! And while it is very oddly decorated throughout, we took a liking to the Victoria-​era ceiling and the comfy velvety couches to sit on.
We also realized after awhile. the band playing was pretty good. Very much hippie, indie music but it was lovely, and the lead girl could sing/​play guitar/​play the harmonica all at once!
Also ordered a yummy, Hawaiian-​flavoured beer and a whisky sour (which was so big and not watered down, either).
Definitely coming back here!

The Cameron House stands out on Queen Street West. Not only because the building itself acts like a gigantic canvas that’s covered with the portrait of a golden-​haired beauty (my favourite!), but also because it’s simply a cool place to hang out with friends and listen to some live music. It’s big, it’s spacious, the décor is funky and edgy and the bar staff are friendly and welcoming. I went here to see a well-​known Toronto-​based band play, who rocked out while I kicked back with a Mill Street Organic brew in hand and a little smile on my face. Beer + good live music and I’m a happy girl. Clearly, it doesn’t take much to please me, but even if it takes a lot to please you, you’re sure to end the night on a high note (or on a lot of musical notes) if you give Cameron and the golden-​haired beauty a chance!

I was walking down Queen street the other night on my way home from another bar when I heard something beautiful coming from Cameron’s. We went in, and I will admit there was a sparkle in my eyes because of all the wine, but it was the most amazing way to end that Thursday. Everyone was into the music, there was a GREAT live band playing some funky tuba and drums that got faster and faster until everyone in the place was dancing for their lives. At two am the drumming circle hit the streets and everyone on the floor followed right after them– to a point where we all stopped traffic on Queen. Amazing. amazing amazing amazing.
The crowd was definitely a older sampling with a fair amount of 20-​somethings and it was just lovely. It was the perfect place to dance by yourself, everyone was feeling the music and no one was about to bother you with a bad pick up line. The only reason I won’t give it a 5 is because I was drunk when I got there… I don’t know how far it effected my «I loved it!» bias.

The Cameron House is random. The crowd is random. The décor is random. And the bands that come through are the most random of all. I’ve been here a good handful of times over last few months and can solidly say the only thing that is consistent about this place is you have no idea what to expect when you walk in.
The décor feels like you’re on a weird drug trip, the bands range from country to heavy rock to brassy instrumental bands and everything in between. The crowd is often old, like my parents age old, with sprinklings of young kids dancing in front of the band… and well everyone in between.
It’s noisy, the beer is decent, the seating is passable.
I’d say this place is worth checking out if you want a uniquely Toronto experience. I will continue to pop in here for a pint or two when I’m in the area if for no other reason than pure curiousity at what could possibly be going on in The Cameron House on any given day.
***TIP: There is never cover but a hat is passed around near the end of every show to help pay the band***

This must have been a spectacular small hotel when it opened in 1891, the original and now innovatively painted plasterwork on the ceiling is something to marvel. It’s a great shame that the original entranceway which must have been magnificent has been replaced with a couple of small cheap aluminium windows. The ambience is warm and very arty, the staff friendly and the beers somewhat unusual including the coincidentally named Cameron Lager and Ale.
They often have live music, when I was there a saxophonist, pianist and a female vocalist with the melifluous husky voice of Ella Fitzgerald turned up. Simply marvelous.

As a live music nerd, this place has been the highlight of my gig-​going routine for a decade now. It continues to showcase an eclectic set of daily house bands and comedy groups, all known for their performance schtick, whether it’s use of strange instruments, over-​the-​top charisma, or just being damn good at what they do.
The art hung on the walls reflects the live music & sketch comedy programming, too — edgy, quirky, sometimes strange, but definitely entertaining. Same could be said for the clientele, especially if you hang out late afternoon around the bar or outside on the narrow patio.
You may not like what the Cameron has to offer, but whatever you’re seeing, I bet you’re not going to forget it. I love this place and don’t go there often enough.