Coalition

Good spot to see some bands.
Place is on the smaller side but not tiny. They have nice-​looking couches all over the place.
There are pinball machines and other video games on the far end plus a pool table.
$ 5 Pilsner cans the night I went, not bad.
Would return.

The first thing that hits you about the place is the smell. The sweet, fetid stench of sewage is the welcoming tithe that really sets the tone for this cesspool. I’d been here a few times when it was Neutral, so it’s not like I didn’t know what to expect. If anything, it’s basically the same bar with a few token arcade games and sriracha in their shots. Guess they’re going after the Bro market… shudder.
I went to see my cousin’s band, but thanks to the craptastic promoter, had to wait around for an extra 90 minutes: apparently he kept lying to them about start times etc. Not sure if that was on purpose in order to sell beer or what, but seriously: screw you, Whatever-​your-​name-​is. That’s not how you’re going to build an audience.
Also, the sound guy (won’t refer to him as an engineer as a mark of respect for those who actually know what they’re doing) was grossly unprofessional in both dealing with bands and sound levels. Holy incompetent, Batman! I will NOT be coming back for a show if that’s the best sound guy you can muster.
I will say that the bartender was very sweet and was very quick once she found everything she was looking for. She was super friendly and chill, which was a nice change.
I won’t even mention the bathrooms. Just don’t. Pretty sure the alley outside is cleaner. And unlike me, you won’t have to go home and shower after to get the stink out of your hair.

Decent place, if you can get past the owner trying to date rape teenage girls…
Bumped into a friend of mine’s 16 year old little sister here last summer. The owner (Joe) knew her, had personally let her in, and then gave her enough drinks that she was passing out right beside a speaker (we’re talking couldn’t walk or form a sentence here).
It gets better. I offer to get her and her friend a cab home, but as we go for the door Joe stops us and says that she should stay and he’s going to «take care of her». I argue, mentioning her age a few times, at which point he threatened to have bouncers throw me out. Literally had to threaten calling the cops for underage drinking, date rape and statutory rape to get us all out.
Background from her older sister: he had met them about a week beforehand, hit on her and then told her he would hook her and her friends up at coalition. She had informed him she was 16. Some cynics might say she should’ve known better than to go, I would say the creep should know better than to try and take advantage of little girls.

As a former regular to Neutral’s many events (particularly Steve-O’s phenomenal Karaōke Cult on Tuesday nights), I was as sad as anyone to hear that harder times had fallen the venue. It was definitely one of the few places that had zero attitude in the city, and was a refuge for the GTA’s dwindling goth population. Knowing the owner put so much into it, it was even more heartbreaking to see it ultimately close up and probably become a furniture store or gaming café.
Enter Coalition. Initially they seemed to be going for a swanky lounge (I recall ads for bottle service), but managed to switch gears smoothly and welcome the punk/​metal/​goth/​alternative scene in Toronto with open arms. This was a huge surprise, but a greatly welcomed one.
The staff are wonderful and easy to deal with, both as a customer and for booking events. They’ve really focused on balancing event-​driven nights and also being a solid go-​to local option (recently they’ve installed a number of arcade consoles, pinball machines, and a pool table), and have recently unveiled a small menu (still no vegan options, but hey, I’m a patient guy) that seems to be a hit with anyone I’ve spoken with. Did I mention they have an unofficial Fooseball competition? Well, talk to Joe.
The bar is stocked well, and they have a really great selection of beer and cider. Prices are reasonable and they often have specials.
The venue itself has a great setup for live music (great sound, which was one thing Neutral never really had going for it), dancing, or just lounging.
Definitely a welcome addition to the neighbourhood, and I have never been solicited in the bathroom (I think?).

Don’t let the prostitution ring operating out of the bathrooms here detract from what is a good live music venue on Saturday nights. Some people might be put off by the violent brawls that erupt from time to time but as long as you don’t get caught in the crossfire you’ll enjoy the live music from some top shelf local talent.
Be wary of the little Master of Ceremonies with a Napoleon Complex who enjoys instigating brawls with violent thugs. Between his big mouth and coke habit you’ll find your personal safety compromised faster than he can throw down a stupid rhyme. Did I mention the music here is great?

This club, formally known as NEUTRAL, has re-​opened and is now called COALITION. The venue, which had been a Goth bar and Disco/​Reggae dance club, now features mostly Punk Rock and a few Metal evenings. They’ve also had Trivia Nights, Karaōke and Art Festivals, and comedy events, every now and then. It’s small and quaint with a good sound system, white leather couches, and a terrific bar. Service is pretty good, security are friendly, and the bathrooms are clean. The place is located in Kensington Market and you must go down 2 flights of stairs to reach the bar but that’s not really a problem. I’ve been there 5 times already and it just keeps getting better.