Hi-Lo Bar

Five stars for five-​star bar. Walked in one night to meet a friend. Music playing, lots of groups and solo drinkers at the bar and high-​top table near front window. Crowd was 20-​something to 30 something. I hung out alone for 10 minutes before my friend arrived and got a good look of the christmas lights-​decorated space and patrons (looked mostly local and seemed like regulars). Bartender was friendly, recommended local beer on tap, got my drink immediately and we chatted for a bit. I’ve been to a few regular bars in the states and across Toronto that were grungier than this place so I hesitate to call it a dive bar, but the style seems to reach for that. I’d call it modern grunge. Which they’ll probably hate.

In an alternate universe, I never changed since grade 10. In this universe my friend– who also never changed– and I have opened a bar called Hi-​Lo. We went to somewhat great lengths (or the ‘high’ side of ‘low’ effort) to make the bar look like our bedrooms did– slanted postings of those old cheap pink, black, and white concert posters; skateboard decks; a pennant or two; Metallica pinball machine; etc. The music also matched what we played in our bedrooms.
Unfortunately, my aesthetic-​sense disabled friend was in charge of putting up the concert posters, and they are all slanted with such exact intent and precision that the walls scream the same ineffible sense of ‘trying’ one heard most clearly when looking at the graffiti on backdrops of so many YTV shows marketed to ‘cool kids.‘
OKAY, I can blame that on my friend. He tried. Whatever.
But for this I share the blame: that we had the audacity to charge $ 6.75 for a pint of PABST BLUE RIBBON.
WHAT.
THE.
GRATEFUL F*CKING DEAD.
You basically end up paying $ 8 after tip for a PBR. Am I at an afterhours club? What is this. This is a bar. It’s kind’ve cool I guess. But you pay $ 8 for a gawdaym PBR. If you have an uncle who’s kind’ve cool, but he touches you when noones around, he’s still a shitty uncle. And I cannot give this place over 2 stars.
If it’s not too crowded go to The Comrade across the street. Better yet, if you’re looking for everything this place tried to be, walk 10 min East to Bill Hicks bar.

Wonderful (and slightly fake) dive bar. Queen East.
Dark, narrow, pinball machine, unfriendly (in a pretend way only) bartend staff and a nice selection of affordable booze.
It’s away from the Prohibition, boots and bourbon mess by just enough to not be rammed. Busy enough though to blend in if needed. Strider style. At least it feels that way after a few drinks.
The place feels like where ppl go for anonymous tinder dates or trying to explore away from their partners if you get my drift. (Not condoning anything, just observing)
You should go here if you want Queen East, but a little feel of the junction, and apparently if you are 5 guys with one girl companion. Seems the norm from my five trips there.
Come to HiLo, and enjoy the atmosphere. You’ll like it.

A typical dive… in a good way
Went here to kill some time before a show at Opera House, they have great beers on tap including my favorites PBR & Beau’s Lug Tread. The beer is reasonably priced (about $ 6 for a 20 pint of PBR), They don’t have a lot of selection for food mainly app sized portions of typical bar food. I didn’t eat here though. The food looked amazing though.
The staff are friendly and attentive
They also have Metallica and Rolling Stones pinball if you wanted to play a game, nice touch
Washrooms are easy to find, clean and well maintained.
I would definitely come back to Hi-​Lo for drinks before a show!

Great!!! Amazing place! A must!!! Seriously!!! Come and stop by!!! The drinks are awesome!

I don’t spend much time in the east end anymore, which is fine by me. I do travel here for certain restaurants, namely Tabule, and to visit friends with babies. If you’re a thirty-​something westsidaah, I know you feel me.
While waiting for our delicious table at Tabule, we decided to have a drink nearby. The east end La Carnita and County General were both packed with eager eaters, so we found our way to Hi Lo.
It’s a very cute, dark bar with silly pin ball machines, great tunes and a large and in charge drink list. I had a dirty martini, and it was exactly what I asked for. If I am looking for a watering hole in the easy east again, I’ll definitely return to Hi-​Lo.

Fun, local East-​side watering hole.
We came in a for a quick drink, stuck mostly with draft beers ($ 7/​pint). Not a lot of seating available, especially if you are a big group.
Loved the colourful decorative lights. Music could use an upgrade.
Will be back when we’re in the area again.

A «cool» place, but if you don’t have ironic facial hair and skinny jeans, then you might stand out. The cocktails are pretty tasty but you will break the bank if you plan on drinking them all night. Considering the neighbourhood is turning into a hipster haven, I guess places like this will become more common. I overheard a long and loud conversation about veganism and I wanted to blow my brains out. I would rather make love to a bag of garbage than listen to some curly mustache douchebag talk about ethical food choices.

I am in love with this bar. The drinks, the décor, the music.
Hit up Hi-​Lo on a Friday night looking for some fancy cocktails without having to trek out to the west end. Hi-​Lo did not disappoint. Their cocktail list was super inventive and their local beer selection (e.g., Junction Craft Brewing) was very good.
My favourite cocktail of the night was the Rangoon. A delicious concoction made with Hendrick’s gin and featuring little «bubbles» of cucumber steeped in kaffir lime and basil syrup and served with a thick bubble tea straw for drinking.
The best part of the night was the music. EVERY song was my favourite. Grunge, punk, indie, blues, etc. — a Gen-Xer’s dream.
Friendly service too. I will be back for sure.

This place is my kinda joint. Being a New Yorker, this place has a distinct Brooklyn meets Lower East Side vibe. If you like rock music on the box all night, an easy going crowd and good, strong drinks this place is for you. Bartenders are really cool and very friendly. The crowd is mixed so there’s something for everyone here. It also happens to be in a great neighborhood. I could see this becoming your local bar if you are up for a good time.

East end rise!
The vibe reminds me of Queen West but… in the East, go figure. Solid venue to grab a few drinks and chill out paying some classic arcade games and pinball machines. I found myself watching people play, creepy? YES 100% creepy lol I was in the zone.

I am loving this place. We went here last night after a brief sojourn on the Danforth and when we couldn’t be bothered waiting in line at Boots and Bourboun. And I am glad we gave this place a go because I was really really was feeling it! Okay, Guns and Roses was in heavy rotation and that alone was kind of funny, and it worked. The crowd was quirky and fun. No douchebaggery. I usually feel like a fossil at a lot of bars, but the clientele here was very mixed and eclectic. Drinks were a little pricey, but nothing too outrageous. I will be back.

Went here the other night with a big group of friends and it was great to find that they had a large table to fit all of us. And it was a good thing we went a bit early as the place filled up shortly afterwards.
They have a good list of drinks, good music, clean bathrooms, and the service was not too bad. If you’re looking for any food, I’d suggest to get it elsewhere (they have a limited selection of snacks)

Exactly what the east end needed.
A warm bar full of interesting people.
The cling-​clang of pinball rhythmically pulsating over the ⁴⁄₄ of classic rock.
A well curated selection of liquid libations.
Fills the Avro void oh so nicely. In an unassuming, unpretentious and authentic way.

This place has been crazy busy lately for a Riverside bar. The décor is cool, with a pinball table and lots of old school Rock & Roll posters plastered to the wall. I went last night for a hot sauce tasting. The place was packed and there was a very friendly neighbourhood vibe going on.

From the owners of Ascari Enoteca and Table 17 comes Hi-​Lo Bar, which occupies the old Avro space in Leslieville. A shortlist of bar snacks are available. The ham + cheese board is a steal at $ 12 and if you want something heartier, I definitely recommend the chili (none of that ground beef nonsense, actual, large chunks of beef!) On Sundays, they have a huge cauldron full of it.
Bonus points for nostalgic items such as a pinball machine.
The cocktails are delicious (albiet a bit pricey for East End standards = $ 13). Servers are friendly and it’s a great joint for locals to hang out (or in my case, a non-​local to invade).