The Bar Towel

While I've never been there myself, I've heard some good things about the Monarch Tavern, an historic (since 1927) watering hole on Clinton near College that was refurbished and relaunched a few months back. I've been meaning to go check it out for a while, and now I'm even more inclined to do so, as they're serving cask ale as of this weekend.

The first cask going on today is the vanilla version of Great Lakes Harry Porter. Not sure if they're tied to GL exclusively for casks, or if they'll be rotating.

They've got a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/monarchtavern - with a Drinks list under the "Menu" section. It's not yet updated to include the cask, but a half-decent list of taps and bottles. The sandwiches and burgers sound pretty good as well.

This is good news albeit surprising. I remember the Monarch as a an old watering hole at 20 cents a glass to wash down a veal sandwich from Bitondo's across the street. Wow, and now cask ale......holy moly.

GregClow wrote:While I've never been there myself, I've heard some good things about the Monarch Tavern, an historic (since 1927) watering hole on Clinton near College that was refurbished and relaunched a few months back. I've been meaning to go check it out for a while, and now I'm even more inclined to do so, as they're serving cask ale as of this weekend.

The first cask going on today is the vanilla version of Great Lakes Harry Porter. Not sure if they're tied to GL exclusively for casks, or if they'll be rotating.

They've got a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/monarchtavern - with a Drinks list under the "Menu" section. It's not yet updated to include the cask, but a half-decent list of taps and bottles. The sandwiches and burgers sound pretty good as well.

How much of that GL Vanilla Harry do they have over there? Do you think it's gone already?

Cheers,

GregClow wrote:While I've never been there myself, I've heard some good things about the Monarch Tavern, an historic (since 1927) watering hole on Clinton near College that was refurbished and relaunched a few months back. I've been meaning to go check it out for a while, and now I'm even more inclined to do so, as they're serving cask ale as of this weekend.

The first cask going on today is the vanilla version of Great Lakes Harry Porter. Not sure if they're tied to GL exclusively for casks, or if they'll be rotating.

They've got a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/monarchtavern - with a Drinks list under the "Menu" section. It's not yet updated to include the cask, but a half-decent list of taps and bottles. The sandwiches and burgers sound pretty good as well.

How much of that GL Vanilla Harry do they have over there? Do you think it's gone already?

Cheers,

austin wrote:This is good news albeit surprising. I remember the Monarch as a an old watering hole at 20 cents a glass to wash down a veal sandwich from Bitondo's across the street. Wow, and now cask ale......holy moly.

True that. But I do recall talking to the manager about a year ago about changing up the lines. They had opened a cool little room for live entertainment and they were getting more people asking for different stuff. He was open to the idea, so maybe this is the payoff.

Ooops - got my Monarchs mixed up. I was referring to the one on Dundas near Yonge. Thought it sounded too good to be true...

anyone been here recently? I was thinking about stopping by while in town today...

I had no idea that they sold cask. By pure chance I was in that neighbourhood on Sunday and decided to pop in however they were closed I'll make an effort to get there when they're open. That's great news.

Who on earth goes to Bitondo's except for their excellent slices. San Fran's across the street has been to the go to place for steak on a bun for 40 years ..my fist sandwich cost me 25 cents and California down the street off Clinton is the best veal in the world. Caplansky's at Monarch was an abberation and I don't go to their new place...too much smoke and not enough meat...overpoering and not enjoyable...you want pastami...Moe Pancers...still the best in the city for probably 50 years since Switzer's left Spadina...I am an old guy but I love my deli and there is little left in Toronto that is good...need a yearly visit to Montreal to partake in this excellent briscuit.

Um...huh???

Once again reminded why I don't come here much. Hippity-Hoppity's drunken meandering spew now has the classic old Stranglers song repeating in my head:

"What an old codger I am
What an old codger I am
What an old codger I am
What an old codger I am
What an old codger I am
What an old codger I am"

Um...huhh..a fabulous post...what the f*** does it mean...if you don't have words...save them for when you have something intelligent to say.

Was just here last night and impressed with the list of beers on tap. Lots of local stuff. Tried Junction Conductor's Craft Ale for the first time, and happy to see Denison's Dunkel on the menu too. They were actually OUT of their cask selection by 8pm when I arrived, which was too bad.

For food, they feature a rotating selection of food trucks to take over their kitchen. Right now it's Spencer's Kitchen. I had deep-fried pickles (amazing), chocolate-covered bacon (not so much) and a Reuben sandwich encased in puff-pastry, which was delicious. Food prices are reasonable as well.

Plus the place has a friendly, relaxed vibe, even as it got busier as the night progressed.

I'll be heading back to the Monarch soon! Hopefully they'll have more cask beer when I do.