Events
Tucked away between Toronto's thriving Dundas West and College Street strips, The Monarch Tavern has been serving its loyal patrons the coldest draft and warmest memories since 1927. As one of the oldest licensed establishments in the city, it's more than just a bar—it's a landmark!
Whether you're a college student, construction worker, artist, or fashion model, everyone feels like royalty at The Monarch.
About The Monarch
Upstairs you'll find the archetypal neighborhood public house, with 20 local craft beers on tap and a great selection of premium spirits on our top shelf. There's no place like The Monarch to watch a game on the big screen TV's, shoot some pool, or play a little pinball while you mingle with your friends. And yes, you can still bring up a sandwich or slice of pizza from the neighboring restaurants.
Public House
For anyone who likes to stray a little off the beaten path, the main floor features one of the city's most popular live music and event spaces. A cool but totally casual place to enjoy an eclectic mix of live music, DJ's, and cabaret-style entertainment. With room for up to 120 people, you couldn't ask for a better place to bring a group or host your next catered affair.
Music Venue
The Monarch Tavern offers a fully-featured private party room and event space. perfect for: live music, DJ nights, birthday parties, cabarets, wrap parties, fundraisers, book launches, corporate functions, film screenings, theater, performance art, stags, bachelorettes, Jack & Jill's, and weddings.
Features
120 person capacity
Full bar & DJ booth
Performance stage & Full PA
Wi-Fi & Multimedia screen
Grand Piano
Give us a call to discuss rates: Call 416.531.5833 or Email contact@themonarchtavern.com
Bookings
On Tap
1. Monarch House Blonde Lager - 5%
2. Great Lakes Sultana Solero IPA ≈ 6.3%
3. Great Lakes Karma Citra IPA ≈ 6.6%
4. Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale - 5.2%
5. Creemore Springs Lager - 5%
6. Woodhouse Nordic Pale Ale - 5.2%
7. Mill Street Organic Lager - 4.2%
8. Mill Street Tankhouse Ale - 5.2%
9. Shacklands Toe Tag Tripel - 8.8%
10. Brickworks Batch: 1904 Cider - 5%
11. Ace Hill Pilsner - 4.9%
12. Muskoka Detour Session IPA - 4.3%
13. Henderson’s RUSH Golden Ale - 5.5%
14. Side Launch Wheat Hefeweizen - 5.3%
15. Burdock Cherry B Sour - 5.2% (14oz)
16. Bellwoods Roman Candle IPA - 6.8%
17. Labatt 50 Ale - 5%
18. Bellwoods Stay Classy Non-Alc IPA - 0.5%
19. Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale - 4.3%
20. Guinness Stout - 4.2%
Now serving: Bindi's Burgers
Kitchen open Wednesday-Saturday
1 PM - 11:30 PM
Stepping into The Monarch is like entering a bygone era and reliving an important chapter in Toronto's history. For nearly a century, our unassuming brick walls have witnessed countless tales of revelry, scandal, and intrigue. Some stories are whispered, others boldly told, and many shrouded in mystery. In this section, we invite you to explore the rich folklore associated with Toronto's second oldest drinking hole.
Legend Has It…
Yes, the building which now houses our beloved tavern was once known as The Monarch Hotel. In the early days of Ontario's liquor licensing laws, bars were required to offer rooms for those who might not make it home after a long day of intemperance. But let's just say the rooms upstairs weren't always used for sleeping, earning the hotel some degree of notoriety as a popular house of ill repute.
The Monarch Hotel's Not-So-Noble Past
The Bomb That Shook The Neighborhood
Back in the 70s, an explosion rocked the building and landed our front door a whole city block away on one of our neighbor's lawns on Henderson Avenue near Manning. Though the details have remained murky, rumor has it the blast was no accident.
The Monarch has always been a place where people can put aside their differences and have a meeting of minds over a drink. It's where former Liberal Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Conservative Ontario Premiere Mike Harris once jokingly pretended to strangle each other during a party. It's where Toronto's City Councillors regularly suspend their bickerling long enough to break bread and have a pint together during their annual gentleman's lunch. And most intriguingly, The Monarch is where representatives of the country's organized crime families are said to have once sat down with local law enforcement officers to hash out their differences.
Burying The Hatchet
The Monarch is said to have been the site of Toronto's first armed robbery involving a Tommy Gun. Thankfully, no one was shot during the incident, but the event reportedly sent shockwaves through the neighborhood.
We Was Robbed
Over the years, many visitors and staff have reported ghost sightings and other paranormal phenomena at The Monarch, from shadowy figures appearing in our basement, to lights mysteriously turning off and on, and physical objects propelling themselves across the room. Could these spirits be former guests who never truly checked out? Who knows. But many of our staff refuse to go down into the basement alone at night.
Paranormal Activity
In more recent decades, as one of Toronto's premiere midsize music venues, The Monarch has played host to countless iconic performances by renowned and up-and-coming musical artists, such as Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, Boston Social Scene, Past, The Constantines, and many more.
Musical Chairs
Contact
Location
12 Clinton Street, Toronto, ON M6J 2N8
1 block south of College St. on the corner of Clinton and Henderson St.
Hours
Open 7 days, 2 PM - 2 AM
416.531.5833
contact@themonarchtavern.com
Accessibility
The main floor venue is just two half-steps up from the street and we have a StopGap ramp to help make the room more accessible. Please ask at the door or call the main line to ask for assistance in setting it up. Please note: our restrooms are not accessible.