Dylan YoungGoing to the bar to drink with my friends is fun and all, but sometimes, I get bored because there’s nothing else to do aside from drinking. Luckily, I discovered activity bars in Toronto, and now there’s no turning back for me.
An activity bar is exactly what it says on the tin: it’s a bar that has other fun activities in store. These can be sports-related like table tennis or billiards, but I’ve also been to bars that have arcade machines and even line dancing!
If you want to spice up your night-outs with friends, check out these activity bars. These are my current favorites!
The Dock Ellis
– From fireandtonic
Address: 1280 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—3 pm to 2 am
- Saturday and Sunday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14167928472
If you’re a big sports fan, then you might like The Dock Ellis. In this bar, you can watch live sports events like football matches with other people, which is exhilarating because you can feel and hear people’s excitement as well.
Aside from watching sports matches, you can also play games here. In particular, I enjoy playing foosball—or at least, trying to play this game because I can never understand the rules. There’s also a billiards table if you’re interested.
While playing with my friends, we like to order a few rounds of food to keep us energized. We’re really fond of the charcuterie because it’s filled with all the tasty nibbles, such as salami, prosciutto, smoked mozzarella, and more.
As for drinks, we tend to order a few bottles of beer from Longslice Brewery. When we’re feeling fancy, we go for a bottle of Cabernet Merlot.
| Pro Tip: If you enjoy live music, come on a Friday night and head to the No No Room downstairs. You’ll be dancing along to lively punk rock songs. |
SPIN Toronto
Address: 461 King Street West Lower Level
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—4 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—4 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14165997746
Whether you’re new to ping-pong or a skilled player, you should check out SPIN Toronto. This bar lets you play as many rounds of table tennis with friends while drinking a glass of cocktail or indulging in a hearty meal.
I like getting the Corned Beef Sammie because it’s a sandwich jam-packed with so much filling (sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and more) that I’m full after a few bites. To share with the table, I order a platter of calamari, wings, and fries.
For my cocktail, my favorite thing to order is Annapurna’ Colada. It’s pretty strong because it’s made with two types of rum (Havana rum and Malibu rum), but it’s also sweet thanks to the coconut pandan and vanilla syrup.
| Pro Tips: Do you want to host a party with your friends? This bar offers party packages that include food, drinks, and your own ping-pong table. If you’re a skilled ping-pong player, you might be interested in joining the SPIN League. |
LOB Toronto
Address: 100 Broadview Ave #101
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—4:30 to 10:30 pm
- Thursday—4:30 to 11:30 pm
- Friday—5 to 11:30 pm
- Saturday—1 to 11:30 pm
- Sunday—1 to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14165831516
What makes LOB Toronto stand out is the fact that they have their own indoor game called Lob. This game combines elements of golf and bocce, and it involves throwing a ball across a track and hoping it lands in a specific area.
I’m making it sound really simple, but it’s actually complex in practice. It takes some skill and strategy to have the ball end up where it should be, and if you’re competitive (like me), you might end up spending a long time trying to perfect your move.
But don’t forget to eat and drink while you’re in this bar! Get the Lob Burger because it will fill your stomach in no time, and for your drink, try the Paper Plane. It’s a bourbon-based cocktail with a bit of zesty flavors, thanks to the lemon juice.
| Pro Tips: Book a group event at LOB Toronto for a fun gathering! Put your Lob skills to the test by joining a Lob tournament. |
Duke’s Refresher St. Lawrence
Address: 73 Front St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—4 pm to 12 am
- Thursday—4 pm to 1 am
- Friday—4 pm to 2 am
- Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
- Sunday—12 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14166038826
Located in St. Lawrence Market, Duke’s Refresher is a relaxing waterhole that combines the aesthetics of an old-school tavern and a modern-day pub. It also has games in store, so you can play while drinking with your buddies!
If you’re a big sports lover, you might want to try your hand at table tennis or dunk balls in the mini basketball court. For people who love video games, there’s also an array of arcade machines featuring pinball games and other classic games.
When you’re hungry, treat yourself to any of their pizzas. I recommend the Meat Lovers option because it’s topped with all kinds of meat including pepperoni slices, so every bite is so filling and an explosion of savory perfection.
For your drinks, there are many draft beers to choose from. There are also cocktails if you want something sweet. I really like Krusty’s Ice Tea because it does taste like ice tea (I don’t even taste the alcohol in this one).
| Pro Tip: Test your trivia knowledge by attending this bar’s trivia night! It happens every Tuesday if you’re interested. |
Track and Field
Address: 582 College St
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday—5 pm to 12 am
Most bars I visit have that dark and moody feel, but Track and Field is the opposite. It’s warm and sunny, and the fact that this bar has fun lawn games adds to that vibe.
I love playing bocce here. Even though I don’t really understand all the rules, I still enjoy throwing the ball and hoping for the best.
Aside from bocce, there’s shuffleboard, which is a tabletop game that works like air hockey. This game is perfect for big groups, which is why it’s my go-to game when I’m with friends.
While we’re playing, I like to sip on a Lavender Lemonade cocktail (it’s sweet and tangy, and it looks pretty too because of the edible glitter).
I also enjoy House Old Fashioned. It tastes earthy and bitter, with slight notes of vanilla.
| Pro Tip: You can book this bar as a venue for your party. |
The Ballroom
Address: 145 John St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—12 to 11 pm
- Thursday—12 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16473667890
I mean it when I say that there’s no dull moment at The Ballroom. On the one hand, there’s always live music, and on the other hand, there’s a bowling alley. So, you can either dance along or hit some pins with a ball—or both!
When you’re hungry, I recommend ordering the steak frites. It comes with an 8-oz New York striploin and truffle parmesan fries. That’s enough to fill your stomach.
Another one that I recommend is jerk chicken mac n cheese because it’s such a comforting meal.
For my drinks, I go for any of the cocktails. Currently, my favorite is Lychee Martini because it has that sweet and zesty flavor combination that I like.
| Pro Tip: Planning a private party, corporate outing, or any other kind of event? You can book this bar as a venue! |
FreePlay Toronto
Address: 300 College St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—5 pm to 12 am
- Thursday—5 pm to 1 am
- Friday—5 pm to 2 am
- Saturday—2 to 7 pm
- Sunday—2 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +14169292979
FreePlay Toronto is a bar made specifically for video game lovers. This place has so many games—both arcade and modern video games—and the best part is you can play everything for just a small fee!
Personally, I love playing Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros with my friends. But sometimes, I also enjoy playing pinball here. I’m not very good at this game, but it’s fun playing it all the same.
When it comes to food, expect to find typical pub fare. I tend to get the fried mac and cheese because it’s delicious and satisfying. The beer selection is also pretty decent, and there are non-alcoholic options for people who don’t drink alcohol.
| Pro Tip: This bar has special events on certain days of the week. For example, Tuesdays are for trivia games while Wednesdays let you enjoy karaoke night! |
Tilt Arcade Bar
Address: 1255 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—5 pm to 2 am
- Saturday and Sunday—2 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14378805586
Tilt is the perfect bar for nostalgic people and video game lovers. This place is decked with several arcade machines, and for a fee, you can play them for as long as you want!
The game lineup is pretty impressive. There are pinball games, like Baby Pacman, Addams Family, and Wheel of Fortune, and iconic video arcade games, like Mario Kart, Mario Bros, and Street Fighter.
If old-school games aren’t your thing, there are also modern options. In particular, my friends and I love playing Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros here. I always lose, which is annoying, but it’s still fun trying to beat each other in a video game.
When you’ve spent all your energy, I recommend ordering the Peter Pepper’s Burger because it’s so filling. If you like something sweet, try the deep-fried Oreos topped with cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce. It’s so decadent!
| Pro Tip: You can host a party or any other kind of special event at Tilt. You can contact them via phone or send them a message via this contact form. |
See-Scape
Address: 347 Keele St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday—7 pm to 2 am
- Wednesday to Sunday—5 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16478539892
I only heard about See-Scape because my friends kept raving about its unique aesthetic. This bar (and cafe by day) is themed around sci-fi and cyberpunk, so stepping foot inside makes you feel like you’re in the Ready Player One movie.
Gaming is the main activity here, and thankfully, you have a variety of options—both video games and board games. So far, I really love playing The Elder Scrolls video games and the Monopoly board game with friends.
While we’re busy taking each other down, we munch on a few food drinks. Our go-to order is usually Tatooine Poutine (I love that name) and Chocobo Strips N Chips (basically, chicken fingers with fries). For the drinks, we go for draft beers.
| Pro Tips: You can book this bar as a venue for your party! This bar also has a shop selling different kinds of merch, including dice, board games, and T-shirts. |
Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon
Address: 250 Adelaide St W Second Floor
Operating Hours: Thursday to Saturday—8 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14377475916
Channel your inner cowboy at Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon, a country bar in Toronto!
There’s no shortage of fun things to do at this bar. You can test your strength and balance during an intense bull ride or dance all night long to country tunes!
Of course, a country experience won’t be complete without pints of beer and shots of tequila. To accompany your alcoholic drink of choice, you might want to order a hearty burger like the Nashville Hot Chicken (spicy and savory—the perfect combination).
I also recommend getting the Rodeo Nachos, which is jam-packed with a lot of toppings like cheddar jack, pickled jalapeños, olives, tomatoes, and more. It’s perfect for sharing.
| Pro Tips: You can host a party at Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon! Choose from their two packages. If you’re vegan, you request a plant-based substitute for the Cowbell Burger. |
Get Well
Address: 1181 Dundas St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16473512337
Get Well is another bar that you might want to go to if you enjoy arcade games. This place has a great variety to choose from. Some of my favorites include Dig Dug, Donkey Kong, and Ms. Pac-Man.
The menu here is mostly filled with pizza options. Holy Meatrimony is my group’s go-to choice because it’s just oozing with cheese and meat. I also really like Kawaiian because I’m personally team pineapple on pizza.
For drinks, you have many beer options available on tap. Wine bottles are also available here if you’re feeling extra fancy.
| Pro Tips: If you can’t decide on which pizza flavor to get, you can order the half-and-half option. That way, you can taste two flavors for the price of one! |
The Crooked Cue on Bloor
Address: 3056 Bloor St W, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday—12 pm to 12 am
- Wednesday to Saturday—12 pm to 1 am
Contact Number: +14162367736
The Crooked Cue has that vintage vibe that almost makes you feel nostalgic. Plus, it has a few pool tables if you’re in the mood to shoot some balls.
After a few rounds, take a break and eat something. I recommend getting any of the pizzas. My favorite flavor to order is the Mediterranean one because it has my favorite toppings (sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives).
There’s a variety of beer options here if you’re interested. If you like something sweet, try any of the cocktails. My recommendation would be Blackberry Bourbon Sour. It perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors, and it also has blackberries mixed in.
| Pro Tip: If you’d like to try a beer but you’re feeling overwhelmed with all your options, you might want to try the Flight of Draught. It’s an option that allows you to try four beer flavors on tap (served at 5 oz each). |
Snakes and Lattes
Address: 489 College St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—4 to 11 pm
- Friday—1 pm to 2 am
- Saturday—11 am to 2 am
- Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +16473429229
Do you enjoy playing board or card games while drunk with friends? Then Snakes and Lattes is exactly the bar for you!
This bar actually has multiple locations in Toronto, but my go-to is the one on College Street. No matter which location you pick, you can expect to find about 1,000 board and card games, and you can play them all for just a small admission fee!
My friends and I prefer playing strategy games because they make us feel smart somehow, but when we want to have a chaotic night, we’ll go for the typical party games like Cards Against Humanity and Codenames.
For food and drinks, I usually get the cocktail of the month (this changes every month, and I’m always up for the surprise) and the Snakes Cheeseburger, which is jam-packed with a 6-oz patty and sharp cheddar—very filling!
| Pro Tips: You can host a party or any other kind of private event at Snakes and Lattes! This bar holds all sorts of fun events across its Toronto locations. These events can be trivia nights, mixers, and more! |
The Greater Good Bar
Address: 229 Geary Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16473482339
At first glance, The Greater Good Bar looks like your typical bar in Toronto: it’s spacious with several beer options available on tap. But on the second floor, there’s actually a space filled with arcade machines, and you’re free to play as long as you want!
I like getting the North of Brooklyn pizza here because it’s big enough to feed all my friends. It has a simple tomato sauce base, cheese, and basil leaves, but the flavor combination still hits every time.
To wash everything down, choose any beer available on top. If you don’t like to consume alcohol, you have a few options as well, such as root beer, soda, and fruit juice.
| Pro Tip: This bar doesn’t accept reservations, so if you want to secure your spot, I recommend coming here as early as possible or avoiding rush hour (especially after work hours). |
