Communist’s Daughter

Very cool and unexpected bar

Nice place for beers

Hole in the wall that truly maintains a hole in the wall feeling. It looks like an old milkshake shop that never got renovated. It has an air of dirty slimeballism and some hipster overtones, not surprising being so close to ossington. The seats look grandma nostalgic and are kept purposely dirty or looking dirty to let everyone feel the rundown vibe. A bit like the old Avro from Queen East without the eclectic side.
The washrooms downstairs remind me of 1990s china town with exposed wiring on the stairs. Shocking I know.
Dark and dingy, 3 button open office space shirt bartender. Dare to go and feel grungy.
In short a must see 5*
And yah they serve drinks.

Classic dive bar. Friendly staff and fair prices. It’s quite tiny so it can be hard to find seating but it’s a nice place for an intimate outting with friends. They play nice music here and it’s always a friendly atmosphere!

Checked it out this weekend. What an amazing vibe. Like others have said, it feels like you’re a friend’s house. Michael, the singing bartender, is incredible. I dare to you leave this place without a smile on your face. Didn’t try food but my beer (bottled 50) was $ 5.25 after tax. About average price.

I. Love. This. Place.
I actually found out about the Communist’s Daughter on Unilocal,and hopefully this review will guide others there as well.
I came here with some student friends over Christmas break 2014. It has the façade of what looks at first glance to be a convenience store, which is not only charming, but smart, because the disguise means only those in the know seem to venture in here, preserving the bar’s status as a shared secret among its regulars and maintaining its warm, communal atmosphere.
There is a good selection of beer and whiskey, I believe I got a Creemore and a Jameson or two. They weren’t expensive, nor does anything seem to be exorbitantly priced. But the best thing about the Communist’s Daughter is the atmosphere. Old Slavic portraits on the wall, notes of foreign currencies displayed behind the bar, even a bartender who could’ve been an extra in the Grand Budapest Hotel. I believe the following experience nicely captures the essence of this establishment.
We came on a Monday, when they hold a weekly event called «DEcide on the B-​Side». Patrons are invited to bring vinyl records, which are played on the bar’s turntable. After the A-​side of an album is finished, the bartender gets the attention of the whole bar (less than 30 people), and holds a vote. The options in this vote are: A) Keep playing the B-​side of the current record, or B) Move on to the next record, which remains a mystery until the crowd decides to play it. This inevitably sparks debate, and anyone who feels strongly about a certain record is entreated to give a brief argument as to why it should be played, while the whole bar patiently listens to their impassioned address. It’s a blast.
I don’t know many other bars in Toronto where this kind of game would be possible, and where everyone in attendance, most complete strangers to each other, would so enthusiastically want to take part. This exemplifies the strong sense of community that still exists in Toronto, the togetherness that this city was built on, and I believe it is vital to keep that spirit alive. The Communist’s Daughter is doing a fine job of it.

This was a really cute bar, drinks were good and the atmosphere was great. I would recommend this to couples, very cozy

Came on a Friday with a group of friends. It’s quite cozy, definitely a nice place to chill. I felt my jeans get skinnier as I walked in, it’s certainly packed with hipsters. The Whisky selection was nice and the canned beer was quite expensive. Not surprisingly it’s cash only. A cool place to hang out, interesting snack selection too.

Cozy and laid back. Small but with a ton of personality. I really liked it there! Inexpensive drinks, chill vibe, and sometimes music! I’ll be back for sure!

It’s nice to come hangout. My partner and I just had a canned beer and cider, and it was more or less like grabbing a drink from your friends fridge and hanging out for a while. There’s nothing spectacular nor horrible about it; it just is. Nice for a dark, quiet place to chill out or catch up.

Really neat bar, chill vibe and strong drinks… took a star away because it seemed crazy expensive and was super cramped.

The name is appropriate in every way, from the sign out front to the atmosphere inside to the tables squashed against each other. One of the few places in Toronto which replicated the café environment of my beloved Krakow to a tee.
The place is tiny but I’ve rarely seen anyone turned away of made to leave because it was too crowded — I’ve waited for tables, and always at least got enough seats. People don’t mind sharing tables here, adding to the distinctly European flavor. Prices are very reasonable.
The bartender is attentive and friendly, and the clientele laid back. A lot of hipsters, but that’s a small price to pay. I agree with other reviews, this is a great place to while away an afternoon (or an evening) — you find this place and you won’t wanna leave.
Every time I come here I raise a glass to the Commie and his Daughter. You’ll want to, too. Na zdrowie!

I stumbled upon this amazing place this past weekend when meeting up with a friend from uni. If you identify as a student/​artist/​recent grad/​young professional on a budget, yet looking for a cozy, unpretentious spot to enjoy a gin and tonic, I’d go to Communist’s Daughter in a heartbeat.
Also, the jukebox in the backend of the bar is pretty sweet!

This place, I dig. On a Sunday afternoon. Taking down a libation or two, and listening to some gentle jazzy funky live music. This places just oozes equal parts cool and hip. This is Toronto at its’ most awesome. Spend a Sunday afternoon here, if you’re ever up and out this way. I love the Communist’s Daughter.

One of my favorite bars in the world. I miss it so much and its pickled eggs and bitching jukebox. There is even a portrait of the communist’s daughter, and she looks like Rhoda from The Bad Seed.
PS: I saw another comment about US reviews. My husband is from Toronto, and I lived with him in Roncy for three years and go back to visit his family occasionally. Cut me some slack.

If a filthy living room full of hipsters is your scene, this is 4 u. Lamps that should be retired in an old house, bathrooms that stank, no reaked of P, but really friendly service, and great tunes.
The stools, tables and chairs look like those you’d find in a trailer. The lighting — what lighting? …this place is hard to find… GPS is the word.

So this to me is the kind of place I would picture when the term ‘dive bar’ is used which I guess is Toronto’s politer way of saying ‘shit hole’ which happens to be Birmingham’s not so polite way.
Wow — talk about being hard to spot, a brown board with the establishment’s name scribbled on and hung up in the window is the only give away.
Went here on a Sunday evening as decided to finally take a walk up the Ossington Strip and it was the music from the band that drew me in.
The place is small! I reckon full capacity would be reached with 40 people, many standing side to side.
As for appearance and clientèle. The bad news is that this place is totally no frills, a mix match of tables and chairs, various artwork on the wall with the far wall having a portrait painting of what I am guessing was the ‘Communist’s daughter’ but the good news is that Sunday might just turn out to be hipster free day as the majority of customers were all 40+ and were there to enjoy the band.
Though do be warned just walking up the Ossington strip will result in many encounters of the skinny jeaned kind.
So the band, I am sure they are a regular act as again just above the back bar there is a chalked picture of them. The main singer was great, came around on his break to say hi to everyone but the highlight, for me, was the second guy who at different times played a slinky, spoons, a cheese grater and best of all a saw (awesome haunting sound).
The food menu is at the end of the bar on a chalk board and none of the items seemed appealing enough for me to hang around and eat and only one couple was actually eating anything in the joint so I do not think people generally come here for the food.
So for what reason people would repeatedly come here, I am not totally sure as I could not write a review that justified the obvious hype from other Unilocalers.

J’ai compris le trip tout de suite en rentrant. J’n’avais pas lu de critique du tout, juste regardé le 4.5 étoiles et j’ai fait, ok, j’vais voir. Le Barman est un homme à tout faire. Barman, cuisto (on y sert quelques snack honnête et pas cher), chanteur, trompettiste. J’ignorais la petitesse de l, endroit mais je suis arrivé à la fin d’une des multiple session de musique qu’il allait y avoir. Je crois que c, est un endroit génial pour 2 – 3 pintes, assit (j’ai été chanceux là-​dessus) de la musique, un monsieur sympathique. J’sais pas, j’ai vraiment eut une méchante bonne vibe pour la place et j’ai adoré. Je veux y retourné en revenant à Toronto. L’endroit fonctionne tellement que je né comprends pas pourquoi ils n’agrandissent pas ou né veulent pas plus gros. Je pense que c’est juste que le proprio est le genre qui aime être le centre de l’attention mais il est d’une âme généreuse lui-​même. Il roulait sa place comme une business même si c’était surtout très chaleureux. J’ai vraiment aimé la musique, la bière, l’ambiance.

I guess I’m not cool enough to understand why people love this place so much. I certainly don’t think it deserves so many 5-​star reviews, but maybe I am just looking for something else when it comes to drinking establishments.
Yes, this place is extremely small. Anytime I have gone it’s been crammed full of hipsters and I’ve never enjoyed the music playing. Going to this place when it’s full is simply not an enjoyable experience. Squeezing between people to try and get to the washroom and then finding out 4 – 5 people are also waiting to use the facilities.
I walk by here a lot and there’s usually a gang of chain smokers standing outside. One quick peek through the window and it looks like a closet full of drunk kids.
Meh. Maybe I’m being overly harsh. I just think there are much greater bar options in the Dundas/​Ossington area. By no means do I think Communist Daughter is a «hidden gem» because everyone seems to know about it. And if your idea of a fun time is standing shoulder-​to-​shoulder with hipsters or fighting over seating then you’ll love this place.

A letter to two nights, two bartenders, and one bar:
If you saw me saddle up to the bar with love in my eyes, it’s because the name alone was enough to set my heart reeling. And because I was betraying my poor mother country who was occupied by the red star for years.
If you saw me cry at your trumpeting and singing performance it’s only because I found a dream that I never thought I could live. And I did, if only for a moment. It was magic, it really was. Living in an era suspended between then and now. But reality was just outside the door. What else is there to do but weep?
If you were surprised by my kisses on your cheek and confused by my emphatic hugs, it’s only because you were a mysterious bearded man who reveled in the same music all the while being the the most attentive and genuine bartender a lass could ask for.
And let’s not get too tawdry, here, but your eggs, salami, nuts, and pickles are also out of this world.
After all this, I sat on your bathroom throne and confessed to the priest (thankfully looking the other direction). Oh how glorious it was to purge my seven sins!
When I come crawling back to you, even after a year away, please welcome me with loving and open arms again. We can pretend that time never existed and that true love waits.

Interesting comments from the previous posters.
Saturday afternoons from 4−7pm is a must if you are really going to get a sense of this bar, the people, the atmosphere, the food and drinks.
Michael Louis Johnson and the Red Rhythm band play every Saturday. Michael will serve you up a pint then pick up his trumpet and/​or sing a song! Then in between verses serve up a few more drinks. Whether you sit in the back, stand to the side or sit up front; this cozy and intimate setting will either having you swooning or clapping your hands!
If I am with a group of friends we try to sit in the back as to not to be too loud if we are talking. But last weekend I was late getting there and ended up sitting right at the front and had the pleasure of watching the other musicians work their magic on their perspective instruments.
The décor may give you the sense that is it run down but it’s not. It’s just part of its charm! The booze is reasonably priced. The food options are limited but you’re not really there to eat! ha! But the prices are very reasonable. And yes the bathroom is not the prettiest thing but we are talking about an old part of town, with old establishments. Are you there to hang out in the bathroom? no!
Get there by 3:30pm to get a good seat. The music, the people, the drinks are why you go to the Communist’s Daughter aka Nazare Snack Bar! ha! I will post pictures from last week when I finally upload them :0)