Crawford

I was always indifferent on this place, going all the way back to when it was LOL Lounge (yes, that was actually a name — when the place focused on house music)… Then they got new owners and started doing a variety of nights from funk and soul to classic hip hop to rnb and trap. As time went on, the variety faded and this seems to exclusively aim to be the modern urban music crowd venue of Little Italy.
I try to not rate a venue based on music alone as most of the times I end up at these venues, it’s based on the coercion of others… So this 2 star review is not influenced by that, as much as during the last 2 times of visiting I’ve been both short changed by the bartender, and had a random person try and start a fight with me for no reason. The crowd, the awkward layout of the venue, and the limited music selection all collectively have earned this 2 star review.
I’ve made my last visit to the Crawford.

If I could sum up this place in one word, it’d be «grimy.»
Cover was $ 10 on a weekend. We got there at around 11. It was busy.
The music here was actually decent. Old school hip-​hop. Bit of reggae. No complaints in this department. The music is meant to serve a particular crowd. There was no Top 40, no mixing of genres. I can appreciate that.
What I didn’t like about the place was the crowd.
This is the type of place where guys will grab you, even after you have repeatedly told them not to. They say things to you that you would really rather not like to hear. I tried not to be rude, but after multiple passes were made by the same guy, I had to be a little more direct. Later on, a group of people walk in, reeking of weed. One of the guys grabs my neck from behind, and whispers something in my ear. Honestly, it doesn’t even matter what it was… After which, he proceeded to leave. This is the type of place this is. Obviously, you may go here and have a different experience, but the crowd that comes will still be the same type of people. Or you may feel violated just by the way some people look at you.
To get to the bathroom you have to go downstairs (where the DJ is). Great if you are already there, but if you want to go back to the dance floor that is downstairs, you actually have to go back upstairs, and then go downstairs. When you come upstairs, there may be a line to go downstairs, and you may have to wait. I guess wait as long as possible to break the seal.
The place badly needs a reno.
The only thing I liked about this place was the music. Everything else was icky.

If you get the back couch area, you’ll be good to go! lol. It’s a pain when you have to go to the washroom though, as you have to go downstairs and then worm your way through some sexy dance moves in action.
However, complaining about a bar’s layout is somewhat irrelevant, sometimes they can’t help it, man!
This place was pretty generic and I don’t even remember what the music was (it was supposed to be an R Kelly night, I think?) because I could kind of hear the upstairs and downstairs music at the same time. I had many pints though and all was well! I think there were a lot of young people here, if you like young people then that’s great.
I don’t know if I’d go to Crawford again, as I remember having a decent time but I can have a decent time at McDonald’s.

A lot of my friends went recently and I cannot recommend this place at all. It’s really dark and dingy with no place to really move around. The dance floor had only a few people with someone taking pictures.
The most ridiculous part about this place was cover. It starts at $ 5, but as it gets busier, they charge $ 8. And then there’s $ 3 coat check. The girl at the door is extremely rude too. Instead of answering questions, she will continue to do whatever she’s doing (which was count money at the time) and tell you to wait.
Just a terrible experience.

Came here on Halloween this year with a crowd of art school kids. It was kind of like Step Up, Save the Last Dance, and every other dance movie you have ever seen combined. I don’t know if this is because I was with an artsy crowd or that night, but it seemed like everyone had collectively choreographed their dance moves and knew all the lyrics to underground hip hop and rap songs.
I felt like Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance, and I’m not white, and I can normally hold my own in a club. Did a black man try to teach me how to dance? Maybe… Did I fake mouth the lyrics? Most possibly. Was I the only person wearing an orange beret? Most certainly.
Drinks were average priced ($ 6 beers, $ 8 mixed drinks). Cover was $ 10 for Halloween night, so not too bad. $ 3 for coat check.
Floor space was BIZARREE! Almost impossible to dance without having people walk past you, nudge you, etc. The dance space is a small square in front of the DJ table (probably 5feet x 5feet). There is also dance space downstairs but you have to wait in a secondary line to get down there.
Also the coat check lady was terrible! She put our belongings on the hanger and then just let them sit outside unmonitored for ten minutes while she went downstairs. My friend and I were amazed that we got all our belongings back at the end of the night.
Overall, I had an okay night. I don’t think I’m gonna make this a regular haunt but may return at some point.

After a concert ended while the night was still young next door at Mod Club a few of us wandered into Crawford looking to keep our whistles wet. And wet they were kept with $ 14 pitchers of PBR. They had a few specials on but the only other I can recall is a shot and a pint for $ 7.
It was a Monday eve so the bottom floor was closed off and looked like a big black hole, not sure what goes on down there, but may need to find out in the future.
There was a couple in the far corner occupying a large area that had a couple couches and chairs. Since our group was bigger I figured we could take them. However, Vivek decided to take the moral high road and ask if we could join them. They agreed.
After taking a lashing or two about our political views and questions as to why the bathroom attendants at the Mod Club are not paid a salary, we settled into our seats and enjoyed our beers while counting down the minutes until our friend’s birthday.
Now, you’re probably asking what could possibly make this night better right? Well, how about The Breakfast Club playing on the TV’s? Yes that’s right, true story.
Overall this was a great place to chill on a Monday night. The waitress was attentive but not overbearing. We were somewhat secluded from the rest of the bar so we were able to carry-​on our conversations without being bumped or having to yell over other patrons which is always nice.

Sorry Crawford you kind of suck. And not because of crap management… its just one of those spaces that no matter what has an awful layout.
Ok so they have music here and djs… dj booth in the upstairs is in the front behind the door people… the wall across from the dj is tables… beside the dj booth is tables… the only other open space is in front of the bar where everyone crowds around to order drinks or just stand because there is NOWHERE TO GO.
Ok so now you’re sick of the upstairs and want to go downstairs… excellent… oh but theres a huge line and you need to wait to go downstairs. Super. Did I mention that in the back where you go downstairs theres like a balcony type thing overlooking the floor downstairs… oh its also a real pain to stand anywhere back there.
The only real tollerable place to be in this bar where you don’t feel like you’re in anyones way is in the basement. everywhere else people are walking past you all the time… I get annoyed when I feel I am in peoples way… because I like to move to a place where I am not constantly being walked by or pushed through and Crawford is one of those places where its almost unavoidable no matter where you go.
Also the bathrooms… there is one bathroom for the huge bar and has 3 stalls in the womens… its a nightmare if you need to pee. Oh also… yeah the bathrooms are in the BASEMENT. So enjoy lining up to go downstairs then line up again for the bathroom.
This bar however has consistantly good nights booked at it, good bartenders, and friendly staff… it just sucks that this space is crap.

Here during their soft opening, their grand opening is happening this weekend. This bar is nestled in Little Italy on College next to it’s namesake Crawford. Currently they have a temporary menu which consists of favorites like poutine, nachos, chicken fingers.
The interiors are great, eclectic yet warm. It will be interesting to see what kinda parties will happen in this space.